By Jessica Nguyen & Brian Pham
Despite the pandemic and its many challenges, the Coronet Awards continue to recognize passionate students who have distinguished themselves through their contributions at Fountain Valley High School (FVHS).
The Coronet Awards have been an ongoing tradition at FVHS since 1967 and remain the highest honor a student can receive for outstanding achievement and service.
“Beginning with the fourteenth century the Baron wore the Coronet as a symbol of authority which they had achieved either through service to their country or by exceptional valor on the field of battle,” said math teacher Jane Springer, who is the Coronet Award coordinator.
Despite the award having no applicable values and are often given to seniors after college applications, Barons wear their Coronet pins during graduation ceremonies the same way a Baron would have worn a coronet back then.
To be nominated for the Coronet Award, students must fill out a rigorous application that requires personal statements and multiple questions.
“My experience applying for the Coronets was a pretty smooth process,” said Elise Tran, a previous math Coronet Award winner and an FVHS alumnus of the class of 2020. “I think the questions were straightforward and it was actually an opportunity for me to reflect on all of my work and accomplishments that I achieved in the past four years.”
Students can apply for a number of areas, including athletics, business education, school leadership and academics.
Once students fill out their applications, department coordinators, along with several teachers, make the decision on the nominees, finalists and winners, who are announced at the ceremony.
In each area, there are a number of nominees (who are notified of their nomination in April) and only a select few become finalists, with one winner per category. Finalists for more than one area receive special recognition for being Duo or Tri Finalists.
The highest achievement is the Prix d’Honneur Coronet Award, which is given to one male and female winner who have been nominated in several areas, showing how they excelled in several areas, not just one.
“The winners are typically students who have not only excelled but are also well-respected by their peers and teachers,” Springer said.
Typically, students attend a ceremony on a Thursday night in May at the Huntington Beach High School auditorium along with proud parents, school administrators and teachers with music from band and orchestra. Nominees would be called up to the stage and awards would be given out.
This year, the format of the ceremony has yet to be decided.
“We will make a decision by spring break whether [the ceremony] will be live or we will do a taped show on YouTube,” Springer said.
Last year’s Coronet Award ceremony was moved from its usual in-person ceremony to a YouTube video that premiered at the same date the live awards would’ve.
“The Coronet coordinators and everyone involved did a really great job in setting up an online ceremony that was easily accessible for all. I do wish that I could’ve met with my teachers over Zoom [to take] that group photo with all of the finalists, but overall, it was great,” Tran said. “Also, it’s on YouTube forever now, so I get a memento of my accomplishments, which I love.”
While the pandemic and the long application may ward off some, students shouldn’t feel discouraged to apply for the Coronet Awards or that they aren’t good enough to be nominated.
“I applied because I thought there was really nothing to lose if I applied for the Coronets. Looking back, I’m glad I decided to get over my second-semester senioritis laziness and apply,” Tran said. “It was such a pleasant surprise once I found out I got nominated for a coronet award.”
Many teachers and administrators also encourage students to apply to be recognized for their excellence and achievements.
“We have so many outstanding Barons in so many different fields-this is the school’s opportunity for the staff and administration to recognize these students for their years of hard work and dedication,” Springer said.
The Coronet Award coordinators are always happy to see more applicants, especially in areas that don’t get as many.
“In some areas we get many applicants, but in others, like boys athletics, we always see athletes we felt should’ve applied, but didn’t,” Springer said. “So we are hoping this year, we will continue to get more applicants so we can truly honor ‘the best of the best’!”
To apply for Coronets, students must fill out this application, which is due by March 14. Good luck, Barons!
March 8 edit: This article stated the Coronet Award ceremony will be virtual. The format of the ceremony has yet to be determined.
