The following is a listing of significant awards presented to
students in CAJÕs high school and to adults (staff and volunteer). In an attempt to be as equitable as
possible, every effort is made to maintain a consistent selection process with
numerous checks and balances including final validation by the Leadership Team
for all awards. A decision not to
present specific awards may be made in any given year based on the candidates
available. Family members of
students who are eligible for the awards are disqualified from participation in
the selection process.
Athlete
of the Year – Female and Male
Distinguished
Adult Volunteer Award
Fritz Kreisler
Award for Strings
Graduation
Speaker (Adult and Student)
Joan Johnston Senior
Comprehensive Awards
John Philip Sousa
Award for Band
Judy Amos
Distinguished Service Award
June
Habbestad Fine Arts Award
Kidron Valley
Scholastic Excellence Award
Les Johnston Biblical
Perspective Award
Louis B. Armstrong
Award for Jazz
Martin Essenburg
Academic Achievement Award
Valedicatorian Salutatorian
National Choral
Award Female and Male
Art
Bible
Computer
English
Foreign
Language Awards (French, Japanese, Spanish)
Home
Economics/Industrial Arts
Math
Music
Physical
Education
Science
Service
Social
Studies
Samuel Public
Speaking Scholarship
This award was
created in honor of a godly businessman and to honor high school seniors who
exhibit similar characteristics in leadership.
This new award
(instituted in 2005) is named after a very successful businessman. When asked
what leadership trait he thought was most important, he stated: "humility."
Awarded to a
senior who has consistently demonstrated the highest degree of leadership
qualities over his/her high school career. Humble leadership is one of the
defining traits that qualify an individual for this award. Awarded to a student
who effectively uses her/his gifts to provide leadership in (and outside when
applicable) of the CAJ community.
Nomination
forms (including a description of the qualifications) are distributed by the HS
principal to all seniors and staff. These nominations should include a reason
for the nomination. The HS principal will convene a panel of teachers and
administrators who will review the nominations and select one candidate and an
alternate. Final selections will be approved by the Leadership Team.
Award is announced
at graduation and includes a monetary gift of ´100,000 provided by an anonymous
donor.
Athlete of the Year Award--Female/Male
Given to a
male and female student who are voted by the coaches as the outstanding
athletes of the year
Students are
eligible who were in at least 2 sports and who were All-Stars, MVPs or triple
Varsity letter winners. The Athletic Director compiles a ballot of athletes who
have: 1) lettered in 3 sports, 2) lettered in 2 sports and have received
recognition as MVP, league all-star or Far East tournament all-star or
equivalent.
Chosen by the
Athletic Department; all high school coaches receive the ballot of compiled
eligible athletes and are requested to list their top 3 choices in order (1st
choice gets 3 pts, 2nd choice gets 2 pts, 3rd choice gets 1 pt.) Ballots are
returned to somebody outside the athletic department to tally. After Leadership Team validation, the
Athletic Coordinator prepares the award which is usually presented at the high
school spring concert and awards night and includes an engraved plaque.
Attendance awards are no longer presented in the high school though occasional
exceptions might be made.
Bruce Hekman Staff Enrichment Award
The award
money is to be used by the recipient, a staff member at CAJ, to pursue advanced
studies. Money may be used for: tuition/fees for courses, workshops,
conferences; travel that will enrich and expand the recipient's understanding
of the world; books, periodicals, computer software or hardware. A report must
be submitted to the headmaster within one year of receipt of the funds which
describes the activities and accounts for the way the money was used.
This award was
established in June 1994 to honor Dr. Hekman.
This award is
granted annually to the staff member who, like Dr. Hekman, has demonstrated
commitment to Christian education by continuing professional and spiritual
growth for the purpose of nurturing students to grow in their knowledge of
God's world and his Word, in order to work out their vision of life as
responsible servants in God's kingdom.
The recipients
are chosen by the headmaster, in consultation with the leadership team.
CAJ Honor Award
This award is
the highest honor presented to an individual by the school and was first
awarded in 1956 on June 13th, the first commencement of CAJ.
