Students and faculty assembled under a tent on the Quad on the afternoon of May 24 to recognize the academic achievements of Williston Northampton School students. Head of School Robert W. Hill III handed out the prizes. “Today is the public celebration of Williston’s yearlong pursuit of excellence,” he said.
See photos of the event here. See video here.
The awards were as follows:
History and 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 the United States History course:
- For improvement – Rider Bishop
- For accomplishment – Nathaniel “Nat” Markey
The HERVEY L. SMITH, JR., PRIZE, established by a member of the faculty from 1939 to 1946, is awarded annually for the highest achievement in the Modern European History course. This year the prize is shared by:
- Ruby McElhone Yates
The EDWARD M. LAWTON JR. PRIZES are awarded for superior work in elective courses 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.
- World Civilizations – Tyler Varin
- Humanities: History – Sage Friedman
- European History – Matthew Moreno
- International Relations – Catherine King
- Women’s and Gender Studies – Penn Cancro
- Hitler and Nazi Germany – Rachel Burke
- Immigration – Stella Piasecki
- African American History – Donald “DJ” Poulin
- Contemporary World Issues – Nicholas “Nick” Barber
- Latin American History – Eleanor “Ellie” Wolfe
- AP Comparative Government and Politics – Eleanor “Ellie” Wolfe
- Economics – Catherine King
- AP Microeconomics – Robert “Robby” Hill
- Islam and the Middle East – Rachel Burke
- Western Religions – Anaya Akpalu
- Introduction to Philosophy – Seungwoo “Simon” Kim
- Eastern Religions – Trix Willems
- Ethics and Society –Abigail “Abby” Schulkind
- Existentialism – Trix Willems
- Humanities: Religious Studies – Sofia Michalski
The EDWARD L. O’BRIEN 1916 PRIZE is awarded to a student who has achieved high standing in social studies courses and displayed an active interest in American Law and Politics:
- Matthew Seltzer
The DAG HAMMARSKJÖLD HISTORY PRIZE, given by an alumnus of the Class of 1955 in honor of the Nobel Laureate and Secretary General of the United Nations, 1953-1961, is awarded to that student who has written the best lengthy research paper on some phase of international relations or diplomatic history:
- Sophia “Sophie” Prouty
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.
- Seungwoo “Simon” Kim
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.
- Zeyu “Steven” Wang
English
Prizes honoring ASAHEL LYMAN WILLISTON, Class of 1852, trustee, and nephew of the founder, are offered for excellence in English.
- Grade 9 – SARAH MARKEY
- Grade 10 – ANNA RICHARDSON
- Grade 11 – NATHANIEL “NAT” MARKEY
- Grade 12 – ROBERT “ROBBY” HILL
A prize honoring GILBERT F. KENNEDY, Class of 1891 and Williston trustee, for the best junior term paper.
- Zeyu “Steven” Wang
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.
- Eleanor “Ellie” Wolfe
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.
- Nicholas “Nick” Barber
- Artur Lysyuk
THE BARD COLLEGE PRIZE FOR CRITICAL WRITING is offered to that student “who wrote the outstanding paper or essay during his or her senior year.”
- Seungwoo “Simon” Kim
THE ANTONIO GIACOMINI, CLASS OF 1931 WRITING PRIZE is awarded to that freshman who has demonstrated consistent excellence in his or her written work over the course of the entire year.
- Noe Perry-Greene
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 his or her undergraduate days at the school”: This year’s prize honors the students who have contributed the most to The Willistonian’s print and online publications.
- Nhi Nguyen
Areté, 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 – Qingyun “Melody” Pan
Grade 10 – Matthew “Matt” Shields
Grade 11 – Casey Feins
Grade 12 – Erin Daley
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.
- Aidan McCreary
PAINTING AWARD: For inventiveness and chance-taking and for excellence in pursuing the visual language expressively.
- Keyu Lu
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART AWARD:
- Jiacheng “Amanda” Shen
FOR PHOTOGRAPHY:
The ANTONIO GIACOMINI, CLASS OF 1931 PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE is awarded each year
for excellent work in Photography:
- Xin “Shirley” Shen
FOR DANCE:
THE CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD is presented to that student who has demonstrated his or her 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.
