Gilroy
– One in three Gilroy High School students was wearing a badge
of honor Friday as the brightest students were awarded blue and
gold stars to recognize their hard work and academic
achievement.
Gilroy – One in three Gilroy High School students was wearing a badge of honor Friday as the brightest students were awarded blue and gold stars to recognize their hard work and academic achievement.
The stars were part of the fanfare centered on the Honor Roll Brunch, in which 759 students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher were feted with food, words of appreciation and raffle prizes.
“This is the only chance, besides graduation and senior day, to shine a light on the kids who do well,” said Alexis Dalke, president of the Associated Student Body and a member of the leadership team, which organized the event.
Dalke was one of hundreds who packed into the student center, proudly holding a gold star to represent her being on the principal’s list, which requires a grade point average of more than 4.0.
In the grading system at Gilroy High School, a grade point average of 3.0 translates to an average grade of B for all classes while a grade point average of 4.0 is equivalent to an A average for all classes. Students can get higher than 4.0 by taking advanced classes, where Bs are scored as 4.0 and As are scored as 5.0.
In addition to a celebration and break from classes – students not on the honor roll still had to attend class during the festivities – was an opportunity for the youth to be with like-minded individuals.
“A lot of these kids end up in classes where they are the only ones who are trying,” said Julie Berggren, director of student activities for the school. “For them to be able to hang out with other kids who are like them, who are working hard, is great.”
A tradition for more than five years, the brunch is supported by the Rotary Club, which donated $2,000 this year. Local business also donated prizes, such gift certificates, which were raffled off to the honor roll students.
The involvement of community organizations in the event is important, said Dalke.
“It really sends a message, to the school – this is what we want to be,” she said. “We want to be an academic school.”
