Scholarships Awarded to Michael McGrady, Audrey Buffington, and Ana Pelham at All Saints Chapel

 

In annual observance of All Saints’ Day, the November 6th chapel services at CCES celebrated the lives of those who have gone before us. Chaplains Wallace Adams-Riley, Valerie Riddle, and John Elliott read from the Book of Life the names of all beloved relatives, friends, and pets of members of the school community who have died in the past year, in remembrance.

 

In addition to the celebration of All Saints Day, three scholarship awards were presented during the Upper School chapel service.

 

The Maggie McLeod Scholarship Award, first given in 2005-06, is presented in memory of Maggie McLeod ’05, to a member of the senior class who exemplifies Maggie’s qualities of creativity and love of life, and who possesses high personal aspirations in the arts, especially in one of Maggie’s favorite genres of creative writing or music. This student personifies cheerful friendliness, good humor, and kind good will to all. Upper School Theatre Teacher Reed Halvorson presented the award to none other than the thoughtful, accomplished, charismatic, Audrey Buffington ’20. “But it is in the classroom,” said Mr. Halvorson,“that Audrey has consistently excelled as a remarkable student, particularly as a creative writer, that makes her

an ideal recipient of this award.” He went on to say that “there isn’t a teacher who has had the pleasure of teaching Audrey that can question her desire to succeed. Just good enough, will never be the acceptable path for Audrey to take.”

 

“So today,” he said in closing, “we get to celebrate someone who has consistently celebrated the victories of this school as one of our loudest and most fervent cheerleaders, both literally and figuratively. No one would question her blood runs Cavalier blue as a constant champion of this school. Well today, Christ Church finally has a chance to stand up and cheer for you. We celebrate your gifts as a wordsmith, musician, and theatrical artist. We celebrate your positivity, your friendliness, and abundant cheerfulness. We celebrate the indelible spirit that is the 2019 Maggie McLeod Scholarship Award winner, Audrey Buffington.”

 

Audrey’s friend Virginia Kate Kirby ’20, also spoke on her behalf saying, “When I met Audrey on the first day of 4th grade, I knew I wanted to be her friend. I had never met someone so authentically herself and genuinely kind. For the past 8 years, I have constantly been in awe of how even through adversity and judgment, Audrey’s light has never flickered. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and Christ’s love radiantly shines through her.”

 

The Chris Ferrell Scholarship Award, first given in 1990-91, is presented in memory of Chris Ferrell ’89, to one or more members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class who have demonstrated outstanding gifts and performances in the Fine Arts. This year’s recipient, Michael McGrady ‘20, is most certainly outstanding in the arts. CCES Band Director, Jenny James, said “He pushes himself to master material and spends countless hours in rehearsal. He plays trumpet in band, sings in choir, has played drum set for 10 years, and portrays unforgettable characters in our musicals. He is flexible and a good sport - when I asked him to try the Looney Tunes vocals in our concert, he jumped right into it and did an amazing job.”

Michael’s close friends and fellow musicians, Michael Rothgaber ‘20 and Charlie Burger ‘20 also spoke on his behalf. Michael commented, “No matter how small a task may seem Mike will always give it his full focus and effort. When I saw Godspell this past weekend I was moved to see how much he has progressed, and to think it was only his second time performing in a musical is truly remarkable.”

The Richard Buckley Jacques Award, given for the third year in a row, honors a legacy and 13 year veteran of Christ Church Episcopal School. Buckley was well-loved for his sense of humor and adventurous spirit. He enjoyed travel, history, and playing basketball, but found a sense of purpose in the creative arts, especially digital design. This award named in his memory recognizes an Upper School student who demonstrates exceptional talent in the graphics field, whether in photography, film, web design, or other digital media.

 

This year’s recipient was Ana Pelham ‘21. The award was presented by her photography teacher Owen Riley who called Ana, “an adventurer, a poet, an athlete and most of all, an artist who is fearless in her pursuit of the moment through the lens of her camera and her mind.” He continued, “This student is a gift to any art teacher and especially to me, as someone who is open to the wonders of the interior and exterior worlds, and who is relentless in exploring new ideas, new techniques and new truths in her work.” Ana's friend and fellow artist William Nicholson ‘21 also spoke on her behalf.

 

The All Saints chapel services have become a tangible reality in the here and now by recognizing and celebrating our relationship, not only with those around us today, but also with all those who have gone before us in all times and places.

 

The closing hymnal “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God,” appropriately ended the ceremonies. A reception for the award recipients, their families, and members of the senior class followed in the Art Gallery in the Upper School.

 

“I sing a song of the saints of God, Patient and brave and true,

Who toiled and fought and lived and died

For the Lord they loved and knew.

And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,

And one was a shepherdess on the green;

They were all of them saints of God, and I mean,

God helping, to be one too.”