Celebrating Achievement: Year-End Awards
The last meal together each year as a community of students, teachers, and faculty families is the All-School Banquet, held the evening before the underclassmen leave for home and before the hundreds of Commencement guests arrive. Under the Pergola’s aged pepper trees, advisee groups sit together to enjoy the meal served by the 9th graders, after which the faculty announce Academic Commendations and other School Awards, class presidents make toasts, and the School Chair and Head of School give farewell messages. The celebration begins with the singing of Domine (Thacher’s traditional grace) and concludes, as so many important communal occasions involving food here do, with The Banquet Song. Now, though, at year’s end, the new students know the words and sing out strong and true: “May old Casa Piedra not fade from our hearts, ‘til our hearts cease their restless tattoo…” Seniors, counting the minutes, will sing it one more time together the next evening at “their” banquet, gathered with faculty, parents and friends under the Big Top where, on Saturday morning, they will receive their diplomas.
Another tradition holds that when a student receives an honor publicly, his or her full name is read. (An asterisk indicates the top scholar or scholars in the discipline at that grade or level.)
THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
9th
Paige Elizabeth Gribb*
Jane Marshall Fisher
Laura Elizabeth Benard
Iona Marie Hughan
Lauren Christine Zakarian-Cogswell
Kelly Marie Timmes
Sarra Maeve Wynn
10th
Emily Rowan Kirkland*
Anna Lorraine North*
Elizabeth Alexandra Hamp
Soo-Hyun Rhee
Sabine Girvin Hoskinson
Alexandra Lewis Simon
Madeline Corinne Manson
Hector Francisco Villanueva
11th
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson*
Timothy Francis Brown
Amber Rose Lakin
Alina Marie Everett
Katherine Anne Sawyer
Kelsey Anne Harrington
12th
Maxwell Baker Barbakow
Alexander Hardwick Krey
Eliza Ingram Cope
Kathryn Anna Padgett
The Jack Boyd Prize in English, established in 1906 in memory of John Franklin Boyd, Jr., who died at Thacher in 1902, is awarded to the twelfth graders who have done the best work in English: Julia Hannah Bosson and Anna Mae Reeser
The William Bishop Nixon Poetry Prize, first given in 1945 by William Nixon in memory of Jack Boyd, is awarded for the best poem written at any time during the year: Eliza Ingram Cope
THE MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
9th
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park*
Laura Elizabeth Benard
Katharine Keene Gifford
Jane Marshall Fisher
Tae Soo “Tom” Kim
Claire Elizabeth Frykman
Morgan Wood Krey
10th
Emily Rowan Kirkland*
John Wesley Callander
Soo-Hyun “Sam” Rhee
William James Dawson V
Alexandra Lewis Simon
11th
Kelsey Anne Harrington*
John Sergeant Eastburn III
William Per Gustaf Peterson
Si-Hyun “Sean” Park
Thomas Pierce Waltcher
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award, for excellence in Science and Mathematics:
Kelsey Anne Harrington
12th
Alexander Hardwick Krey
Samuel Frederick Purcell
John Nicholas Pearce
Anna Mackenzie Teague
Kensey Erin Pease
The Morgan Ward Prize goes to the senior who has done the best work in mathematics: Joseph Christopher Wyatt
THE LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Level I
Iona Marie Hughan*
Austin James Krause*
Jane Marshall Fisher
Sarae Townsend Snyder
Paige Elizabeth Gribb
Kelly Marie Timmes
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park
Level II
Katharine Keene Gifford*
Douglas David Coughran
Anna Lorraine North
Elizabeth Alexandra Hamp
Soo-Hyun “Sam” Rhee
Sabine Girvin Hoskinson
Lauren Christine Zakarian-Cogswell
Level III students:
Laura Elizabeth Benard*
Julia Hannah Bosson
Rachel Marguerite Walton
Amanda Maria Brown
William Harrison Waste
John Brannon Cavalier
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson
Emily Rowan Kirkland
Advanced Level
Mark Oliver Wolcott*
Meredith Ilana Raab Dworkin
Adriana Meza
Elizabeth Louise Knutsen
Ji Sun “Alex” Min
The Foreign Language Award, given to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in and a passion for language acquisition: Alexander Hardwick Krey
THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
9th
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park*
Laura Elizabeth Benard
Kelly Marie Timmes
Jane Marshall Fisher
Thomas Bond Wilkinson
Morgan Wood Krey
10th
John Wesley Callander*
William James Dawson V
Alexandra Lewis Simon
Anna Lorraine North
Ryan Doull Winter
Soo-Hyun Rhee
Stephanie Rae Winter
11th
Timothy Francis Brown
Meredith Ilana Raab Dworkin
John Brannon Cavalier
William Per Gustaf Peterson
Alexandra McNabb Cook
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson
12th
Benita Wing-Mun Chan
Kathryn Anna Padgett
Julia Erin Fiske
Kensey Erin Pease
Alexander Hardwick Krey
Joseph Christopher Wyatt
The Physics Award: John Sergeant Eastburn
The Chemistry Award: Jay Alden Harman
The Biology Award: Alina Marie Everett
The Environmental Science Award: Katherine Anne Sawyer
The Psychology Award: Anna Mackenzie Teague
THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT
9th
Laura Elizabeth Benard*
Jane Marshall Fisher*
Iona Marie Hughan*
Wade Hampton King, Jr.
