What is it?
The Core Value Award is a special recognition given to students who demonstrate strong character, leadership, and commitment to our school’s core values.
Who can receive it?
Any Leaders Student who meets all core values:
Learning: The student actively engages in class, consistently goes above and beyond in their work, and participates in discussions voluntarily.
Leading: The student serves as a positive role model for their classmates and peers.
Contributing: The student dedicates time and effort to support the school community, whether by joining teams or clubs, helping out in the main office, or contributing to a positive environment.
Exploring: The student embraces new challenges, pushes themselves outside of their comfort zone, and seeks opportunities for personal growth.
Why is it important?
The CVA recognizes students’ positive impact and leadership, making it a valuable achievement for personal development and future opportunities.
How can you earn it?
Students must consistently demonstrate these values. Teachers nominate students who embody the core values, and only nominated students are considered. Each week, SGA sends an email with a nomination form link for teachers to submit their selections.
Where is it awarded?
The CVA winner is announced during the Community Meeting and receives a CVA T-shirt.
Let’s look at an example of a nomination:
This student actively engages in class, consistently goes above and beyond in their work, and participates in discussions voluntarily. They routinely follow up with their teachers and even attempt to negotiate for higher scores on assignments. This demonstrates not only their dedication to learning but also their ability to communicate effectively with teachers to gain a deeper understanding of how to improve and grow. Additionally, they have taken advanced courses for the past two years and excel in every academic environment they enter.
They serve as a positive role model for their classmates and peers. Their wit, charm, and confidence make them a valued member of their community. They are a founding member of the debate club and an academic honor society, reflecting their ambition to create more opportunities for both themselves and their peers.
This student dedicates time and effort to supporting their school community, whether by joining teams or clubs, helping out in leadership roles, or fostering a positive environment. In addition to co-creating the debate club, they showcase their leadership as both a mentor and a tutor. In these roles, they regularly demonstrate their mentorship skills and natural ability to support others with both academic and personal challenges.
They embrace new challenges, push themselves outside their comfort zone, and seek opportunities for personal growth. Currently, they are involved in more than five different extracurriculars outside their regular coursework, including debate club, advanced English courses, an honor society, peer mentoring, and tutoring. They recently secured an internship at a hospital—an entirely new experience that they have expressed excitement about, as it aligns with their long-term goal of studying pharmaceutical sciences. Additionally, they took the initiative to explore a college program they found interesting, showing their eagerness to continue learning and growing.
Lastly, this student personally requested this nomination after hearing about an upcoming opportunity for award recipients. While some might see this as strategic, it truly reflects their drive to be exceptional and stand out because of their dedication and excellence. Their presence brings joy and perspective to every space they are in. Ask any of their peers—they admire them. Ask their teachers—they enjoy teaching them. Ask anyone—they are an outstanding student and leader.
Why This Nomination Stands Out?
It’s specific and descriptive – Instead of just saying the student is hardworking, the nomination gives real examples of how they engage with teachers, negotiate grades, and seek opportunities for growth.
It highlights multiple dimensions – The student is not only academically strong but also a leader, mentor, and active community member.
It uses engaging language – Phrases like “wit, charm, and confidence,” and “they are an outstanding student and leader” make the nomination feel personal and enthusiastic.
It shows initiative and ambition – The student takes on leadership roles, finds opportunities, and even requests the nomination themselves, showing a proactive mindset.