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Celine Lee

Sophomore Lulu Zhao, junior Natalie Song, junior Jawad Khadra and sophomore Jimin Han received the CTE Bulldog Excellence Awards, which is granted to students who demonstrate PRIDE values while taking advantage of opportunities to pursue their career interests, according to the Bulldog Excellence Award pamphlet.

Wrapping up a year of accomplishment, achievement and success, the annual Bulldog Excellence and Senior Award ceremonies recognized Bulldogs who consistently represented PRIDE values and academic excellence throughout the year and concluded after announcing senior Jadyn Zdanavage as the 2022-2023 Bulldog of the Year on May 16th, according to math and computer science teacher Derek Zahn. 

As a four-year varsity athlete and current member of ASB, Zdanavage has broken many school records and earned recognition for her involvement in sports such as lacrosse, cross country and basketball.

“I feel very honored and humbled to receive the award among a bunch of amazing people and role models,” Zdanavage said. “While everyone’s biographies were being read off, I was just amazed at how awesome everyone was, like everyone was so accomplished. So I really wasn’t expecting that I was going to win the award.”

In addition to the announcement of the Bulldog of the Year, the senior awards also recognized GPA achievement by honoring the titles of Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude to seniors for earning certain GPAs. Seniors who participated in California State Federation (CSF) all four years of high school qualified to receive a cord for the CSF Lifetime Achievement award.

Seniors who were honored at the Senior Award ceremony are able to wear their cords and medals during the graduation ceremony on June 1, according to Portola High’s website.

Separate from the senior awards, the 9-11 Bulldog Excellence awards recognized students grades nine to 11. Students received awards in subjects such as math, performing arts, English, social studies and science.

“I think award ceremonies like this one show students that their hard work throughout the year has paid off,” Top Dog Math award winner and junior Atharv Joshi said. “Obviously, students are always trying to achieve the highest grade possible, but it’s important to also commend those who demonstrate positive PRIDE values on a consistent basis because this isn’t necessarily a requirement.”

Top Dog award winners are nominated by the whole department for their active participation in helping peers and positive contribution in the classroom, according to Zahn.

“It provides an opportunity in which other students can see who’s being recognized and provides a vehicle for giving students a role model to look up to who exemplifies all those good qualities we look for, and we try to foster in students here at Portola High School,” Zahn said.