By Minh Ngoc Le
As another school year draws to a close, the high school journey of hundreds of seniors at Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) also reaches its end. With the eagerly anticipated graduation just around the corner, these seniors are being honored for their achievements with official stoles, cords and pins distributed from both their course works and curricular clubs.
To earn all the credits needed to graduate and go through each of the four years with passion is already a feat to be proud of. However, many Barons go above and beyond, exceeding the standard requirements.
If you spot your senior adorned with these regalia, here is what each of them means!
Official cords and stoles
Upon graduation, FVHS may award its students seven different cords, each representing different accomplishments and requiring different prerequisites. The cords include Artistic Literacy, Seal of Biliteracy, Community Service Award, Career Technical Education and the newly created STEM Cord — a new senior recognition being put in place for the upcoming school year.
“The STEM cord was created with multiple purposes, including encouraging students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics, providing universities with a method to recognize the academic achievements of applicants, certify achievement within the STEM fields and prepare students for a job market increasingly in need of individuals with STEM skills,” Math Department Coordinator Brandon Nguyen said.
Students may also earn cords from various clubs on campus, such as the National Honors Society or the California Scholarship Federation, along with various other requirements relating to academic performance and club membership.
In addition to the official cords awarded by the school, students can also earn stoles through participation in various organizations, programs and clubs on campus. While these stoles serve as a meaningful way to recognize and celebrate student achievements over the past four years, they are not permitted to be worn at graduation.
Moreover, students may also be recognized as a Scholar with Expertise, Honors or Distinction depending on classes completed, GPA requirements and academic honesty; students may be recognized with a white cord, gold cord or gold stole respectively.
The different regalia described above and their respective requirements are displayed in the tables below. Illustrations by Minh Ngoc Le.
Additionally, students are recognized for their academic excellence through seals as well as pins and medals earned from the Coronets Awards.
Golden State Seal Merit
The Golden State Seal Merit, displayed on graduates’ diplomas, is awarded to students who have demonstrated mastery of the high school curriculum in at least six subject areas, four of which are English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and US History, with the remaining two subject areas selected by the student.
Coronet Awards
The Coronet Awards is considered FVHS’ highest honor and celebrates student excellence in categories such as English, world languages, science, math, sports, vocal and instrumental music, publications, art, leadership and more.
Students go through a rigorous application process and are potentially selected by their respective teachers to be finalists or the overall winner in a particular category. Students receive a pin for each category they are nominated for, and winners receive a medallion to commemorate their achievements.
More information regarding the Coronet Awards can be found here.
Graduation gowns
FVHS graduates are offered two different gowns depending on their Grade Point Accumulated (GPA) over their past four years. Seniors who achieved at least a 4.0 cumulative GPA will wear white gowns during the ceremony, while others will wear blue gowns. Those who achieved a cumulative seven-semester GPA of 4.00-4.39 will graduate Magna Cum Laude, while those who achieved a cumulative seven-semester GPA of 4.40+ will graduate Summa Cum Laude.
As these seniors receive their well-deserved accolades, the graduation ceremony will be a proud moment for all. Each cord, stole, pin and medal symbolizes the hard work and dedication these students have demonstrated throughout their high school years. As they step into the next chapter of their lives, these accomplishments will serve as a testament to their perseverance, commitment and excellence.
Congratulations, Barons!
