Quaker Valley School District Alumni Awards

Celebrating Our Legacy. Inspiring Our Future.

For generations, Quaker Valley graduates have carried the experiences, relationships, and ideals formed in our schools into communities and careers near and far. They represent a wide breadth of professions and are often public servants and community leaders. Their paths may look different, but together, their stories demonstrate the lasting impact of a Quaker Valley education.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Quaker Valley School District is proud to establish the Quaker Valley Alumni Awards, an annual recognition program honoring graduates whose achievements, leadership, service, and contributions exemplify the values and legacy of Quaker Valley.

The program is designed to celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni and strengthen connections among generations of Quakers. By sharing the stories of those who came before them, we hope today's students can see the many ways the qualities they develop at QVSD which includes empathy, communication, exploration, perseverance, and engagement matter. These attributes have shaped their lives, careers, and communities for decades.

Initial applications are due by December 15, 2026, and inaugural honorees will be recognized during a special Quaker Valley Alumni Awards event in early 2027.

Criteria for Recognition

The Quaker Valley Alumni Awards celebrate graduates whose accomplishments, leadership, service, and contributions reflect the values and legacy of Quaker Valley. Nominees may come from any profession, career field, or area of service, including but not limited to business, education, the arts, science and technology, medicine, law, government, military service, nonprofit work, skilled professions, entrepreneurship, and many others.

Nominees may demonstrate distinction in one or more of the following areas. When submitting a nomination, please select all criteria that best reflect the nominee's accomplishments and contributions.

Distinguished Achievement

Demonstrates a sustained record of meaningful accomplishment, leadership, character, and positive influence. This may include significant contributions to a profession, community, organization, or society and a body of work or service that distinguishes the nominee among their peers.

Professional Achievement

Demonstrates exceptional achievement, innovation, leadership, or influence within a chosen profession or field. This may include career accomplishments, entrepreneurship, creative achievement, innovation, advancement of a profession, or other contributions that have made a meaningful impact within the nominee's field.

Service to Society

Demonstrates an exceptional commitment to serving others and making a meaningful difference within a community or beyond. This may include civic leadership, education, military or public service, nonprofit or humanitarian work, volunteerism, advocacy, philanthropy, mentorship, or other sustained efforts to improve the lives of others.

Emerging Leadership & Achievement - Alumnus Under 40

Demonstrates noteworthy achievement, leadership, innovation, or service and stands out among their peers. This may include emerging professional accomplishments, entrepreneurial or creative endeavors, community leadership, service, or other contributions that demonstrate the potential for continued impact.

Nominees are not limited to a single criterion. The criteria selected during nomination will help provide context for the Selection Committee but will not determine a specific award category. Each year, the Quaker Valley Alumni Awards will recognize a select group of alumni whose collective accomplishments and contributions represent the many ways Quaker Valley graduates make an impact in their professions, communities, and beyond.

Nominations & Selection

Who May Nominate?

Nominations are welcomed from alumni, family members, friends, colleagues, educators, students, community members, and others familiar with a nominee's accomplishments and contributions. Self-nominations are also welcome.

A nominee may be considered for the area of recognition identified by the nominator or for another Alumni Award determined by the Selection Committee to more appropriately reflect the individual's accomplishments.

Step One: Nomination

The first step is designed to make it easy for members of the Quaker Valley community to bring deserving alumni to the District's attention.

Nominators will be asked to provide basic information about the nominee, including graduation year when applicable, current or previous professional/community involvement, and a brief statement describing the accomplishments, leadership, service, or contributions that make the individual deserving of recognition.

All initial nominations must be submitted by December 15, 2026 for consideration. Nominations may be held for up to three years for consideration.

Supporting information may be provided but is not required during the initial nomination process.

Timelines will be established and sent with the invitation to apply.

Step Two: Application

Following an initial review, selected nominees will be invited to advance to the second stage of the process.

Advancing candidates will be asked to provide additional information that will allow the Selection Committee to more fully understand their accomplishments and impact. Information may include professional and educational history, significant achievements, leadership experience, community or civic service, awards and honors, a résumé or curriculum vitae, references, and other supporting materials.

Candidates will also be invited to reflect on their Quaker Valley experience and how it influenced the person they became.

Individuals who advance in the process will be contacted by the District before being asked to complete the second-stage application.

Selection of Honorees

The Quaker Valley Alumni Awards Selection Committee will review eligible candidates using established criteria appropriate to each area of recognition.

Consideration may include:

Significance and sustained nature of accomplishments;
Professional achievement, leadership, or innovation;
Impact on a community, profession, organization, or society;
Demonstrated service to others;
Character and leadership;
Service or contributions to Quaker Valley;
Connection to the values represented by the Quaker Valley Portrait of a Learner; and
The ability of the nominee's story and accomplishments to inspire current and future generations of Quakers.

The strength of a nomination will be determined by the nominee's accomplishments and impact rather than the number of nominations received. Multiple nominations for the same individual do not increase that individual's likelihood of selection.

Selection as a Quaker Valley Alumni Award recipient is intended to represent a significant distinction. The Selection Committee is not required to select a recipient in every award category each year.

Individuals selected for the inaugural class will be notified in December 2026 and recognized during the inaugural Quaker Valley Alumni Awards celebration in early 2027.

Alumni Awards Selection Committee

The Quaker Valley Alumni Awards Selection Committee will include representatives of the District, its alumni, and the broader Quaker Valley community. Membership may include current or retired educators and administrators, alumni representing different generations, and community or business leaders.

Committee members are charged with reviewing nominations and applications objectively, applying established selection criteria consistently, maintaining appropriate confidentiality throughout the review process, and helping ensure that the Alumni Awards reflect the values and high standards of Quaker Valley School District.

Through this process, the Selection Committee will help establish a distinguished group of honorees whose stories collectively celebrate Quaker Valley's past, demonstrate the impact of its graduates today, and inspire the generations of Quakers who will follow.