10/25/10 — The varsity letter is arguably one of the most coveted and prestigious honors a student can receive in high school. Although the letter is traditionally correlated with football players and athletics, Great Oak High School has expanded the parameters to include recognition in academics.
On October 11, 52 outstanding seniors were awarded the Academic Letter from among 750 students. In order to receive this distinction, letter recipients maintained at least a 4.0 GPA each semester beginning freshman year for seven consecutive semesters.
Activities Director Don Skaggs opened the ceremony with a brief congratulatory remark, followed by another short speech by Principal Joe Balleweg. After the introduction, each student was called onstage to receive the actual “letter” in academics while two ASB members read accolades bestowed upon the students from teachers in various subject areas. Throughout this process, an occasional light flash illuminated the stage as proud, teary-eyed parents snapped photos of their children receiving the award.
Lettered students felt a combination of gratitude and accomplishment after achieving this feat.
“I felt very honored to receive the academic letter along with other deserving students,” senior Allan Villanueva said. “I now see how everything that I have worked hard for starting freshmen year is starting to pay off.”
“It was a good reminder that I have to stay focused and I can’t let senioritis kick in because I wouldn’t have gotten the letter if I did,” senior Marie Kris Samson added.
Of the academic letter recipients, seven students received special recognition for reaching the “Commended” level in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program by meeting a specific score on the PSAT/NMSQT. In addition to their academic letters, the students received a certificate of achievement from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Villanueva summed up the experience of being recognized for his achievements.
“I learned that if you persevere in everything that you do, good things will happen.”