The award is
presented to one member of the senior class who is respected as a leader and
outstanding role model of what CAJ desires its students to become spiritually,
academically and socially. "This award is given annually for the senior
student who in the estimation of the high school faculty and student body has
exerted the best influence in the school throughout the entire academic year.
Some qualities that are exemplified and looked for may be: interest in helping
others, attitudes of genuine friendliness, a daily lifestyle which brings honor
to the Lord, and faithfulness." (excerpt from Christian Academy in
Japan 1950-1994 written by June Habbestad, New Life League, Tokyo, Japan,
May 1994)
Nomination
forms (including a description of the qualifications) are distributed by the HS
principal to all seniors and staff. These nominations should include a reason
for the nomination. The HS principal will convene a panel of teachers and
administrators who will review the nominations and select one candidate and an
alternate. Final selections will be approved by the Leadership Team.
The recipient
is announced at graduation and will receive a monetary gift of ´200,000 and a
gold medal with the school seal as well as recognition on a plaque at CAJ.
Distinguished Volunteer Award for an Adult
This award
recognizes a volunteer who stands out among many dedicated and selfless adults
who contribute to the school. It
is presented to a person or persons who are notable for their donation of time
and energy, and who bless the school with their heart for service and support
of the school's mission.
The Leadership
Team selects a recipient after information from appropriate people throughout
the school community.
The recipient is
awarded a certificate at the high school spring concert.
EARCOS Global Citizenship Award
The award is
presented by the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools which is an
organization of 100 member schools in East Asia.
This award is
presented to a student who is conversant in at least two languages and who
embraces the qualities of a global citizen. He/she is a proud representative of
his/her nation while respectful of the diversity of other nations, has an open
mind, is well informed, aware and empathetic, concerned and caring for others
encouraging a sense of community and strongly committed to engagement and
action to make the world a better place. The student is also able to interact
and communicate effectively with people from all walks of life while having a
sense of collective responsibility for all who inhabit the globe. (excerpt from
www.earcos.org) A heart for volunteerism and service are qualifications for
this award.
Nominations
are solicited from the High School staff and a candidate is selected by a panel
and validated by the leadership team.
EARCOS will provide an engraved plaque with the student's name, which is
presented at the high school spring concert.
Frederic Chopin Piano Award
The recipient
for this award is selected by the music department for outstanding achievement
in piano. The award is in honor of
the great pianist and composer Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). "No great
composer has devoted himself as exclusively to the piano as Chopin... Chopin is
admired above all for his great originality in exploiting the piano. While his
own playing style was famous for its subtlety and restraint, its exquisite
delicacy in contrast with the spectacular feats of pianism then reigning in
Paris, most of his works have a simple texture of accompanied melody. From this
he derived endless variety, using wide-compass broken chords, the sustaining
pedal and a combination of highly expressive melodies, some in inner
voices." (excerpt from The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music)
The criteria
for this award are determined by the MENC: Music Educators National Conference
and include outstanding ability and achievement as a pianist, as well as for
contributions to the school music program, demonstrating a cooperative spirit.
The recipient
is awarded a certificate and pin at the high school spring concert and has
their name engraved on a school plaque.
Fritz Kreisler Award for Strings
This award began in 1996 as a way to recognize exceptionally
strong string players who also exhibit an attitude of servanthood.
The recipient must have a good technical background as well as a good
tone production and musical phrasing ability and so be a worthy follower of
Fritz Kreisler. The student should also exhibit servanthood by helping other
students and teachers whenever necessary.
Awards are only presented in years where there is an exceptional
candidate.
A certificate is presented at the final orchestra concert of the
year.
Graduation Speaker (Adult)
The High
School Principal solicits nominations from the senior class. A list of candidates is validated by
the Leadership Team and the individual nominees are contacted to see if they
are able to accept this honor that year and perform all the duties attached to
it. The final list of eligible and
willing candidates is presented to the senior class for a vote. Seniors select a first and second
choice. After the results are
tabulated, the high school principal contacts the students and the newly
elected speaker with the results.
