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Students who have attended Anderson before this year have likely heard of the Anderson Achievers program, but few know and fully utilize the opportunities provided to those with a 3.0 GPA or higher who sign up to receive a card each quarter.
Since 1999 Anderson has rewarded students for their academic achievements with incentives and opportunities throughout the year. Achievers Cards’ motivate students and recognize their hard-earned accomplishments by including discounts at local businesses, weekly and quarterly rewards, the Academic Pep Rally, and more.
“We get a Snowie every [quarter] and the Anderson Achiever breakfast is also fun,” Layne Griffis (12), who has had an Achievers card since her freshman year, said.
While Snowies are among the possible incentives, the program covers and manages more than free rewards during school. For seniors, the “Achiever Believer Essay Contest” is an opportunity to earn a scholarship.
“The prize value ranges each year but seniors who've been an achiever at some point can apply. There’s a panel of teachers who read it, a short 250 word essay on what it means to be an achiever. It’s anonymous, we rank the top couple,” science teacher Mr. Good, who runs the Anderson Achievers program, said.
Students are impacted by the program in a positive way.
“It helps you stay focused in school and you get fun treats so it’s pretty useful,” Elliana Courtney (10),who’s had a card since her freshman year, said.
Along with the Achievers cards themselves, returning students definitely know about the Academic Pep Rally held in the spring. With awards and abundant entertainment, it’s an event that the school awaits yearly. In between music and performances by the staff, students are awarded for having straight As, as well as individual subject-based acknowledgements.
“It’s a lot of work…students really enjoy it and it's nice that the staff is willing to put themselves out there to say just not take [themselves] so seriously sometimes all in the name of recognizing all the great things that students do,” Good said.
All in all, achievers cards are easy to sign up for and there are many benefits. Students are able to be rewarded for everything they do.
“We want to recognize people who deserve it. A lot of hard work goes in and sometimes people may think that accomplishments and things that they’re doing [aren't being] seen, we’re here to show that it is seen and something to be proud of. These accomplishments don’t go under the radar” Good said.
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