The Robert M. DeCicco Performing Arts Center at Eastern Regional High School was abuzz on the night of May 30 as the school hosted its 42nd annual academic awards ceremony.
The recognition of Eastern’s top students and announcement of scholarships was organized by Jason Susko, supervisor of the school’s guidance department.
“The academic awards ceremony is a culminating event at Eastern,” he explained.
The awards ceremony annually brings together families and educators to recognize high achievers in all academic disciplines. Recipients must attain the highest grades in every class – including electives from college prep through advanced placement levels – to qualify for the awards. The event also saw the announcement of the Class of 2024’s valedictorian and salutatorian, its top two students.
The selection process for the awards is rigorous: It is based not only on grades, but continuous high honor-roll status.
A highlight of the evening program was the presentation of the Viking Awards, the highest honor an Eastern student can achieve. There are three categories for the prizes, each representing a different area of excellence – arts, athletics and academics – to honor all-around achievement in multiple areas during high school.
The academic awards ceremony also identified the recipients of 57 scholarships exclusively for Eastern seniors. Funding came from local organizations, businesses and families who contributed more than $64,000 for the scholarships and established their criteria. Recipients are recognized for various student achievements, from academics and philanthropy to unique life experiences.
Ensuring that a diverse array of those achievements is recognized is a priority for the academic award organizers.
“We strive to highlight the accomplishments of students across different academic levels and disciplines,” Susko noted. “This ceremony is important, because it acknowledges the hard work and dedication of our students, inspiring them and their peers to continue striving for excellence.”
Putting together such a significant event requires meticulous planning and collaboration, Susko acknowledged.
“Planning the academic awards ceremony involves a lot of coordination and teamwork,” he said. “We start early in the year, identifying high-achieving students and coordinating with local donors and organizations for scholarship awards.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, the message was clear: Eastern is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating excellence.
For more information about the academic awards ceremony or to learn about scholarship opportunities at Eastern, contact the school’s guidance department or visit its website.
