Every year, the Williston Northampton School community gathers to honor our top academic students during an Academic Awards assembly. This assembly features prizes and honors for all of our academic departments, including several honors of distinction for students in each grade. Additionally, the school also honors a select group of seniors with prestigious prizes, including our White Blazer Award, Galbraith Prize, and Valedictory Prize.
Below are the honorees, in order of how they were announced at the assembly.
You can watch the awards in full on our YouTube page and see photos in our Flickr gallery.
PART I –INTRODUCTIONS
Head of School opening remarks
Departing Faculty
Each year there are faculty that move on from Williston and we are diminished by that. I’ll now recognize our departing faculty:
- Ed Hing, 28 years
- Laura Vachet, 7 years
- Josh Rilla, 4 years
PART II – DEPARTMENTAL PRIZES
To present the book awards for the History and Global Studies department is Mr. Johnson
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: Sierra Grandonico
For accomplishment in AP U.S. History: Zoe Simon
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 — Viviana Kennedy
Humanities: Religious Studies — Saoirse Featherstone-Witty
World History — Acacia Nickeo
AP World History — Reece Berrien
European History — Margaret Duffy
Native American History — Fraser Smith
Contemporary World Issues — Francesca Gionfriddo
Comparative Government and Politics — Rylan Padelford
The Prizes for Social Movements in the United States, History And Science of Climate Change, and Economics — Parker Brown
History of Sport — Yasmine McKenzie
AP African American Studies — Jacob Waah
AP Micro & Macroeconomics — Edmon Tong
AP Comparative Government — Christopher Doubleday
Philosophy — Gabi Bobiak
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam — Sokichi Sullivan
Existentialism — Aster Carlstrom
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.
Jaelyn Luo
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.
Wakanda Hu
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.
Sokichi Sullivan
ENGLISH
Prizes honoring Asahel Lyman Williston, Class of 1852, trustee, and nephew of the founder, are offered for excellence in English.
Grade 9: Viviana Kennedy
Grade 10: Zora Elkin
AP Language Grade 11: Sarah Martini
AP Literature Grade 12: Fraser Smith
A prize honoring Gilbert F. Kennedy, Class of 1891, and Williston trustee, for the best junior term paper.
Henry Sanders
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.
Dannielle Lu
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.
Ty Dingle
Phupah Mayalarp
The Bard College Prize for Critical Writing is offered to that student “who wrote the outstanding paper or essay during senior year.”
Quin James
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:
Taylor Johnson
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 — John Obiero
Grade 10 — Enzo Bennetti
Grade 11 — Riana Shaw
Grade 12 — Nasheen Gibbs
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:
Ava Howard
Painting Award: For inventiveness and chance-taking and for excellence in pursuing the visual language expressively:
Sasha Gerhard
Three-Dimensional Art Award:
Acacia Nickeo
Studio Art Award: For best work in AP Studio Art
Oscar Cui
For Photography:
The Antonio Giacomini, Class of 1931 Prize is awarded each year for excellent work in Photography or Videography:
Vivian Walker
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.
Amanda Yee
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.
Maddy McCarthy
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.
Cannon Carr
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.
Sako Lively
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.
Isabel Baxter-Paris
Music Theory Award is given for best work in AP Music Theory:
Amanda Yee
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.
Aster Carlstrom
The Peter Edgerton, Class of 1974 Memorial Award is given for outstanding service rendered to the Williston Theater.
Parker Brown
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: Cannon Carr
For the winter musical: Grace McCullagh
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: Nikki Chatson
For the winter musical: Sako Lively
The Chester Monroe Merrick ‘65 Memorial Prize: awarded to those who have contributed in technical areas to the excellence of the Theater at Williston.
Caleb Kemp
SCIENCE
The Psychology Award is presented for the best work in AP Psychology.
Nasheen Gibbs
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: Zoe Simon
Most Improved in Biology: Tessa Legere
Excellence in AP Biology: Sarah Martini
The Yves Couderc Physics Prizes honor a teacher of science and music, 1961-1979.
Greatest improvement in Physics: Maya Symolon
Greatest achievement in Physics: Vivian Quesada Gama
Greatest improvement in an advanced Physics course: Alex Giguere
Greatest achievement in AP Physics 1: Yahya Wilson
Greatest achievement in AP Physics C: Sebastian Enriquez
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: Adrian Paez
AP Chemistry: Sako Lively
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:
Brooke Cherewatti
Environmental Science Award for the best work in AP Environmental Science.
Cal Hoyt
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: Carter Cleary
AP Calculus BC Multivariable: Alyssa Matricciani
Algebra 2: Addison Perich
Algebra 1: Viviana Kennedy
A prize is awarded in memory of the late Judge David Kennedy, Class of 1892, for the best work in Geometry.
William Cleary
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.
Reece Berrien
The Math Department Award for best work in Discrete Mathematics.
Sebastian Enriquez
The Math Department Award for best work in AP Statistics.
Phupah Mayalarp
The Computer Programming Prize for outstanding performance in the computer programming courses and best work in AP Computer Science.
Sebastian Enriquez
The Computer Science Principles Prize for outstanding performance in the computer programming courses and best work in AP Computer Science Principles.
Maddy McCarthy
LANGUAGE
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: Enzo Benetti
French II: Simon Wright
French III: Addison Perich
Honors French Seminar: Sarah Martini
AP French: Stella Michalski
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.
Sepha Schumacher
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.
Alyssa Matricciani
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.
Maya Green
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: Silvia Shabot Zonana
Latin II: Mia Bauer
Latin III: Brandon Gou
Latin IV: Avery Blumberg
AP Latin: Isabel Baxter-Paris
The Charles A. Buffum Prize, honoring a teacher of Latin and Greek from 1878 to 1922, is for excellence in sight translation in Latin.
Alicia Lindinger
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: AJ Tanihaha
Spanish II: Nina Kou
Spanish III: Alia Ghaoui
Honors Spanish Seminar: Alex Landon
AP Spanish: Jack Berrien
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:
JANUS
Lucy Hoyt
Aster Carlstrom
THE LOG is presented to our staff member, without whom we would not have had a yearbook this year. Thank you for your exceptional dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work on the yearbook:
Joey O’Donald
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 History Department: Francesca Gionfriddo
SCHOOL AWARDS
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:
Amir Stoudemire
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:
finn Mailloux
The Bowdoin College Book Prize is presented annually to the outstanding ninth grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character:
Viviana Kennedy
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:
Rowan Martin
The Smith College Book Award is presented to a tenth grader who exhibits consistent all-around excellence:
Addison Perich
The Williams College Book Prize Is awarded by The Williams Alumni Association to the outstanding tenth grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character:
Reece Berrien
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:
Zola Pierkarski
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:
Wakanda Hu
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:
Alexander Landon
The Harvard Book Prize is awarded to the outstanding eleventh grader in scholarship, citizenship, and character:
Francesca Gionfriddo