Underclassman Awards Ceremony

 

It has been a year of many firsts, and the 2020-2021 Underclassman Awards Ceremony was no exception.  On Wednesday, May 19, the junior class was able to gather for the first time this school year in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. In his welcoming remarks, Head of School David Padilla expressed his admiration for all students this year for “overcoming the obstacles we have faced through hard work, determination, and persistence— those things which always (pandemic or no pandemic) serve as the key ingredients in the recipe for achievement.” 

 

Amanda Beckrich, Assistant Upper School Director, began the award presentation with the Cavalier Spirit Awards, which recognize students “who exemplify the Cavalier Spirit, characterized by integrity, enthusiasm, outreach to others, and cooperation.” A boy and girl from both Ninth and Tenth grades are selected, with this year’s Ninth grade recipients being Louise Martin and Lincoln Weldie. Tenth grade recipients were Jay Lusk and Maggie Rogers.

The next awards were presented in memory or in honor of former CCES students and teachers.

Selected by members of the sophomore class and given in memory of Daniela Dacco ’73. The award recognizes the sophomore who exhibits leadership, concern, and sensitivity for others.

Established in memory of Judith Katherine James ’13, and is awarded to a member of the sophomore class who pursues diverse interests with joy and enthusiasm. 

Given in memory of Connor Michael McManus ’17 to a freshman boy who best exemplifies those qualities for which Connor was known: a faithful and committed Christian; an empathetic friend with a big heart for the underdog; enthusiasm for school sports and service; a fun-loving student with a dry wit; and an avid reader.

Recognizes a student in the sophomore class who has demonstrated the greatest growth and/or skill in the areas of academic research and oral presentation in his or her Sophomore Project.  

College Counselors Linda Schultz, Bartley Sides and Lindsey Waters along with Eleventh Grade Dean of Students Vaughn Vick next presented the Collegiate Book Awards.  The award recipients were selected by the Upper School faculty.

 

Columbia University Book Award

 

Dartmouth College Book Award

 

Hollins University Creative Writing Book Award

 

Randolph College Classics Book Award

 

Rhodes College Book Award

St. Lawrence University Book Award

Tulane University Book Award

Wake Forest Book Award

Washington and Lee University Book Award

 

Wellesley College Book Award

 

Hollins University Mary Beth Hatten Award for Science and Scholarship

 

University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award     

 

University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology

 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Award

West Point Leadership Award

The George Eastman Young Leaders Award, sponsored by the University of Rochester

The Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award, sponsored by the University of Rochester

Brad Greer and Kristi Ferguson inducted new members of the Cum Laude Society.

 

Student Council President Mac Sanders and Honor Council Chair Alex Wess presented the Jones Endowment Faculty Award. The award is given in memory of two former CCES teachers, Catherine Wing Jones and her daughter Ellen Jones Donkle ’74. Members of both the CCES Student Council and Honor Council select the recipient, an Upper School Faculty or staff member who demonstrates genuine commitment to his or her subject or area of responsibility. This year’s award was presented to Upper School Technology teacher, Mr. Chris Lipp.   Sanders quoted one of Lipp’s students who said “He always goes the extra mile to deliver engaging lessons and projects and encourages students to step outside of their comfort zone to find talents they never knew they had.”

Sanders and Wess then transitioned their student leadership positions for the 2021-2022 school year.  Mac Sanders turned over the office of Student Council President to Alex Eastland. Alex Wess reflected on his position as Honor Council Chair “The Honor Code is the cornerstone of an education at CCES. Living in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect is a privilege to be protected and preserved. I now turn over this leadership role to the 2021-22 Honor Council Chair, Dasia Yearby.”  

    

Two special awards were presented by Associate Head of School, Angela Allen.

 

This award recognizes an Upper School student who demonstrates achievement while fostering a growth mindset. A person who exhibits grit and resolve by showing innovation, motivation, and productivity in his or her daily pursuits, both academic and personal.

 

Given to a junior who exemplifies the qualities by which Blair Babb Smoak ’93, is remembered - a person of genuine sensitivity and caring for others, a leader who is willing to give of self to help at all times, one whose character demonstrates sincerity and dependability, and one who leads by exhibiting all the attributes of a true friend. 

 

The final awards were scholarship awards, presented by David Padilla.

Given in memory of Will Grist, Jr. ’99, to a rising senior who demonstrates Will’s qualities of honesty, integrity, compassion, and gentleness; a true friend with a zest for life; a wonderful sense of humor; respect for the dignity of the individual and consideration for others.

 

Awarded to the rising senior with the highest cumulative GPA at CCES in grades nine, ten, and eleven through the first semester with concentration in AP or IB course work.   

Awarded to the rising senior who has attended at CCES continuously since grade nine and who has achieved the highest combination of evidence based reading and writing and math scores on any SAT taken through the end of the Junior year. 

Congratulations to these most deserving award winners!