A Golden Bear is a student who has been nominated by an adult working in our school and is then voted on by the the staff to receive this award. The Golden Bear program has been going on at our school for over 35 years and the awards are given out three times during the year; at the end of the first three quarters. A Golden Bear is the embodiment of an all-around good student. This student doesn't necessarily receive straight A’s, but this student does complete work assigned, demonstrates good citizenship behavior and shows respect for others. A Golden Bear does not have any failing (F) grades or unacceptable (U) citizenship marks. The five students from each grade with the most votes are given the Golden Bear award. Once a student has become a Golden Bear, they are Golden Bears until they leave Mound Fort.

Our faculty and staff also can receive a Golden Bear award. Three of our faculty members who receive the Golden Bear award are nominated by the students and one is nominated by the staff. Our faculty can receive a Golden Bear as many times as they are nominated.

Golden Bear award winners are recognized at the Golden Bear assembly held at the end of the quarter. Parents receive letters informing them that their child will be receiving a Golden Bear award and inviting them to the assembly. They are asked to keep this a secret so the students are surprised when they receive the award. The Golden Bear assembly also showcases students in our school who wish to share talents, those who have received awards above and beyond the norm, and positive recognition for our students; for example, science fair and art contest winners, athletes who have set records or placed during state competitions and 4.0 students. This assembly also recognizes those who play school sports and who participate in other school activities such as choir, band, orchestra, art, robotics, etc. The ROTC presents the flag and a student sings the National Anthem. Our 9th grade student government presents the awards to the students and staff. The entire assembly is all about our students. All Golden Bear winners are invited to sit in the bear den during the assembly. This is an area at the front of the auditorium reserved for students who have received the award.

Golden bears receive a certificate, a "Golden Bear" ID card which allows them to be first in the lunch line every day, a golden bear shirt and other prizes.

We congratulate and celebrate our final Golden Bear winners from the 2017-2018 school year.

7th Grade
Cole Ballantyne
Taylor Hester
Maleah Richey
Mia Salgado
Jonathan Sherman

8th Grade (including a tie for the top 5 spots)
Duane Barnett
Noah Mann
Julissa Mayren
Breanna McAdams
Andrea Renteria
Taleisyn Williams

9th Grade
Isabel Halverson
Lillyanna Nunley
Neveah Rascon
Sienna Zarkou

Faculty
Heather O'Donley (student nomination)
Teri Child (student nomination)
Tyler Wilde (student nomination)
Rita Myrup (staff and student nomination)