Student Honors & Awards

• Most Improved Artist- Senior who has shown the most improvement in their artwork over the four years.
• Senior Artist of the Year- Senior student who has an exceptional body of work, shows talent, and has a positive attitude.
• Journalism Editors- Students who put in extra work to complete the yearbook.  They have spent one year on staff. 
• Yearbook Editors- Students who put in extra work to complete the yearbook.  They have spent two years on staff. 

• Cathy Quinn Award- The Cathy Quinn Award is given to the female athlete of the year who best exemplifies the leadership, competitive spirit, and Christian values of Cathy Quinn. Cathy Quinn was a multi-sport athlete at Central Catholic who tragically lost her life her freshman year of high school in 1985. This award was voted on and decided by all of our head coaches
• Jack Horenberger Award- The Jack Horenberger Award is given to the male athlete of the year who best exemplifies the leaderships, competitive spirit, and Christian values of Jack Horenberger, the longtime Athletic Director at Illinois Wesleyan University.
• IHSA Team Academic Awards- Team GPA of 3.00 or Higher. Submitted by our counselors. Awarded by the IHSA.
• IHSA All-State Academic Team Nominees- 3.50 minimum GPA. Two sponsored IHSA activities over the last two years. Demonstrated outstanding citizenship. Submitted and decided upon by the Athletic Director and Principal.
• Illini Prairie All-Conference Female Scholar Athlete- Based on GPA, community service and athletic accomplishments. Submitted and decided upon by the Athletic Director and Principal.
• Illini Prairie All-Conference Male Scholar Athlete- Based on GPA, community service and athletic accomplishments. Submitted and decided upon by the Athletic Director and Principal.

Chuck Shanaberger was known as Mr. Central Catholic. He was the face of our school and his energy and passion were infectious. You might call him the first "Ambassador."  The recipient of this award is always willing to help with events, has a positive and welcoming attitude, and represents our school exceptionally well.  

Selected based on academic performance, dependabilitly, service, leadership, and patriotism.  

• Outstanding Contribution to Drama- Awarded to a student of each class who has given an outstanding contribution of talent, time, and dedication to the drama productions.  S/he is an ambassador for the program and encourages others to participate.  
• Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre- Student who participated in multiple musical productions across their career; showed great dedication, ambassadorship, talent, and hard work in the production process including having a positive attitude, promoting the arts, and acting as a leader to new participants. 
• Thespian of the Year- Student who participated in multiple dramatic productions across their career including both fall drama and spring musical; showed great dedication, ambassadorship, talent, and hard work in the production process including having a positive attitude, promoting the arts, and acting as a leader to new participants. 

English Achievement Award- Student who demonstrated academic integrity, excellent literary analysis and writing, and active participation in class discussions.

Seniors having maintained a 3.3 GPA every semester of high school

Selected based on submitted applications to attend the leadership conference at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Students who have demonstrated strong leadership skills through their role as Student Directors of the House System.

Selected based on GPA and SAT scores.  Students must rank in the top 10% of the state's graduating Seniors.

$1000 scholarship for a high school senior who has enrolled in a continuing education program with an emphasis in a

math or medical field.

• Senior Math Award- Student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in math when considering performance in classes, participation in Math Team, and/or the Academic Challenge Team.
• Mu Alpha Theta- Students who have completed Algebra 2 and have a GPA of 3.5 or above.

• John Philip Sousa Award- The John Philip Sousa Award recognizes superior musicianship, dependability, loyalty, and cooperation in high school band. This is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music, for singular merit in loyalty and cooperation, and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school instrumental music requires.
• National School Choral Award®- The National School Choral Award® is the highest honor for high school choral performers. It recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of the top male and female choral students. This is awarded in recognition of singular merit, ability, and achievement, of outstanding contributions to the success of the school vocal program, and of an unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation, and high qualities of conduct, by the general consent of the music faculty, school officials, and others.
• Most Improved- Student who shows most improvement from Fall-Spring.
• 110% Effort- Student who gives a higher level of effort than expected of them.
• Best Energy- Student who gives a lot of energy in rehearsal.
• Best Rehearsal Etiquette- Student who models the best behavior and effort in rehearsal.
• Outstanding Leadership- Student who stands out as a good example to others in all aspects of practice and performance.
• Outstanding Musician- Student who excels in the musical skills needed for performance & participation in an ensemble.
• Music Parent Association Scholarships- Applicants submit an essay based on a writing prompt. Essays are reviewed by the choral director, band director, and representative from the MPA. Winners must be enrolled in choir or band for the entire year to be eligible for the scholarship. One scholarship is awarded per grade level.

