Richwoods High School Awards

Kim Field Award

Richwoods Girls Track

This award bears the name of and was inspired by the individual who in her senior year and through her career long dedication, effort, and cooperation achieved the most from her abilities: Kim Field. As a freshman, Kim was an average runner at best; however, she had an "attitude" - an inner strength and focus that quietly produced progressive advances that culminated in her senior year in her sectional championship in the 3200 meter run and a berth in the state championship where she calmly defeated many runners seeded before her. Kim's realistic goal-setting , cooperation with her coaches and teammates, daily reliability, personal integrity, and dedication allowed her to achieve - not always win and occupy first place on the winner's platform - and improve and in so doing become the absolute best she could be every time she ran. Hers is without doubt the most remarkable achievement and triumph of spirit in the years of women's track at Richwoods. She earned and still possesses the ultimate respect and admiration of her coaches and teammates. She was and will continue to be an inspiration.

Adrienne Moos Award

Richwoods Girls Track

Where the Kim Field Award's focus centers on effort and progress, this award is presented yearly to a deserving senior and  focuses upon accomplishment and dedication. To qualify, an individual must be a senior on the Richwoods' women's track and field team, a multiple year member of the team, and a multiple varsity award winner. She must also be a dedicated, inspirational leader who accomplishes through daily hard work; she must be respected by her teammates, her coaches, her opponents, and the faculty at Richwoods. Her effort, cooperation, and self-sacrifice must mark her as an example of one who places team before self. The person for whom this award is named and who will be the first to receive it has certainly fulfilled all of those qualifications.

She was an official team captain for her final two years but in actuality served as an "'unofficial" captain during her first two years on the team-even as a freshman. During this entire four year period of time, she had but one goal: team success. She remained serious, loyal, committed, and generous, and served as a superior role model for all of her teammates regardless of their ages. Although she was not always a first-place finisher, she was and IS always a motivator, always a spark, always team and teammates oriented. She was willing to try new events in hopes of boosting team standing and encouraged teammates to risk a new experience to benefit the greater good. In her four years she competed in 9 of the 19 events. She has risked personal failure for the good of the team.

If one face could represent the spirit of RHS' women's track, hers would be that face: loyal, determined, perseverant, generous, helpful, concerned, punctual, intelligent, moral. Through her hard work and dedication Adrienne has represented the best in American youth and demonstrated the worthwhile character that can be built through athletic involvement, character that not only builds a strong individual but also causes others to grow. The track team has an award given following each of its meets - the Meet Animal Award - for superior performance or contribution during that meet. During her senior year this individual never received that award. Such an award was not sufficient to mark her contributions. She is the ultimate meet animal: Richwoods 2002 Athlete of the Year Adrienne Moos.

Most Valuable Participant Award

Athlete of the Year

The Female Athlete of The Tear Award was established in 1975. This award is based upon athletic ability, scholarship, leadership, character, honesty and sincerity. The recipient is chosen by the Richwoods women's sports coaching staff.

Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award

This award is presented to one student annually who is a distinguished varsity athlete. In order to be selected for this award the student must be recognized as an exemplary young citizen and role model for younger students. The student must also possess the personal traits of courage, poise, self-confidence, and leadership while performing as a varsity athlete.

Illinois State Scholar

The Illinois State Scholar Program recognizes Illinois high school students for outstanding academic achievement. State Scholar designation is an honorary recognition with no monetary award. Approximately the top 10% of Illinois high school graduates are announced as State Scholars each year.

Eligibility
An individual must:

• attend an Illinois State recognized high school;
  

• be a United States citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
  

• be a resident of Illinois;
  

• take the ACT, SAT I, or Prairie State Achievement examination between September 1 and June 30 during the junior year of high school;
  

• rank in the top one-half of his or her high school class at the end of the sixth semester (junior year);
  

• graduate from high school during the academic year in which the student is selected as a State Scholar.

Note: If students score in the 95th percentile on the ACT, SAT I, or Prairie State Schievement Exam, their high schools may also nominate them as State Scholars.

Selection Process

• ISAC receives ACT, SAT I, and Prairie State Achievement Exam scores from the test services;
  

• high school counselors certify class ranks as of the sixth semester;
  

• ISAC uses class ranks and test scores to determine Weighted Selection Scores;
  

• ISAC selects State Scholars;
  

• high schools receive certificates for State Scholar selectees;
  

• recipients receive a congratulatory letter.

National Honor Society

The NHS National Council establishes the national standards for all NHS chapters. Local chapters create their own by-laws which are to be consistent with and comply with the NHS National Constitution.

Any student in grades 10 through 12 in a school with both an official charter of the National Honor Society and an affiliation with the NASSP Department of Student Activities is eligible for consideration for membership in the National Honor Society (instructions for obtaining a Charter and/or affiliation are found on the pages that follow). All membership selection is handled through the local school chapter.

NHS is more than just an honor roll. The NHS chapter establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student's outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These four criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are built.

• Scholarship: "students who have a cumulative grade point average of 85 percent, B, 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent standard of excellence, or a higher cumulative average, set by the local school's faculty council meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character."(NHS Constitution, Article IX, section 2)

• Service: This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit.

• Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activity while working with or for others.

• Character: The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern and respect for others and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle.

