Senior Awards

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. Applicants will be evaluated based on their individual accomplishments and contributions by the selection committee, with final approval granted by the principal. The committee will include at least one representative from each department. It’s essential to remember that integrity is a key value for our Mustangs, so it is crucial to provide complete and honest responses, as your application will be reviewed by a diverse group of evaluators.

The number of recipients of this award may vary each year, depending on the pool of qualified applicants and the recommendation of the selection committee. All recipients will be honored and announced during the Senior Awards Night.

Minimum Requirements:
- Completion of senior presentation

All seniors are eligible to apply for the Mustang of Merit.

To apply:

Join the Mustang of Merit Google Classroom with code, ucwjk6n7
Complete the Application Assignment by Friday, March 6

Graduation Cords, Stoles, and Medals

All Honor Cords require:

minimum 3.0 GPA high school cumulative GPA
completion of a Senior Presentation
completion of an application for specific Honor Cord(s)

Award	Minimum Requirements	Application
ASB Leadership (Mr. Grivel)	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	Application Coming Soon
Athletics (Mr. Coronado)	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	Application Coming Soon
AVID (Ms. Green)	3 years in AVID (High School) 3.0, or better, GPA in AVID classes Completion of "A-G" course requirements Complete 20 scholarship applications Complete 60 hours of Community Service during High School (*optional for 2024) 2 teacher recommendations Written Statement	Application Coming Soon
Business (Mrs. Lascola)	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	Application Coming Soon
DATA (Mr. Lascola)	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	Application Coming Soon
Digital Media (Mr. Sarabia)	Completion of 30 units in DMA Pathway, including DMA 1, DMA 2 and Broadcast Journalism 3.0 or better in Digital Media Pathway Consistent active role in the production of the Trailivision Broadcast Main producer for at least one video feature segment or podcast or covered a school event for Trailivision Broadcast 3 minute video portfolio reel, digital producer resume, reflection letter	Application Coming Soon
Honor Roll (Mr. Grivel)	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	Application Coming Soon
Link Crew (Mrs. El-Atrache)	Minimum overall 3.0 GPA, with no "D" or "F" grades Junior and Senior Years No NP's in Advocacy Junior and Senior Years 10 excused absences or less Senior year No unexcused absences Junior or Senior year 10 tardies or less (includes all periods) senior year Must have attended all training days and been a leader at Freshman Orientation both Junior and Senior Years (mandatory) Always wear Link Crew shirt for Link Crew Activities/Events (mandatory) Complete 3 out of the 4 below: served as a leader of a committee in Peer Counseling class for two terms (can be different years) worked at least 2 shifts at Freshman Tailgate for 2 years Link Crew Member for 2 years Attended trainings and led 100% of all advocacy lessons Junior & Senior Year. (4 trainings and 4 lessons per year) No suspensions during Junior or Senior years. No U's in citizenship Junior and Senior years	Application Coming Soon
Physical Education (Mr. Arcuri)	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	Application Coming Soon
Science (Ms. Sangha)	40 credits in science Completion of 3 AP Science Classes with a C or better "3.0 GPA" or better in ALL science classes	Application Coming Soon
Social Science (Mr. Yanos/Ms. Nguyen)	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	Application Coming Soon
VAPA (Ms. Doss/Ms. Yoder)	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	Application Coming Soon
World Languages (Ms. Torres Gomez)	40 units in one language (waivers do not count) 3.0, or better, GPA in World Language Classes Teacher recommendation	Application Coming Soon
Yearbook (Mrs. T. Tran)	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)	Application Coming Soon

California Scholastic Federation	4 semesters of GPA qualification	Contact Mr. Williams
Key Club	3.0 or higher GPA in 3rd Term of Senior Year 2 Years as a Dues Paid Member (one being senior year) 1 Letter of Key Club Experience (a google doc letter to our President about your Key Club Experience) 100 Service Hours from Key Club Service Sheet (30 hours in Senior Year) 60 club hours No suspensions and no "F" grades	Contact Mr. Strack
National Honor Society	Two years of membership, including senior year Teacher recommendations	Contact Mr. Ramirez
Outstanding Scholars	Top Ten overall GPAs based on Term 2 Final Grades
Valedictorian & Salutatorian	Top 2 overall GPAs based on Term 2 Final Grades