Graduate of Merit

Mrs. Stacey Oakes, Director of Instructional Specialty Programs & CTE
Contact Info:  [email protected]   Extension: 5018

Pittsylvania County Schools is proud to announce the 2024 Graduate of Merit Program.
This is the 25th 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.

gOM logoThe 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, 2,691 students have earned the distinction of graduating as a Graduate of Merit. In 2023, Pittsylvania County Schools awarded Graduate of Merit medallions to 87 students.

YEAR 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
TOTAL 47 88 131 122 88 114 120 110 140 146 120 118 119 113 110 132 129 138 129 117 108 83 82 87
Chatham  5 19 26 27 14 28 40 34 37 32 30 27 31 27 26 33 32 31 27 30 21 28 14 22
Dan River 12 28 36 29 25 21 24 23 28 32 38 20 21 34 33 41 32 37 33 35 26 15 19 16
Gretna  21 33 32 35 27 35 26 17 36 45 26 27 26 17 20 28 19 18 19 15 19 16 10 12
Tunstall 9 8 37 31 22 30 30 36 39 37 27 44 41 35 31 30 46 52 50 37 42 24 39 37


Applications
The application must be submitted to guidance by:

  • Last day of first semester, senior year

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


212

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.


2024 GOM Pinnacle Award Winner

Ashlyn Chappell, from Dan River High, was named the
Pinnacle Award winner of the 25th 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 . You may also email Ms. Stacey Oakes at [email protected].