By Kathryn Roth, Staff Writer
River Hill seniors had the chance to come to their final day of school wearing their caps and gowns to show off many of their accomplishments through cords. As underclassmen and juniors look forward to their own graduations, many are interested in what the cords mean and how to get them.
Besides the standard cap and gown that each senior is required to wear at graduation, there are different color cords, also known as graduation ropes or honor cords, and stoles, that usually indicate academic standings or certain honor societies, that can be achieved throughout the year. The National Honor Society’s light blue stole shines bright against the navy blue gown, showing the additional hard work, including completing a minimum of 25 service hours, that these students have done. All Honors Societies offer cords, a few being NEHS (English), NAHS (Art), SSNS (Social Studies), NSHS (Spanish), and even NHSDA (Dance).
Did you know that you can also achieve cords by taking multiple AP courses? To be granted a white cord (RHHS AP Scholar) one has to have taken 2 AP courses & exams by the end of junior year with a score of 3 or higher. For a gold cord (RHHS Scholar with Honor), students should have taken 3 AP courses and exams by the end of junior year with a score of 3 or higher. Gold and White (RHHS AP Award) are 5 AP courses and exams overall and Medallions (RHHS Award of Distinction) are given to people who have taken 8 AP courses and exams throughout their entire high school career.
Looking away from academics, cords are given to certain clubs as well. Hawks on the Rise, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), edrising (connects with the elementary school, previously run by Senior Nikki Ayers), and more all give you the credentials to receive cords for graduation.
To some, cords mean very little, but for others, many think that they are necessary to show the work, effort, and achievements that one has accomplished throughout high school. Junior Maddie Antevil has already started listing out the clubs she is planning to participate in next year while saying, “ With my last year of high school coming up, I want to make sure I participate in the most I can and have a physical representation of what I have achieved in the past couple of years.”
A few students take the extra step in their high school years to plan, organize, and create clubs at River Hill. Junior Mahshid Koohpayeh states, “It has always been my plan to be involved in school so as of next year I plan to start a club and make sure that I get a cord to recognize my work ethic and participation that I have been proud of for many years.” To every student, these simple pieces can represent something on a greater level.
To finalize their high school career, students attempt to round out their years the best they can by making sure that they have accomplished what makes them happy. I’m proud to be who they are today and in the future. Sophomore Shayna Safeer explains, “I’ve heard your junior year is the most difficult year but I’m honestly excited to take harder level classes while also doing fun clubs and get a little token [cords] for them at the end of my senior year.” Graduation is not a thing that only seniors talk about as it’s something that has been on everyone’s minds since elementary school.
The opportunities that River Hill gives students to branch out into any class or club on any topic are endless. Junior Becca Tow imagines her upcoming year while saying, “Dance is my passion. It’s my favorite thing in the world and I’m so happy I get to do that in school and have the chance to be a part of the NHSDA and be able to represent that at graduation.” Junior Sofia Salicru also commented, “I work so hard and participate in so much that I just want to be able to be proud of myself and have a keepsake for the rest of my life of these days and memories.” To so many students, these cords represent the memories, effort, and overall, the achievements of their high school career.