Academic Awards Assembly Honors Top Scholars For 2023-24 Year

;

The school community came together underneath the graduation tent on Friday, May 24, 2024 to celebrate the 2023-24 Academic Awards. The ceremony honors the top scholars in each academic department, and also special awards for students in each of the four grades.

Below are the award winners. See photos from the event here, and watch the full ceremony on our YouTube page.


History & Global Studies

The A. L. HEPWORTH PRIZE, honoring a legendary history teacher, Dean of Students, and tennis coach, 1926-1973, is awarded to those students who have done excellent work in a United States History course:

  • For improvement – Esther Glazer
  • For accomplishment in AP U.S. History – Jack Berrien

The EDWARD M. LAWTON JR. PRIZES are awarded for superior work in the History and Global Studies Department. Ed Lawton taught history from 1947 to 1983 and was the first to teach Asian History and Economics at Williston.

  • Humanities: Human Rights and Social Justice – Avery Blumberg
  • Humanities: Religious Studies – Alia Ghaoui
  • World History – Lateef Aiyeyemi
  • AP World History – Sarah Martini
  • European History – Luca Fantasia
  • Native American History – Parker Brown
  • Women’s and Gender Studies – Rinka Okuno
  • Germany in World War II – Olivia Ferebee
  • Comparative Government and Politics – Zack Tremblay
  • Social Movements in the United States – Zah Ewen
  • History And Science of Climate Change – Jack Ballinger
  • History of Sport – Daliah Elvin
  • AP African American Studies – Soleil Richardson
  • AP Micro & Macroeconomics – Amanda Yee
  • Philosophy – Francesca Gionfriddo
  • Judaism, Christianity, and Islam- Connor Nizolek
  • Ethics – Wakanda Hu

The EDWARD L. O’BRIEN 1916 PRIZE is awarded to a student who has achieved high standing in the AP US Government course and displayed an active interest in American Law and Politics.

CARTER CLEARY

THE MARTIN TANANBAUM PRIZE, honoring the father of Minnie Tananbaum Lomeo, Class of 1966, is awarded to that student who has combined an appreciation for the study of religion, philosophy, or ethics with responsible social activities within and beyond the Williston community.

RONAN MCGURN

THE GEORGE AND FRANK CAREW DEBATING PRIZE, was established by brothers, members of the class of 1882, and is awarded for excellence in debate. Originally the prize was given to the winners of the annual Adelphi vs. Gamma Sigma debate.

QUIN JAMES

THE HERVEY L. SMITH JR. PRIZE, was established by a member of the faculty from 1939 to 1946, is awarded for the highest achievement in the European history course.

GABI BOBIAK

English

Prizes honoring ASAHEL LYMAN WILLISTON, Class of 1852, trustee, and nephew of the founder, are offered for excellence in English.

  • Grade 9 – Dannielle Lu
  • Grade 10 – Kat Martini
  • AP Language Grade 11 – Isabel Baxter-Paris
  • AP Literature Grade 12 – Jack Ballinger

A prize honoring GILBERT F. KENNEDY, Class of 1891, and Williston trustee, for the best junior term paper.

OLIN ROSE-BARDAWIL

THE HAZELDINE PRIZE, in memory of Myrtle Elizabeth Hazeldine and her husband, Harry Newton Hazeldine class of 1921, is awarded each year to the student who has consistently improved the caliber of his or her written work both in English classes and for the student newspaper, The Willistonian.

SOLEIL RICHARDSON

THE SIDNEY NELSON MORSE PRIZES, in memory of a member of the Class of 1886 who taught at Williston from 1890 to 1928, are awarded each year to the two students recording the best work in senior English.

KATYA KRASNOVSKAYA

LOIC THIBAULT

THE BARD COLLEGE PRIZE FOR CRITICAL WRITING is offered to that student “who wrote the outstanding paper or essay during senior year”.

