The months of May and June typically mark high school and college graduations across the United States. These commencements are held in sports stadiums, parade grounds or other outdoor arenas equipped to handle large crowds.
Typically, students or school alumni give the graduation speeches. Common themes are wishing the candidates well in the “real world,” and cautioning them that academia is a special place. Most recently, however, it is common to invite a celebrity or a politician to deliver the commencement speech. For dress, graduation candidates wear robes and mortarboard caps in their school colors. Typically, each candidate will also be given a medallion and diploma by the dean or another school administrator.
Graduation medallions have become a specialty at The Monterey Company over the past 19 years. Most medallions are cast or die struck in bronze metal and plated in gold or silver with the school’s crest, motto or mascot. Of course, the current year is highlighted and they’re attached to a colorful ribbon. Most graduates wear their medallions on graduation day, and then hang them from their rearview mirror in their cars to show all passersby of their accomplishment. After awhile, the medallions are moved to a mirror in their bedrooms, then finally put in velvet boxes for safekeeping.
“Graduation medallions are never thrown away, but are kept for years to come,” said Paul Stark, president of The Monterey Company. “They represent a right of passage and people like to celebrate and remember that accomplishment. We’re proud to be part of that tradition.”

Posted: May 22nd, 2008 under Lapel Pins, Medallions.
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The 11^th Annual Rock n’ Roll Marathon, held June 1 in San Diego, promised to be challenging and fun.

The 26.2 mile course begins in Balboa Park, runs through Hillcrest skirts the San Diego Zoo, then features the historic Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego Harbor. After that, the course travels up Highway 163, by the bayside communities, Sea World and ends up at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Point Loma. “Just come home with the finisher’s medallion and you’ll make us proud,” Jeff said to his girlfriend, one of the salespeople at The Monterey Company.

Since he’d completed six L.A. Marathons in the past, Jeff knew what he was talking about. “It’s not about the race, the thousands who run along side you, or all the free stuff you get, it’s all about the finisher’s medallion,” he said with conviction.

“The medallion proves that you ran their 26.2 mile course. No one gets one until they cross the finish line.” That statement really hit home since she works for The Monterey Company, a top medallion manufacturer.

She thought of the 20,000 eager entrants who would battle heat, pain and exhaustion just to earn that medallion. It was their newfound symbol of victory! She imagined wearing it on race day, like a hard-fought badge of honor. Then proudly showing it to her boyfriend, family, friends and coworkers. Alas, she couldn’t view the Rock n’ Roll finisher’s medallion on the official web site, www.rnrmarathon.com.

She wanted to see if she’d like the design and their choice of colors. She imagined it to be a 2-inch die-struck antique gold medallion with a blue ribbon. The central image would have to be a runner with musical symbols and background scenes of San Diego, including the ocean, of course. “No one gets a medallion until they cross the finish line” rang in her ears as she laced up her shoes to run 5 miles that evening. She would just have to wait until June 1 to hold that elusive medallion.

The folks at the Monterey Company help you design your next sports medallion. “It’s not the medallion, but what it represents,” said Paul Stark, the company’s president.

Over the past 20 years, The Monterey Company has created thousands of medallions that people all over the world proudly wear, later show to their family and friends, and keep as treasures for years. Call toll free 1-800-259-6496!

Posted: May 16th, 2008 under Medallions.
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