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Student Awards

Rotary Students of the Month

Each month the Burien White Center Rotary recognizes students who:

  • Continuously provide service to the local community and/or in the community outside the school
  • Maintain a positive attitude toward others and toward learning
  • Act respectful to peers and teachers
  • Work to improve and/or maintain good grades
  • Practice good citizenship
  • Actively participate in classroom discussions and activities
Northwest Catholic Winning Spirit Awards

Each month Northwest Catholic magazine selects (2) students, one boy and one girl, to honor for their achievements and contributions in the classroom, extracurricular activities and in their church and communities. At the end of the school year, two Students of the Year are selected to receive a $1,000 Northwest Scholarship. Students are nominated for this award by the faculty and staff.

The Carl J. Velling Award

The Carl J. Velling Award is presented yearly to a senior boy and senior girl who have excelled in two sports or received recognition as exceptionally gifted in one sport during their senior year. Also, the individuals must have displayed the same kind of motivation in the classroom that has led to success in athletics. Dr. Roy Velling established this award in 1970 to honor the memory of his father, Mr. Carl Velling. The Velling Award was endowed by Helen Velling and her family in 2022 to honor the memory of her late husband and their father, Dr. Roy Velling. 

Joseph Velling '77, Jenny Velling '78, Marisa Velling '79, Michael Velling '81, Molly Velling Forster '83, and Jerry Velling '87.

Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Top Ten Students

The Valedictorian is the student with the highest scholastic standing in the graduating class. The Salutatorian(s) is/are the student(s) with the second highest standing. The Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Top Ten students will be selected by the Principal and Vice Principal of Academics. Consideration will be given to course rigor, cumulative grade point average based on seven semesters as listed on Kennedy Catholic transcript, distribution of courses, highest level of courses and SAT/ACT scores included on Kennedy Catholic test card.

The Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Top Ten students must have been a member of the National Honor Society for two years. In order to be eligible for these designations, a student must complete both junior and senior year at Kennedy Catholic and have been schooled in an American high school for grades 9 and 10.

Students who qualify for the selection as Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Top Ten must not be, nor have been, on any type of probation. The Valedictorian will be invited to prepare a graduation speech.