Eighth-Grade Awards and Scholarships at Graduation
The Our Lady of Grace School community takes great pride in the accomplishments of our eighth-grade graduates. As a validation and reflection of their outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements, our community is grateful to recognize their hard work at graduation each year with the following awards and scholarships.
HONORS & AWARDS CEREMONY
SERVICE AWARDS
Student Council
Members of the graduating class who served on Student Council are awarded for their leadership and service to the community.
Altar Servers
Members of the graduating class who served as Altar Servers are recognized for their service to the community.
PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS
Chorus & Cantors
Members of the graduating class who performed as cantors and as members of the school choir are recognized and thanked. Their gift of song lifts the community's spirit throughout the year.
Outstanding Cantor Award
Out of the talented group of cantors in the graduating class, the music teacher selects one cantor who stands apart from the other cantors for his/her outstanding commitment and service.
Performing Arts Award
Members of the graduating class are recognized and thanked for consistently participating in the school plays.
SPORTS AWARDS
Cheerleading Awards
Members of the graduating class who participated in Varsity Cheer are presented with certificates for their commitment to the sport.
Athletes of the Year
Members of the graduating class who demonstrate outstanding athletic achievements over their career at OLG are recognized with the Athlete of the Year Award.
Scholar Athlete of the Year
Members of the graduating class who combine high academic achievement with excellence in competitive sports. It is not easy to balance the demands of the classroom with the challenges of the sports field, and it is a great accomplishment to excel in both arenas.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Members of the graduating class who achieved Gold Cord Membership in the California Junior Scholarship Federation by meeting eligibility requirements based on their grades for at least 2 trimesters in their seventh-grade year and at least 2 trimesters in their eighth-grade year. They receive a gold cord, certificate, and CJSF perpetual pin. A CJSF gold seal is also placed on their diplomas.
California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF) – Eighth-Grade Certificates
Members of the graduating class who qualify for CJSF in their eighth-grade year are recognized with a CJSF certificate.
General Excellence Awards
Members of the graduating class who demonstrate academic excellence in all subject areas, who consistently produce work of high caliber, and who have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout their eighth-grade year are honored with the General Excellence Award.
Subject Awards
Members of the graduating class who demonstrate high achievement in specific content areas are recognized with awards in the following specific subjects: Religion, English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, STEM, Writing, Art, Music, and Physical Education.
US President’s Education Awards
Founded in 1983, the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, honors graduating elementary, middle, and high school students whose outstanding efforts have enabled them to meet challenging standards of excellence. It is awarded to students who maintained standardized test scores in the 85th percentile or higher in reading or math and a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0 starting in sixth grade through their eighth-grade fall trimester.
As part of this tradition, a letter from the White House is written to these incredibly hardworking students and is read aloud at graduation.
As part of this tradition, a letter from the White House is written to these incredibly hardworking students and is read aloud at graduation.
Members of the graduating class who meet these criteria are recognized with a certificate from the White House and receive a copy of the President's letter to them.
Outstanding Christian Role Model Award
One of the most significant awards given to a member of the graduating class is the Christian Role Model award. This student is selected based on their profound faith in Jesus which is made visible through their kindness, connection with others, and willingness to serve their fellow students.
Lion’s Pride Award
The Lion’s Pride Award is given to a member of the graduating class whose pride in Our Lady of Grace School is evident and who serves as an outstanding ambassador of OLG in attitude and service.
Spirit of OLG Award
The Spirit of OLG Award is given a member of the graduating class who clearly and consistently embodies all of our Student Learning Expectations (SLEs). This is a student who loves God, loves learning, and loves others.
Alumnae Pins
Each member of the graduating class receives an alumnae pin to wear on their robes at graduation.
GRADUATION SCHOLARSHIPS
RECOGNITION OF HIGH SCHOOL HONORS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Members of the graduating class are recognized for reception of honors and scholarships at entrance to the high schools of their choice.
PRESENTATION OF SCHOLARSHIPS
Javier De Vivero Award Scholarship
Javier De Vivero was a student at OLG when he passed away during his sixth-grade year. The beautiful tree outside the fifth-grade classroom was planted in his honor by his classmates and an award and scholarship was established in his name. The Javier De Vivero Memorial Award and Scholarship is presented to a boy who demonstrates a love of sports, good sportsmanship, shows effort in the classroom and has done well academically. He is well-rounded, has strong Christian values, exhibits “OLG spirit” by maintaining a positive attitude, reaching out to help others, and is an outstanding example to other students.
Nicole Parker Spirit Award and Scholarship
Although Nicole Parker was only a student at OLG for a short time, she made a lasting impression on those who knew her. A beautiful fountain was placed next to the “Javi” tree outside the school’s office in memory of Nicole and an award and scholarship was created in her name.
