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Academic Achievement Team & Stellar Student Awards
Recognizing and showcasing the scholastic success of Humboldt County students
Academic Achievement Team Student Application
Again HUGE congratulations to you for getting nominated for this award! As coordinator for Academic Achievement, I’m inviting you to apply to be considered a “Stellar Student” for 2025-2026. Please note that your nomination does not automatically qualify you for a scholarship. To be considered, you must complete the application.
With this highly coveted title, you will receive an additional scholarship. For the past eighteen years, nominees have completed an application and received an interview from a small panel of judges for this title. In the past, we have selected two students for this top spot.
Your application for the Academic Achievement & Stellar Student program designation is voluntary, please refer to the Important Timeline to review the list of activities and events to add to your calendar leading up to the Awards Ceremony on March 4, 2026.
Below is a list of documents that you will need to compile before you begin your application. Once you start the application you will not be able to save your work and pick up from where you left off. These documents may take some time to compile so start now!
Applications are due Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions or need additional information please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ann Marie Gildersleeve at arocha@hcoe.org or (707) 441-3954.
Wednesday, March 4
Sequoia Conference Center
Ann Marie Rocha
707-441-3954 | arocha@hcoe.org
707-441-3954 | arocha@hcoe.org
Personal Information
- Name, mailing address, phone, non-school email address, school; parent/guardian name, phone and email; and counselor contact information.
Documents to Upload
File formats you can upload: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf, zip, jpg, jpeg, png, and gif.
- Most recent High School Transcript;
- Results of SAT or ACT and AP/Honors Tests, if applicable;
- Three one-page letters of recommendation from adults of your choosing. Taken as a whole, the letters should address:
- The academic rigor of your coursework;
- How you have applied your learning in a demonstrable way; and/or
- Your leadership skills, community involvement, or personal achievements.
- Senior Portrait or other recent photograph. Please use a “head and shoulders” version with a plain background;
- 2-4 additional images – can be more casual (extracurricular activities, etc.)
- Signed HCOE Media Release and IRS W-9 forms.
Essays
Compose the following essays in Word, Google Docs, or a similar program, and have them available to copy and paste into the application form. Remember grammar, punctuation, spelling and your content are being judged. Be brief, insightful, and impactful!
- High School Academic History (Limit: 150 words)
Briefly describe your high school academic history, coursework and academic distinctions/honors received while in high school. - Advanced Accomplishments (Limit: 150 words)
Briefly describe any advanced projects, research, or artistic/creative accomplishments of which you are proud. - School or Community Engagement (Limit: 150 words)
Elaborate on an activity, of greatest interest to you, which has demonstrated your leadership or personal accomplishment in an extracurricular, volunteer, or creative endeavor that has benefited others in your school or community. - Personal Essay (400-600 words)
Write an essay about what has influenced your selection of coursework and activities while in high school and how your high school experience has prepared you for the next phase of your life.