Program helps students set sights on higher goals

Nevada High School students, staff and faculty kicked off this year's Renaissance program with a special assembly Thursday morning, featuring games, demonstrations, activities and awards presentations. According to information provided by Ranea Schulze, who coordinates the program for the high school, "Renaissance is a powerful, innovative program designed to encourage academic excellence, improvement and citizenship. With the support of several area businesses, the program rewards students for accomplishments such as perfect attendance, high score on MAP tests, juggling good grades and efforts in fine arts or athletics. The program also encourages community service efforts by the students. Rewards are offered on several levels, and those with the highest level of academic achievement and attendance reap the greatest rewards. The gold level is the highest level of achievement, for students with a 3.67 grade point average and 95 percent attendance. The silver level recognizes students with a 3.0 to 3.669 grade point average and 95 percent attendance, or students with a 3.67 grade point average and a 90 percent attendance rate. The bronze level recognizes students achieving a 2.0 grade point average and 95 percent attendance or a 3.0 grade point average and 90 percent attendance. A white level recognizes those who display a .5 percent improvement in academics and achieve a 95 percent attendance rate. The Renaissance program was created at a school in South Carolina, by Larry Biddle, in April 1988, and was so named to convey the program's mission of enabling students to rededicate themselves to positive efforts.