Pirate Pride Award

2023 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

Pirate Pride Award Summary

This award is for graduates who have impacted society in a positive manner after high school through their outstanding accomplishments and contributions. 

Mission of Pirate Pride Award

“The mission of the Pirate Pride Award is to recognize graduates who have impacted society in a positive manner through their outstanding accomplishments and contributions.” 

Criteria 

  • Recognition for graduates (out of school a minimum of 10 years) is based on their contributions, accomplishments, and impact in life after graduation through any of the following areas: 

    • Community, State, National or World Impact

    • Professional Careers

    • Military Service

    • Humanitarian Contributions

    • Leadership Positions/Actions

    • Intercollegiate Accomplishments

    • Lifetime Achievements

    • Contributions and accomplishments to the school district 

Nomination Process 

  • Community members or past graduates can nominate anyone who they believe deserves consideration for “Pirate Pride” recognition.

  • Nomination forms and information are available on the Galena Unit School District website (https://www.gusd120.k12.il.us), Facebook, Twitter, the district office, and on this form. Nomination forms should “tell the person’s story.” 

Recognition of Pirate Pride Award recipients and nominees 

Pirate Pride recipients will have their names displayed on a plaque in the Galena High School, along with a short summary of their accomplishments posted for the year of their induction. Recipients will be recommended to the Galena Board of Education for formal approval prior to the official notification and decision, and those chosen will be notified privately in regard to their interest in this recognition before the information is shared with the Board of Education and becomes public. 

There is no specific number established for recognition each year, and nominees can be selected in later years if not selected in their initial nomination year. Nominees will always be in consideration, along with any new nomination forms for the nominee that are submitted. 

Committee Member Selection 

The Galena Education Foundation will serve as the facilitator for the selection process, including the amount of members needed for selection, a potential rotation of members every few years, and other aspects to make the process both effective and efficient. 

Galena Recognition Form 

All Galena High School graduates are eligible for nomination and recognition into this program, recognizing the purpose of the Pirate Pride Award is to recognize graduates who have contributed and had an impact in life after graduation through any of the following areas:

  • Community, State, National & World Impact

  • Professional Careers

  • Humanitarian Contributions

  • Leadership Positions/Actions

  • Intercollegiate Accomplishments

  • Lifetime Achievements

  • Contributions and accomplishments to the school district 

*Graduates must be out of school for a minimum of 10 years for consideration. 

Date _______________________________________ 

Name of Nominee _______________________________________ 

Nominee Address ___________________________________________________________

Nominee Phone Number _______________________________________ 

Name and Phone Number of Person Nominating 

_______________________________________ 


_______________________________________ 

_______________________________________ 

_______________________________________ 


In a one-page summary please document any of the following to “explain” the person’s story and impact.

  • What makes the actions of the nominee significant overall?

  • Why is this person special and deserving of recognition?

  • What specific honors, awards, and/or accomplishments has this person been recognized or involved in since high school?

  • Any other information you deem necessary. 

Submit the nomination form, one-page summary, and any other materials to the following address (if not completed electronically): 


Galena Unit School District 

Attn: Tim Vincent 

1206 N Franklin Street

Galena, IL 61036


Information is also available on the school district’s website at https://www.gusd120.k12.il.us/ for electronic submission. Questions can be directed to Tim Vincent at (815) 777-6681.


Nominees not selected this year will remain in the committee’s files for future selections for the following four years. Nominees will be in consideration for that time frame, along with any new forms for the nominee and other information submitted for the candidate. 

Due Date for the 2024 “Pirate Pride” inductees: Friday, March 1, 2024


Pirate Pride logo