Fulton High School continued a 30-year tradition as it celebrated Academic Week this week. Academic Week was started in March 1986 by former principal Joe Aull, former superintendent Dennis Lea and the school board as a way to recognize and reward students who achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher for three semesters or longer.
This year, 166 students met that criteria.
Those students were rewarded with the annual Academic Banquet Monday night - including guests Lea and Aull, a pancake breakfast catered by Chris Cakes of St. Louis on Tuesday, a field trip to the Fox Theatre in St. Louis Wednesday, an ice cream social Thursday afternoon and an open lunch today.
Math teacher Diane Pope, chair of the Academic Week Committee, said she loves celebrating Academic Week every year because she enjoys seeing the students get recognized for their hard work.
"It's important for the students to see their parents and teachers and community support them and understand their job is not an easy job, and that we recognize how special they are," Pope said. "(A GPA of) 3.75 is not an easy thing to do."
As she enjoyed her ice cream sundae in the commons area Wednesday afternoon, sophomore Kenzie Archer said Academic Week is important because, "it gives us recognition for working so hard through the year."
"It makes us want to work harder because we want to have fun," Archer said.
Senior Cody Baumgartner agreed that the week-long celebration, "gives kids something to strive for."
Sophomore Nick Martinez said he likes Academic Week because it rewards students' hard work.
"I feel it recognizes those that deserve it, especially since we live in a school where more and more people think socialization is more important than their personal success," Martinez said.
He said Wednesday's tour of the Fox Theatre was his favorite part of this year's celebration because it was more interesting than the usual school field trip - an assessment shared by his classmates.
"It was cool because the building was really pretty," Archer said. "It was easy to pay attention."
Senior Haylee Ebersole agreed that, "the Fox was way cool - the best field trip ever."
Baumgartner, however, said his favorite part was the Academic Banquet, where sophomores received an academic letter, juniors received a pin and seniors received a plaque recognizing their achievement.
"I like the banquet because you get to dress up and all our parents show up - they kind of helped us get there too," Baumgartner said.
Which is a good transition to the one, simple message senior Eli Alcorn wanted to share: "Hi, Mom."