“Excellence is not an act, but a habit.”

Last month, Principal Darryl Williams opened the Celebrating Excellence Ceremony with these words, honoring the Gaithersburg High School seniors who were recognized by the Maryland Distinguished Scholars (MDS) program, National Merit Scholarship (NMS)program and the Distinguished Hispanic Scholar (DHS)awards.

The scholars received the honors based on their academic accomplishments or talent in the arts.

Thomas Ford and Erin Willet, who were the only two seniors to be recognized on behalf of their artistic performances, were also the only two MDS finalists from GHS. Ford and Willet auditioned last year in early June in front of a panel of professional judges, with Ford performing in the dance category and Willet in vocal music.

The other 31 seniors received recognition from the MDS program based on their academic achievements. They had to have a cumulative minimum 3.7 grade point average as well as high SAT scores to qualify. Students who had not taken the SAT by the end of January in their junior year were judged on their PSAT scores.

Besides Ford and Willet, the other honorees were either semifinalists or honorable mentions. Those commended by the NMS program were also cited in the ceremony.

“It’s nice to spread the wealth,” said Williams about the night. “The beauty about tonight is the different testimonials you’ll hear.”

The ceremony consisted of students, parents, teachers and counselors joining together to reminisce over student inspirations and high school experiences. Special guests who were there to witness such testimonials included Mayor Sidney Katz, as well as City of Gaithersburg members Vice President Stanley Alster and council member Michael Desma. Delegate of Maryland District 39, Charles Barkely, and Montgomery County Public Schools Community Superintendent Adrian Talley, also made an appearance.

The selected scholars chose a certain teacher or mentor to speak about when receiving their award. Some kept it sweet and simple, others used up their whole two minutes, with a few getting choked up in the process.

As each student approached the podium to speak about their mentor, the ceremony no longer revolved around student accomplishments, but what teachers did to help them achieve their goals.

“Life is a team sport. You can’t do it on your own,” said Micheal Ecklund. “You’ve got to help people and receive it.”

Ecklund, a MDS semifinilast and commended NMS, attributed thanks to math teacher Rebecca Deatherage. Ecklund is planning to major in physics at West Point Military Academy and said that Deatherage helped him get through his challenging math course material.

More students expressed life lessons learned.

“She made me see the possibilities the world offered,” said Clara Sanders of science teacher Erin Binns.

Yihanna Ritter also spoke highly of her sophomore year Spanish teacher Judith Gonsalez, saying that with Gonsalez’s help, she was brought closer to the Latino community at GHS.

But Willet truly ended the ceremony on a very sentimental note, as she managed to smile through tears and say of her English teacher Marshall Collier, “He’s taught me that teachers really care.”

Williams hopes to promote more scholarship ceremonies and opportunities for students by using advertisement posters in the main school hallways. By increasing communication, Williams said, more students and teachers will know how to apply for such awards.

The seniors honored at the Celebrating Excellence Awards were also recognized at the Schoolwide Awards Program last night.