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Student Awards and Honors

Each spring, at several end-of-year events such as Upper School Awards Day and Founders Day (graduation), the Gilman community publicly and formally recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievement and excellence in athletic competition, academic prowess, the fine and performing arts, and character and service. Because the various awards represent a broad range of disciplines, programs, and areas of school life, so too do they highlight Gilman's belief in developing the whole person in mind, body, and spirit.

Many of these awards were established — and continue to be maintained — through the generosity of individuals, families, and organizations who enable the School to recognize the achievements of our students — thank you!

Founders Day Awards

The following awards represent the highest honors bestowed by the School on students and are presented annually each Founders Day (graduation).

 


 

Presented at Awards Day

The following awards are traditionally presented annually at Awards Day in the Upper School towards the end of the spring semester.

Awards for Excellence in Athletics

Awards to Underclassmen for Character and Special Accomplishments

Student Exchanges

Creative Writing, Publications, and Debate Prizes

Achievement in Various Academic Disciplines

Prizes in the Creative Arts

Prizes for Community Service

Gilman Faculty Awards

In 1962, Gilman established the Faculty Awards. The Upper School faculty singles out some seniors to whom they feel especially indebted for acts of helpfulness to the School and unsung contributions, which have added significantly to the success of the year.

At Awards Day, the students chosen for this honor are presented, on behalf of the faculty, a framed print of the School as an expression of appreciation for their special examples of positive attitude,motivation, and unsung contributions. Each print bears an individually inscribed citation.

 


 

The Cum Laude Society

The Cum Laude Society was founded in 1906 by Dr. Abram W. Harris, the Director of the Tome School in Port Deposit, Maryland. He was determined that scholastic achievement in secondary schools should receive as much recognition as that given to other accomplishments. He envisioned a society modeled on Phi Beta Kappa that encouraged and recognized true scholarship.

The society was first named the Alpha Delta Tau Society. Charters were granted only to schools of the highest academic caliber.

In 1916, when Greek letter societies were becoming increasingly social in nature, the name of the organization was changed to the Cum Laude Society. At that time, the Society became incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland. The Society originally welcomed senior boys. In 1920, membership was extended to girls' schools and to high school juniors.

Gilman School has been a member of the Cum Laude Society since 1952. Ceremonies held each fall and spring allow us to reaffirm our belief in the purpose of the Society — to promote academic excellence and to uphold the spirit of the Society's motto:

  • Areté: Excellence both in scholarship and in the moral sense.
  • Diké: Justice in all things.
  • Timé: Dignity, true worth, and honor.