This year the Choreography Award is shared by:
- Kassandra Orcutt
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 of him or herself 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. This year the Dance Performance Award is shared by:
- Sophie Cowperthwait
- Rio Oshima
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.
- Ryan Dwyer
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. This year the award is shared by:
- Caleb Stern
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. This year the prize is shared by:
- James Arcoleo
FOR THE THEATER:
The PETER EDGERTON, CLASS OF 1974 MEMORIAL AWARD is given for outstanding service rendered to the Williston Theatre.
- Caleb Stern
THE WILLISTON THEATRE PRIZE: to a member of the Williston Theatre who has unselfishly given time and energy in the service of the Theatre.
- Madeleine “Maddie” Elsea
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 for each year’s best male and female dramatic performances. Winning this year:
- Trix Willems (The Laramie Project)
THE HOWARD G. BOARDMAN PRIZES honor the distinguished founder and director of The Williston Theatre for 40 years. “Boardy” also taught French and served as Alumni Secretary from 1921 to 1961.
To the actors for OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES in supporting roles 2018-19.
- Robert “Robby” Hill (Crazy For You)
To that member of the Williston Theatre who has demonstrated the GREATEST IMPROVEMENT as an actor during the course of a single year.
- James Arcoleo
THE ARTS CONCENTRATION recognizes and supports the passions and efforts of students who are deeply involved with the arts at Williston (Visual or Performing) and who are engaged with the arts beyond our academic or extra-curricular requirements. Students who are awarded an Arts Concentration have pursued a specific and rigorous program of opportunities to develop their artistic talents and are also Williston Scholars who have created and shared independent projects in their areas of concentration. Please come forward when Mr. Tuleja reads your name to accept your pin.
FOR PERFORMING ARTS:
- Madeleine “Maddie” Elsea
Caleb Stern
FOR VISUAL ARTS:
- Catherine King
Minh Le
Keyu Lu
Aidan McCreary
Jiacheng “Amanda” Shen
Qixuan “Glede” Wang
Trix Willems
Science
The PSYCHOLOGY AWARD is presented to that student who has shown the greatest promise in the field of psychology. This year the prize goes to:
- Nicholas “Nick” Barber
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.
- Biology – Nathaniel “Nat” Markey
- Most Improved in Biology – Louisa Weed
- For excellence in AP Biology – Zeyu “Steven” Wang
BAUSCH AND LOMB HONORARY SCIENCE AWARD The University of Rochester and Bausch & Lomb, Inc. of Rochester, New York, offers an honorary Science award medal to a junior who has made the greatest progress in science during his secondary school years. The student receiving this award is eligible to compete for a science scholarship.
- Zeyu “Steven” Wang
The Alumni Association of RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE offers a medal to an eleventh grader who has achieved excellence in mathematics and science.
- Yi-Cheng “Ethan” Huang
THE YVES COUDERC PHYSICS PRIZES honor a teacher of science and music, 1961-1979. (pronounced – Eaves Cou-DARE)
- For greatest achievement in Physics – Jeremy “Jerry” Landman
For greatest improvement in Physics – Chi Hin Nathan Chang
For greatest achievement in Advanced Physics – Yi-Cheng “Ethan” Huang
For greatest improvement in Advanced Physics – Matthew “Matt” Pimental
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 – Liam Coughlin
- AP Chemistry – Robert “Robby” Hill
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:
- Tyler Silverman
Mathematics
The GEORGE PARSONS TIBBETS PRIZES, honoring a legendary teacher of mathematics from 1890 to 1926, are awarded each year for best work in:
- Calculus – Aidan McCreary
- Multivariable Calculus – Yi-Cheng “Ethan” Huang
- Algebra 2 –Kaitaro “Kai” Hori
- Algebra 1 – Avi Kacker
A prize is awarded in memory of the late JUDGE DAVID KENNEDY, Class of 1892, for the best work in Geometry.
- Francis “Frannie” Cataldo
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.
