All-School Banquet 2019
Commendations, awards, prizes, welcomes, and farewells: Thacher marked the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
The 2018-2019 Thacher community gathered one last time on Thursday evening, May 30, to reflect on the past school year and to acknowledge student accomplishments in as well as outside of the classroom. As is tradition, the evening was opened with everyone in attendance singing Domine. Each department recognized the efforts and accomplishments of students from all grade-levels with their peers enthusiastically showing their support. Along with the awards and presentations, the proceedings were graced with contributions from four seniors throughout the evening.
For the Invocation, Thomas Gwilliam read an F. Scott Fitzgerald passage that he said gave him comfort in his junior year. Grace Zhang read a passage from a letter her sister received from one of her professors at Columbia, Irene Haiduk. Grace said, “It inspired me to think about what I value and what I look for in forming connections with others here and in the world.” School Chair Piper Stacey spoke before the group for her final time, reminding her fellow students as they embark on the next phase of their lives, “You are smart and selfless and kind. You are Thacher—everything this school stands for.” Kyle Smith gave a closing benediction followed by a final all-School singing of the Banquet Song leaving all with its final line, “till the best we can do is all done,” ringing in their ears and hearts.
Head of School Blossom Beatty Pidduck CdeP 1992 led the community in welcoming new members to Thacher and bidding fond farewells to departing faculty. She also spoke about her first year as head of school; about choosing to be in the arena rather than “relegating ourselves to the sidelines of life,” about the courage required to be vulnerable, and the gifts this year has brought to the School.
The evening was filled with bittersweet goodbyes, the celebration of achievements, and the joy of expectation—a perfect way to end the School year.
The following commendations, awards, and prizes were given during the course of the evening. The named awards are presented to the top students in each subject and are decided by departmental faculty vote.
THE MARVIN H. SHAGAM AWARD is awarded annually to that junior who has made a difference in the Thacher community through force of character, goodness, courage, vision, and love for all God’s creation. This year the recipient was Jose Guillermo Carpio.
THE KUMANA PRIZEis awarded for innovative research and solutions in meeting the challenges of global sustainability. This year’s recipients were seniors, Lindsey White Greenhill, Alice Bi Er Tang, Andrea Ines Viera, and Sydney Lee Yates.
THE CUM LAUDE AWARD was founded in 1906, modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, the national college-level honor society. The electing body at Thacher includes department chairs as well as faculty members elected to Cum Laude in high school or to Phi Beta Kappa in college. Election to Cum Laude officially commends those students who have met the highest criteria of academic achievement and scholarly integrity across all disciplines throughout their high school career. The Society’s constitution stipulates that we may elect no more than 20 percent of the senior class and no more than 10 percent of the junior class.
SENIORS ELECTED THIS YEAR
Ursula Elizabeth Gately
Lindsey White Greenhill
Thomas Jennings Gwilliam
Lily Winfield Harding
Isabela Ana Hosafros,
Colin Pooke Kirpatrick
Eric Mao
Piper Frances Stacey
Alice Bi Er Tang
James McGrew Twichell
JUNIORS ELECTED THIS YEAR
William Schaw Harding
William Russell Keeling
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
Daisy Jaye Lawrence
Justin Wei
ENGLISH
9th
Vanessa Hexuan Lu *
Oakley McKim Browning
Natalie Rie Cheng
Elizabeth Waterhouse Goodyear
Dylan Anthony Jin-Ngo
Kuma McCraw
Ami Elsa Mafalda Wallmark
10th
Emer Grace Kilgallon *
Karina Lynn Andersen
Saga Madeleine Leslie
Anna Elizabeth Lister
Aden Falcon Mandel
Olivia Skye Neulight
Wyatt Menzies O’Connell
11th
Grace Kapinga Mwamba *
Nina Haskell Harbison
William Schaw Harding
William Russell Keeling
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
Sydney Joy Rosenbaum
Malena Wren Quistgard Solin
12th
Lindsey White Greenhill
Klara Morrissen Jacobs
George Cleveland Lawrence
Abigail Miao Romo
Piper Frances Stacey
Yao Yin
THE JACK BOYD ENGLISH PRIZE was established in 1906 in memory of John Franklin Boyd, Jr., who died at Thacher in 1902. This year it was awarded to James Peter Costigan ’19.
NASH ROBBINS SHORT STORY PRIZEis given in the name of John Nash Robbins, CdeP ’81, for excellence in writing. It is presented to the author of the best short story written at any time during the school year. This year the recipient was Devon Lyn Roberts ’19.
THE WILLIAM BISHOP NIXON POETRY PRIZE was first given in 1945 by William Nixon in memory of Jack Boyd. The prize is awarded for the best poem written at any time during the year. The award went to JoyFreda Matsediso Mathebula ’20.
MATH
9th
Dylan Anthony Jin-Ngo*
Elizabeth Waterhouse Goodyear
Schuyler Kean Harbison
Vanessa Hexuan Lu
Kuma McCraw
Jennifer Jiwoo Yim
Yuxiang “Jack” Zhang
10th
Karina Lynn Andersen*
Duncan Paul Grimes
Grace Caroline Huber (Comp. Sci.)
