Laguna Blanca Celebrates Nine New Cum Laude Society Members

CEREMONY PHOTOS

On Wednesday, nine 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.

 

“We are grateful to honor the efforts of those inducted to the Cum Laude Society, Latin for ‘with great praise,’” remarked Senior Director of College Counseling Colleen Murray. “While admission to Cum Laude is almost entirely a matter of GPA, mere success in courses is not the heart of what we are honoring today, nor is it the heart of college admissions. More and more colleges, aside from simply computing grade point averages, ask and evaluate, 'What is the student's intrinsic motivation to learn? What inspires their dedication and curiosity?'"

 

Congratulations to the following 2024 Cum Laude recipients from Laguna's Class of 2025: Katja Broomberg, Serena De Ponce, Ada Green, and Natalie Schweitzer; and the Class of 2024: Lucas Acosta, Dylan Charney, Andreas McClintock, Jayla Provance, and Lucy Wang.

 

In keeping with Laguna tradition, seniors who were inducted as juniors in 2023—Lucia Camp, Noah Dehli, Jake Gidney, Joshua Hansen, and Grace Trautwein—shared heartfelt remarks about each new inductee, highlighting their accomplishments and unique qualities.

 

Proud Owl Moment!