Honors & Awards

Take a Bow!

Each year, Salem Academy honors students for a variety of achievements.

The title of Honor Graduates is bestowed upon two seniors with the highest academic averages.

The Oak Award, Salem's most esteemed honor, is presented at Founders Day

Convocation to a four-year senior who exemplifies leadership and who has made a notable contribution to the quality of life at the Academy. Nominations are made by faculty, staff, and students; and the final selection is made by the Oak Award Committee of the Academy.

The roles of Commencement Marshals are given to the students with the highest academic averages in their class. Four juniors, two sophomores, and two freshmen are chosen each year to serve. The Chief Marshal is the junior with the highest average.

At graduation, the Faculty Award is bestowed upon a member of the senior class whose qualities of character, personality, and service most closely exemplify those of the ideal Salem student. The recipient is selected by the faculty.

The Citizenship Honor is awarded to a student who has fulfilled the characteristics of a good citizen in the Salem community. They are selected by their classmates and must be elected by at least

• One third of her respective boarding or day class
• One half of her total class (day and boarding)
• One quarter of the entire student body

The Zanne Meads Award is presented to a student-athlete whose fellow athletes feel has exemplified good sportsmanship on and off the field. The award is given in memory of a former Salem student who was known for her sportsmanship in all phases of life. The award is voted by the members of all of the athletic teams.

National Honor Society membership is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Selection for membership is an honor accorded by the faculty to qualified juniors and seniors who have been enrolled at Salem Academy for at least one semester. To be considered for membership, a student must first meet the scholastic eligibility requirements:

• A senior must attain an overall cumulative average of 92 for both the junior and senior years
• A junior must attain an overall cumulative average of 92 for the junior year.

If the scholastic eligibility requirements are met, the student may then be considered for membership on the basis of her leadership, service, and character.

The National Latin Honor Society is open to students in their fourth semester of Latin at the Academy who have met the following academic requirements:

• Maintained a B average in Latin for two semesters
• Maintained an A- average in the third semester.
• Have a B average in all other courses with no failures in any course.

Following induction, each member of the Latin Honor Society tutors an Academy student in Latin for eight hours per academic year.

Students in their fourth semester of Spanish at the Academy can join the National Spanish Honor Society provided they meet the following academic requirements:

• Maintained a B average in Spanish for two semesters
• Maintained an A- average in the third semester
• Have a B average in all other courses with no failures in any course.

Following induction, each member of the Spanish Honor Society tutors an Academy student in Spanish for eight hours per academic year.

The Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to a senior who has maintained at least a B average while participating in athletics at the Academy.

The Service to Salem Award is presented to one or more seniors in acknowledgement of their special service to Salem Academy. Recipients are selected by the faculty.

Mu Alpha Theta is the national high school and junior college mathematics club. The club’s purpose is to promote the scholarship, enjoyment, and understanding of math. Requirements for membership include:

• Completion of five semesters of college preparatory math
• An overall B average in those courses

Salem Academy’s Honor Roll is determined at the end of each grading period, each semester, and at the end of the year. For a student to be named to the Honor Roll, she must have As and Bs in all of her subjects. The Head of School's List honors students with all As.

Theatre students who have completed 100 hours or more with the theatre department can join the International Thespian Society, a lifetime membership.