Seneca students were awarded for their academic and scholarship achievements during the latest Academic Awards Night, held in the school’s auditorium on Tuesday, June 4.
Family members and friends packed the auditorium seats as student council and staff called the names of every student who received an award, accompanied by each student’s school picture and a list of achievements projected on the stage’s screen.
A welcome speech from Assistant Superintended Matthew Webb honored the hard work of students and the support from their parents.
Before Webb gave up the podium for Seneca’s Principal Jeffrey Spector to start the event, he ended his message to the students by saying, “please, continue being awesome.”
While many of the students were awarded scholarships from colleges or large organizations, Spector made sure to express his gratitude to the local scholarships that were given to students throughout the year.
“I’d like to make a special welcome to those individuals and organizations who bestowed our students with a local scholarship,” said Spector during his speech. “The local scholarships represent a very special relationship with our schools and community.”
Many of the local scholarships were not financial rewards, but memorial rewards that had been created in honor of individuals who have impacted the school or local community.
Among them was the Charles Green Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a service-oriented student continuing their education. Some were specific to a certain area of expertise, such as the Advanced Placement Environmental Science Award, which is not only awarded to a student who has excelled academically, but who also demonstrated an enthusiasm for the subject.
Students were given scholarships by community organizations such as the Indian Mills Historical Society and the Tabernacle Historical Society, both given to students who demonstrates a passion for history. The Southampton PTA Award is given to a Southampton school graduate who shows “leadership, scholarship, citizenship and community service.”
Spector then went on to share his thoughts on how achievements in education can sometimes be harder to recognize, and that “it’s not a spectator sport.”
“Rather than watch the game go by, you have to be an active participant,” said Spector to the crowd of students and parents. “Doing high school right is not easy. It requires a strong sense of purpose, a level of commitment and a dedication to reaching your goals.”
Students were given scholarships and awards that ranged from music to business, such as the Gutherman Music Scholarship and the Future Business Leaders of America Award, which emphasizes integrating business into the everyday lives of students through service, fundraising and competitive events.
Other than scholarships, students who have committed to serve in the military after graduation were also recognized and received an award.
Before the event, students in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps demonstrated the Presentation of Colors for the audience.
“We thank you and congratulate you for what you do and how you do it, for being our future leaders and problem solvers,” said Spector.