Students who have a GPA of 3.3 or above, are of good character, a leader, and volunteer their time to help those in our community.

This award recognizes academic success in the classroom. To be eligible, students must have a 3.7 GPA or higher.

• Sophomore Chemistry Award- Top Sophomore Chemistry student
• Senior Physics Award- The Senior student who performs very well in AP Physics.
• Senior Biology Award- Awarded to the Senior biology student who asks excellent questions and encourages a love and enthusiasm for science.
• Science Service Award- Central Catholic High School is pleased to offer hands-on laboratory experiences for our students. Maintaining a quality lab requires a great deal of preparation and daily lab work. The recipient of this award has contributed their time to maintaining the status of the lab this year. Each has put in more than 100 hours of volunteer lab work in the Chemistry lab.
• William J. Bennington Award- The William J. Bennington Award is given each year to a Junior who is outstanding in science.  Mr. Bennington was a retired science teacher who volunteered in the Central Catholic High School labs for many years. This award is in recognition of enthusiasm, aptitude, and love for science like Mr. Bennington showed our students.
• Academic Challenge Team Achievement- The Academic Challenge event is a high school competition in which students compete with one another by taking two exams of their choice in the subjects of biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, graphics, English, math, and physics. Individual and Team awards are given.
• Scholastic Bowl Team Achievement- Scholastic Bowl is an IHSA activity in which teams of students answer questions covering a wide range of academic subjects.

The Sedes Sapientiae (Sapienciea) - or Seat of Wisdom Award - is given to the graduating senior with the highest GPA.  This is our valedictorian.

• St. Thomas More Distinction in Politics- This senior shows unmatched passion for current events and politics in our community, nation, and world. Although academic accomplishment is a factor for this award, it is meant to honor an individual’s devotion to the realm of politics and current events. Hallmark traits of individuals who win include consistently following current events, displaying a knowledge of politics above and beyond what is expected, and having a willingness to share their passion with their peers.
• St. Bede Distinction in History- This student has a keen understanding of both World and American History, and how the past molds our present and future.  Not only does this individual show strong academic achievement in the discipline of History, they also demonstrate the founding attributes of our country; support for life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; treating others with dignity and respect and fighting for what is right and just.

Selected based on academic performance, dependabilitly, service, leadership, and patriotism.  

• Mother Teresa Award- Mother Teresa gave her life in service of others in the name of Christ. The Mother Teresa Award recognizes exemplary Christian service throughout the four years at Central Catholic. This award is given to the Senior who has completed the most Living the Faith hours over the four years.
• Cardinal Newman Award- Cardinal Newman was a scholar, an educator, and a priest who valued knowledge in the pursuit of truth. The Cardinal Newman Award recognizes exemplary academic performance in Theology classes at Central Catholic. This award is given to the Senior with the highest grades for the four years of Theology classes.
• St. Philip Neri  Award- St. Philip Neri was a priest who witnessed to the Christians in Rome through his joy, his intense prayer life, his wit, and his ambition for reform. The St. Philip Neri Award recognizes those that have been faithful leaders among their peers. This award is given to the one or two Seniors who have most visibly practiced their faith through their witness and consistent participation in optional campus ministry events. This award is voted on by the students in the Senior class.
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chaplain's Award- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is considered the founder of Catholic education in the United States and is the patron saint of Central Catholic. The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chaplain’s Award recognizes those in any grade who have assisted the chaplain in various roles throughout the year.