INFORMATION FOR NOMINEES

2011

For service to school and community

BACKGROUND
The Silver Garland program is sponsored as a
community service by The Ledger. Polk County high
schools are invited to select seniors with records of
outstanding service as Silver Garland candidates.
Business and/or community leaders serve as judges in
each category. Judges individually review and hold
personal interviews with each candidate to select the
Silver Garland recipient in each category.
Selection of candidates to represent each school and
administration of the program at school level is handled
by Polk County Schools. Selection of judges, judging of
candidates and presentation of awards is administered by
The Ledger. The Ledger assumes all expenses for the
program.
THE CATEGORIES
•ART JOURNALISM
•ATHLETICS •MATHEMATICS
•CITIZENSHIP •MUSIC
•ENGLISH/LITERATURE •PERFORMING ARTS
•FOREIGN LANGUAGE •SCIENCE
•VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL
QUALIFICATIONS
The essential qualification for a Silver Garland nominee
is service. Students who attempt to qualify solely
through in class excellence have no advantage in being
selected. The Silver Garland Award in each category is
given to the student whose record of service to school
and/or community best exemplifies the unselfish use of
his or her abilities to help others. The period of
performance is not of prime importance. Work through
all of the high school grades (9 - 12) or any part thereof
may be considered.
GENERAL MEASUREMENTS TO DETERMINE AN
INDIVIDUAL’S QUALIFICATIONS ARE:
A. ACHIEVEMENT. Accomplishments, honors and
recognition represent evidence of achievement, both in
school and community. Important are the direction of
purpose (as applied to the student’s category),
realization of goals and persistence.
B. LEADERSHIP. Initiative in constructive programs,
poise in facing difficult problems and courage in
meeting responsibilities are hallmarks of a good leader.
A list of elected positions demonstrates general approval
by others, which opens the door to real leadership. How
this opportunity is used is the prime factor for
consideration.
C. CHARACTER. Students’ character is measured by
personal habits and attitudes, appreciation of our
society’s moral and spiritual values and a sense of good
judgment as reflected in relationships with others.
Character may be revealed by an individual’s ability to
overcome physical and environmental handicaps.
Guidelines for selection of nominees by categories are
outlined in this brochure. These specific guidelines, plus
the general measurements of achievement, leadership
and character, should form the basis for selection of
nominees.
All of these factors are considered by Silver Garland
judges. Their choice of winners rests on an appraisal of
the student’s use of these factors in service to school
and/or community.
ELIGIBILITY
Competition is open to any high school senior in Polk
County schools, public or private. Each school,
regardless of size, may nominate only one candidate in
each category. In addition, no student may be entered in
more than one category.
METHOD OF
NOMINATION
1. The interested student must complete one original
entry form. Form may be scanned into a computer
document. The original must be properly signed by the
candidate, faculty member and principal. Entry forms
provide a guide for evaluating candidate’s qualifications.
No supporting exhibits such as scrapbooks, projects,
portfolios, or transcripts are to be submitted.
2. The completed entry form should be given to that
school’s Silver Garland coordinator, as designated by
the principal.
3. A school committee or coordinator, as directed by the
principal or his/her designated representative, may
determine which entry in each category shall be
submitted to The Ledger for final judging.
4. Principals should review teacher/faculty letter of
recommendation and verify the statements of the teacher
and candidate.
5. One photograph must be submitted for each nominee.
The photograph should be a wallet-size studio portrait
(i.e., yearbook photo) suitable for reproduction. Photos
should be electronically sent to The Ledger in a JPEG
format. All photographs must be labeled on the back, or
as the filename with candidate’s name, category and
school.
Please use self-stick labels. Ballpoint pens leave
indentations and felt markers may smear.
IMPORTANT!
6. Make three copies of the original completed entry
form. Please be sure that all copies show photo with
original attached to top copy. Original plus 3 copies
(total of 4 sets) must be submitted to The Ledger.
DEADLINE
Entries must be received by The Ledger no later than
5:00 PM, Friday, December 17. They should be directed
to the attention of Lenore Devore. (The Ledger is not
responsible for late or misdirected mail.)
JUDGING
Authorities in each category are selected by The Ledger.
Each judge individually reviews the entry forms prior to
judging and conducts a brief personal interview with
each nominee before making their decision. In every
case, the judges’ decision is final. Judging sessions will
be Feb. 7, 2011 at the Jim Miles Development Center.
Nominees will be notified of their interview time by
letter about a week prior to the judging session
Attendance is mandatory at the judging session.
AWARDS
PRESENTATION
The Silver Garland Awards presentation will be April
11, 2011 at Branscomb Auditorium. Names of the
winners will not be revealed until called to the stage for
presentation. Attendance is required for receiving the top
award.
AWARDS
Each winner receives a Silver Garland trophy and a
$1,000 check. Each Silver Garland candidate is awarded
a certificate of merit.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
& INSTRUCTION
1. Entries are accepted by The Ledger only from the
official representative from each high school.
2. Entry forms cannot be returned.
3. Nominees must attend an interview with judges.
Candidates unable to attend the judging will be
disqualified. Please check for previous commitments
before nomination.
4. Students’ names are printed on certificates, awards
and for publication exactly as they appear on entry
forms. Please double-check spelling!
5. All nominees are required to attend the Awards
presentation. Nominees may invite as many guests as
they want. The ceremony is open to the public. The
Ledger strives to make the event worthy of the
students’ efforts.
 