ANDIE KINSTLE

THE ANTONIO GIACOMINI, CLASS OF 1931 WRITING PRIZE is awarded to that ninth grader who has demonstrated consistent excellence in his or her written work over the course of the entire year:

MIA BAUER

THE H. THOMAS WOOD, CLASS OF 1924 PRIZE is awarded “to the graduating student who has shown the most promise in the field of journalism during undergraduate days at the school”: This year’s prize honors the students who has contributed the most to The Willistonian’s print and online publications.

OLIN ROSE-BARDAWIL

Arete, class of 1985, established four prizes to be given for the student in each of the four grades who has, by record of achievement and faculty recommendation, made the most improvement in the study of English for the academic year.

  • Grade 9 – Kaylee Le
  • Grade 10 – KAT MAYER
  • Grade 11 – Esther Glazer
  • Grade 12 – Tariq Thomas

THE SUSAN CAROLINE FERGUSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP was established by the family and friends of Susan Ferguson of the Class of 1980. The award is made in alternate years to the member of the junior class who attains the highest grades in English or French. It is awarded this year for achievement in English.

JACK BERRIEN

Visual and Performing Arts

The Visual and Performing Arts Department has awards in each of the disciplines.

FOR THE VISUAL ARTS

DRAWING AWARD: For outstanding effort and excellence:

CHRIS ANDERSON

PAINTING AWARD: For inventiveness and chance-taking and for excellence in pursuing the visual language expressively:

PEARL RUNGROTKITIYOT

THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART AWARD:

ESTHER GLAZER

STUDIO ART AWARD: For best work in AP Studio Art

WAKANDA HU

FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The ANTONIO GIACOMINI, CLASS OF 1931 PRIZE is awarded each year for excellent work in Photography or Videography:

AARON HAMMER

FOR DANCE

THE CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD is presented to that student who has demonstrated their commitment to excellence in the art of Dance Composition by engaging in collaborative projects, inviting personal growth, and presenting impactful dance pieces for the Williston stage.

SOLEIL RICHARDSON

THE DANCE PERFORMANCE AWARD is presented to the student who has consistently demonstrated excellence, enthusiasm, and leadership in the Dance Program, both in the studio and on the stage. The recipient of this award demands the highest level of physical and intellectual effort, attention to detail, and a dynamic quality of movement that inspires connection, communicates emotion, and delivers a powerful audience experience.

NICK SOBON

FOR MUSIC

THE STELLA MAE HEPWORTH MEMORIAL PRIZE is awarded to a senior who contributes significantly to the arts, particularly music. Mrs. Hepworth taught piano to four decades of Williston students beginning in the 1920s.

NICK SOBON

THE BARBARA K. ANSBACHER AWARD, established by Henry Ansbacher, Class of 1988, in memory of his mother, is awarded to a member of the graduating class who has maintained a high level of academic achievement and who has made a significant contribution to the music program.

SHEA HUNTLEY

THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRIZE is given in honor of Richard Gregory, who taught music, theater, art history, and English at Williston from 1961 to 2004, in testimony to his life-long love for and involvement with music as a composer, performer and teacher and in recognition of his limitless contributions to musical life at Williston.

SETH O’DONNELL

FOR THE THEATER

THE WILLISTON THEATER PRIZE: to a member of the Williston Theatre who has unselfishly given time and energy in the service of the Theater.

LUKE RICHARDSON

The PETER EDGERTON, CLASS OF 1974 MEMORIAL AWARD is given for outstanding service rendered to the Williston Theater.

ASTER CARLSTROM

THE MARQUIS F. DICKINSON PRIZES, honoring a member of the class of 1858, former Trustee, and son-in-law of Samuel and Emily Williston, are awarded to actors for outstanding performances in leading roles in the fall play and winter musical..

For the fall play: Shea Huntley

For the winter musical: Maddy McCarthy

THE HOWARD G. BOARDMAN PRIZES honor the distinguished founder and director of The Williston Theater for 40 years. “Boardy” also taught French and served as Alumni Secretary from 1921 to 1961. These prizes recognize the outstanding performances in supporting roles in the fall play and winter musical.

For the fall play: Amber Fedor

For the winter musical: Isabel Baxter-Paris

THE CHESTER MONROE MERRICK ‘65 MEMORIAL PRIZE: awarded to those who have contributed in technical areas to the excellence of the Theater at Williston.

