8 - Senior Academic Awards

The Class of 2028 will honor the academic Top Scholars

Students in the top 10% of their class academically (based on weighted GPA) will be recognized as Top Scholars.

The following criteria are used to determine Department Awards at HHS. 

These awards are presented to students at the Senior Awards Night.

Students earning these awards receive a certificate and a cord to be worn with their cap & gown at commencement.

Cords are different colors that correspond with each department

Students can earn multiple cords

Achievement

• Student must have consistently excelled academically.

• Student must have consistent improvement and/or a C or higher.

• Student must have developed skills for adult living.

• Student must have established goals and achieved them.

• Student (without disabilities) must have supported students with disabilities through informal (lunch table) or formal (Special Olympics, LINKS) activities.

• Students must have 4 or more Trimesters of Links.

• Student must have 6 of less absences.

• Student must have a grade of 94% or higher.

Art

• Student must have a 3.5 GPA or higher in Art courses.

• Student must have completed at least 5 trimesters in Art courses. Trimester 3 of senior year will be included. One of the courses completed must be Art III.

• Student must have a unique command of skills and techniques with various material and media.

• Student must be a leader in the classroom and use class time efficiently.

• Student must have approval from all teachers in the Art Department.

Business

• Students must accumulate an A or A- in 7 of the 10 courses listed below:

  • Introduction to Business

  • Entrepreneurship

  • Financial Management A

  • Financial Management B

  • Sports Marketing A

  • Sports Marketing B

  • Accounting A

  • Accounting B

  • Accounting C

  • School Store Management (only 1 section)

Computer Science Award

• 5 classes with an A or A- from the following courses listed below: 

  • AP Computer Science A(must take this course)

  • Intro to Programming

  • Python

  • Advanced Programming

  • Cybersecurity

  • 3D Modeling

  • Game Design

  • AP Computer Science Principles

  • Students must have taken the APCSA exam

English Language Arts

• The English Language Arts Department recognizes seniors for exemplary performance and achievement in their English and Language Arts coursework.

• Department members nominate students for one or more of five categories, and award recipients are determined by a department wide vote.

• Students may receive awards for Academic Writing, Creative Writing, Performance, Literature Studies, and English Elective Studies.

Family and Consumer Science (Life Skills)

• Student must have an A or A- in all classes.

• Student must have at least 5 trimesters and only 1 of those can be Independent Study. Trimester 3 of senior year counts.

• Student must have 6 absences or less. (no unexcused, school related doesn't count)

• Student must exhibit character/leadership in the classroom.

• Discretion of Family and Consumer Science team for eligibility.

• Student must have a positive school attendance record.

Mathematics

• Student must complete AP Calculus and earn an A or A- in all high school math courses taken.

• Other math accomplishments or additional math courses such as dual enrollment or AP Statistics may result in an exception to the the math course grade requirements.

Music - Band

• Student must have been a part of the Band Program since 6th grade. The band staff is proud of their commitment. Band students who are seniors receive recognition because of their dedication from middle school through high school.

• Students receiving awards have not only stayed in band, but have also contributed to the Band Program by participating in marching band, jazz band, winter Drum Line, Winter Color Guard, pep band, playing in the High School Musical or by taking lessons.

Music - Orchestra

• Student must have been a part of the Orchestra Program since 6th grade. The orchestra staff is proud of their commitment and the seniors receive recognition because of their dedication from middle school through high school.

• Students receiving awards have not only stayed in orchestra, but have also contributed to the Orchestra Program by participating in ASE, Orchestra Council, community performances, music lessons, and/or other additional performances.

Music - Vocal

• Student must have obtained high achievement in high school choir for all 4 years.

Physical Education

• Student must have at least 4 trimesters of two different physical education classes above and beyond the required classes and performed at a high level.

• Student must have taken and successfully completed a PEAK Performance class and/or a strength class.

• Student must have a positive attitude toward physical education and its goals along with teacher recommendation.

• Student must have a personal, self guided work ethic.

• Student must show consistent effort and shows leadership to others.

• Student has made physical education better because of their participation and example.

Science

• The Science Department recognizes 10 seniors for exemplary performance and achievement in their science department coursework.

• Student must have passed the most trimesters of science with a 3.0 GPA or higher. (Excluding Independent Study)

Social Studies

• Student must have taken at least 2 AP courses and earned an overall grade of an A- or better in each class. (AP weighting does not apply in this award qualification) OR

• Student must have taken 3 or more of available elective classes and earned an overall grade of an A- or better in each class.

  • Current Events: Making History

  • Early World History

  • Psychology

  • Sociology

  • US History C

  • World at War

Vocational Education

• Student must achieve a 3.75 (A-) GPA in Vocational Education courses.

• Student must have displayed characteristics of leadership.

• Student must have a positive school attendance record.

• Student must have produced an outstanding project for MITES.

• Student must have completed at least 8 trimesters in Vocational Education courses.

• Student must possess the ability to work with others, show outstanding work and study habits, and demonstrate an excellent attitude towards school.

World Language

• Student must have successfully completed 3 years of the same language, either Chinese or German. Students must have successfully completed 4 years of Spanish.

• Student must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.75 (A-) or better in all World Language courses. Exceptions may be made at teacher discretion due to curriculum changes.

• Student must be able to demonstrate speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills that commensurate with the level studied as determined by the instructor in each language taken.

• Student must have demonstrated a positive attitude and an evident love of the language.

• Student must have approval from all World Language teachers.