- Na Kyung Lee
The MATH DEPARTMENT AWARD for best work in Discrete Mathematics:
- Keyu Lu
The MATH DEPARTMENT AWARD for best work in Statistics:
- Yi-Cheng “Ethan” Huang
The COMPUTER PROGRAMMING PRIZE for outstanding performance in the computer programming courses is awarded to:
- Zeyu “Steven” Wang
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:
- Zeyu “Steven” Wang
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 I – Yijune Hong
- Chinese II – Emily O’Brien
- Chinese III – Sian Lewandowski
- Chinese IV – Kantaratt “Punn” Phentrakul
- AP Chinese – Luke Po
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 – Sicen “Anita” Hua
- French II – Sofia Michalski
- French III – Abigail “Abby” Schulkind
- French V – Anya Rozario
- AP French – Sarah Kimmel
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.
- Claire Harrison
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.
- Kira Bixby
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 French.
- Anya Rozario
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 “it is the living symbol of a man who has instilled in all a pleasure in being and learning.”
- Latin I – Zachary “Zach” Walker
Latin II – Na Kyung Lee
Latin III – Nathan Shatz
Latin IV – Dylan Fulcher-Melendy
AP Latin – Nathaniel “Nat” Markey
THE CHARLES A. BUFFUM PRIZE, honoring a teacher of Latin and Greek from 1878 to 1922, is for excellence in sight translation in Latin.
- Eric Albanese
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 – Ji Soo Hwang
- Spanish II – Yi-Cheng “Ethan” Huang
- Spanish III – Anna Richardson
- Spanish V – Brenna “Brie” Banas
- AP Spanish – Robert “Robby” Hill
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:
- Seungwoo “Simon” Kim
The JANUS award
- Robert “Robby” Hill
THE LOG award
Certificates:
- Chelsea Clark
Catherine King
Na Kyung Lee
Nhi Nguyen
Jiacheng “Amanda” Shen
Xin “Shirley” Shen
Book:
Secondly, The Log is proud to present this year’s Book Award to our Editor in Chief, without whom we would not have a yearbook this year. Thank you for your exceptional dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work on the yearbook:
- Catherine King
Overall School Prizes
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
This distinction was granted to 16,000 students nationwide, out of more than 1.6 million who took the PSAT in October of 2017. This represents the top 1% of all test takers. The book award goes to:
- Caleb Stern
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.
- Zeyu “Steven” Wang for his work in Math
Trevor Corsello for his work in Science
Abigail “Abby” Dennin for her work in Science
Trang Phan for his work in Performing Arts
Margaret Strange for her work in Performing Arts
Keyu Lu for her work in Visual Arts
Quincy Sandbank for his work in Visual Arts
The final group of prizes is voted on by the faculty 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:
- Benning Johnson
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:
- Sage Friedman
THE BOWDOIN COLLEGE BOOK PRIZE is presented annually to the outstanding ninth grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character:
- Sarah Markey
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:
- Molly Kinstle
THE SMITH COLLEGE BOOK AWARD is presented to a tenth grader who exhibits consistent all- around excellence:
- Ji Soo Hwang
THE WILLIAMS COLLEGE BOOK PRIZE is awarded by The Williams Alumni Association to the outstanding tenth grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character:
- Ruby McElhone Yates
THERE ARE 5 ELEVENTH GRADE PRIZES:
THE HEAD OF SCHOOL PRIZE is awarded to the 11th grader who best exemplifies the qualities of purpose, passion and integrity:
- Sarah Kimmel
THE LINCOLN D. GRANNISS YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to that member of Williston Northampton’s upcoming senior class who is qualified by virtue of academic and extracurricular excellence to be a strong candidate for admission to Yale University. Lincoln Granniss taught Latin at Williston, 1910-1953, and was a member of the Yale classes of 1906 and 1925.
- Zeyu “Steven” Wang
THE HOLY CROSS BOOK PRIZE is awarded to a student in the top ten percent of the eleventh grade who gives evidence of a strong concern for school and community:
- Brenna “Brie” Banas
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:
- Eric Albanese
THE HARVARD BOOK PRIZE is awarded to the outstanding eleventh grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character.
- Nathaniel “Nat” Markey