Senior Information

High school students in GUSD must complete a minimum of 80 hours of community service, no later than May 1 of their senior year.

Beginning with the class of 2024 students will be required to complete 20 hours by May 1 of each school year to be eligible for school-sponsored activities (i.e. prom, winter ball, athletics, etc.). Students must turn in any hours completed within 30 days of completion to receive credit for those hours. Direct any questions regarding community service to Activies Director Lindsay Hack (lindsay.hack@gilroyunified.org). 

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COMMUNITY SERVICE

The top five highest GPAs of the senior class (as of the fourth-quarter progress report) who has completed a minimum of 5 semesters at Gilroy High School, will be eligible for valedictorian and salutatorian candidacies. A selection panel will decide valedictorian and salutatorian based on academic accomplishments and these factors:

• Academic program strength (honors, Advanced Placement, college-level courses, etc.)
• Students must be exemplary role models, so each candidate's discipline history will be considered.
• Community service and school activity involvement will also be taken into consideration. The quantity and quality of the community service hours will be reviewed. The student's involvement in extracurricular activities such as performing arts, athletics, clubs, etc., will be considered.
• Each student will write their own speech (three to four minutes) and be asked to read it to the panel as part of the selection process. The speech will be scored on content and delivery.

Candidates will also be asked to provide an updated resume for the panel to review. It should list scholarships and grants and other honors from the Senior Awards Night.

The selection panel, which consists of administrators, teachers and student services staff will make the final decision after speeches are heard and all other factors taken into consideration. The candidate with the highest score will be valedictorian and the second highest will be the salutatorian for the senior class.

Steps to apply for scholarships on Going Merry

1. Visit Going Merry. Complete profile section.
2. Request letters of recommendation from Documents (located on Profile page). These will be used for all scholarships to which you apply.
3. Click on Local to view scholarships applicable to GUSD and other local scholarships.
4. Save your personal statement on Google Docs. You will need to copy and paste onto each application.

Other Scholarships 

In addition to Going Merry, we also have a list of additional scholarships that utilize their own application. Take advantage of the many other opportunities to get money for your higher education. Don’t miss out! Check our list of scholarships with various upcoming deadlines that are available to GHS students.

Resources in Applying for Scholarships 

Transcripts: You will need to request your transcript from the Registrar. Once you have received your transcript, you will need to upload to the document section in Going Merry (Common Application Scholarships) or attach to applications for other scholarships.

Transcript Request Form

Letters of recommendation: Fill out the form linked below to provide your teacher, counselor or other recommender with valuable information to write the best letter of recommendation possible. 

Letter of Recommendation Request Form

Essay tips: See Going Merry's helpful tips on writing essays for your scholarship applications.