Extracurricular Academic Letter Awards

Program

Academic letters are awarded for participation in Virginia High School League sanctioned activities. A student must earn a minimum of 25 points to be awarded an extracurricular academic letter. The number of points awarded is listed below in a Table of Points. All point awards must result from participation outside regular school hours. A student must earn the 25 points between grades 9 and 12, at the varsity level in at least two of the following activities:

  • Debate Team

  • Drama Team

  • Forensics Team

  • Literary Arts Magazine

  • Newspaper

  • Scholastic Bowl

  • Yearbook

The exact number of points awarded is at the discretion of the sponsor. Students should consult the sponsor of the particular areas of interest for further information. A file of cards on students involved in various activities will be maintained by the Student Activities Sponsor. It is the responsibility of the student to pick up a card and take it to the sponsors of the activities for the recording of points. The sponsor will return the card to the Student Activities Sponsor when they have completed recording the points.

Table of Points

Academic Challenge Team

  • 1-4 points: Members of the team competing in Tidewater Challenge Finals

  • 1-4 points: Captain of the team

  • 1-4 points: Competing team member of the Chesapeake Challenge Team

  • 1-2 points: Alternate team members

  • 1 point: Announcer of the Academic Challenge Team’s promotional

Debate Team / Forensics’ Team

  • 1 point: Participation in a tournament

  • 2 points: Fifth place award

  • 3 points: Fourth place award

  • 4 points: Third place award

  • 5 points: Second place award

  • 6 points: First place award

  • 7 points: Third place award in district, regional or state meets

  • 8 points: Second place award in district, regional or state meets

  • 9 points: First place award in district, regional, or state meets

Drama

One-Act Play Competition

  • 2-4 points: Major Role

  • 2-4 points: Director

  • 1-3 points: Minor Role

  • 1-3 points: Stage Manager

  • 1 point: Walk-on role

  • 1 point: Crew member

Literary Magazine Staff

  • 1-5 points: Editor of the literary/art magazine

  • 1-4 points: Co-editor

  • 1-3 points: Typing, editing, drawing layouts

  • 1-3 points: Submitting art work to the literary/art magazine for publication

  • 1-3 points: Submitting literary work to the literary magazine for publication

Newspaper Staff

  • 1-5 points: Editor

  • 1-4 points: Co-editor

  • 1-3 points: Financial, sports, news, or feature editor

  • 1-3 points: Typing, editing, drawing layouts

  • 1-3 points: Publicity

  • 1-3 points: Circulation

  • 1-3 points: Photographers

  • 1-3 points: Submitting news stories

Yearbook Staff

  • 1-5 points: Editor of the yearbook

  • 1-4 points: Co-editor

  • 1-3 points: Sports, financial, club, activity, or class editor

  • 1-3 points: Typing, editing, clipping, and drawing layouts

  • 1-3 points: Photographer