2010

Information for
Nominees

For service to school and community.

 Purpose POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS FOR UNSELFISH
Participants PRIVATE AND
SERVICE TO THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. IN POLK COU

BACKGROUND B. LEADERSHIP. Initiative in constructive programs, poise in

facing difficult problems and courage in meeting
4. Princ
recommen
The Silver Garland program is sponsored as a community responsibilities are hallmarks of a good leader. A list of elected candidate.
service by The Ledger. Polk County high schools are invited positions demonstrates general approval by others, which
opens the door to real leadership. How this opportunity is 5. One ph
to select seniors with records of outstanding service as Silver
used is the prime factor for consideration. photograp
Garland candidates. Business and/or community leaders
(i.e., yearb
serve as judges in each category. Judges individually review
be electro
and hold personal interviews with each candidate to select the C. CHARACTER. Students’ character is measured by photograp
Silver Garland recipient in each category. personal habits and attitudes, appreciation of our society’s of the JPE
Selection of candidates to represent each school and moral and spiritual values and a sense of good judgment as Please use
administration of the program at school level is handled by reflected in relationships with others. Character may be and felt m
Polk County Schools. Selection of judges, judging of revealed by an individual’s ability to overcome physical and
environmental handicaps. IMPORTA
candidates and presentation of awards is administered by The
6. Make f
Ledger. The Ledger assumes all expenses for the program. Guidelines for selection of nominees by categories are
Please be
outlined in this brochure. These specific guidelines, plus the
attached t
general measurements of achievement, leadership and
THE CATEGORIES character, should form the basis for selection of nominees.
must be su

•ART
•ATHLETICS
•JOURNALISM
•MATHEMATICS
All of these factors are considered by Silver Garland judges.
Their choice of winners rests on an appraisal of the student’s
DEA
Entries mu
•CITIZENSHIP •MUSIC use of these factors in service to school and/or community.
Friday, De
•ENGLISH/LITERATURE •PERFORMING ARTS the atten
•FOREIGN LANGUAGE
•VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL
•SCIENCE
ELIGIBILITY responsibl
Competition is open to any high school senior in Polk County
schools, public or private. Each school, regardless of size, may
nominate only one candidate in each category. In addition, no
JUDG
QUALIFICATIONS student may be entered in more than one category. Authoritie
judge indiv
The essential qualification for a Silver Garland nominee is conducts a
service. Students who attempt to qualify solely through in
class excellence have no advantage in being selected. The METHOD OF NOMINATION making th
Nominees
Silver Garland Award in each category is given to the student 1. The interested student must complete one original entry a week pri
whose record of service to school and/or community best form. Form may be scanned into a computer document. The At Jim Mil
exemplifies the unselfish use of his or her abilities to help original must be properly signed by the candidate, faculty
others. The period of performance is not of prime importance.
Work through all of the high school grades (9 - 12) or any part
member and principal. Entry forms provide a guide for
evaluating candidate’s qualifications. No supporting exhibits
AWA
The Silver
thereof may be considered. such as scrapbooks, projects, portfolios, or transcripts are to
April 19,
be submitted.
Names of
GENERAL MEASUREMENTS TO DETERMINE AN called to th
2. The completed entry form should be given to that school’s
INDIVIDUAL’S QUALIFICATIONS ARE: Silver Garland coordinator, as designated by the principal. receiving t

A. ACHIEVEMENT. Accomplishments, honors and

recognition represent evidence of achievement, both in school
3. A school committee or coordinator, as directed by the
principal or his/her designated representative, may
AWA
and community. Important are the direction of purpose (as Each win
determine which entry in each category shall be submitted to
applied to the student’s category), realization of goals and $1,000 che
The Ledger for final judging.
persistence. certificate
nts OPEN TO ALL SENIORS IN PUBLIC,
PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL HIGH SCHOOLS
Awards TROPHIES AND CASH AWARDS TO WINNERS IN EACH OF 11
CLASSIFICATIONS. CERTIFICATES TO NOMINEES IN EACH
IN POLK COUNTY. CLASSIFICATION.

oise in
eeting
4. Principals should review teacher/faculty letter of
recommendation and verify the statements of the teacher and GENERAL INFORMATION
lected
which
candidate.