The speaker will be required to present a typed transcript of her or his
speech well in advance of graduation (at least one week, two weeks
preferred). If the high school
principal is nominated, the votes will be tabulated by a third party.
Graduation Speaker (Student)
Currently, the
class president is the class speaker at graduation. The speaker will be
required to present a typed transcript of her or his speech well in advance of
graduation (at least one week, two weeks preferred).
Howard Blair Award
This award is
given each year to one or two seniors who have demonstrated talent and
dedication and excellence in literature.
This award was
instituted when Howard Blair retired. Howard Blair was active as a teacher of
English at CAJ for many years. "This award was first offered in 1981, when
Mr. Blair left the classroom after 27 years of teaching English, Bible, and
Latin at CAJ. He then became fully involved in the ministry of church growth in
the Kurume Christ Church, where he had worked for many years." (excerpt from
Christian Academy in Japan 1950-1994 written by June Habbestad, New Life
League, Tokyo, Japan, May 1994)
This award is
presented to a senior who is judged to have demonstrated academic excellence in
English (especially in writing), including creativity and originality, and
service to school and community; "given to a senior who has consistently
demonstrated talent, dedication and excellence in the study of literature and
who has maintained a high standard of communication in writing and speaking.
The student is remarkable for developing skills and for presentation
abilities... It comes with the stipulation that the student express a desire to
continue to use his or her gifts in the area of communications and/or in the
study of literature. It does not require that the winner plan to pursue a
profession or even a major in literature, but the student should be able to
articulate a vision for using communicative gifts and skills for the good of
the community and as a means of personal expression, ministry or service.
Given to one
or two seniors; for excellence in English; chosen by the English department,
nominated students are asked to complete an application and the recipients are
validated by the Leadership Team.
The recipient receives
a monetary gift of ´100,000 which is presented at graduation.
Joan Johnston Senior Comprehensive Awards
Funded by an alumni of CAJ, Dr. Curtis Johnston, and his wife, Tami,
the Joan Johnston Senior Comprehensive Awards honor JoanÕs lifetime of service,
many years of which have been dedicated to the care, instruction and nurturing
of CAJ students, staff and parents.
JoanÕs life exemplifies what we desire to train our students to do:
impact the world for Christ.
Something Joan has done one class, one student, one conversation,
sometimes one cookie, at a time.
These awards are presented to seniors
(up to 5) who have engaged in the senior comprehensive process in a manner that
has made a lasting impact on their lives and an enduring impact on the world
around them. The project component
of the comps is emphasized in the selection of this award. These awards are not necessarily
selected based on the highest marks but by the passion and manner in which the
students seek practical solutions to a significant problem.
The senior comprehensive advisors
select candidates and the recipients are validated by the Leadership Team.
Five awards of ´20,000 each are
presented at either the final concert or at graduation (recognized again at
graduation) - if less than 5 awarded then the individual award amounts are adjusted upwards to ensure that
´100000 is awarded each year)
John Philip Sousa Award for Band
The recipient
of this award is chosen by the music department for outstanding achievement in
instrumental music.
"The John
Philip Sousa Award was first introduced in 1955 to honor outstanding dedication
and superior musicianship in a high school band. It was created with the
cooperation of Helen Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, daughters of the famous
composer and bandmaster, and has become the pinnacle of achievement for band
students." (excerpt from p.2 of Student Music Awards, The Instrumentalist
Publishing Company 2005) The award
was instituted at CAJ in 1972 under the direction of Terry Clark (Band Director
at the time)
This award
goes to a Senior in Band who displays Òoutstanding achievement and interest in
instrumental music, for singular merit in loyalty and cooperation, and for
displaying those high qualities that high school instrumental music requires.Ó
Generally,
just one award is given and is only presented in years when there are
outstanding candidates. However, in the case of a tie, two awards can be given.
The recipient can be in either Band five days a week or in Band and Choir. Nominations are reviewed by the music
department and a recipient is validated by the Leadership Team.
