The pursuit of excellence and achievement among St. Margaret’s talented junior and senior classes were celebrated and recognized last week at the 2016 Upper School Awards Ceremony.

The faculty awarded academic book prizes from distinguished colleges and universities, defined by qualities representative of the institution. St. Margaret’s academic department distinctions were also awarded, along with unique St. Margaret’s senior awards that were presented to students with a personal touch from the presenter describing the attributes of each student.

“The importance of recognizing achievement, of recognizing it as a valid pursuit by itself and in itself, lies not in the achievement alone,” Upper School principal Tony Jordan said. “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.”

Also recognized was the work of many Upper School student leadership groups, including Admission Ambassadors, Associated Student Body, Honor Committee, Peer Counselors, and Tartan Inclusivity & Diversity Education.

The complete list of honorees follows:

The Harvard Book Prize – Recipient: Alice Na. Awarded to an outstanding junior who exhibits superior academic, personal and extracurricular achievements.

The Kenyon College Book – Recipient: Daisy Sellas. Awarded to the student who best embodies the central tenets of the liberal arts – a high level of intellectual engagement, creativity and commitment to community.

The University of Pennsylvania Book – Recipient: Sahar Khashayar. Awarded to the student who exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of Benjamin Franklin—a scholar, innovator and server of the community.

The Princeton Book – Recipient: Parker Ryan. Awarded to the student who exhibits intellectual promise and academic excellence; exemplary service or extracurricular activities; and outstanding personal character.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Medal – Recipient: Andrew Shin. Awarded to the student who excels in advanced math and science, adheres to rigorous academic standards, and exhibits a well-rounded interest and involvement in the community.

The Saint Lawrence University Book – Recipient: Julia DaMour. Awarded to the student who, like the St. Lawrence University community, values a commitment to the service of others.

The Smith College Book – Recipient: Kinsale Hueston. Awarded to the outstanding junior female who exemplifies academic achievement, leadership qualities, and concern for others.

The Williams College Book – Recipient: Sarah Ko. Awarded to the student who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and has made a significant contribution to the extracurricular life of the school.

The Yale Book – Recipient: Clayton Chalmers. Awarded to a student who demonstrates “lux et veritas,” enlightenment and truth, the motto of Yale College, combining outstanding personal character with outstanding intellectual promise.

Dominic Ondryas Memorial Award – Recipient: Gavin Clarke. Awarded to the student who has exercised leadership during his years at St. Margaret’s and who has shown a willingness to improve the community and the world by leading others through personal example and commitment.

Scholar-Athlete Awards -- Recipients: Charlie Smith and Elise Talley. Awarded to one female and one male who have demonstrated the highest level of combined academic, athletic and extracurricular 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

John Balak Award – Recipients: Cameron Manor and Charlie Smith.

Athletes of the Year – Recipients: Ryan Cragun and Julia Martin.

A Departmental Book is awarded to seniors who have achieved excellence in an academic discipline.

Computer Science: Matthew Hamadani

English: Jana Phillips and Sydney Brinker

Mathematics: Thomas Kwa

Science: Rose McCarver

History: Rebekah Olsen

Chinese: Nic Gitter

French: Alondra Ajoleza

Latin: Michael Rubenacker

Spanish: Anika Grover

Performing Arts: Tyler Ashman

Visual Arts: Connor Jordan

The Founder’s Award – Recipient: Charlie Smith. Awarded to the senior who has maintained the highest grade-point average in the class.

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

The Father Ernest D. Sillers Award – Recipient: Rose McCarver. Awarded to the senior who has set an example of overall achievement, combining an excellent academic record with exemplary service to the school, citizenship and leadership.

The Board of Trustees’ Award – Recipient: Tyler Ashman. Awarded to the senior who has grown the most both as a person and as a student, and has taken advantage of the many opportunities for involvement.

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

PTF Service Award – Recipient: Anika Grover. Awarded to the senior whose leadership embodies the spirit of selflessness through commitment and involvement.

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

Faculty Plate-- Recipient: Charlie Toney. Awarded to the senior who has made the most of his or her St. Margaret’s experience and who clearly manifest the Latin inscription on the award plate, suo marte or “by one’s own prowess,” in his/her years of endeavor in the St. Margaret’s community.

Principal’s Cup—Recipient: Ryan Wilson. 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 or her involvement at St. Margaret’s as a student as a leader, and has made this school a better place by living life courageously, consistently and compassionately.