Sarae Townsend Snyder
Morgan Wood Krey
Lauren Christine Zakarian-Cogswell
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park
10th
Anna Lorraine North*
John Wesley Callander
Emily Rowan Kirkland
Connor Halasey Church
Soo-Hyun Rhee
Sabine Girvin Hoskinson
Hector Francisco Villanueva
11th
Meredith Ilana Raab Dworkin*
Amanda Sachs Ach
Katherine Anne Sawyer
Timothy Francis Brown
Natalie Kathleen Selzer
Alina Marie Everett
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson
Amber Rose Lakin
12th
Julia Hannah Bosson*
Maxwell Baker Barbakow
David Bryn Cook
Mark John Crocker Frykman
THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
9th
Brianna Colette Bohnett
Wade Hampton King, Jr.
Emily Asbury Combs
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park
Kyle Phillip Dietrich
Lauren Christine Zakarian-Cogswell
Patchouli Ferguson
For his work in AP Music Theory: William Timothy George Sturgeon
For their choral work: Matthew Karl Eilar, Kathryn Anna Padgett, Joshua Cinque Jackson, and Alexandra Lewis Simon
For ensemble performance and accompaniment: Bryan Scott Brockman and Logan Noah Kroloff
For their work in Ceramics: Anne Taylor Turner and Sean Alexander Wyatt
For their work in Intermediate Studio Art: Casey Zabala Collins and Anna Lee Cook Ford
For their work in Photography: Amber Rose Lakin and Barrie Kathryn Sterling
For their work in AP Studio Art: Nicholas James Hubbard and Alessandra Ten Eyck Waste
For her work in Art History: Anna Mae Reeser
For his work in Wood Design: Nicholas Homans Wilder
The Harry Llewellyn Bixby Dramatic Cup, awarded to students in recognition of their contribution to the Thacher Drama Program: Mark John Crocker Frykman and Leslie Anne Sligh
The Eric Bechtel Dachs Prize for Technical Theatre, awarded to the student who, in his or her career at Thacher, has shown the greatest dedication, imagination and expertise in technical theater: James Campbell Burton, Eliza Ingram Cope, and Andrew Kirk Jordan
The Darrah Corbet, Jr. Studio Prize: Virginia Salem Shannon
The Marcus Hele Dall Award, given to the student who has done the best work in photography: Anna Mackenzie Teague
The Rhode Island School of Design Art Award, given to the student who has demonstrated uncommon dedication, commitment and achievement in the Visual Arts: Anna Mae Reeser
The Agnes M. Lord Music Award: William Timothy George Sturgeon
The Class of 2000 Dance Award, established in recognition of the dedication, leadership and accomplishments of the dancers of the Class of 2000, and awarded to the senior who most embodies those qualities: Lillian Elizabeth Heilveil
The Munro-Palmer Public Speaking and Debating Prize: Bennett Edwin Kissel
The Moffitt Saddle, awarded each year to that junior whose energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the Horse Program reflects that of Herbert C. Moffitt, M.D. CdeP 1933: William Robert Hockey
The Top Wrangler Buckle, in recognition of that senior who throughout his or her Thacher career has shown great endeavor and success in all aspects of the Horse Program—riding, camping, and leadership: Brooke Megan Wharton
The Jesse Kahle Horsecamper Award, to the student who, in the opinion of the Camping Committee, has demonstrated horsecamping skills of the highest quality and greatest range by planning and carrying out a variety of worthwhile trips during a Thacher career: Sophie Matilda LaRocque
