Silver Garland 2010

2010

Information for Nominees

For service to school and community.

Purpose

POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS FOR UNSELFISH

Participants

SERVICE TO THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.

BACKGROUND

The Silver Garland program is sponsored as a community service by The Ledger. Polk County high schools are invited to select seniors with records of outstanding service as Silver Garland candidates. Business and/or community leaders serve as judges in each category. Judges individually review and hold personal interviews with each candidate to select the Silver Garland recipient in each category. Selection of candidates to represent each school and administration of the program at school level is handled by Polk County Schools. Selection of judges, judging of candidates and presentation of awards is administered by The Ledger. The Ledger assumes all expenses for the program.

THE CATEGORIES

•ART •ATHLETICS •CITIZENSHIP •ENGLISH/LITERATURE •FOREIGN LANGUAGE

•JOURNALISM •MATHEMATICS •MUSIC •PERFORMING ARTS •SCIENCE

•VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL

QUALIFICATIONS

The essential qualification for a Silver Garland nominee is service. Students who attempt to qualify solely through in class excellence have no advantage in being selected. The Silver Garland Award in each category is given to the student whose record of service to school and/or community best exemplifies the unselfish use of his or her abilities to help others. The period of performance is not of prime importance. Work through all of the high school grades (9 - 12) or any part thereof may be considered. GENERAL MEASUREMENTS TO DETERMINE AN INDIVIDUAL’S QUALIFICATIONS ARE: A. ACHIEVEMENT. Accomplishments, honors and recognition represent evidence of achievement, both in school and community. Important are the direction of purpose (as applied to the student’s category), realization of goals and persistence.

B. LEADERSHIP. Initiative in constructive programs, poise in facing difficult problems and courage in meeting responsibilities are hallmarks of a good leader. A list of elected positions demonstrates general approval by others, which opens the door to real leadership. How this opportunity is used is the prime factor for consideration. C. CHARACTER. Students’ character is measured by personal habits and attitudes, appreciation of our society’s moral and spiritual values and a sense of good judgment as reflected in relationships with others. Character may be revealed by an individual’s ability to overcome physical and environmental handicaps. Guidelines for selection of nominees by categories are outlined in this brochure. These specific guidelines, plus the general measurements of achievement, leadership and character, should form the basis for selection of nominees. All of these factors are considered by Silver Garland judges. Their choice of winners rests on an appraisal of the student’s use of these factors in service to school and/or community.

ELIGIBILITY

Competition is open to any high school senior in Polk County schools, public or private. Each school, regardless of size, may nominate only one candidate in each category. In addition, no student may be entered in more than one category.

METHOD OF NOMINATION

1. The interested student must complete one original entry form. Form may be scanned into a computer document. The original must be properly signed by the candidate, faculty member and principal. Entry forms provide a guide for evaluating candidate’s qualifications. No supporting exhibits such as scrapbooks, projects, portfolios, or transcripts are to be submitted. 2. The completed entry form should be given to that school’s Silver Garland coordinator, as designated by the principal. 3. A school committee or coordinator, as directed by the principal or his/her designated representative, may determine which entry in each category shall be submitted to The Ledger for final judging.

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4. Principals should review teacher/faculty letter of recommendation and verify the statements of the teacher and candidate. 5. One photograph must be submitted for each nominee. The photograph should be a wallet-size studio portrait (i.e., yearbook photo) suitable for reproduction. Photos should be electronically sent to The Ledger in a JPEG format. All photographs must be labeled on the back, or as the filename of the JPEG with candidate’s name, category and school. Please use self-stick labels. Ballpoint pens leave indentations and felt markers may smear. IMPORTANT! 6. Make four copies of the original completed entry form. Please be sure that all copies show photo with original attached to top copy. Original plus 4 copies (total of 5 sets) must be submitted to The Ledger.

DEADLINE

Entries must be received by The Ledger no later than 5:00 PM, Friday, December 18th. They should be directed to the attention of Lenore Devore. (The Ledger is not responsible for late or misdirected mail.)

