Note: this article was written to summarize the activities of the
Some information in this article is obviously dated, and the particular
narrative format follows the requirements of Kiwanis International for the
submission. But the project continues as described.
"TOP TEN SENIOR BANQUET" Project
NEED: In the two high schools in our community, there is considerable recognition given to outstanding athletic achievement. Each major sport has an annual recognition and awards banquet at the end of its season, in addition to other publicity. However, no comparable award program existed for academic achievement--the reason schools are here in the first place! Several Kiwanis club members felt that academic achievement should be recognized and honored more than it was.
PLAN: A special committee was appointed to develop a plan to honor outstanding academic achievers. Members of the committee met with local school principals and teachers to get their suggestions. The result was a recommendation for an annual awards banquet that would honor the top ten graduating seniors of each local high school. With minor revisions in procedure and features, this banquet has been held for several years now. Each spring, the committee meets with the principals to select a date and discuss the arrangements. Members of the committee then make the arrangements for the meal, procure awards certificates, issue invitations to the honorees and their parents and invite a guest speaker, coordinate Kiwanians as hosts, and arrange for publicity. Funding is provided through several fund-raising activities throughout the year; Kiwanis of Murray underwrites the entire cost of the banquet.
HIGHLIGHTS AND EVALUATION: The principal of each high school supplies
a list of the top ten (in academic ranking after seven semesters) graduating
seniors, and their parents' names and addresses. Kiwanis of Murray then invites
each outstanding graduate and their parents to be their guests for the banquet.
Other invited guests include the school principals and guidance counselors and
school board members and Superintendents. The top-ten students are also asked
to select the teacher from their school "who has contributed the most to
their success", and Kiwanis invites those teachers. As the honorees begin
arriving, Kiwanians (and their spouses) are present
to meet and congratulate each student and their parents. Kiwanis also invites a
prominent after-dinner speaker; this past year the Dean of the
There is a significant expenditure for a club of our size in this project--the meal and awards cost totaled $871 last year--but we feel that it is well worth it. The Top-Ten-Seniors banquet has resulted in a proper honoring of academic achievement in our community, and a proper honoring of excellent teaching as well. About 48 service hours were required from our members; 12 of our 17 members (71%) participated. The free meals and congratulatory efforts directly benefit about 64 individuals; we hope that a great number of younger students are encouraged to strive for excellence in their academic work through this project as well. In addition to benefiting the community in this way, this project has resulted in a very favorable impression of Kiwanis locally: we are known as the club that encourages excellence in academics. It is quite significant to note, in fact, that when one of the high school Principals (a Rotarian, by the way) was contacted about this year's banquet, he exclaimed, "I'm delighted to hear from you-- I look forward each year to this banquet. You Kiwanians have an excellent project of honoring our outstanding young people and I'm glad to help". Our guest after-dinner speaker also readily volunteered his time, knowing that he would be speaking to the top young people of our community. Several of our newer members have mentioned that they had high regards for Kiwanis before joining because of this project. It's a project we hope to continue and improve upon.
Submitted by William Call, President 1993-94
Kiwanis Club of