The Nicole Parker Spirit Award and Memorial Scholarship is presented to a girl who exemplifies the wonderful spirit of Nicole Parker by demonstrating great friendliness and enthusiasm. She also is recognized for her participation in extracurricular activities. This year, we are happy to present this award to a young lady who has exhibited great “OLG spirit,” by bringing her gifts and talents to different aspects of student life including sports and cheerleading. She works very hard in the classroom and is described as someone who has a friendly demeanor and makes everyone feel included.
Christina Mullinax Memorial Scholarship
Christina Mullinax, a much loved and much admired member of the Class of 2015, passed away during her eighth- grade year. Her example of courage, strength, and spirit continues to inspire and motivate us.
The Christina Mullinax Memorial Scholarship is given to a student who is outstanding in academics, gifted in athletics, fearless in her approach to life by embracing its joys and its challenges, and loyal to her friends.
Shamoon Family Scholarship
Two years ago we lost a dear friend, Mrs. Anna Lee Shamoon. She was a gift to our school and community. She wanted to ensure that our legacy and mission continued for many generations. Through the annual scholarship that she established in her daughter, Paula’s, name, she sought to help students and families afford Catholic high school after leaving Our Lady of Grace School.
This award is presented to two students who have demonstrated outstanding academic effort throughout their years at Our Lady of Grace School and exhibit strong Christian values. Mr. and Mrs. Anses Joseph, the brother and sister-in-law of Lee, graciously continue this scholarship and award in his sister’s name.
Baker Family Award and Scholarship
The Baker Family Award and Scholarship is given in honor of Mr. Edward Baker, beloved husband of Mrs. Pat Baker. This year it is given to a member of the graduating class who demonstrates leadership both inside and outside of the classroom. This award is given to a student with character, who cares for others, demonstrates academic effort, and is a team player on and off the court or field.
Cara Tubbs Memorial Award and Scholarship
This award and scholarship is given in honor of Ms. Cara Tubbs, who was the beloved aunt of Ethan Kodama, class of 2019, and Miye Kodama, class of 2020. Cara loved our OLG community and was often seen on campus cheering on the OLG Lions football, basketball, and volleyball teams. After a long battle with cancer, Cara passed away in September 2021. The Kodama family set up this memorial award and scholarship to honor Cara’s memory and her love of OLG.
The Cara Tubbs Memorial Award and Scholarship is awarded to a graduating eighth-grade student who will be attending either Crespi Carmelite High School or Louisville High School. This student demonstrates pride for their school, a love of learning, is a leader, and a good citizen.
OLG School Swim Team Award and Scholarship
This award and scholarship is given to a student who has been on the OLG swim team for more than one year, will be attending a Catholic high school, has shown good sportsmanship, has a winning spirit, and has been a good example to their teammates.
Wilson Family Music Award and Scholarship
Music is a gift from God, and the Wilson Family Award and Scholarship celebrates God's love, creativity, and the beauty that can fill the heart of a dedicated musician. The Wilson family spent decades in music education and liturgy at OLG parish and school. Mrs. Caroline Wilson was the music teacher here and spent many years helping to fill this church with singing angels - and sometimes singing elves and reindeer in our school concerts! Mrs. Wilson always reminded students of the words of St. Augustine that "when we sing, we pray twice."
Music education builds confidence, character, and discipline for every student willing to work on their skills, and this award is given annually to the graduate who has demonstrated the desire and work to develop their potential in music and the arts and can be used to further their music education.
Tan Family Math and Engineering Award and Scholarship
This award is generously donated by Henry Tan, principal and owner of Bricy Company, and an OLG parishioner. The Tan Family Math and Engineering Scholarship recognizes a student who has demonstrated an outstanding potential for pursuit in an engineering field. This award hopes to inspire students of all backgrounds to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, also known as STEM. This student will be offered an internship at the Bricy Company the summer between their sophomore and junior year of high school.
Joseph Carrabino Award and Scholarship
Joseph Carrabino was a member of the Our Lady Grace Class of 1976. He went on to Crespi High School and Harvard University before entering a career in global investment banking. Mr. Carrabino is a firm believer in the value of Catholic education.
The Carrabino Award and Scholarship is given to students who exhibit a love of learning, Christian values, strong character, and a commitment to becoming active members of their high school community. Recipients must be attending either Louisville or Crespi Carmelite High Schools. This award follows the student throughout their four years of high school and is renewable each year based on high academic achievement, continued demonstration of values, and meaningful participation in school life, including extra-curricular activities.
Principal's Award and Scholarship
The Principal’s Award and Scholarship is given to select students who have demonstrated leadership among their peers, a noble commitment to service, and strong academics throughout their years at Our Lady of Grace School.
Our Lady of Grace Parish Scholarship
This award, started by Bishop Jerry Wilkerson when he was pastor at OLG, is given to graduates who have demonstrated outstanding service, leadership, and citizenship during their time at Our Lady of Grace School. They have exhibited a faithful commitment to their parish community. Each young person has been a wonderful example to their peers, a credit to their school, and a great source of pride for their families. Their parents have been actively involved and enthusiastic members of our school and parish for several years, and our community thanks them for their commitment. This award is renewable all four years of attendance at a Catholic high school.