LINNEA RHODES

Science

The PSYCHOLOGY AWARD is presented for the best work in AP Psychology.

CHLOE GRIMM

Prizes provided by the will of BENJAMIN W. B. BROWN, class of 1887, are awarded for the best essays written or achievement in the study of biological sciences.

Excellence in Biology – Elle Christakos

Most Improved in Biology – Vivian Walker

Excellence in AP Biology – Ellie Parsons

THE YVES COUDERC PHYSICS PRIZES honor a teacher of science and music, 1961-1979.

Greatest improvement in Physics – Noura Younes

Greatest achievement in Physics – Reece Berrien

Greatest improvement in an advanced Physics course –Dylan Rovetti

Greatest achievement in AP Physics 1 – Jason Park

Greatest achievement in AP Physics C – Aaron Hammer

The Class of 1891 offers two prizes for excellence in Chemistry, honoring PROFESSOR FRANK ADRIAN LEACH, who taught Chemistry and Biology and served as Director of Athletics, 1892-1902.

Chemistry – Junwon Park

AP Chemistry – Jack Berrien

The EARL NELSON JOHNSTON PRIZE, established by the Class of 1953, is awarded annually for the best improvement in Chemistry. Mr. Johnston taught science from 1918 to 1954, and at times conducted the choir and advised The Willistonian and The Log:

BRENNA ZITER

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AWARD for the best work in AP Environmental Science.

ANDIE KINSTLE

Mathematics

The GEORGE PARSONS TIBBETS PRIZES, honoring a legendary teacher of mathematics from 1890 to 1926, are awarded each year for best work in:

AP Calculus AB – Junwon Park

AP Calculus BC Multivariable- Catie Spence

Algebra 2 – Reece Berrien

Algebra 1- Casey Mattis

A prize is awarded in memory of the late JUDGE DAVID KENNEDY, Class of 1892, for the
best work in Geometry.

CHARLOTTE JIN

The MELVIN JESSE COOK AWARD for achievement in Precalculus was established to honor Mr. Cook, Head of the Math Department, who retired in 1952 after 41 years, and was made an honorary member of that graduating class.

CARTER CLEARY

The MATH DEPARTMENT AWARD for best work in Discrete Mathematics.

JOE ZHOU

The MATH DEPARTMENT AWARD for best work in AP Statistics.

CARTER CLEARY

The COMPUTER PROGRAMMING PRIZE for outstanding performance in the
computer programming courses and best work in AP Computer Science.

JUNWON PARK

The COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES PRIZE for outstanding performance in the
computer programming courses and best work in AP Computer Science Principles.

SEBASTIAN ENRIQUEZ

The Mathematical Association of America holds a series of contests each year to determine the strongest mathematical students in the country. The winners of these year-long competitions represent the United States in an International Olympiad. The first of these contests is called the American Mathematics Contest. The student who scores highest at each participating school is named the winner at that school. This prize was awarded earlier this year though we would like to have them stand and be recognized for this achievement. This year the winner is:

ZOE ZHANG

Language

CHINESE

The following prizes are awarded to those students who have made the greatest achievement as students of Chinese during the academic year.

Chinese II – Ha Le

Chinese III – Noah Comrie

Chinese IV –Dan McBride

FRENCH

THE HOWARD G. BOARDMAN PRIZES are for excellence in French. These prizes were established to honor Howard G. Boardman, head of the French Department for many years and Senior Master of the School until his retirement in 1961. They come from a fund established by Professor and Mrs. J. Henry Korson.

French I – Rachel Xing

French II – Sadie Dripps

French III – Kat Martini

Honors French Seminar – Stella Michalski

AP French – Olivier Lapointe

THE B. HOFF KNIGHT AWARD, in memory of a faculty member, 1967-1968, is awarded to that student who displays an active interest in the study of French and plans further study of the language.

CRYSTAL TAN

THE HENRY E. DONAIS, JR. FRENCH PRIZE is given “in memory of Henry E. Donais, Jr., Class of 1959 and former member of the French Department at Williston,” 1966-1969, for best fluency in French by a non-native speaker.

