CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The VHSL recently announced the 2025-26 National Guard Cup, presented by the Virginia Army National Guard, for year-long academic activities success. For the 2025-26 season, Lebanon won the award in Class 2.
“Lebanon students take great pride in competing and representing our community,” said Lebanon principal Ryan Potts. “This mindset shows in their success across many avenues. We have students who have excelled in barrel racing, bass fishing, bricklaying, baseball, theater, track, tennis, softball, speech, cross country, esports, and countless other activities. Awards like this one help demonstrate that Pioneer Pride extends not only to sports fields and classrooms but also to all the many paths our students take to success.”
The Cup, first awarded in 1990, represents 37 seasons of excellence. Each year, six Cups are given for academic activities and athletics in each of the VHSL’s six enrollment classifications. Schools earn Cup points in activities such as Magazine, Newsmagazine, Newspaper, Online News, Yearbook, Broadcast, Robotics, Esports, Theatre, Scholastic Bowl, Speech, Debate, Creative Writing, and Film.
In addition to Lebanon – Eastside, Maggie Walker, Jefferson Forest, Clover Hill, and McLean claimed 2025-26 Academic Activity crowns
A point system determines the winners based on overall performance in VHSL state championship competitions. In athletics, first place earns 50 points, second place earns 45 points, third place earns 40 points, fourth place earns 35 points, fifth place earns 30 points, sixth place earns 25 points, seventh place earns 20 points, and eighth place earns 15 points. Schools earning the League’s Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award earn 50 points each.
For the five academic activities involving team champions — scholastic bowl, creative writing, debate, theatre, forensics, and robotics — points are awarded on the following basis: first place, 50; second place, 45; third place, 40; fourth place, 35; fifth place, 30; sixth place, 25; seventh place, 20; and eighth place, 15.
Scoring in publications is based on the ranking earned in the League’s evaluation service: Trophy Class, 35; First Place, 20; Second Place, 5.
