According to the top 10% of students in the senior class, it’s management and hard work that really makes a regular student a scholar. At times, Williston can be extremely challenging, pushing many students to the limit, and out of their comfort zone. So to achieve Cum Laude status is an incredible feat.  

On Friday, January 4, the school inducted 10 students into the Cum Laude Society. Among those students were seniors Aidan McCreary and Robby Hill.  

Robby Hill said he achieved the honor by managing his work effectively. 

“I’d say one of the qualities that’s helped me the most has been knowing how to manage my workload” senior Robby Hill to The Willistonian “I’d say I made Cum Laude by working hard and trying to push myself.” 

Robby spoke about the importance of doing one’s best in school, not just because you need to for a certain goal, but because you can.  

Unfortunately, there is no recipe to gain acceptance into the Cum Laude society, said Robby. He expressed how crucial it is to enjoy the process of learning. 

 The Willistonian also spoke with Aidan McCreary, who stated “the biggest thing for me was knowing what you’re working for.”  

 Aidan exclaimed that his effort and academic success was important to him. “Whatever I was studying for, wasn’t for my teachers, the class, or my grades, but it was really for me.”  

“A lot of hard work went into it, but I did it because I wanted to learn,” said Aidan, “not just to achieve the title. However I am honored to have achieved Cum Laude status.”   

Within the words of both inductees, there is a common theme of doing your best and working hard because you choose to, and enjoying the material that you learn.  

The Willistonian also spoke with Mr. Tuleja to see what qualities the faculty found to be important to be considered a scholar and have optimal academic success.  

“They do their work every night and they try to hand in their best work every assignment” said Tuleja, the school’s Academic Dean. 

Tuleja also stated that “they typically are taking very challenging courses at the school,” and also spoke of how they must hold a GPA in the top 10% of their class all three trimesters of their junior year and the first trimester of their senior year.  

Tuleja, Vice President of the school’s Cum Laude Committee, agreed with Aidan and Robby that achieving Cum Laude status is impressive, but the award isn’t what matters, it’s really the hard work and dedication to get there that’s important.