In a class of about 1,000 students, 42 assiduous seniors have accumulated four semesters of membership in the California Scholarship Federation earning them the Sealbearer status. Since their sophomore year, the CSF recipients have maintained outstanding marks that have earned them the title.
“The best part about being in CSF is being able to leave high school knowing that you did your personal best,” senior Brittany Alarcon said.
Using only five courses out of the six, the applicants had to attain a total of ten points. Classes were divided into three sections with the four points coming from list I classes, a total of seven from list I and list II, and the last three could come from any of the three sections. Oftentimes eligibility proved to be difficult to obtain since the classes in list I were the most difficult in the curriculum. However, some students, like senior Brittany Alarcon, overcame the complexity of obtaining her goal and believes that every student has the capability of reaching above the norm.
“Getting the first seven points in the first two columns can sometimes get in the way of someone trying to make CSF because those classes are the hardest out of anybody’s curriculum,” Alarcon said, “although I didn’t personally experience any difficulty with that issue.”
Points were awarded by each letter grade, but honors and Advanced Placement classes were given an extra point. The additional point did not always prove to be an advantage, however. Since those classes are more strenuous, they require more from the students making it more intricate to earn the desired A. But Sealbearer Nicole Gallo believes that every student has the capability to reach the gold.
“Well honors and AP classes give you an extra bump for two classes towards qualifying for CSF if you earn an A or a B, so that’s helpful,” Gallo said. “But you need a minimum of 3.33 GPA to qualify each semester. So I wouldn’t say it is easier for either honors and AP or non-honors and AP students to make it into CSF. It just depends on the person. But it’s completely doable with hard work!”
Often times, the extra point seems to be vital and even gives a sense of relief to some individuals who are want to challenge their wits.
“It is a lot easier to get three As in non honors or AP courses,” senior Jesus Pelayo said. “It definitely makes it a little tougher but I have to say it feels a lot better when you get more points than needed.”
But after three years of attempting to reach for the gold, the 42 upperclassmen have finally arrived at their desired destinations. With CSF in the back of their minds, they can now continue on their senior year with a sense of relief.
“I feel very accomplished that my hard work and efforts have finally paid off,” senior Jinan Mannaa said, “and I’m proud that I will be recognized as a Sealbearer on graduation day.”
The Sealbearers will receive their gold cords and their tassels during the CSF banquet held in June. And at the graduation ceremony, these highly achieving individuals will be the first to walk down the aisles to accept the highly anticipated receipt of their high school years—their diplomas.
