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Mustang of Merit

The Mustang of Merit Award is the highest graduation recognition honor we offer at MTHS. Graduating seniors, who distinguish themselves by representing all aspects of our school culture, have an opportunity to earn this prestigious award for their overall achievements in their high school career; The Mustang of Merit Award is a tradition we began at Monterey Trail High School with our first graduating class. Those students who qualify, by meeting the minimum requirements listed below, will have their individual merits and contributions reviewed and considered by the operations committee with final selection subject to the approval of the principal. The number of recipients of this award may vary each year depending on the number of qualified applicants and the recommendation of the selection committee. All students selected to receive this award will have their names announced at the Senior Awards Night. 

Minimum Requirements:
- No D or F grades; No U citizenship grades; No home suspensions
- No more than 10 absences Senior year - 2 or more periods on any day is considered an absence
- 3.25 or higher Cumulative EGUSD Weighted GPA
- Active participant in at least two extra-curricular activities including MTHS clubs, performing groups, or ASB
- Member or manager of at least one MTHS Athletic/Cheer team (summer ball and powderpuff do not count)
- At least 40 hours of community service throughout high school career
- Completion of senior presentation
 
 
 

Graduation Cords, Stoles, and Medals

All graduation cords require the completion of your senior presentation to be eligible.

All MTHS Graduation Recognitions must be approved by the School Leadership Committee (Admin/Dept Leads).
Please submit this application, along with a sample student application sheet, to the Activities Director for review and submission.
 
 
Award Minimum Requirements Application
 ASB Leadership
  • 3.0 or better overall GPA
  • 3.5, or better, GPA in Leadership
  • No "F" grades and no home suspensions
  • 40 credits in Student Leadership including 10 credits senior year
  • 1 year or more served in an elected or appointed officer or commissioner position
  • No more than 10 absences Senior year - 2 or more periods on any day is considered an absence
 
 Athletics
  •  4 varsity letters and 40 hours of community service approved by Athletic Department OR
  • 4 varsity letters and 3.0, or better, cumulative GPA  OR
  • 6 varsity letters
  • and Never quit or cut from a sport
 
 AVID
  • 3 years in AVID (High School)
  • 3.0, or better, GPA in AVID
  • Completion of "A-G" requirements
  • Good citizenship record and teacher recommendations
 
 Business
  • Completion of total of 40 credits in Business Technology courses including General Business and Computer Technology
  • 3.0, or better, GPA in Business Major classes
  • CTAP Portfolio of work completed in high school, including resumes, letter of introduction, writing samples, samples of business and technology work completed in the Intermediate Computers classes OR Technology integrated Senior Portfolio
 
 DATA
  • 40+ units in DATA classes with minimum 3.0 GPA in DATA
  • 40 hours of community service
  • Completion of portfolio OR work completed in high school with employment readiness information. (Completed in Intermediate Computers class/DATA Connections/Advocacy Class)
  • Active participation in DATA
 
 Honor Roll
  • Qualification for the Honor Roll or Honor Roll with Distinction in all award periods. An award period is Terms 1/2 or Terms 3/4 (8 times) (8th award will be based on Term 3 final grades and Term 4 progress grades in senior year)
  • Honor Roll is a 3.75 or better GPA for Terms 1/2 or Terms 3/4
  • Honor Roll with Distinction is a 4.00 or better GPA for Terms 1/2 or Terms 3/4
  • No "U's" in citizenship 
 
 Link Crew
  • Minimum overall 3.0 GPA all terms, with no "D" or "F" grades
  • Participation in freshman orientation
  • Participation in 90% of all Link Crew Activities
  • Must be in Link Crew BOTH Junior and Senior years
 
 Physical Education
  •  4 years and 40 credits in P.E., including at least 10 senior year
  • 3.0, or better,  GPA in P.E.
  • 10 or fewer absences senior year
  • Teacher recommendations
 
 Science
  • 40 credits in science
  • Completion of 3 AP Science Classes with a C or better
  • "3.0 GPA" or better in ALL science classes
 
 Social  Science
  • 40 credits in honors/AP level Social Science classes
  • 3.25 or better cumulative GPA, No D's or F's in Social Science Classes
  • No suspensions and no U's in citizenship
 
 VAPA
  • 3.0, or better, GPA in ALL VAPA classes
  • 3 courses (minimum) in one subject area - 30 credits or more
  • Performances and/or competitions representing MTHS VAPA
 
 World  Languages
  •  40 units in one language (waivers do not count)
  • 3.0, or better, GPA in World Language Classes
  • Teacher recommendation
 
Yearbook
  • 30+ yearbook units (10+ units must be completed in senior year)
  • 3.0 GPA in Yearbook Class
  • Active participation  in Yearbook
  • At least one Yearbook Leadership position
  • Multiple demonstrations of yearbook skills (photography, interviewing, writing, designing, etc.)
  • Positive student behavior (no home suspensions or Unsatisfactory citizenship)
  • No more than TEN absences senior year (not including school-sponsored field trips)
 
     
California Scholastic Federation
  •  4 semesters of GPA qualification
 
Key Club
  • 60+ hours total of community service hours
  • No suspensions and no "F" grades
 
National Honor Society
  • Two years of membership, including senior year
  • Teacher recommendations
 
Outstanding Scholars
  • Top Ten overall GPAs based on Term 2 Final Grades
 
Valedictorian &  Salutatorian
  •  Top 2 overall GPAs based on Term 2 Final Grades