At HPA, there’s one award that stands out from the conventional accolades. The HAM Award is as literal as it sounds. Instead of a traditional certificate or engraved plaque, the first senior to secure a college admission receives an actual can of ham to celebrate their accomplishment.
The senior to “take home the bacon” this year was Rei Jackson ʻ24, who received her canned ham at an all-school assembly on October 23. Rei was accepted to the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she will be studying video game design.
“The idea was to add some humor and playfulness to the process and to set the tone that when you apply to college it should be enjoyable,” HPA Director of College Counseling Andrew Kelsey said. “We wanted to change the mood around it. And the ham was part of that tone setting. In 25 years, we have never missed a HAM award. It is a fun HPA tradition that everyone looks forward to.”
The idea was to add some humor and playfulness to the process and to set the tone that when you apply to college it should be enjoyable.”
That’s not to say that every ceremony has been the same. Kelsey shared an interesting twist from one year: the recipient was a vegetarian. So, in a nod to their dietary preference, the HAM Award was renamed the TOFU Award for that year.
The HAM winners club is a prestigious one. It includes students who went on to be successful in many professions, including doctors and lawyers, as well as Ben Honey ’05, a Space Mission Operations Specialist with NASA, and Super Bowl Champion Max Unger ’04.
“Being part of this group is quite unique,” Kelsey said.
For Kelsey, one of the most memorable moments involved Unger. Not long after receiving the award, he was spotted savoring the contents of the canned ham he had just been presented with.
Aside from the humor, the HAM Award salutes students who go the extra mile during the summer after their junior year, prepping for college. These proactive individuals not only hone their applications and essays but also secure teacher recommendations, setting the stage for a pivotal turn in their educational journey. The credit also goes to the HPA College Counseling department, which offers invaluable support and direction to students during their entire journey as Ka Makani at the Upper School.
Kelsey notes the importance of rolling admissions, where students can apply early to their schools and get a decision back in September or October.
“The HAM Award winner really breaks the ice and sets an example for others in their class as a positive role model,” Kelsey said. “It can be won by any student in the senior class. And this senior class has been very engaged and excited about applying to college. More than half of them have chosen to apply early, which is a testament to their organizational skills, motivation, and focus on their goals.”
As a whole, HPA students consistently gain admission to top-tier colleges and universities, as well as various other esteemed institutions that align with their aspirations. Nearly all graduates pursue their studies at four-year institutions and express significant contentment with their chosen universities.