Pittsylvania County Schools is proud to announce the 2023 Graduate of Merit Program.
This is the 24th year of this outstanding program which helps recognize and acknowledge the accomplishments of graduates who exemplify attributes of achievement, proficiency, character and social development demonstrated through commitment to excellence in education.
.jpg "gOM logo")
The Graduate of Merit program, a great school and community partnership recognizing outstanding young people, received acknowledgement from the Governor of Virginia. The program was the recipient of the 2000 Horizon Award.
Since the inception of the program in 2000, 2,604 students have earned the distinction of graduating as a Graduate of Merit. In 2022, Pittsylvania County Schools awarded Graduate of Merit medallions to 82 students.
Graduates of Merit
|
YEAR 2000
|
'00
|
'01
|
'02
|
'03
|
'04
|
'05
|
'06
|
'07
|
'08
|
'09 |
'10 |
'11 |
'12 |
'13 |
'14 |
'15 |
'16 |
'17 |
'18 |
'19 |
'20 |
'21 |
'22 |
|
RECIPIENTS
|
47
|
88
|
131
|
122
|
88
|
114
|
120
|
110
|
140
|
146
|
120 |
118 |
119 |
113 |
110 |
131 |
129 |
138 |
129 |
117 |
108 |
83 |
82 |
|
Chatham
|
5
|
19
|
26
|
27
|
14
|
28
|
40
|
34
|
37
|
32
|
30 |
27 |
31 |
27 |
26 |
34 |
32 |
31 |
27 |
30 |
21 |
28 |
14 |
|
Dan River
|
12
|
28
|
36
|
29
|
25
|
21
|
24
|
23
|
28
|
32 |
38 |
20 |
21 |
34 |
33 |
40 |
32 |
37 |
33 |
35 |
26 |
15 |
19 |
|
Gretna
|
21
|
33
|
32
|
35
|
27
|
35
|
26
|
17
|
36
|
45 |
26 |
27 |
26 |
17 |
20 |
27 |
19 |
18 |
19 |
15 |
19 |
16 |
10 |
| Tunstall |
9
|
8
|
37
|
31
|
22
|
30
|
30
|
36
|
39
|
37 |
27 |
44 |
41 |
35 |
31 |
30 |
46 |
52 |
50 |
37 |
42 |
24 |
39 |
Applications
The application must be submitted to guidance by:
Students must submit their completed application to their high school by the last day of first semester. A completed application includes the application and the community service log.
To be recognized as a Graduate of Merit, a student must earn a minimum of 170 points from the following categories.
|
Category
|
Description
|
Points
|
| Final Grade Point Average |
10 points per year for attaining a 3.0 average or above
1 additional point awarded for each tenth of a point cumulative average above 3.0 after final GPA averages have been calculated
|
40 points
variable points
|
| Total Courses |
5 points per year in which a student takes a full complement of credit-bearing courses |
20 points |
| Coursework |
5 points per year in which all courses are passed |
20 points |
|
Attendance
|
5 points per year with 95% or above attendance average
1 additional point per each percent above 95%
(cumulative four-year average)
|
20 points
5 points
|
| Conduct |
5 points each year absent bus suspensions and/or out-of-school suspensions |
20 points |
| Community Service |
10 points per 25 hours of service |
50 points |
| Activities |
5 points per year in which student participates in four or more activities - curricular and extra-curricular (clubs & sports) sponsored by the school. Participation shall be defined as a member in good standing |
20 points |
Awards/Scholarships
Additional awards to be presented as a part of the Graduate of Merit program are various scholarship opportunities. Awards based on Graduate of Merit ranking (final points earned from GOM application) are the Pinnacle Award (the highest ranked GOM), the James E. McDaniel 212 Award (top ranked GOMs - number awarded based on funding secured) and the Community Scholarships. In addition to these awards, students planning to attend Averett University and Liberty University will receive additional funding available only to GOM applicants committing to attend one of these institutions of higher learning. These awards are presented based on availability of secured funds. It is our goal to provide all Graduates of Merit with a scholarship using one of these awards if funding is fully secured.
There are scholarships available to GOMs that are provided on an application basis. These awards are the Above and Beyond Volunteer Service Scholarship, The Institute for Advanced Learning & Research STEM Award, and the EPL America Manufacturing Excellence Scholarship. See applications under FORMS below for requirements. GOMs are encouraged to apply for these additional scholarships.
Austin Elliott, from Chatham High, was named the
Pinnacle Award winner of the 23rd Annual Graduate of Merit program.
Sponsorships
To continue to make the Graduate of Merit program a success, Pittsylvania County Schools relies on business and community partnerships. Informational letter, sponsorship form and a listing of the candidates will be mailed to past contributors and other area businesses, community organizations and churches in mid-February. The individual student sponsorship fee is $100 per student. Contact Stacey Oakes at [email protected] if you would like to receive an informational packet.
Banquet/Event
Each recipient will be honored during a public ceremony/banquet. This event is to be held at the end of the final semester and attended by the students, parents, business sponsors, and school officials. If restrictions due to the pandemic are put into place that prevent the banquet from being held, Graduates of Merit will be recognized at graduation.
Permanent notation will be located at the respective schools and businesses.
Forms (Only Graduate of Merit candidates may apply for scholarships)
If you have questions, wish to receive an informational packet or need additional information, feel free to contact Ms. B. Teresa Petty (Extension 5017) or Ms. Stacey Oakes at 432-2761, 792-1624 or 630-1817 beginning July 1, 2022. You may also email Ms. Stacey Oakes at [email protected]