Editor’s note: The School District of Fort Atkinson recently updated its link to the 32nd Annual Academic Awards Program. The new link includes two previously missing slides showing tenth grade students earning a certificate and two stars. The new link and two slides have been added to this story.
By Kim McDarison
Some 520 Fort Atkinson High School students in grades 9-12 received academic recognition Sunday during the 32nd Annual Academic Awards Program. The presentation, recognizing student achievers in the 2020-2021 school year, was held virtually.
Program speakers included Fort Atkinson High School Associate Principal Brad Gefvert, President of the Fort Atkinson Rotary Club Carl Selvick, School District of Fort Atkinson Superintendent Rob Abbott and Fort Atkinson High School Principal Dan Halvorsen.
During his presentation, Gefvert explained the criteria used to qualify students for academic awards. Students with a GPA (grade point average) of between 3.0 and 4.0 earned during their second semester last year or first semester of this year qualify for academic recognition in the form of a certificate, letter, bar or star.
Students with a GPA of between 3.0 and 3.49 receive a certificate and letter for each qualifying semester. Students with a GPA of between 3.5 and 3.84 receive a certificate, letter and a gold bar. Students with a GPA of between 3.85 and 4.0 receive a certificate, letter and a gold star.
Students may earn only one academic letter, but may continue to earn certificates, bars and stars throughout their high school careers, Gefvert noted.
During his presentation, Selvick talked about his experiences with community service, asking: What does service above self really mean?
In delivering his answer, Selvick said: “I grew up with top academic achievements and had a healthy attitude towards service. My personal philosophy could best be described as service with self. There have always been these checkboxes in front of me in my life. That’s how we’re raised. Get an ‘A’ in this class, volunteer for this program, make myself a great package on paper so that I may advance and get into college, then get into graduate school, then get a job. All along the way I have spent countless hours in service….with self. There has always been a reason, a program, a checkbox, or a guiding hand that helped encourage me to find my way to service.
“This year right now is the first time I have found myself having no checkboxes in front of me. I had absolutely no reason to raise my hand when our local Rotary club was looking for its next president, and for those reasons I did just that.”
Selvick next asked: What is it that makes up this core essence of humanity and community?
He offered examples of service above self, including: “staying up until 3 a.m. to translate lesson plans to an all-virtual environment so that students can continue to receive an education while remaining safe, and then delivering those lesson plans starting at 8 a.m. that next day,” or “taking care of patients when an unknown disease strikes your community and best practices and safety measures are yet unknown.”
He cited challenges faced among workers in the food-delivery system, like grocers, and new, everyday societal practices such as wearing a mask, social distancing and washing one’s hands.
“And for me,” he continued, “service above self, is simply raising your hand to be of service simply because the need was there and someone asked.”
Quoting Maya Angelou, he said: “’I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I am strengthened to know that our community is in your (students’) hands, because despite the challenges that this last year provided, you found your way here, and for those reasons we recognize you.”
In his remarks, Abbott congratulated students for their achievements, but also recognized the importance of familial and community support, saying: “I would be remiss if I did not recognize the parents, grandparents, family members, and others who support our students in their growth as individuals as well as learners. In the pace of a teenager’s life, I know things happen quickly, but I would encourage you to take just a moment to share a word of gratitude with those who support you on your path of success. It is amazing how far just a few small words will take you.
“I am certain no one can argue that the last 12 months have been some of the most dynamic we have ever known in public education. Part of the reason we are here today celebrating your success is the leadership team at the high school, Mr. Halvorsen, Mr. Gefvert, and Mr. Rousseau, as well as every single teacher and staff member for the work they do day in and day out.”
Abbott further acknowledged the Fort Atkinson Rotary Club for, he said, “making these awards possible, mentoring and modeling a Rotarian’s motto: ‘Service Above Self.’”
Abbott concluded with several thoughts for the future, saying: “A finite mindset fears surprises; an infinite mindset sees opportunity in uncertainty.”
“Everything is hard before it’s easy,” he added.
During his remarks, Halvorsen noted the high percentages of achieving students within the high school.
“Regardless of the past year’s events, you have exhibited determination, dedication and a steadfastness through adversity that no recent generation has had to endure,” Halvorsen said.
He further recognized and thanked the Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson, parents and guardians of students, and district staff members from within all the district’s school buildings and grade levels for their contribution to each student’s success.
Comparing the percentages of students achieving academic awards as a percentage of the full high school student body — as listed on a separate program sheet and showing annual percentages beginning with the 2017-2018 school year and ending with the 2020-2021 school year — statistic are as follows: 2017-2018, 56% of the student body received academic awards; 2018-2019 58% received academic awards; 2019-2020, 55% received academic awards, and this year, 57% were recognized with awards.
The full academic awards presentation can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/IMTkFW7E_nM.
Following are the names and photographs of the students recognized for their academic achievements during Sunday’s virtual ceremony.
Grade 9 award recipients:
Grade 10 award recipients:
Grade 11 award recipients:
Grade 12 award recipients:
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