St. Michael’s Academic Awards Get a New Look (By Ivan Klousia, Director of Theatre)

We have redesigned our approach to the annual academic awards program. Based on feedback from our faculty and extensive research on the subject, we have changed the program so that the awards are more closely tied to the school’s mission and core values.

Research by the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools shows a nationwide shift to this approach in many of the leading schools across the nation. We’re excited about the new look and we can’t wait to announce the award recipients at the Virtual Academic Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 26. The ceremony will be held via Zoom and award recipients will receive an email invitation during the week of April 12-16.

In the spirit of honoring our strong traditions at St. Michael’s, we’ve retained the names of two of our most important awards, but have changed the focus of the awards. The Bishop Konzen Award for Academic Achievement recognizes one student in each academic subject who most fully exemplifies authentic engagement and academic success in a course through positive and productive participation, consistent effort, a passion for learning, and academic achievement.

The Father Vincent Lopez Departmental Awards are now directly tied to our core values of Courage, Personal integrity, Intellectual Curiosity and Service. According to Dr. Nichols, “Tying the legacy of Father Lopez through the departmental awards to the pillars of our mission seems eminently appropriate to us. What better way to honor him than to recognize through the efforts of St. Michael’s students our core values of courage, service, integrity, and intellectual curiosity! ”

St. Michael’s has also established a new leadership award that is named in honor of one of its most beloved and important figures. The Ann Dolce Leadership Award honors one freshman, one sophomore and one junior who demonstrate school leadership in a way that inspires others to reach their full potential. Ann Dolce has been an important part of our school throughout its history. Ann has worn many different "hats" at St. Michael's over the years, from teacher and parent, to administrator and board member, to benefactor and grandparent. In all cases, she has led with the kind of inspiring qualities that we are looking for in our student nominees.

In addition to the new look of the awards, we will continue to recognize student scholars with some of the same honors as past years, including Summa Cum Laude, Honors Inquiry Project, St. Teresa of Calcutta Service Award, TAPPS Academics & Speech State Finalists, and the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

 

We’re excited about the new look of our annual academic awards and look forward to honoring our amazing student scholars at the Virtual Awards Ceremony on Monday, April 26.