The recipient
receives a certificate and a pin before the final band concert of the year.
Judy Amos Distinguished Service Award
This award is
presented to a senior in recognition of outstanding service to the school and
community whose life of service sets them apart.
This award was
established in June 2005 to honor Judy Amos who began working at CAJ in
1968. She worked as a part-time
teacher, board member, board secretary, board vice-chair and board chair up
until June 2005. "She is gracious, dedicated, self-sacrificing and
unswervingly devoted to the purpose and principles on which this school is
founded." (excerpt from Calvin Johnston's dedication script from the 2005
graduation)
Nomination
forms (including a description of the qualifications) are distributed by the HS
principal to all seniors and staff. These nominations should include a reason
for the nomination. The HS principal will convene a panel of teachers and
administrators who will review the nominations and select one candidate and an
alternate. Final selections will be approved by the Leadership Team.
The recipient
receives a monetary gift of ´100,000 at graduation.
(June) Habbestad Fine Arts Award
This award is
given each year to one or two seniors who have demonstrated talent, dedication
and excellence in music, theater or visual arts.
"This
award was first offered in 1994, when Miss Habbestad was to retire after 37
years, and was in recognition of her many years as the Fine Arts Coordinator at
CAJ, as well as the Drama Coordinator and director of many CAJ plays."
(excerpt from Christian Academy in Japan 1950-1994 written by June Habbestad,
New Life League, Tokyo, Japan, May 1994)
This award is
presented to one or two students (usually seniors but not necessarily) who
has/have made an outstanding contribution in the Fine Arts (drama, speech,
music and the visual arts). Students are nominated by either a staff member or
fellow student. The recipient is selected by a committee after the students are
nominated and complete a simple application form. The committee is made up of
the high school principal, the fine arts coordinator, one other neutral but
interested teaching staff member, one junior girl and one junior boy. They will
meet, review the applications and make a final decision.
The nominees
are required to fill out a "Habbestad Award Data Sheet" once a
student has been nominated. Here
they will list any fine arts activities a student has been involved in at CAJ;
list any awards received in a fine arts area anywhere; and compose a short
answer on what role arts will play in the student's future. Students must
demonstrate depth of dedication to one particular area or a breadth of
involvement in several, and each must be able to articulate a vision for using
art in the future. "Students will also submit an application outlining
their artistic achievements and include a statement on the role they foresee
the arts playing in their lives after they leave CAJ."
Recipients
recieve a monetary gift of ´100,000 at graduation.
Kidron Valley Scholastic Excellence
Award
This award,
first given in 2006, has been created in honor of dedicated missionary work
done specifically here in Japan.
The recipient
is the graduating Missionary Kid (MK) with the highest GPA who is not selected
as the valedictorian or salutatorian (see below).
The high
school principal, in cooperation with the registrar, presents a candidate and documentation
to the Leadership Team for validation.
The recipient
receives a monetary gift of ´100,000 at graduation.
Knights
Roll of Honor
Each year, CAJ
recognizes outstanding academic achievement with this award for all senior
students who have been on the Honor Roll for his or her entire high school
career. This award is primarily
based on the first 7 semesters but does include projected information from the
final semester as well. If students were missing from CAJ for a semester or a
year then a comparable situation is determined from the other school. If a student missed the honor roll one
semester by only .05 points and the other years were not close to the bottom of
the number space then there is grace.
The high
school principal, in cooperation with the registrar, presents all candidates
and documents to the Leadership Team for validation.
Seniors on the
Knights Roll of Honor will be recognized at the graduation ceremony and the
spring choral concert.
Les Johnston Biblical
Perspective Award
This award is resented to a student who has shown exceptional
ability
to apply a biblical perspective across disciplines and
issues. This
student will not only have mastered the academic skills involved,
but
also have made a personal commitment to embracing a Christian
world-
view.
Nomination
forms (including a description of the qualifications) are distributed by the HS
principal to all seniors and staff. These nominations should include a reason
for the nomination. The HS principal will convene a panel of teachers and
administrators who will review the nominations and select one candidate and an
alternate. Final selections will be approved by the Leadership Team.