The George Beckwith Gymkhana Trophy, presented to the captains of the winning gymkhana team: Alexander Hardwick Krey, Sophie Matilda LaRocque, Brooke Megan Wharton on behalf of the Green Team
The Bissell Gymkhana Trophy, presented each year to the high-point man or woman: Lauren Vuillemot Bosche
The Herbert Sisters English Riding Trophy, to that rider who has shown exceptional dedication, commitment, and talent in the English Riding Program: Alexandria Chanel Dotson
The Vaquero Cup, awarded to the best all-around student in riding, shooting, and gymkhana: Hector Francisco Villanueva
The Charles Pratt Trapshoot Plate, awarded to that student with the highest score:
Robert Allen DeWitt, Jr. (48/50)
The Hollister Wheaton Trapshoot Award, to the parent and student with the highest score: William W. Hockey CdeP 1976 and William Robert Hockey 2008 (21/25)
The Edward R. Spaulding Tennis Cup, presented to the School Tennis Champion.
Simon Aaron Wu
The Marvin Shagam Award, to that student who has made a difference in The Thacher Community through force of character, goodness, courage, vision, and love for all God’s creation, rather than for leadership in academics and athletics. Although established in Mr. Shagam’s name, he has no part in the selection of the recipient: Victoria Christine Lowe
THE CUM LAUDE SOCIETY
Founded in 1906, Cum Laude is modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, the 230-year old honor society. Election to Cum Laude commends those students who have met the highest criteria of academic achievement and integrity throughout every semester of their time at Thacher. No more than 20% of the senior class may be elected; half that may be voted in as juniors. Additionally, to be chosen, a student must also hold dear the qualities of “Excellence, Justice and Honor” named in the Society’s motto: Arete, Dike, Time.
Class of 2007:
Maxwell Baker Barbakow*
Julia Erin Fiske*
Alexander Hardwick Krey*
Joseph Christopher Wyatt*
Julia Hannah Bosson
Benita Wing-Mun Chan
Elizabeth Louise Knutsen
Ji Sun Min
Kathryn Anna Padgett
Kensey Erin Pease
Samuel Frederick Purcell
Anna Mae Reeser
Class of 2008
Amber Rose Lakin*
Katherine Anne Sawyer*
Madeleine Gabrielle Sowash*
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson*
*elected in their junior year
Awards presented at the Senior Banquet:
The Elizabeth Helms Adams Perpetual Sportsmanship Award
While being an accomplished athlete is an integral part of earning this award, athleticism is, by no means, this honor's most important criterion. Commitment to excellence, teamwork, ability to elevate the play of others, and, above all, sportsmanship are the qualities for which this trophy is awarded. By vote of the Athletic Council and for her outstanding performance and inspirational leadership on the soccer and lacrosse teams: Virginia Salem Shannon
The Thacher Lettermen's Club Perpetual Trophy
Athleticism, commitment to excellence, teamwork, ability to elevate the play of others, and sportsmanship are the qualities for which this trophy is awarded. The award goes to two young men who led this year’s football and basketball teams to Condor League Championships and CIF Semifinals, and were then instrumental in the success of the baseball team this spring: Maxwell Baker Barbakow and Drew McRae Cole
The Newton K. Chase Community Service Award
This award honors that student who, through volunteer work in the community, has demonstrated an unselfish interest in and concern for others.
