Awards List

This award is presented to the outstanding senior in the vocal music program for his or her performance as a musician, service to the local music program, and total service to the school program.

This award is offered in memory of Emily C. Lyons, a 2014 graduate of Beaver Dam High School. This shall be awarded to two outstanding seniors who plan to pursue a career at an accredited four-year university. In addition to other criteria, the recipient shall be judged on his or her promise as a student, sincerity of purpose, kindness to others, and school and community citizenship. This honor also includes a $2,000 scholarship.

This award is to honor the senior boy who is recognized as an outstanding citizen, gets along with others, accepts and carries out responsibilities, gives of himself to his community, school, and who gives his best effort to athletics, scholarship and other activities.

P.E.O. encourages the advancement of higher education for women. In keeping with this intent, Chapter D of P.E.O. has for sixty-nine years presented a recognition award to an outstanding senior girl at commencement. She must be a diligent student, have high standards of conduct, be a leader, and show concern for others.

The Edgerton family has endowed this award in memory of Ronald B. and Alice K. Edgerton. Ron Edgerton was born and grew up in the house at the corner of University Place and Spring Street, graduating from Beaver Dam High School in 1925 at age 16. He was a gifted teacher and author, and editor of high school social studies textbooks. Alice Edgerton was a dedicated teacher and reading specialist who married the young man from Beaver Dam. A $1000 award will be made each year to the student who has shown outstanding achievement in Social Studies.

These awards are presented and sponsored by the BDHS Alumni Class of 1963. They recognize two students who contribute in “outstanding fashion” to the spirit and morale of school life at Beaver Dam High School. These selected individuals are role models for other students due to their spirited involvement in the life and culture of the entire school community. The award winners are chosen by the members of the senior class. 

The Lloyd R. Larson Agriscience Excellence Award recognizes scholastic achievement in agriscience courses, participation in the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program, and involvement in FFA activities.

The High School Art Award is given to a senior art student who has contributed his or her talents for the past several years, has helped create an atmosphere conducive to creative art activity in art classes, has displayed good character, has developed an appreciation of art, and is sensitive to the part art plays in the world today.

The John Philip Sousa Band Award is presented by the BDHS Band to the senior member who has proven to be outstanding as a band member, who has maintained a better than average scholastic standing in all subjects, whose personal habits are the best, and who has participated in other high school activities.

This award recognizes the academic excellence of a senior business/marketing student. It is based upon scholastic achievement in business and marketing courses, an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher, plans to pursue a business career, and demonstrates leadership.

This award honors a senior student who has shown academic excellence in English and distinction in language arts activities.

The Family & Consumer Education Department Award is given to a senior student who displays an attitude consistent with fostering and improving life skills, as well as maintaining a high scholastic average in Family & Consumer Education courses.

This Ethel Niejahr award is presented to the senior who attains the highest grade average in mathematics; completes a full year of mathematics in each of grades 9 thru 12, or completes the honors program through calculus, with no grade less than "B"; and is recommended by the teacher in each of these classes.

The National School Orchestra Award is presented by the Beaver Dam High School Orchestra to an outstanding senior orchestra member who has exhibited a high level of musicianship, performance, leadership and service in the school orchestra program.

The Physical Education and Health Excellence Award is presented annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated the highest degree of achievement, fitness, cooperation, and sportsmanship.

The Elaine Altemus Possin Science Award is given to a student who has maintained a high scholastic average in all science classes, has shown an attitude of curiosity, and a desire to learn.

The Don Kordus Achievement Award recognizes academic excellence as well as leadership and citizenship skills. The award is given to a senior who has demonstrated high achievement in both required and elective social studies courses and who has been an active participant and leader in related co-curricular activities.

The Technology and Engineering Education Award is presented to an outstanding senior student having met the following criteria: A technology grade point average of 3.0 or better, the demonstration of leadership characteristics, and the accomplishment of high scholastic achievement within Technology Education courses during the student's four years of high school.

This Vocal Music Department Excellence Award is presented to a graduating senior choir member who has exhibited a high level of musicianship, performance, participation, leadership and service in the school choral program.

The World Languages Excellence Award is given to the senior recipient in fourth year studies or beyond, who shows joy in learning a world language, attempts to communicate in that language, exhibits superior grammar skills and pronunciation, accepts and understands people of other cultures, and consistently maintains a high grade point average in world language studies.

John E. Miller Post 146 presents the American Legion Auxiliary School Athletic Award to the outstanding senior female athlete who has exhibited leadership, honor, courage, athletic excellence, and scholarship.  The award plaque is accompanied by a $300 check.

John E. Miller Post 146 presents the American Legion School Athletic Award to the outstanding senior male who has exhibited leadership, honor, courage, athletic excellence, and scholarship. The award plaque is accompanied by a $300 check.

This award is reserved for a student manager or fan that demonstrated relentless commitment, dedication, and devotion to the athletic program(s) throughout his/her high school career. This award is given to a person of high character who models what it means to be a positive, contributing memeber of the "BD Fam" through service and support of our student-athletes, coaches, and community.

The Golden Beaver Award recipient should be a student leader who exhibits the personal traits of honesty and integrity, is a disciplined hard worker, is always respectful and ethical, and displays exemplary sportsmanship all while performing as a varsity athlete.  This award is intended to honor a deserving, possibly unsung varsity student-athlete that represents the true spirit of our sports community.  This person should be an exemplary young citizen and role model for younger students.

These scholarships include all or some tuition, room and board expenses for four years of college.  This represents a commitment to the part of the institution giving the award that the student will complete four years of education.

These awards recognize students who have demonstrated a combination of scholastic excellence, athletic letters earned, and significant individual accomplishments and/or team contributions.