The Charlotte Observer will again honor top high school seniors with the All-Star Scholars program. These students will be featured in stories and photos. The scholars, their parents and principals will be honored at the All-Star Scholars Recognition Banquet in Charlotte on May 18. One scholar from each school will compete for a $1,000 Senior of the Year Award, given by each of our regional publications. Local judges in each area will interview the nominees and the seven winners will be announced at the banquet.

We invite your school to participate. To be eligible, your high school must have a minimum of 15 seniors enrolled in its graduating class. You may use your highest senior enrollment during the period of February 21 through March 25.

REGISTRATION

Please download and complete the one-page registration form available below and return. This form must be received by The Observer on or before March 10. Send to:

The Charlotte Observer
Suzanne Summerville, Marketing
600 S Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202
or FAX to Suzanne at 704-358-5515

NOMINATIONS

We ask that you choose your school’s All-Star Scholars from the top 10% of the class. Students nominated should have outstanding records of academic achievement as shown by class rank, grades, SAT scores, success in advanced courses and other indicators. They should also be “stars” or students of distinction, such as valedictorians, top debaters, science fair winners, quiz bowl competitors, student leaders, excellent musicians, etc. Athletics and other extracurricular activities should not be seen as a substitute for academic achievement, but may complement it.

You are allotted one scholar per 100 members of your senior class. Each school is asked to select at least one All-Star Scholar. If your senior class numbers over 100, select a scholar for each additional 100 members. Use the “halfway” point in figuring your allotment. (EXAMPLE - A class of 151 would be allowed two scholars, 150 or less, one scholar.) Sorry, we cannot allow any school more than the number of scholars determined by this method.

Please use the forms below to report your selections to us. Photocopy the quantity you need and return. The Observer must receive your selections on or before March 24. We will then make arrangements to photograph the scholars and publish special stories about them.


SENIOR OF THE YEAR

Choose a Senior of the Year nominee from among your group of All-Star Scholars. Do not nominate another senior outside of your All-Star Scholar allotment. The Senior of the Year award is based on general excellence. This emphasizes scholarship, but also includes other achievements and indicators of character potential.

To make this selection, we need:

• a written recommendation from you or a school representative of one of your All-Star Scholars to be nominated as Senior of the Year. Your statement should be about 100 words, and state specific reasons why the student should receive the award. Be as persuasive as possible. If your school has only one All-Star Scholar, then, of course, that student will also be your nominee for Senior of the Year.

• a second copy of this student’s nomination form.

A panel of judges in each area will make selection of the Senior of the Year winner for each of our seven regional publications after interviewing each nominee. Candidates will be notified of the dates, times and places of interviews. To be considered for the award, the nominee must attend the interview. Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

To participate, your school must:

1. Have a minimum of 15 seniors enrolled in its graduating class.

2. Download and complete the one-page registration form and return. This form must be received by The Observer on or before March 10.

3. Download and complete the scholar nomination form(s) and Senior of the Year information and return. These forms must be received by The Observer on or before March 24.

Return forms to:
Suzanne Summerville, All Star Scholar Director
Phone: 704-358-5878
Fax: 704-358-5515
Email: ssummerville@charlotteobserver.com
Mailing Address:
The Charlotte Observer
Attn: Suzanne Summerville
600 S Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

Please note these dates and plan now to adhere to these deadlines. If The Observer does not receive your registration and nomination forms with Senior of the Year information by the above dates, we cannot include your school in the program, and your student(s) will not be represented in The Observer's All-Star Scholars sections which publish in May.

Forms needed to participate:
One-Page Registration Form
Scholar Nomination Form(s)
Senior of the Year Information
Nomination List