News Reporter
The Cum Laude Society, a national organization founded in 1906, is used by secondary schools across the country to recognize the extraordinary academic accomplishments of students. The Cum Laude Society’s motto: Areté- Excellence, Diké- Justice, and Timé- Honor are qualities found in each of the students who gain membership each year. The Cum Laude Society believes that as a member of their Society, one holds the highest academic distinction as a student in a secondary school.
The society is equivalent to Phi Beta Kappa, the highest scholastic achievement one can hold at a University. Choate Rosemary Hall is one of over 350 secondary schools that belong to the Cum Laude Society.
Each year, as many as 20 percent, or 53 students, of the graduating Choate Rosemary Hall senior class are elected to the Cum Laude Society. The committee of faculty may choose to take less than 20 percent, but can never exceed the allowed quintile. Students are elected into Cum Laude on the basis of grade point average, academic program, academic integrity, as well as a commitment to academic excellence. Cum Laude does not have anything to do with extracurricular achievements nor participation in other school activities. The society was founded solely to recognize academic achievement.
The competitive nature of Choate and many other secondary schools makes the announcement of new members a surprise to some, while a disappointment to others. Cyrus Cook, a member of the Cum Laude Society committee, explained, “I am always made aware during the selection process of how many strong students we have here at Choate, and that because of the competitiveness of Cum Laude, there are many good students who cannot gain admission to the society.”
As Cum Laude member Lauren Citrome explained, “I was sort of shocked when I received the letter announcing my election to the Cum Laude Society.” Alexandra Nason also commented on her election, “I actually have no idea what I did, aside from working really hard, doing well academically, and being enthusiastic about what I was learning. I’m honored and excited.”
Most students who are elected into the Cum Laude Society find out in their senior year. A select group of exceptional students in the junior class, usually no more than ten, are selected also. Ji Young Byun has been a member since her junior year and described, “I’m honored to have been selected as a member of the Cum Laude Society. It is an academic society and has its rewards. In addition to the reward, being a member is a motivation to keep going and to keep trying harder in all my studies. It makes me feel like all my late nights were worth it. In short, it’s a nice experience.”
Here at Choate, a Cum Laude Banquet is always held in honor of the Society’s newest members. On Tuesday, May, 16th the group gathered at Ruutz - Reese to celebrate their achievements with a buffet - style dinner provided by Aramark.
The official list of all the new members of Cum Laude is kept underwraps until graduation, though students receive letters of congratulations in advance. Cum Laude members are always recognized in the graduation program and it is marked officially on their diploma.
For Choate students, entering into the Cum Laude Society is an impressive achievement. As 6th form dean Benjamin Small commented on the newest Cum Laude members, “We have exceptionally bright kids this year. There was no question in my mind about any of the students who qualified.”
