Cheers erupted in the Summit High School gym on Wednesday, June 4, as each hardworking Storm senior was celebrated and students received 17 department awards. The newly implemented department awards celebrated students in their specific areas of interest, rather than purely off of GPA like the classic valedictorian and salutatorian titles.

Summit 2024–25 valedictorian and math department winner Kenji Hoshi explains how important these spotlights were as GPA “doesn’t really show how good of a student you are, how good of a person.” 

Summit students alike tend to view grades and GPA as the goal of high school, the only representation of individual success, but Hoshi believes the system is over-celebrated. He advises students to follow in these footsteps and choose classes based on curiosity and preparation for life, not just the GPA outcome. 

As we celebrate this year’s graduating class, it is important to celebrate each student’s individuality and the way in which it impacted Summit for future generations. As the student body, we must continue to shape this school for the better with our unique strengths, rather than compare ourselves to others. These awards are a reminder to Summit students that there is more to strive for than a high GPA.