They worked hard at night to finish their homework, ranging from tasks such as keeping up with AP classes and big packets for senior projects. Seniors strived all throughout the school day to keep their grades at an exceptional number. After three years and a semester of work, some seniors achieved their goal: maintaining a 3.5 GPA.

In the class of 2018, 215 seniors received the Gold K award during the ceremony in the Keating Theatre Monday, April 23. The Gold K is one of the highest academic awards at KHS, celebrating seniors who have a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher by the conclusion of their last semester.

Dr. Michael Havener, principal, is one of the leading organizers of the event. He opens and closes the ceremony, also awarding the Gold K to students who are presented it. Havener cannot recall when it first originated but said that the Gold K is an event that should be honored.

“The grade point average is one of the gatekeepers to college,” Havener said. “Colleges know that a 3.5 GPA from KHS is not easy and hard work goes into that.”

Carson Anderson, senior, received the Gold K during the ceremony. According to Anderson, retaining a 3.5 GPA takes a mental toll on students.

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“If I had a final the next day, I couldn’t fall asleep because I was too nervous about it, so I just stayed up all night studying,” Anderson said. “When I had less time to do my homework, I managed to do more because I knew I had to do it and I couldn’t procrastinate.”

Upon receiving the Gold K, Anderson described how important the award was to his family. Students like Anderson strived to achieve this accomplishment.

“It meant a lot to me and my family because this has been a goal for me ever since elementary school,” Anderson said. “It was so awesome to see how successful our grade is. Seeing not just myself, but everyone else get the award, was really cool.”

Jack Kavanaugh, senior, is another recipient of the Gold K. According to Kavanaugh, he took a total of six honors and AP courses throughout his years at KHS, as well as participating in football and track. Kavanaugh said managing his schedule was a tricky task.

“You have to balance it, but I just told myself it was worth a little pain,” Kavanaugh said. “It’s just better in the long run. I’m glad that I tried hard in school and got good grades.”