VIOLETT CARROLL

LATIN

THE LINCOLN D. GRANNISS PRIZES established by the Class of 1953, are awarded for scholastic achievement and earnest, intelligent participation in the Latin courses. The class hopes that the prize, honoring a teacher of Latin from 1910 to 1953, will be respected, as “the living symbol of a man who has instilled in all a pleasure in being and learning.”

Latin I – Emma Hwang

Latin II – Taehoon Koo

Latin III- Linnea Rhodes

Latin IV – Stella Gordon

THE CHARLES A. BUFFUM PRIZE, honoring a teacher of Latin and Greek from 1878 to 1922, is for excellence in sight translation in Latin.

ISABEL BAXTER-PARIS

SPANISH

THE DAVID H. THOMAS SPANISH PRIZES are awarded to those students who have made the greatest achievement as students of Spanish during the academic year. David H. Thomas was elected to the Williston faculty in 1929 and, after 42 years of service as teacher and department head, retired in 1971.

Spanish I – Seughu Lee

Spanish II – Alia Ghaoui

Spanish III – Alex Landon

Honors Spanish Seminar – Jack Berrien

AP Spanish – Calvin Klumpp

Additional Awards

TUTOR OF THE YEAR

Prize honors the outstanding student tutor who has made a conscientious effort to help fellow students academically. This year the outstanding tutor is:

ALYSSA MATRICCIANI

JANUS

ANDIE KINSTLE

TEAGAN DUFFY

THE LOG is presented to two of our staff members, without whom we would not have had a yearbook this year. Thank you for your exceptional dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work on the yearbook:

HA LE

MAY NGUYEN

School Awards

WILLISTON SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The first general School awards are given as part of the Williston Scholars Program. These awards are given for exemplary work within a Williston Scholars Course. Seniors receiving distinction for Williston Scholars courses will be recognized at Saturday’s graduation ceremony.

I will now read the names of junior award winners and ask that they come forward to receive their certificates.

For Work in the Visual Arts Department:

Pearl Rungrotkityot

These are prizes given for the top performance in each grade.

THERE ARE 3 NINTH GRADE PRIZES:

THE HEAD OF SCHOOL PRIZE is awarded to the 9th grader who best exemplifies the qualities of purpose, passion, and integrity:

JACK CHOO

THE YALE COLLEGE BOOK PRIZE- is awarded to a ninth grader who excels in scholarship and has made a significant contribution to the life of the school:

ROWAN LONERGAN

THE BOWDOIN COLLEGE BOOK PRIZE is presented annually to the outstanding ninth grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character:

ALIA GHAOUI

THERE ARE 3 TENTH GRADE PRIZES:

THE HEAD OF SCHOOL PRIZE is awarded to the 10th grader who best exemplifies the qualities of purpose, passion, and integrity:

ALEX LANDON

THE SMITH COLLEGE BOOK AWARD is presented to a tenth grader who exhibits consistent all-around excellence:

WAKANDA HU

THE WILLIAMS COLLEGE BOOK PRIZE Is awarded by The Williams Alumni Association to the outstanding tenth grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character:

ZOLA PIEKARSKI

THERE ARE 4 ELEVENTH GRADE PRIZES:

THE HEAD OF SCHOOL PRIZE is awarded to the 11th grader who best exemplifies the qualities of purpose, passion, and integrity:

JACOB WAAH

THE LINCOLN D. GRANNISS YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP is awarded at the close of each academic year to the member of Williston Northampton’s upcoming senior class who the faculty/administration believes is most qualified by virtue of academic and extracurricular excellence to be a strong candidate for admission to Yale University:

JACK BERRIEN

THE DARTMOUTH BOOK PRIZE is awarded to an eleventh grader who ably combines leadership potential with excellence in achievement both in the classroom and in non-academic activities:

ALYSSA MATRICCIANI

THE HARVARD BOOK PRIZE is awarded to the outstanding eleventh grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character:

ISABEL BAXTER-PARIS