A school culture of intellectual vitality and true scholarship were honored and celebrated at the 2016 Upper School Awards Ceremony.

The faculty awarded academic book prizes from distinguished colleges and universities, defined by personal and academic qualities representative of the institutions, and St. Margaret’s academic department distinctions to juniors and seniors. Additionally, nine unique St. Margaret’s senior awards of distinction representing leadership, commitment, integrity, honor and love of learning were presented. In a display of faculty care and connection with their students, the senior awards were presented with personal narratives describing the attributes of each student.

Upper School Principal Tony Jordan said, “We pause to recognize junior and senior students who model our mission through their outstanding accomplishments in learning, leadership, and service. The importance of recognizing achievement, of recognizing it as a valid pursuit by itself and in itself, lies not in the achievement alone. What is equally important is the learning and habits of mind that develop as we strive for excellence in these important areas. I am proud and honored to work with all of our Upper School students, who work to their best each day.”

The ceremony also recognizes the dedication and commitment of the Upper School student leadership groups: Associated Student Body, Honor Committee, Peer Counselors, Tartan Inclusivity and Diversity Education, and Admission Ambassadors.

The complete list of honorees follows:

 

Junior College Book Awards
The Harvard Book Prize – Recipient: Charlie Smith. This book is awarded to a student who best combines scholastic ability, high character and extracurricular involvement.

The Kenyon College Book – Recipient: Rebekah Olsen. This book is awarded to an exceptional student who has shown remarkable commitment in environmental studies.

The University of Pennsylvania Book – Recipient: Katherine Adelman. This book is awarded to a junior who ranks top of the class and best exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of Benjamin Franklin—a scholar, innovator and server of the community.

The Princeton Book – Recipient: Tyler Ashman. This book is awarded to a junior who exhibits intellectual promise, academic excellence and outstanding personal character.

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Medal – Recipient: Thomas Kwa. This is awarded to a junior who excels in advanced math and science and exhibits a well-rounded involvement in the community.

The Saint Lawrence University Book – Recipient: Jana Phillips. Awarded to a junior who values a commitment to the service of others.

The Smith College Book – Recipient: Anika Grover. This book is awarded to a junior female who ranks in the top of the class and exemplifies academic achievement, leadership qualities and concern for others.

The Williams College Book – Recipient: Rose McCarver. This book is awarded to a junior who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and has made a significant contribution to the extracurricular life of the school.

The Yale Book – Recipient: Ryan Wilson. This book is awarded to a junior who has demonstrated outstanding personal character and intellectual promise.

Dominic Ondryas Memorial Award – Recipient: Charlie Toney. Awarded to a junior who exercised leadership during their years at St. Margaret’s and who has shown a willingness to improve the community and world by leading others through personal example.

Athletic Awards
Scholar-Athlete Awards – Recipients: McKinley McQuaide and Will Miyamoto. Awarded to one female and one male who have demonstrated the highest level of combined academic, athletic and extra-curricular achievement while maintaining a minimum unweighted 3.5 grade point average during their sophomore, junior and senior years. This award is the highest individual award bestowed upon scholar athletes by the CIF Southern Section.

The John Balak Award: Sarah Gencarella and Samuel Harnisch

Athlete of the Year: McKinley McQuaide and Auston Locke

Senior Awards – Departmental Honors
A Departmental Book was awarded to the seniors who achieved excellence in each academic discipline listed below, selected by the members of each department.

Computer Science – Cooper Zediker
English – Sarah Grace Engel
Mathematics – Collin Rogers
Science – Will Miyamoto
History – David Larsen
Chinese – Michael Bauer
French – David Larsen
Japanese – Hydi Ybarra
Latin – Andrew Cameron
Spanish – Laurel Smith
Performing Arts – Cooper Zediker
Visual Arts – McKinley McQuaide

The Founder’s Award – Recipient: Michael Bauer. Awarded to the senior who maintained the highest grade point average in the class and is selected this year’s Valedictorian.

Salutatorian Award – Recipient: Megan Phansalkar. Awarded to the senior who maintained the second-highest grade point average in the class.

The Father Ernest D. Sillers Award – Recipients: Sarah Reeves and Kevin Cox. Awarded to the seniors who have set an example of overall achievement, combining an excellent academic record with exemplary service to the school.

The Board of Trustees’ Award – Recipient: David Larsen. Presented by Board of Trustee David Perry and US Director of Community Life Lora Allison to the senior who has attended St. Margaret’s for at least two years, has grown the most and has taken advantage of many opportunities for involvement.

St. Margaret’s Award – Recipient: Megan Phansalkar. Awarded to the senior whose academic work was distinguished by the love of scholarship and who, by example, contributed most to the academic morale of the school.

PTF Service Award – Recipient: McKinley McQuaide. Presented to the senior whose leadership embodies the spirit of selflessness through commitment and involvement.

Faculty Achievement Award – Recipient: Sarah Grace Engel. Awarded to the senior who has maintained high academic standards through an exceptional combination of achievement, resilience and perseverance.

Faculty Plate – Recipient: Stewart Toubia. Awarded to the senior who has made the most of their St. Margaret’s experience and clearly manifests the Latin inscription on the award plate, suo marte or “by one’s own prowess.”

Principal’s Cup – Recipient: Priyanka Jhalani. Awarded to the senior who has grown to exemplify the ideals of Honor, Diligence and Decency. The senior has questioned the application and meaning of these ideals in his/her involvement at St. Margaret’s, as a student and leader, and has made this school a better place by living life courageously, consistently and compassionately.

Congratulations to all Upper School Award recipients!