JUDGING

Authorities in each category are selected by The Ledger. Each judge individually reviews the entry forms prior to judging and conducts a brief personal interview with each nominee before making their decision. In every case, the judges’ decision is final. Nominees will be notified of their interview time by letter about a week prior to the judging session Wednesday., February 10, 2010. At Jim Miles Dev. Center, Attendance is mandatory.

AWARDS PRESENTATION

The Silver Garland Awards presentation will be Monday, April 19, 2010, 7 PM, at Branscomb Auditorium, FSC. Names of the winners will not be revealed until called to the stage for presentation. Attendance is required for receiving the top award.

AWARDS

Each winner receives a Silver Garland trophy and a $1,000 check. Each Silver Garland candidate is awarded a certificate of merit.

TROPHIES AND CASH AWARDS TO WINNERS IN EACH OF 11 CLASSIFICATIONS. CERTIFICATES TO NOMINEES IN EACH CLASSIFICATION.

GENERAL INFORMATION & INSTRUCTION

1. Entries are accepted by The Ledger only from the official representative from each high school. 2. Entry forms cannot be returned. 3. Nominees must attend an interview with judges at the Jim Miles Dev. Center on the morning of Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Candidates unable to attend the judging will be disqualified. Please check for previous commitments before nomination. 4. Students’ names are printed on certificates, awards and for publication exactly as they appear on entry forms. Please double-check spelling! 5. All nominees are required to attend the Awards presentation on Monday, April 19, 2010. Nominees may invite as many guests as they want. The ceremony is open to the public. The Ledger strives to make the event worthy of the students’ efforts.

Awards Categories The following criteria serve as guidelines for selection of nominees. ART The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service through creative ability in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, architecture or in any visual arts medium. • sparked school or community projects or inspired, encouraged or taught others through practical application of creative abilities. • donated creative talents to serve an organization or event which exists to help others.

JOURNALISM The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service through work on student publications. • demonstrated an unusual devotion to the accomplishment of a specific goal designed to benefit the community through work with a newspaper, magazine, or other journalistic outlet. • used talents in written or broadcast media to enlighten/educate the public.

ATHLETICS The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service in physical education, student team management or leadership. • contributed to the welfare of others through athletic activities. • displayed emotional sportsmanship, fair play and unselfish service. • donated time and talent to teach, coach or lead those less fortunate.

MATHEMATICS The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service through endeavors to contribute to mathematical knowledge. • led individual or group research projects using mathematical abilities. • tutored students and/or adults using math skills.

CITIZENSHIP The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service in any academic field. • shown an overall willingness to accept and carry out special assignments and projects within the school or community. • displayed exemplary leadership, dependability, civic consciousness, and spirit of helpfulness. ENGLISH/LITERATURE The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service through leadership by initiating or directing activities related to a fuller appreciation of English and literary works. • used skills to benefit others and encourage a deeper appreciation of literature. • participated in literacy, young reader, or free library programs. • reached others, through the written word, improving school or community. FOREIGN LANGUAGE The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service through the use of knowledge in a language other than English. • tutored other students beginning a foreign language course. • used translating abilities to assist the community, school, or mission-related trips.

MUSIC The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service through use of talent in, or knowledge of vocal or instrumental music. • been the inspiring force in a musical group. • originated or lead music-related projects of benefit to others. PERFORMING ARTS The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service as a dramatist, director, writer, dancer, designer or technical director in the theatrical arts. • designed or constructed sets, created original scripts, choreographed presentations, designed lighting or sound systems for community or school. • served to inspire fellow students through the use of theatrical means. • provided entertainment at a nursing home or a hospital’s children’s ward. SCIENCE The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service by advanced work, investments or application of the principles of chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, physiology, electronics or computer science. • worked for a cleaner environment in the areas of ecology. • led others to the advantages of science through field trips, science projects or technical demonstrations. • inspired other students to choose an area of science as a continuing education or career path.

VOCATIONAL/TECHNOLOGY The candidate may have... • provided outstanding service in the field of industrial, business, vocational or technical education. • an ability to lead or inspire others through the practical application of business, industrial arts, agriculture, cooperative, home economics, or technical education. • tutored others in the areas of vocational studies. • volunteered time to assist an organization, group or school through computer education and application.