Guided by an idea and driven by passion, this year’s recipients have done just that… and more; they have shown initiative, perseverance, and commitment to using the skills they’ve honed here at Thacher to enrich the lives of some deserving Ojai residents. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and, by dint of hard work and determination, they put together a program that we hope will endure for years to come. This group, in my estimation, has managed, through their admirable endeavor, to add an H to the three Hs that are traditionally cited as the triumvirate that governs meaningful education (the Hand, the Head, and the Heart): that H, of course, the Horse. For their leadership and hard work in establishing the TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Thacher) Program, we thank these fine seniors: Brittany Anne Barnard, James Campbell Burton and Brooke Megan Wharton
The School Chair Award
A consummate scholar, conscientious student representative, independent thinker, advocate for peers and School alike, the recipient of this School Chair Cup is, absolutely, an extraordinary fellow. Voted by the student body to lead them through the school year, he has served as an articulate spokesman of student concerns to the Community Council, a clear-headed voice to the Thacher Board of Trustees, a no-nonsense (save for constructing an Assembly skit) Wednesday Assembly Leader, a devoted football and basketball teammate and gymkhana rider, a Habitat for Humanity booster, a good friend to his peers, and above all, a clear, balanced, and thoughtful ethical and moral leader. He has brought credit to this School and himself throughout his time here, he has distinguished himself as an upstanding leader and student in every sense: Alexander Hardwick Krey.
The Charles L. Tutt Silver Bowl for Integrity and Responsibility
Given in 1963 by Mrs. Tutt in memory of her husband, Charles L. Tutt CdeP 1907, this honors those qualities of character not always recognized in the traditional school-type awards. She spoke not primarily of leadership, but of integrity and responsibility, of fortitude in the face of adversity, and of consideration for others as traits that she had always admired in her husband and which she thought a school should be proud of in its students.
Across Thacher's campus, into the Ojai community and beyond, this student truly lives by the credo: "Of those to whom much is given, much is required." His commitment to generosity and inclusiveness defines his relationships with classmates, younger students, faculty, and staff. It motivates his tireless work to provide photos for Thacher's website, his immediate response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and his remarkable support of hospice care for young people dealing with a death in a family. This young man brings a wholly optimistic and selfless attitude to every interaction. He demonstrates, day in and day out, his authentic desire "to do the best work in the world that he can," which for him has been and will continue to be to make a real and lasting difference for those of us fortunate enough to reside within the sphere of his expansive concern: David O’Hanlon Kepner
The Thacher Cup
This award goes to that senior who, in the judgment of the faculty, best demonstrates those qualities the School holds as central: academic excellence, extracurricular achievement, moral leadership and concern for others.
Graceful, good-natured, compassionate, and driven, this year’s recipient has been a rock of integrity and strength throughout his Thacher career. Exceedingly humble and hard working, he has upheld the ideals of the Thacher community from the outset. A top academic and a stalwart prefect who has garnered the respect of his peers through his quiet, unwavering leadership, he has also made significant contributions on the gridiron and track, and through assisting the admission office on many visits to the Los Angeles area. Off to the City of Brotherly Love for college in the fall, we'll fondly remember him and that winning smile for some time: Joseph Christopher Wyatt
Back
Another tradition holds that when a student receives an honor publicly, his or her full name is read. (An asterisk indicates the top scholar or scholars in the discipline at that grade or level.)
THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
9th
Paige Elizabeth Gribb*
Jane Marshall Fisher
Laura Elizabeth Benard
Iona Marie Hughan