Award is announced
at graduation and includes a monetary gift of ´100,000.
Louis B. Armstrong Award for Jazz
This award is
presented to a student for recognition of outstanding musicianship in the area
of Jazz Music.
"Louis
Armstrong was the epitome of jazz as a trumpeter, a singer, and a band leader.
His imaginative, simple style led the way for others and changed the course of
jazz. His phenomenal skill dazzled audiences around the world. Lucille
Armstrong, his wife in later years, described his love for people.
"Louis's greatest personality traits were humility and generosity... He
just loved people, and he always tried to understand them too... He was
compassionate, generous, and understanding with everyone... He was loved, not
only for his style, but as a person as well." The Louis Armstrong Jazz
Award was introduced in 1974 with the approval of his widow, Lucille Armstrong,
to honor outstanding jazz students." (taken from p.6 of Student Music
Award, The Instrumentalist Publishing Company 2005)
Outstanding
achievement by an instrumentalist in the field of jazz, as demonstrated through
superior musicianship and individual creativity. This award will be presented
to a Senior who has demonstrated Òoutstanding achievements in the field of jazz
as demonstrated through superior musicianship, character and individual
creativityÓ. Other factors include: attitude, punctuality, dependability, and a
willingness to learn.
Nominations
are reviewed by the music Department faculty and a candidate is presented to
the Leadership Team for validation. Generally, just one award is given. However,
in the case of a tie, two awards can be given. The recipient must be a member
of Jazz Band.
The student
receives a certificate and a pin at the Spring Parade of Bands concert and has
their name engraved on the school plaque
Martin Essenburg Academic Achievement Award
This award is
presented to recognize outstanding academic achievement (specifically honoring
the Valedictorian and Salutatorian).
From the early
days of CAJ's history, Martin Essenburg had a significant impact on the school,
notably in the pursuit of academic excellence. His influence, over sixteen
years of faithful service, is honored in two awards, one for the valedictorian
and one for the salutatorian.
These awards
are presented to seniors who have shown consistent and sustained achievement in
their grades throughout their CAJ high school career; graduating with the top
two cumulative grade point averages in their class.
The High
School principal, in cooperation with the registrar presents two candidates to
the Leadership Team for validation.
The recipients
are announced at graduation and they each receive a monetary award of ´100,000
(Valedictorian & Salutorian)
National Choral Award Female and Male
This award,
sponsored by the Music Educators National Convention (MENC) of the United
States, is given to one male and one female singer in recognition of: singular
merit, ability, and achievement as a singer; outstanding contributions to the
success of the school vocal music program over their high school years, and an
unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation and high qualities of conduct (the
criteria has been determined by the MENC).
This award is
generally given to a senior boy or girl (juniors have received the award) who have
made outstanding contributions to the vocal music program. There have
been years when only one singer was given the award; there have been other
years when the award was shared by three singers. Nominations for this award
are solicited from the choir members (1st choice gets 3 pts, 2nd choice gets 2
pts, 3rd choice gets 1 pt.); the music department faculty makes the final
selection which will be submitted to the Leadership Team for validation.
The recipient
receives a certificate and a pin at the high school spring concert and has
their name engraved on the school plaque.
National
Honor Society
CAJ is an affiliate of the National Honor Society (NHS), a US
organization which is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School
Principals. Members of NHS are students dedicated to scholarship, service,
leadership, and high moral character.
High school students in grades 10, 11, and 12 are eligible for
membership in the CAJ chapter of NHS by meeting the following criteria:
Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above and sufficient participation in
leadership, service, and community activities. After first semester grades have
been posted, students who meet the grade point average criterion are invited to
fill out a form (due in mid-April) enumerating their participation in various
activities. A faculty council consisting of five high school teachers is
convened in the fourth week of April by the NHS advisor to review the forms and
recommend students for membership in NHS. The high school principal and NHS
advisor are observers of the process and do not participate in the voting.
