On Dec. 18, Flathead High School will induct the first group of alumni into a new Academic Wall of Excellence, putting a spotlight on pioneers of the International Baccalaureate Programme.

Celebrating 10 years of the International Baccalaureate Programme at Flathead, the event will focus on those who graduated with full International Baccalaureate diplomas.

Trailblazing students of the International Baccalaureate Programme, dubbed the “magnificent seven,” by Flathead Principal Peter Fusaro, will be on the list of honorees.

They are Andrew Creighton, Diana (Brosten) Mannschreck, Elizabeth (Myers) Miller, Heather Keller, Kirsten Koslosky, Clelia Leopold and Natasha (Tanner) Ostrem.

“They were brave enough to jump into a curriculum that was totally new to us, and because they were so successful I feel they earned the title,” Fusaro said.

Staff members and community members who were pioneers in bringing the International Baccalaureate Programme to Flathead High School also will receive special recognition.

 All Flathead students who graduated with a full International Baccalaureate Programme diplomas and 4.0 grade point averages will have a place on the Academic Wall of Excellence.

Students graduating with a full International Baccalaureate Programme diploma score of 40 or better — placing them in the top 6 percent of students internationally — will also be honored.

Additionally, those who have made top academic achievements such as Dan Browne — who earned a perfect SAT score for the 2006-07 school year — will be recognized.

A social will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 in the commons area with hors d’oeuvres and music by Steve Eckels featuring International Baccalaureate choir students.

The induction ceremony will be at 7 p.m. in the David M. Hashley Black Box Theatre.

Director Emeritus of the Montana State University Honors Program Mike Miles, a supporter of Flathead’s International Baccalaureate Programme, will be the keynote speaker. Elena Musz, a full International Baccalaureate diploma graduate, will be a guest speaker.

The event is free and open to the public.