5. One photograph must be submitted for each nominee. The

& INSTRUCTION
nity is 1. Entries are accepted by The Ledger only from the
photograph should be a wallet-size studio portrait
official representative from each high school.
(i.e., yearbook photo) suitable for reproduction. Photos should
be electronically sent to The Ledger in a JPEG format. All 2. Entry forms cannot be returned.
d by photographs must be labeled on the back, or as the filename
ciety’s of the JPEG with candidate’s name, category and school. 3. Nominees must attend an interview with judges
ent as Please use self-stick labels. Ballpoint pens leave indentations at the Jim Miles Dev. Center on the morning of
ay be and felt markers may smear. Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Candidates unable to
al and attend the judging will be disqualified. Please
IMPORTANT! check for previous commitments before
s are
6. Make four copies of the original completed entry form. nomination.
Please be sure that all copies show photo with original
us the 4. Students’ names are printed on certificates,
attached to top copy. Original plus 4 copies (total of 5 sets)
and awards and for publication exactly as they appear
must be submitted to The Ledger.
es. on entry forms. Please double-check spelling!
udges.
dent’s
DEADLINE 5. All nominees are required to attend the Awards
nity.
Entries must be received by The Ledger no later than 5:00 PM, presentation on Monday, April 19, 2010.
Friday, December 18th. They should be directed to Nominees may invite as many guests as they want.
the attention of Lenore Devore. (The Ledger is not The ceremony is open to the public. The Ledger
responsible for late or misdirected mail.) strives to make the event worthy of the students’
efforts.
ounty
e, may
on, no
JUDGING
Authorities in each category are selected by The Ledger. Each
judge individually reviews the entry forms prior to judging and
conducts a brief personal interview with each nominee before
making their decision. In every case, the judges’ decision is final.
N Nominees will be notified of their interview time by letter about
entry a week prior to the judging session Wednesday., February 10, 2010.
. The At Jim Miles Dev. Center, Attendance is mandatory.
aculty
de for
hibits
AWARDS PRESENTATION
The Silver Garland Awards presentation will be Monday,
are to
April 19, 2010, 7 PM, at Branscomb Auditorium, FSC.
Names of the winners will not be revealed until
hool’s called to the stage for presentation. Attendance is required for
pal. receiving the top award.

by the
may
AWARDS
Each winner receives a Silver Garland trophy and a
ted to
$1,000 check. Each Silver Garland candidate is awarded a
certificate of merit.
 Awards Categories
The following criteria serve as guidelines for selection of nominees.
ART JOURNALISM
The candidate may have... The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service through creative ability in • provided outstanding service through work on student
drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, architecture or publications.
in any visual arts medium. • demonstrated an unusual devotion to the
• sparked school or community projects or inspired, accomplishment of a specific goal designed to benefit
encouraged or taught others through practical application the community through work with a newspaper,
of creative abilities. magazine, or other journalistic outlet.
• donated creative talents to serve an organization or • used talents in written or broadcast media to
event which exists to help others. enlighten/educate the public.
ATHLETICS MATHEMATICS
The candidate may have... The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service in physical education, • provided outstanding service through endeavors to
student team management or leadership. contribute to mathematical knowledge.
• contributed to the welfare of others through athletic • led individual or group research projects using
activities. mathematical abilities.
• displayed emotional sportsmanship, fair play and • tutored students and/or adults using math skills.
unselfish service.
• donated time and talent to teach, coach or lead those MUSIC
less fortunate. The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service through use of talent
CITIZENSHIP in, or knowledge of vocal or instrumental music.
The candidate may have... • been the inspiring force in a musical group.
• provided outstanding service in any academic field. • originated or lead music-related projects of benefit
• shown an overall willingness to accept and carry out to others.
special assignments and projects within the school or
community. PERFORMING ARTS
• displayed exemplary leadership, dependability, civic The candidate may have...
consciousness, and spirit of helpfulness. • provided outstanding service as a dramatist, director,
writer, dancer, designer or technical director in the
ENGLISH/LITERATURE theatrical arts.
The candidate may have... • designed or constructed sets, created original scripts,
• provided outstanding service through leadership by choreographed presentations, designed lighting or sound
initiating or directing activities related to a fuller systems for community or school.
appreciation of English and literary works. • served to inspire fellow students through the use of
• used skills to benefit others and encourage a deeper theatrical means.
appreciation of literature. • provided entertainment at a nursing home or a
• participated in literacy, young reader, or free library hospital’s children’s ward.
programs.
• reached others, through the written word, improving SCIENCE
school or community. The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service by advanced work,
FOREIGN LANGUAGE investments or application of the principles of
The candidate may have... chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, physiology,
• provided outstanding service through the use of electronics or computer science.
knowledge in a language other than English. • worked for a cleaner environment in the areas of
• tutored other students beginning a foreign language ecology.
course. • led others to the advantages of science through field
• used translating abilities to assist the community, trips, science projects or technical demonstrations.
school, or mission-related trips. • inspired other students to choose an area of science as a
continuing education or career path.
VOCATIONAL/TECHNOLOGY
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service in the field of industrial, business, vocational or
technical education.
• an ability to lead or inspire others through the practical application of business,
industrial arts, agriculture, cooperative, home economics, or technical education.
• tutored others in the areas of vocational studies.
• volunteered time to assist an organization, group or school through computer
education and application.