Notable Noles
Originating in 1978 by the Bradenton Herald, the Golden Herald Awards “honor outstanding Manatee County high school seniors for noble service to their schools and community” (Golden Herald). Each school in Manatee County can choose two representatives in the following fifteen categories:
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Art
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Athletics
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Business
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Citizenship
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Computer & technology
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English & literature
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Foreign language
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General scholarship
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Journalism
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Mathematics
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Music
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Science
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Social science
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Speech & drama
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Vocational
For the 2017-2018 school year, the following students were chosen to represent Southeast High School because of their outstanding achievements in the category they chose.
Elise Rios (Art)
Jattorious Galloway (Athletics) Wayneshia Powell (Athletics)
Gabryelle Francois (Business) Glenda Vasquez (Business)
Deju Johnson (Citizenship) Niky Roblero (Citizenship)
Dylan Ferris (Computer & Technology) Victoria Sinclair (Computer & Technology)
Emily Blackwell (English and Literature)
Calen MacDonald (Foreign Language) Elizabeth Rowe (Foreign Language)
Devon Stuart (General Scholarship)
Kiarra Louis (Journalism)
Grace Fields (Mathematics) Devon Kramer (Mathematics)
Diana Alatorre-Tapia (Music) Adam Manning (Music)
Darwyn Howard (Science) Ivelina Kioutchoukova (Science)
Priyanka Patel (Social Science)
Harriet Thompson (Speech & Drama)
Dale Allen (Vocational) Brittany Hasiak (Vocational)
Sara Bizek, a Southeast English teacher in charge of Golden Herald this year, scheduled mock interviews for the nominees on February 27 and 28th. A day prior to the interviews, Cathy Strate, an English teacher formerly in charge of Southeast's Golden Herald nominees, shared interview tips and answered any questions students had. These mock interviews better prepared the nominees for the real one on Saturday, March 3rd. Students found the feedback and critics they received such as maintaining eye contact with all the judges helpful.
March 3rd, 2018
Bibliography
Southeast High School's Golden Herald Nominees
“Golden Herald Award 2017 Information.” Bradenton Herald, www.bradenton.com/news/local/education/young-achievers/article37191942.html.
Interview Tips
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Show self-confidence!
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Be well poised & dignified!
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Don't lie!
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Firm handshake!
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Know your application like the back of your hand!
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Brush up on current events!
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Dress sharp!
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Sit still!
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Limit makeup and jewelry
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No "ums"
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Limit "like" & "you know"!
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Believe in yourself!
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Show enthusiam!
Nominees were encouraged to arrive 30 minutes prior to their interviews, which were held at the Braden Herald, to have their program photos taken. After, they waited until their scheduled time to attend their personal interviews while dressed in job interview attire. The personal interviews allowed the panel of judges from the business community to ask questions from the applicants’ application and learn more about why they deserve this award.
Although there will be one Golden Herald Winner and one honorable mention announced for each category during the Awards ceremony that will be held April 12th at the Neel Performing Arts Center, each student will have the opportunity to be recognized that night. Their outstanding service in their chosen categories worthy of commendation and Southeast High School is very proud to have them as one of their Noles!
Finalists winners are chosen for the Merit Scholarship based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments which Calen has plenty to display. During his junior year, he founded Spanish Club and focused on “connecting the school with the local and global Spanish-speaking community”. On campus, he is a member of Model United Nations, Academic Team, Key Club, National Honor Society, and Youth in Action. Off campus, he is involved in volunteering opportunities like Tidwell Hospice where he volunteers weekly.
To those who wish to become a National Merit Finalist, this is what Calen suggests you do:
“Firstly, definitely take the PSAT in your sophomore year. Although you can't qualify for the scholarship until your junior year, the practice will help you to become familiar with the test and to gauge how much you need to prepare. You should use the Khan Academy test prep or some other official test prep. Make a schedule and do your best to adhere to it. Knowing the test format and what types of questions will be asked is half the battle. However, earning a qualifying score isn't enough to become a finalist. You need to have a successful academic record and be involved with your school and local community.”
Southeast High School looks forward to having more finalists in the future!
Bibliography
Louis, Kiarra. “National Merit Scholarship: What Is It and How Do I Get It?” CollegeXpress, www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/financial-aid/articles/scholarships-grants-loans/national-merit-scholarship-what-it-and-how-do-i-get-it/.
Advice From A Finalist
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Take the PSAT in 10th grade.
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Use Khan Academy test prep or some official test prep.
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Make a schedule and do your best to adhere to it.
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Have a successful academic record
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Be involved with your school and local community
Calen has been dedicated to achieving this since his freshmen year and describes this entire process as “sincerely validating”. After taking the PSAT his sophomore year, he realized he would “need to do a lot of studying to qualify for National Merit” and he did just that! To prepare he says, “I took full-length practice tests every two weeks. I used the Barron's PSAT prep book as well. I didn't use it as often as the official Khan Academy practice, but it is useful if you struggle with test-taking strategies or time management.”
Despite requiring much effort and hard work, it is worth the pain! As a National Merit Finalist, Calen comments it “opens up a lot of opportunities”. For example, several colleges and universities offer “full-ride scholarships to Finalists and many more partial scholarships” he adds. This includes a “general merit scholarship, a school-specific scholarship, or a corporate scholarship” he explains. However, he is hoping to receive “the general scholarship of $2,500 or the school-specific scholarship for the University of Chicago”. Additionally, when applying to colleges or for scholarships, Calen can now “include the accolade”.
Fighting To Be A Finalist
February 17, 2018
Southeast High School is proud to have one of their own, senior Calen MacDonald be announced a National Merit Finalist!
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition where students can receive recognition and qualify for scholarships based on their Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) scores. Although 50,00 entrants with the highest Selection Index Scores qualify for the scholarship program, those students are broken down into commended students or Semifinalists (Louis). Commended students receive letters of “commendation recognizing their academic promise” (Louis) and semifinalists are chosen to represent the “state they live in” (Louis). By February, “about 15,000 Semifinalists advance to Finalist standing” and within this group, about 7,500 finalists are selected for the Merit Scholarship.
Calen MacDonald
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Top 4%
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International Baccalaureate (IB) student
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National Merit Finalist
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Spanish Club Founder
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Member of Model United Nations
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Member of National Honors Society
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Member of academic Team
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Member of Key Club
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Member of Youth in Action
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Tidewell Hospice Volunteer