Lauren Christine Zakarian-Cogswell
Kelly Marie Timmes
Sarra Maeve Wynn
10th
Emily Rowan Kirkland*
Anna Lorraine North*
Elizabeth Alexandra Hamp
Soo-Hyun Rhee
Sabine Girvin Hoskinson
Alexandra Lewis Simon
Madeline Corinne Manson
Hector Francisco Villanueva
11th
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson*
Timothy Francis Brown
Amber Rose Lakin
Alina Marie Everett
Katherine Anne Sawyer
Kelsey Anne Harrington
12th
Maxwell Baker Barbakow
Alexander Hardwick Krey
Eliza Ingram Cope
Kathryn Anna Padgett
The Jack Boyd Prize in English, established in 1906 in memory of John Franklin Boyd, Jr., who died at Thacher in 1902, is awarded to the twelfth graders who have done the best work in English: Julia Hannah Bosson and Anna Mae Reeser
The William Bishop Nixon Poetry Prize, first given in 1945 by William Nixon in memory of Jack Boyd, is awarded for the best poem written at any time during the year: Eliza Ingram Cope
THE MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
9th
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park*
Laura Elizabeth Benard
Katharine Keene Gifford
Jane Marshall Fisher
Tae Soo “Tom” Kim
Claire Elizabeth Frykman
Morgan Wood Krey
10th
Emily Rowan Kirkland*
John Wesley Callander
Soo-Hyun “Sam” Rhee
William James Dawson V
Alexandra Lewis Simon
11th
Kelsey Anne Harrington*
John Sergeant Eastburn III
William Per Gustaf Peterson
Si-Hyun “Sean” Park
Thomas Pierce Waltcher
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award, for excellence in Science and Mathematics:
Kelsey Anne Harrington
12th
Alexander Hardwick Krey
Samuel Frederick Purcell
John Nicholas Pearce
Anna Mackenzie Teague
Kensey Erin Pease
The Morgan Ward Prize goes to the senior who has done the best work in mathematics: Joseph Christopher Wyatt
THE LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Level I
Iona Marie Hughan*
Austin James Krause*
Jane Marshall Fisher
Sarae Townsend Snyder
Paige Elizabeth Gribb
Kelly Marie Timmes
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park
Level II
Katharine Keene Gifford*
Douglas David Coughran
Anna Lorraine North
Elizabeth Alexandra Hamp
Soo-Hyun “Sam” Rhee
Sabine Girvin Hoskinson
Lauren Christine Zakarian-Cogswell
Level III students:
Laura Elizabeth Benard*
Julia Hannah Bosson
Rachel Marguerite Walton
Amanda Maria Brown
William Harrison Waste
John Brannon Cavalier
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson
Emily Rowan Kirkland
Advanced Level
Mark Oliver Wolcott*
Meredith Ilana Raab Dworkin
Adriana Meza
Elizabeth Louise Knutsen
Ji Sun “Alex” Min
The Foreign Language Award, given to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in and a passion for language acquisition: Alexander Hardwick Krey
THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
9th
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park*
Laura Elizabeth Benard
Kelly Marie Timmes
Jane Marshall Fisher
Thomas Bond Wilkinson
Morgan Wood Krey
10th
John Wesley Callander*
William James Dawson V
Alexandra Lewis Simon
Anna Lorraine North
Ryan Doull Winter
Soo-Hyun Rhee
Stephanie Rae Winter
11th
Timothy Francis Brown
Meredith Ilana Raab Dworkin
John Brannon Cavalier
William Per Gustaf Peterson
Alexandra McNabb Cook
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson
12th
Benita Wing-Mun Chan
Kathryn Anna Padgett
Julia Erin Fiske
Kensey Erin Pease
Alexander Hardwick Krey
Joseph Christopher Wyatt
The Physics Award: John Sergeant Eastburn
The Chemistry Award: Jay Alden Harman
The Biology Award: Alina Marie Everett
The Environmental Science Award: Katherine Anne Sawyer
The Psychology Award: Anna Mackenzie Teague
THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT
9th
Laura Elizabeth Benard*
Jane Marshall Fisher*
Iona Marie Hughan*
Wade Hampton King, Jr.
Sarae Townsend Snyder
Morgan Wood Krey
Lauren Christine Zakarian-Cogswell
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park
10th
Anna Lorraine North*
John Wesley Callander
Emily Rowan Kirkland
Connor Halasey Church
Soo-Hyun Rhee
Sabine Girvin Hoskinson
Hector Francisco Villanueva
11th
Meredith Ilana Raab Dworkin*
Amanda Sachs Ach
Katherine Anne Sawyer
Timothy Francis Brown
Natalie Kathleen Selzer
Alina Marie Everett
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson
Amber Rose Lakin
12th
Julia Hannah Bosson*
Maxwell Baker Barbakow
David Bryn Cook
Mark John Crocker Frykman
THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
9th
Brianna Colette Bohnett
Wade Hampton King, Jr.