 Awards Categories
The following criteria serve as guidelines for selection of nominees.
ART
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service through creative ability in
drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, architecture
or in any visual arts medium.
• sparked school or community projects or inspired,
encouraged or taught others through practical
application of creative abilities.
• donated creative talents to serve an organization or
event which exists to help others.
ATHLETICS
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service in physical education,
student team management or leadership.
• contributed to the welfare of others through athletic
activities.
• displayed emotional sportsmanship, fair play and
unselfish service.
• donated time and talent to teach, coach or lead those
less fortunate.
CITIZENSHIP
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service in any academic field.
• shown an overall willingness to accept and carry out
special assignments and projects within the school or
community.
• displayed exemplary leadership, dependability, civic
consciousness, and spirit of helpfulness.
ENGLISH/LITERATURE
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service through leadership by
initiating or directing activities related to a fuller
appreciation of English and literary works.
• used skills to benefit others and encourage a deeper
appreciation of literature.
• participated in literacy, young reader, or free library
programs.
• reached others, through the written word, improving
school or community.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service through the use of
knowledge in a language other than English.
• tutored other students beginning a foreign language
course.
• used translating abilities to assist the community,
school, or mission-related trips.
JOURNALISM
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service through work on student
publications.
• demonstrated an unusual devotion to the
accomplishment of a specific goal designed to benefit
the community through work with a newspaper,
magazine, or other journalistic outlet.
• used talents in written or broadcast media to
enlighten/educate the public.
MATHEMATICS
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service through endeavors to
contribute to mathematical knowledge.
• led individual or group research projects using
mathematical abilities.
• tutored students and/or adults using math skills.
MUSIC
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service through use of talent in,
or knowledge of vocal or instrumental music.
• been the inspiring force in a musical group.
• originated or lead music-related projects of benefit to
others.
PERFORMING ARTS
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service as a dramatist, director,
writer, dancer, designer or technical director in the
theatrical arts.
• designed or constructed sets, created original scripts,
choreographed presentations, designed lighting or sound
systems for community or school.
• served to inspire fellow students through the use of
theatrical means.
• provided entertainment at a nursing home or a
hospital’s children’s ward.
SCIENCE
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service by advanced work,
investments or application of the principles of chemistry,
physics, biology, earth science, physiology, electronics
or computer science.
• worked for a cleaner environment in the areas of
ecology.
• led others to the advantages of science through field
trips, science projects or technical demonstrations.
• inspired other students to choose an area of science as
a continuing education or career path.

VOCATIONAL/TECHNOLOGY
The candidate may have...
• provided outstanding service in the field of industrial, business, vocational or
technical education.
• an ability to lead or inspire others through the practical application of business,
industrial arts, agriculture, cooperative, home economics, or technical education.
• tutored others in the areas of vocational studies.
• volunteered time to assist an organization, group or school through computer
education and application.