By Cole Dougherty ’18

Each year, students and faculty gather in the AAC to celebrate the academic accomplishments of students from the previous school year.  Students are recognized for maintaining an average high enough to be on the honor roll, for being inducted into the National Honor Society, and for finishing at the top of their division.  

This year’s ceremony began with members of the Gold Band performing “Prince of Denmark” as the Chaminade student body entered the AAC. The first awards were given to each individual who had achieved the highest average in his respective class, beginning with the class of 2017 and concluding with the class of 2019. Michael Carolan ’17, recipient of the John T. Darby award for highest average of the junior division and the Thomas J. Power award for highest three-year cumulative average, recalled the lessons he learned from his achievement. “Succeeding isn’t always about being perfect,” Carolan pointed out.  “The most important thing is to keep a positive outlook on things and success will follow.”  Additionally, the Albert Kozar award for the highest ranked sophomore went to Shawn Connell ’18; the Louis T. Faerber award for last year’s highest ranked freshman went to Daniel Garcia ’19.

Afterwards, pins were given to those honor roll students who had maintained an average of 89.5 or higher during the previous school year.  Each uniquely colored pin represented achievement: gold pins were awarded to students who achieved honor roll for the third time, silver to those who have attained honor roll for two years, and bronze pins to those students who appeared on the honor roll for the very first time.  After receiving these pins, many Chaminade students adorned their jackets with them, proud to represent the fruits of their efforts in their rigorous studies.

Another accolade recognized at this annual ceremony was the acceptance of students into the National Honor Society. In order to be named a candidate for induction, a student must maintain an average of 85 or higher for two years and be involved in two or more clubs or activities. The students of the junior and senior classes who meet these qualifications are then invited to become new members in the National Honors Society. Not only do these young men receive the privilege of donning the iconic golden society jackets, but they also take on the responsibility of becoming active leaders in the Chaminade community.  The ceremony also highlighted those current National Honor Society members of the Class of 2017 who were promoted to officers, with John-Luke Hoonhout ’17 being named president and Jude Tochukwu Okonkwo ’17 named Vice President.

Each award presented at the Academic Awards Ceremony represents the dedication and commitment Chaminade students make in their efforts to challenge themselves academically. They represent Chaminade’s culture of learning, participation, and the drive for success that many students display.  As the recipient of the Albert Kozar award for highest average in sophomore year, Shawn Connell ’18 recognized what helped him arrive at the accomplishments he enjoys today.  “Chaminade has taught each of us to always put forth our greatest work and that we can accomplish whatever we put our minds to.”  The start of a new academic school year provides every Flyer with the opportunity to better himself academically, athletically, and spiritually, in the never-ending pursuit of living up to the creed of the Chaminade Man.