New inductees are notified by mail after the meeting of the
faculty council and welcomed into NHS publicly during a chapel or assembly in
mid-May. NHS members receive a certificate and their membership is noted on
their transcript.
PTA Awards
These
department specific awards are presented to a senior for outstanding
scholarship. This award honors an especially capable senior who shows special
promise in each department.
All PTA awards
are presented to students who exhibit a deep understanding and appreciation of
the specific subject; a mature proficiency in the use of the "tools"
of the subject (writing, computing, discussing, reading, composing, creating);
the ability and willingness to contribute to the learning of others in the
class through their own contributions to the subject (being helpful, asking
challenging questions, sharing profound or thought-provoking insights and
ideals); the ability and/or potential to do useful independent study in the
subject
The process
will be monitored by the department chair coordinator and the HS principal.
Department chairs ask for nominations from HS teachers in their department for
seniors who they feel match the criteria. Teachers in the particular department
who have not directly taught these students should abstain from the
nomination/voting process, but are encouraged to be part of the discussion.
Immediate family members of seniors should not participate in the selection
process for any awards. Nominations
are then discussed and voted on. A first selection and an alternate student is
then submitted to the HS principal who may 1) Return to the teachers for
additional input and discussion or 2) Present the department's choice to the
Leadership Team for validation. Students are only eligible to win one
department award. If no qualified candidate is available in a department that
year, the award will not be presented. In some cases where the department is
unable to select between two equally and highly qualified candidates, the award
may be shared between the two. The
PTA service award is presented to a student nominated and voted on by teachers
and senior students.
Students are
provided a monetary award by the PTA of ´20,000 at the high school spring concert
(recognized at graduation).
PTA Art Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Bible
Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Computer
Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA English Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Foreign
Language Awards
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Home
Ec/Industrial Arts Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Math Award
(see PTA Awards
for criteria and selection process)
PTA Music
Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Physical
Education Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Science
Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Service
Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
PTA Social
Studies Award
(see PTA
Awards for criteria and selection process)
Samuel Public Speaking Scholarship
This award, instituted in 2005, is named after someone being honored as a
dynamic and exceptionally well-prepared preacher who was also a mentor for
others. It should also be noted that the talents of the biblical Samuel
included ministry, speaking and teaching.
The recipient
will be a student who effectively uses his/her speaking talents in multiple
areas in (and outside when applicable) of the CAJ community. This award is
given to the senior who has demonstrated the highest degree of competence in
public speaking. This could be in the areas of speaking at the school chapel
services, speaking at Hi-BA rallies, competence on the school debate team and
might include other forms of expression.
Nomination
forms (including a description of the qualifications) are distributed by the HS
principal to all seniors and staff. These nominations should include a reason
for the nomination. The HS principal will convene a panel of teachers and
administrators who will review the nominations and select one candidate and an
alternate. Final selections will be approved by the Leadership Team.
The recipient
will receive a monetary award of ´100,000 at graduation.
Senior Athletic Awards
This award,
instituted in 2001, recognizes one senior male athlete and one senior female
athlete for the participation and positive impact that they have had on CAJ's
athletic program
The recipients
will have demonstrated excellence in their achievements in sports. They will be recognized for their
consistent level of leadership as an athlete and for their quality
contributions to CAJ athletics for their four years of high school. The recipients must earn at least four
varsity letters in a single sport, or three varsity letters in their senior
year, or an Athlete of the Year ballot, or four varsity letters overall
The athletic
coordinator compiles a list of all seniors who are eligible, and uses a point
system for the above requirements to determine the top three candidates (three
female, three male) according to points.
The athletic coordinator and high school principal select final
candidates from the top three and present those names to the Leadership Team
for validation.
The recipients
(male and female) are presented a monetary award of ´100,000 and a medal at the
high school spring concert.
Special Awards
Special awards
selected by the Leadership Team are sometimes presented to individuals to honor
specific contributions not recognized in other awards. Staff members may nominate individuals
for these awards by contacting the High School Principal. Awards are not presented every year.