Emily Asbury Combs
Min Young “Trudy” Lee Park
Kyle Phillip Dietrich
Lauren Christine Zakarian-Cogswell
Patchouli Ferguson
For his work in AP Music Theory: William Timothy George Sturgeon
For their choral work: Matthew Karl Eilar, Kathryn Anna Padgett, Joshua Cinque Jackson, and Alexandra Lewis Simon
For ensemble performance and accompaniment: Bryan Scott Brockman and Logan Noah Kroloff
For their work in Ceramics: Anne Taylor Turner and Sean Alexander Wyatt
For their work in Intermediate Studio Art: Casey Zabala Collins and Anna Lee Cook Ford
For their work in Photography: Amber Rose Lakin and Barrie Kathryn Sterling
For their work in AP Studio Art: Nicholas James Hubbard and Alessandra Ten Eyck Waste
For her work in Art History: Anna Mae Reeser
For his work in Wood Design: Nicholas Homans Wilder
The Harry Llewellyn Bixby Dramatic Cup, awarded to students in recognition of their contribution to the Thacher Drama Program: Mark John Crocker Frykman and Leslie Anne Sligh
The Eric Bechtel Dachs Prize for Technical Theatre, awarded to the student who, in his or her career at Thacher, has shown the greatest dedication, imagination and expertise in technical theater: James Campbell Burton, Eliza Ingram Cope, and Andrew Kirk Jordan
The Darrah Corbet, Jr. Studio Prize: Virginia Salem Shannon
The Marcus Hele Dall Award, given to the student who has done the best work in photography: Anna Mackenzie Teague
The Rhode Island School of Design Art Award, given to the student who has demonstrated uncommon dedication, commitment and achievement in the Visual Arts: Anna Mae Reeser
The Agnes M. Lord Music Award: William Timothy George Sturgeon
The Class of 2000 Dance Award, established in recognition of the dedication, leadership and accomplishments of the dancers of the Class of 2000, and awarded to the senior who most embodies those qualities: Lillian Elizabeth Heilveil
The Munro-Palmer Public Speaking and Debating Prize: Bennett Edwin Kissel
The Moffitt Saddle, awarded each year to that junior whose energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the Horse Program reflects that of Herbert C. Moffitt, M.D. CdeP 1933: William Robert Hockey
The Top Wrangler Buckle, in recognition of that senior who throughout his or her Thacher career has shown great endeavor and success in all aspects of the Horse Program—riding, camping, and leadership: Brooke Megan Wharton
The Jesse Kahle Horsecamper Award, to the student who, in the opinion of the Camping Committee, has demonstrated horsecamping skills of the highest quality and greatest range by planning and carrying out a variety of worthwhile trips during a Thacher career: Sophie Matilda LaRocque
The George Beckwith Gymkhana Trophy, presented to the captains of the winning gymkhana team: Alexander Hardwick Krey, Sophie Matilda LaRocque, Brooke Megan Wharton on behalf of the Green Team
The Bissell Gymkhana Trophy, presented each year to the high-point man or woman: Lauren Vuillemot Bosche
The Herbert Sisters English Riding Trophy, to that rider who has shown exceptional dedication, commitment, and talent in the English Riding Program: Alexandria Chanel Dotson
The Vaquero Cup, awarded to the best all-around student in riding, shooting, and gymkhana: Hector Francisco Villanueva
The Charles Pratt Trapshoot Plate, awarded to that student with the highest score:
Robert Allen DeWitt, Jr. (48/50)
The Hollister Wheaton Trapshoot Award, to the parent and student with the highest score: William W. Hockey CdeP 1976 and William Robert Hockey 2008 (21/25)
The Edward R. Spaulding Tennis Cup, presented to the School Tennis Champion.
Simon Aaron Wu
The Marvin Shagam Award, to that student who has made a difference in The Thacher Community through force of character, goodness, courage, vision, and love for all God’s creation, rather than for leadership in academics and athletics. Although established in Mr. Shagam’s name, he has no part in the selection of the recipient: Victoria Christine Lowe
THE CUM LAUDE SOCIETY
Founded in 1906, Cum Laude is modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, the 230-year old honor society. Election to Cum Laude commends those students who have met the highest criteria of academic achievement and integrity throughout every semester of their time at Thacher. No more than 20% of the senior class may be elected; half that may be voted in as juniors. Additionally, to be chosen, a student must also hold dear the qualities of “Excellence, Justice and Honor” named in the Society’s motto: Arete, Dike, Time.
