Thriving Together
Laguna Blanca Honors Eight New Cum Laude Society Members
Yesterday, eight Laguna students were inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society during a special ceremony in Ruston Amphitheatre.
Cum Laude Society membership is considered the highest scholastic achievement at independent schools nationwide, and Laguna Blanca is one of only 32 schools in the state of California authorized to admit new members. Chapters are permitted to admit no more than the top 20% of a graduating class, the top 10% of whom may be admitted at the conclusion of their junior year. Membership also requires the demonstration of good character, honor, and integrity.
"While admission to the Cum Laude Society is dedicated to honoring scholastic achievement in high school, mere success in courses is not the heart of what we are honoring today, nor is it at the heart of college admissions," remarked Director of College Counseling Colleen Murray. "More and more colleges, aside from simply computing grade point averages on their own terms, ask and evaluate, 'What is the student's intrinsic motivation to learn? What inspires their dedication and curiosity?'"
Cum Laude Society membership is considered the highest scholastic achievement at independent schools nationwide, and Laguna Blanca is one of only 32 schools in the state of California authorized to admit new members. Chapters are permitted to admit no more than the top 20% of a graduating class, the top 10% of whom may be admitted at the conclusion of their junior year. Membership also requires the demonstration of good character, honor, and integrity.
"While admission to the Cum Laude Society is dedicated to honoring scholastic achievement in high school, mere success in courses is not the heart of what we are honoring today, nor is it at the heart of college admissions," remarked Director of College Counseling Colleen Murray. "More and more colleges, aside from simply computing grade point averages on their own terms, ask and evaluate, 'What is the student's intrinsic motivation to learn? What inspires their dedication and curiosity?'"
Congratulations to the following 2023 Cum Laude recipients from Laguna's Class of 2024: Lucia Camp, Noah Olorin Delhi, Jake Gidney, Joshua Hansen, and Grace Trautwein; and the Class of 2023: Hudson Mayfield, Emma Schubert, and Alexandra Siegel.
In keeping with Laguna tradition, seniors who were inducted as juniors in 2022—Katherine Ball, Abigail Kim, Aden Meisel, and Molly Morouse—shared heartfelt remarks about each new inductee, highlighting their accomplishments and unique qualities.
Proud Owl Moment!
Publications
Community
Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.