Silver Cord Recognition Program
Posted May 1, 2026
Silver Cord Recognition Program
Student Submission Form:LINK
The Silver Cord Recognition program is a distinguished volunteer service award given to any South Hardin High School senior who has exceeded a total of 200 hours of community service or volunteering during their time at South Hardin high school. The work done through this program not only benefits our communities, but will encourage students to develop their own leadership and citizenship skills. This is a voluntary, self-directed program, so students are responsible for seeking out opportunities & documenting their hours. Please note: students should be filling out this form for themselves from their school email only. Recipients will be recognized at the Senior Awards program and wear a Silver Cord on their robe during graduation.
Documentation:
Students MUST document all service activities on the Silver Cord Hour Submission Form available from Mrs.LaVelle & on the school website. One form must be submitted for each project (a maximum of 25 hours may be used from each project). Contact information, including an email address, for the site supervisor must be submitted. Mrs. LaVelle will be in contact with the supervisor to verify information submitted. Hours must be submitted within six months of being earned. Seniors must have all qualifying hours turned in by April 1 of the graduating year.
Qualifying hours:
Silver Cord hours must provide a service or meet a clear need for an agency, church, school, park, charity program, fundraiser, or community event. The service should be “above and beyond” one's usual scope of involvement and should not be part of a service for any program or as a part of your commitment to an organization as a member of that organization. Silver cord hours cannot be to satisfy a class, requirement or obligation for any agency or program of which you are a member, cannot be for a relative (unless approval is given prior on a case by case basis), nor for pay or compensation of any kind. Hours are credited by 15 minute intervals, with a limit of eight hours per day. In order to encourage a variety of volunteering experience, students must volunteer in at least three different areas. Submitted hours may not include time for travel, breaks, meals, recreation, or sleeping.
Non-profit organizations that would qualify, include but are not limited to: schools, daycares, local or state government, church, nonprofit groups and community events. Volunteering for a non-family member/ individual (cleaning, painting, yard work, etc) may count on a case by case basis.
Upon receipt of hours, Mrs LaVelle will verify the provided information & it will be logged in an individual student file available on Google Drive. Students & school admin have viewing privileges of this file at all times.
Examples of activities that would not be acceptable: sports team management or training, or service work for a church group requirement, a scouting badge requirement, FFA Ag in the Classroom, FCCLA Star Projects, or an organization/event in which might conflict with our Conduct of Code. Service Learning Day also does not count as it is a requirement of the school. Only 25 hours may be recorded for any one event.
Suggestions: Service may include, but is not limited to, the following: Volunteering at daycare centers, coaching/reffing for no payment or reward, volunteering at hospitals or nursing homes, volunteering at the Food Bank, trash pick-up along the high way, church projects not rewarded by the youth group and not required by the group, teaching bible school or Sunday school, volunteering at the Hardin County Historical Society, volunteering at any Public Library, school concessions beyond those required by class membership, Eldora Kiwanis Breakfasts, Hardin County Farm Museum, Eldora Community Garden, River’s Edge Trail, Eldora American Legion, Helping Hands Basketball Tournament, etc. Watch the daily announcements & your school email for more opportunities.
If you are unsure of a Silver Cord opportunity or whether it qualifies, please contact Mrs LaVelle before completing the assignment.