2023 Underclassmen Awards

On Thursday, May 18, the Upper School student body gathered together in Rooke Theater of the Hartness Performing Arts Center for the 2023 Underclassmen Awards Ceremony. Head of School, David Padilla, welcomed everyone and offered his congratulations to the individuals who would be recognized – examples of exceptional spirit, academic accomplishment, leadership, grit, and honor. Padilla also acknowledged the collective community that has made it all possible, stating, “While we will call the names of individuals, please know that I both understand and appreciate all those whose names are not called – teachers and mentors, friends and classmates, parents and families.”

 

In his introductory remarks, Upper School Director, Wes Clarke, further reflected on the community of CCES and how it nurtures an environment where all students who labor – academically, athletically, and artistically – do so with the sense of being connected to “something larger and more important than ourselves.” He recognized that in celebrating these individual awards, we are also celebrating the fabric of this school and every person in it, describing it as a “representation of the contributions of all Upper School students to each other’s intellectual and spiritual development and to the academic life and culture of the school.”

 

Assistant Upper School Director, Amanda Beckrich, began the presentation of awards, all of which were selected through extensive and collaborative deliberation of the Upper School faculty, and some by classmates. She presented 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 the ninth and tenth grades are selected. This year’s ninth grade recipients are Sarah Spratlin Bullock and Bo Lowrance. The tenth grade recipients are Tucker Hendrix and Amelia Spinks.

 

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

 

The Daniela Dacco Award is selected by members of the sophomore class and given in memory of Daniela Dacco ’73, the first CCES exchange student. The award recognizes the sophomore who exhibits leadership, concern, and sensitivity for others. The recipient of the 2023 Daniela Dacco Award is Chandler Sherman.

 

The Katy James Award was 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. This award recognizes an individual who, in the ninth and tenth grade years, has distinguished him or herself in athletics, arts, and academic pursuits, as Katy did. The recipient of the 2023 Katy James Award is Luke Brownlee.

 

The Meghan McManus Memorial Award is given in memory of Meghan McManus ’14 to a senior girl who best exemplifies the qualities for which Meghan was known: a faithful and committed Christian; a compassionate friend to all; an intelligent, grounded, and level-headed young lady; and a well-rounded student, one accomplished academically, athletically, and artistically. The recipient of the 2023 Meghan McManus Award is Marleigh O’Hanlan.

 

The Connor McManus Memorial Award is given in memory of Connor 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. The recipient of the 2023 Connor McManus Award is Graham Smith.

 

The Kathy Adamee Award was established in honor of former CCES English teacher, Kathy Adamee, after 34 years of service in both the Middle School and Upper School English departments. This award 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. This year there are two recipients of the Kathy Adamee Award – Hunter Frederick and Olivia Lu.

 

The Anna Gibbins Young Women’s Leadership Award was established in memory of Anna Gibbins, who demonstrated her devotion to CCES through her work as a CCES parent, a member of the Board of Trustees, and as Assistant Director of Development in the school’s first Development Office. This award is given to a female from the junior class to encourage leadership development and exploration of interests through a unique summer program opportunity. The 2023 Anna Gibbins Young Women’s Leadership Award recipient is Sanaa Channell.

 

Director of College Counseling, Linda Schulz, Associate Directors of College Counseling, Bartley Sides and Lindsey Waters, and Eleventh Grade Dean of Students, Vaughn Vick, presented the Collegiate Book Awards, selected by Upper School faculty.

 

Columbia University Book Award

 

Dartmouth College Book Award

 

High Point University 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

 

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

 

George Eastman Young Leaders Award

 

Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award

Upper School Spanish Teacher and Chapter President of the Cum Laude Society, Brad Greer, announced the induction of two faculty members. The Cum Laude Society serves to recognize scholastic achievement at CCES, while also encouraging qualities of excellence, justice, and honor. These two faculty members were selected by the chapter for their distinctive contributions to the cause of scholarship at CCES. This year’s inductees to the Cum Laude Society are Charlie Woodward, US History Teacher, and Marion Nelson, US English Teacher.

 

Student Council President, Harris Clark, and Honor Council Chair, Thomas Clark, presented the Jones Endowment Faculty Award. This award was established 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, a faculty or staff member of the Upper School who demonstrates genuine commitment to his or her subject area of responsibility. The 2023 Jones Endowment Faculty Award is Dr. Vaughn Vick, 11^th Grade Dean of Students and AP/IB Physics Instructor. Vick is described by students as one who “fulfills many important roles in the community, but whose outreach extends far beyond these duties.” She is known for a wonderful combination of engagement with course content and a great sense of humor, which creates a “well-organized and rewarding classroom experience.” Vick is passionate, personable, and “strives to uphold the school’s core values in all that she does.”

 

After presenting the faculty award, Harris and Thomas transitioned their student leadership positions for the 2023-24 school year. Harris called it an “honor” to serve and turned over the office of Student Council President to Korey Nary. Thomas said it was a “privilege” to protect and preserve trust, honor, and integrity at CCES and turned over the role of Honor Council Chair to Ava Claire Davis.

 

The next two awards were presented by Associate Head of School, Dr. Angela Allen.

 

The Lane Abrams Growth Mindset Award was established in honor of CCES Director of the Achievement Center, Lane Abrams. It recognizes an Upper School student from the freshman, sophomore or junior class who demonstrates achievement while fostering a growth mindset. The awardee is one who exhibits grit and resolve by showing innovation, motivation, and productivity in his or her daily pursuits, both academic and person. The recipient of the 2023 Lane Abrams Growth Mindset Award is Charlie Creech.

 

The Blair Babb Smoak Memorial Award is given to the junior who, in the opinion of classmates, best 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 recipient of the 2023 Blair Babb Smoak Memorial Award is Victoria Mullen.

 

The final three awards were presented by Head of School, David Padilla.

 

The Will Grist Scholarship Award is 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. The recipient of the 2023 Will Grist Scholarship Award is Andy Botkin.

 

The Jackie Messer Rogers Scholarship Award was established in honor of Jackie Messer Rogers by her children – Charles Jack Rogers ’80 and Mary Rogers Guy ’82. It is 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. The recipient of the 2023 Jackie Messer Rogers Scholarship Award is Faith Vagnoni.

 

The Roger, Kirk, and Dena Stone Scholarship Award was established in the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. E. Randolph Stone. It is awarded to the rising senior who has been in attendance 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. The recipient of the 2023 Roger, Kirk, and Dena Stone Scholarship Award is Lily Markalunas.

 

Congratulations to all of the award winners at the 2023 Underclassmen Awards Ceremony!