Awards

Individual subject awards reflect excellence in an academic subject at Austin O’Brien High School. 

 Core Subject Awards are awarded to students:

 -With overall highest mark in core course: and/or

-Who demonstrate dedication and outstanding effort in the core subjects

-in the event of a tie both are awarded the award

Subject Awards-Optional Courses

-With above average marks in an option course; and or 

-who demonstrates innovation, creativity, dedication, outstanding effort and positive attitude in an optional course. 

Awarded to students who complete three or more AP courses, scoring marks of 3 or higher on all AP exams. Awarded after completion of Grade 12 year. Awarded to students who complete three or more AP courses, scoring marks of 3 or higher on all AP exams. Awarded after completion of Grade 12 year. 

The Kinsmen Club of Edmonton provides scholarships to a Grade 12 student in EVERY Edmonton Public and Catholic High School in the City of Edmonton to recognize the students’ contributions to community service. 

This award is presented to a person who achieves the highest mark in a construction-related course. The student must also demonstrate qualities and cooperation. 

The Dave Williams Mentorship Award serves to recognize the most outstanding Grade 12 mentor of  Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  

The purpose of this award is to provide annual recognition of a student who is completing his or her schooling with excellent academic standings and has proven to be a leader, both academically and in at least two other fields of endeavor.

Student must have completed 3 years of music with high levels of performance and actively support and participate in the various components of the music /performing arts program 

The Campbell Family Scholarship is given to two Grade 12 students, one female and one male. These students have the highest combined averages in Social Studies 30 and English 30 and were athletes on school teams during their time at Austin O’Brien. Students also must be attending Post-Secondary.

It is awarded to the student who contributed to our school atmosphere the most over the last three years

The WIN and Generation awards of Excellence are given to students that showed an excellent attitude, effort and performance at their worksite. The individuals had positive attitudes, were co-operative students at school, and had excellent attendance. As well, this student was a good citizen and helped others.

This award is given out to a student who has overcome a personal obstacle throughout their high school education, while continuing to be very successful. 

These awards are given to those students who have shown outstanding achievement in school service over their high school careers. Some of their commitments include Student Leadership, yearbook, concert band, school plays, Geek Squad, and Grad Council.

This scholarship is awarded to a student who best displays the following six characteristics:

* Leadership, determination, and work ethic

* Takes risks

* Demonstrates business with integrity

* Is an empowering leader

* Takes employee ownership

* And is an entrepreneur.

The Florence E. Taylor Charitable Foundation Scholarship is made available to women through the generous contribution of Florence E. Taylor, a member of Chapter C, Alberta, P.E.O. Sisterhood. The student must be entering first or second year of fulltime study in your first degree or diploma program, be studying or planning to study at any accredited Alberta or Saskatchewan Post secondary institution, as well as be committed to their educational goal, as shown by their academic record

In order for many of our school events and productions to be possible, we have a group of students who volunteer their time and talents by assisting with the lights, audio, and technology. These talented students are part of a team called The Tech Club

Premier’s Citizenship Award 

This scholarship was created to recognize students graduating from high school who have supported and contributed to Alberta communities through public service and voluntary endeavours. 

Governor General’s Medal 

This is awarded to the student graduating Austin O’Brien with the highest average based on the Rutherford criteria. There is no monetary award associated with the Medal. 

Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General after Confederation, created the Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage academic excellence across the nation.  A bronze medal is awarded, by the office of the Governor General in Ottawa, to the student who achieves the highest average in all grade 11 and grade 12 courses upon graduation from a secondary school. The average cannot be anticipated; it must be calculated based on the final results after diploma exams have been written, as listed on the student’s official provincial transcript. Equitable access for the entire student population is an important aspect of the medal’s value.  Regardless of the stream or the subjects chosen, all students are eligible for consideration upon graduation. 

Outstanding student Award is it is awarded to the grade twelve student who, over three years, maintains an honours average, while also demonstrating leadership qualities that incorporates Christian values and attitudes.  This student is  an influential contributor to the academic, spiritual, cultural and social life of the school.

Students may be selected based on one or more of the following criteria:

•Any student whose behavior has exemplified, in an extraordinary way, the core values of the Edmonton Catholic School Division.
•Any student who exhibits outstanding leadership skills and who uses their ability to benefit others.
•Any student who has shown strength to overcome obstacles in their life and has persevered in overcoming these obstacles.
•Any student who has shown extraordinary effort to foster a positive quality of life within the school for the school community.
•Any student who has contributed in an outstanding manner to the community beyond the school environment.

The criteria is as follows:
The Board of Trustees wishes to celebrate those students who, through their actions and/or service to their school community, enhance the Catholic identity of that community. There are many ways in which this leadership may be demonstrated. Illustrative examples include serving the school community during celebration or prayer life, leadership in social justice endeavours, bearing witness to their faith through participation in class discussions or co/extracurricular faith-based activities. These students serve as excellent Catholic role models for their peers.

Austin O’Brien Valedictorian Criteria

• Must have completed all 3 years of high school at AOB
• Highest average of English 30-1, Social 30-1, Math 30-1/30-2, and 1 Science (choose from Physics 30, Chemistry 30, Biology 30 or Science 30)
• Philosophy is that the valedictorian should be a strong academic representative in all areas from the graduating class. 
• Math 30-2 is included because the course can be used as a University Entrance requirement into all faculties but Engineering. 30-1 levels are required for all other core subjects. 
• Math 31 is excluded on the basis of no diploma exam which also contributes to the exclusion of language courses and all options.
• Averages to be used will be from the above courses using the blended S1 final mark with diploma result, as well as the mark in the respective courses that is 1 month from the Graduation Commencement Ceremony date