Specific standards for these four criteria may vary from one school to the next. Such variations are acceptable as long as they do not fall below the standards set by the National Council of the NHS.

President's Education Awards Program

The purpose of this award is to recognize academic success in the classroom.
To be eligible for the President's Award for Educational Excellence, students at each award level (elementary, middle, or high school) must meet the requirements in Category A and either 1 or 2 of Category C. If a school does not have letter grades, a student must meet the requirements in Category B and either 1 or 2 of Category C.

A. Grade Point Average: Students are to earn a grade point avergage of 90 on a 100 point scale, (an A on a letter scale or a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale). When computing grade point averages at the respective award level, only the years at that level are to be included through the fall semester of the exiting grade.
Note: Elementary schools are not to include K-3 in their computations.

B. School Criteria/Standards: Standards for the award are to be established by each school that reflect a 90 percent level or higher on the traditional grading scale. This category enables school personnel to use new assessment and evaluation tools in developing award criteria at their school and apply the criteria fairly to all students. The primary indicators of excellence must be based on academic achievement. School personnel may also consider, as part of the criteria, activities in which a student demonstrate high motivation, initiative, integrity, intellectual depth, leadership qualities and/or exceptional judgment. They may also require student essays and outstanding attendance, but these activities must bear some relationship to the academic performance of a student.

C. In addition to A or B, schools are to include one or more of the following criteria to determine their selected students:

1. Standardized Achievement Test: Achievement in the 85th percentile or higher in math or reading is required. (High school seniors may use college admissions examinations such as the SAT or ACT.) If your state uses a testing method other than SAT, use the statewide testing method as part of the criteria.

OR

2. Recommendations from a Teacher Plus One Other Staff Member: One recommendation is to reflect outstanding achievement such as English, mathematics, science, history, geography, art, foreign language, and any other courses that reflect a school's core curriculum. This judgment is to be supported by tangible evidence that is comprised of either results on teacher-made tests, portfolio assessment, or special projects. The second recommendation from a school staff member may address, for example: involvement in community service or co-curricular activities including tutoring other students and/or demonstration of creativity and achievement in the visual and performing arts.

 

 

 

National Merit Scholarship Program

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955.  High school students enter the Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT^TM — a test which serves as an initial screen of the more than 1 million entrants each year

 

Merit Program Recognition

Of the 1.2 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT^TM Selection Index scores (verbal + math + writing skills scores) will qualify for Merit Program recognition.  In April following the fall test administration, high-scoring participants from every state will be invited to name two colleges or universities to which they would like to be referred by NMSC.

 

Commended Students

In late September, more than two-thirds or about 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT^TM will receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise, but they will not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship^® awards.

 

Semifinalists

In early September, about 16,000 students or approximately a third of the 50,000 high scorers, will be notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. To ensure that academically able young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis.

 

Finalists

In February, Semifinalists who meet academic and all other requirements will be notified that they have advanced to Finalist standing. All winners of Merit Scholarship^® awards (Merit Scholar^SM designees) will be chosen from the Finalist group, based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments.

 

Merit Scholar^SM Designees

Beginning in March, NMSC will notify approximately 8,000 Finalists that they have been selected to receive Merit Scholarship^® awards.

 

 

Sterling Merit Award

The purpose of the Sterling Merit Awards is to honor the graduates in the top 8% of the senior class in area schools, and to also add incentive to others to attain high scholastic achievement. It is hoped that the connotations of sterling applying both to the students and the awards which they receive will encourage a continuing search for quality in all their endeavors.

 

    The Awards are sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Peoria-Downtown, Peoria-North, Peoria-Sunrise, East Peoria, and Chillicothe in association with the Journal Star Newspaper in Education Program.

 

 

 

 

National Scholar Athlete Award

This award is presented by the United States Army Reserves to honor excellence in both academics and athletics. A student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in a varsity sport while maintaining superior academic credentials of at least a "B" average is eligible for this award.

 

 

 

 

 Danforth Award

The Danforth Award is given annually to a graduating young man and young woman who have demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, and who have been well-balanced in a four square way in their personal development - Physically, Mentally,  Socially, Religiously. the American Youth Foundation recognizes and encourages the development of character and leadership qualities in young people and acknowledges such with this award.

 

 

 

Jamie Epstein Memorial

This scholarship is awarded to the student who best embodies the attributes of Jamie Epstein. A student must possess multi-faceted interests and involvement to be eligible.

While Jamie was not the fastest runner, best hitter, finest singer or actor, she gave of herself to make the whole better by understanding the common goal, working hard and having fun. "Jamie had no idea how much she touched others with her zest for life, her optimism, and her 'big eyed' enthusiasm". It is in her spirit, her ability to be a good teammmate, her perseverence and selflessness, and her positive "I can" attitude that is considered in the awarding of this scholarship.

 

 

Steve Peine Memorial Cross Country Award

This award was established in 1998 in memory of Steve Peine a 1996 Richwoods graduate and Cross Country Team member. The recipient must be a cross country team member in the last season of eligibility who is recognized to possess the attributes that Steve exemplified: Determination, Perseverance, Tenacity, Exceptional Attitude, Enthusiasm and Loyalty to The RHS Cross Country Team.