Class of 2007:
Maxwell Baker Barbakow*
Julia Erin Fiske*
Alexander Hardwick Krey*
Joseph Christopher Wyatt*
Julia Hannah Bosson
Benita Wing-Mun Chan
Elizabeth Louise Knutsen
Ji Sun Min
Kathryn Anna Padgett
Kensey Erin Pease
Samuel Frederick Purcell
Anna Mae Reeser
Class of 2008
Amber Rose Lakin*
Katherine Anne Sawyer*
Madeleine Gabrielle Sowash*
Elizabeth Bond Wilkinson*
*elected in their junior year
Awards presented at the Senior Banquet:
The Elizabeth Helms Adams Perpetual Sportsmanship Award
While being an accomplished athlete is an integral part of earning this award, athleticism is, by no means, this honor's most important criterion. Commitment to excellence, teamwork, ability to elevate the play of others, and, above all, sportsmanship are the qualities for which this trophy is awarded. By vote of the Athletic Council and for her outstanding performance and inspirational leadership on the soccer and lacrosse teams: Virginia Salem Shannon
The Thacher Lettermen's Club Perpetual Trophy
Athleticism, commitment to excellence, teamwork, ability to elevate the play of others, and sportsmanship are the qualities for which this trophy is awarded. The award goes to two young men who led this year’s football and basketball teams to Condor League Championships and CIF Semifinals, and were then instrumental in the success of the baseball team this spring: Maxwell Baker Barbakow and Drew McRae Cole
The Newton K. Chase Community Service Award
This award honors that student who, through volunteer work in the community, has demonstrated an unselfish interest in and concern for others.
Guided by an idea and driven by passion, this year’s recipients have done just that… and more; they have shown initiative, perseverance, and commitment to using the skills they’ve honed here at Thacher to enrich the lives of some deserving Ojai residents. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and, by dint of hard work and determination, they put together a program that we hope will endure for years to come. This group, in my estimation, has managed, through their admirable endeavor, to add an H to the three Hs that are traditionally cited as the triumvirate that governs meaningful education (the Hand, the Head, and the Heart): that H, of course, the Horse. For their leadership and hard work in establishing the TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Thacher) Program, we thank these fine seniors: Brittany Anne Barnard, James Campbell Burton and Brooke Megan Wharton
The School Chair Award
A consummate scholar, conscientious student representative, independent thinker, advocate for peers and School alike, the recipient of this School Chair Cup is, absolutely, an extraordinary fellow. Voted by the student body to lead them through the school year, he has served as an articulate spokesman of student concerns to the Community Council, a clear-headed voice to the Thacher Board of Trustees, a no-nonsense (save for constructing an Assembly skit) Wednesday Assembly Leader, a devoted football and basketball teammate and gymkhana rider, a Habitat for Humanity booster, a good friend to his peers, and above all, a clear, balanced, and thoughtful ethical and moral leader. He has brought credit to this School and himself throughout his time here, he has distinguished himself as an upstanding leader and student in every sense: Alexander Hardwick Krey.
The Charles L. Tutt Silver Bowl for Integrity and Responsibility
Given in 1963 by Mrs. Tutt in memory of her husband, Charles L. Tutt CdeP 1907, this honors those qualities of character not always recognized in the traditional school-type awards. She spoke not primarily of leadership, but of integrity and responsibility, of fortitude in the face of adversity, and of consideration for others as traits that she had always admired in her husband and which she thought a school should be proud of in its students.
Across Thacher's campus, into the Ojai community and beyond, this student truly lives by the credo: "Of those to whom much is given, much is required." His commitment to generosity and inclusiveness defines his relationships with classmates, younger students, faculty, and staff. It motivates his tireless work to provide photos for Thacher's website, his immediate response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and his remarkable support of hospice care for young people dealing with a death in a family. This young man brings a wholly optimistic and selfless attitude to every interaction. He demonstrates, day in and day out, his authentic desire "to do the best work in the world that he can," which for him has been and will continue to be to make a real and lasting difference for those of us fortunate enough to reside within the sphere of his expansive concern: David O’Hanlon Kepner
The Thacher Cup
This award goes to that senior who, in the judgment of the faculty, best demonstrates those qualities the School holds as central: academic excellence, extracurricular achievement, moral leadership and concern for others.
Graceful, good-natured, compassionate, and driven, this year’s recipient has been a rock of integrity and strength throughout his Thacher career. Exceedingly humble and hard working, he has upheld the ideals of the Thacher community from the outset. A top academic and a stalwart prefect who has garnered the respect of his peers through his quiet, unwavering leadership, he has also made significant contributions on the gridiron and track, and through assisting the admission office on many visits to the Los Angeles area. Off to the City of Brotherly Love for college in the fall, we'll fondly remember him and that winning smile for some time: Joseph Christopher Wyatt
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A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.