Emer Grace Kilgallon
Maximilian Martin Moore
Olivia Skye Neulight
Charles Ford Tracy
11th
Justin Wei*
Riley Benson Carney
William Schaw Harding
William Russell Keeling
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
Sarah Liu
Malena Wren Quistgard
12th
Lindsey White Greenhill
George Cleveland Lawrence
Julien Andrew Luebbers
Eric Mao
Evan Howse Perry
Abigail Miao Romo
Alejandro Jonathan Wilcox
THE COMPUTER SCIENCE PRIZE
George Cleveland Lawrence ’19
Julien Andrew Luebbers ’19
MORGAN WARD PRIZE was established in 1964 by Dr. Marshall Hall Jr., in honor of a former colleague and friend, Dr. Morgan Ward. The senior who has done the best work in mathematics and is therefore the recipient of the award is James McGrew Twichell.
LANGUAGE
MANDARIN
Janghee “John” Han ’19*
Daisy Jaye Lawrence ’20
Kuma McCraw ’22
Olivia Skye Neulight ’21
FRENCH
Julien Andrew Luebbers ’19*
William Russell Keeling ’20
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher ’20
James Mugo Langan ’20
Natalia Osuna Rodríguez ’21
LATIN
Emer Grace Kilgallon ’21*
Sophia Rose Greve ’22
Connor Lavine ’22
Yao Yin ’19
SPANISH
Ursula Elizabeth Gately ’19*
Sophie duPont Benello ’21
Oakley McKim Browning ’22
Riley Benson Carney ’21
Nina Haskell Harbison ’20
William Schaw Harding ’20
Dylan Anthony Jin-Ngo ’21
James Mugo Langan ’20
Anna Elizabeth Lister ’21
Luca Isabella Pieretti ’21
Abigail Miao Romo ’19
Alette Nicole Segerstrom ’19
Malena Wren Quistgard Solin ’21
Zixin “Sandy” Yao ’21
Yuxiang “Jack” Zhang ’22
THE LANGUAGE AWARD is given to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in and a passion for language acquisition.This year the recipient is Anyu “Phoebe” Cao.
SCIENCE
9th
Yuxiang “Jack” Zhang*
Paul William Brokaw
James Flood Eklund
Sophia Rose Greve
Vanessa Hexuan Lu
Kuma McGraw
10th
Karina Lynn Andersen*
Emer Grace Kilgallon
Anna Elizabeth Lister
Claire Marella Lynge
Maximilian Martin Moore
Holland Eve Stacey
11th
Abbey Nicole Alvarado (AP Biology and AP Psychology)
Winslow Avery Atkeson (AP Biology AP Physics C)
Nina Haskell Harbison (AP Biology and AP Psychology)
Sarah Liu (AP Chemistry)
Sydney Joy Rosenbaum (AP Biology)
Ian Lin Zhang (AP Biology and AP Environmental Science)
12th
Caroline Redfield DelVecchio (AP Environmental Science & AP Psychology)
Libby Dupré Galgon (AP Environmental Science & AP Psychology)
Ursula Elizabeth Gately (AP Biology and Veterinary Medicine)
Lily Winfield Harding (AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and AP Psychology)
Eric Mao (AP Biology)
Alice Bi Er Tang (AP Biology and AP Psychology)
Yao Yin (AP Physics C and Astronomy Research)
THE BIOLOGY AWARD is given to the student who has done the best work in biology. This year the award went to senior Margaret Chamberlain Phipps.
THE CHEMISTRY AWARD is given to the student who has done the best work in chemistry. This year the award went to junior William Schaw Harding.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AWARD is given to the student who has done the best work in environmental science. This year the award recipient was junior Luke Aaron Letscher.
THE PHYSICS AWARD is given to the student who has done the best work in physics. The recipient this year was senior James McGrew Twichell.
THE PSYCHOLOGY AWARD is given to the student who has done the best work in psychology. This year the award went to senior Anyu “Phoebe” Cao.
HISTORY
9th
Kuma McCraw*
Natalie Rie Cheng
Sophia Evelyn Chung
Sophia Rose Greve
Dylan Anthony Jin-Ngo
Christina Grace MacCorkle
10th
Olivia Skye Neulight*
Karina Lynn Andersen
James Ian Bressie
Emer Grace Kilgallon
Anna Elizabeth Lister
Claire Marella Lynge
Holland Eve Stacey
11th
Nina Haskell Harbison*
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
Daisy Jaye Lawrence
Sarah Liu
Malena Wren Quistgard Solin
Tea Clara Alphea Wallmark
12th
Preston Rhoa Brailer
Anna-Liisa Clair Eklund
Lindsey White Greenhill
Isabel Ana Hosafros
Abigail Miao Romo
Grace Jinning Zhang
THE DAVID B. JOHNSTON HISTORY PRIZE—named for a beloved history teacher and department chair known fondly as Dr. J during his 29-year tenure at the School—recognizes the student who has consistently demonstrated all-around scholarship in and deep passion for the discipline of history.This year it was awarded to senior Devon Lyn Roberts.
PERFORMING & FINE ARTS
9th
Johnny Gaines Bennett (Drama)
William Lewis Callahan (Drama)
Connor Lavine (Drama)
Paris Ann Van Dyke (Drama)
Kamyah Louette Hugee (Visual Art)
Natalie Isabel Rangel (Visual Art)
10th
Grace Caroline Huber (Ceramics)
Emer Grace Kilgallon (Visual Art)
Theodore Marx Mailer (Music)
Zixin “Sandy” Yao (Music)
11th
Luke Aaron Letscher (Ceramics)
Anna Elizabeth Pata (Visual Art)
Justin Wei (Music)
12th
Max McKinley Golbère (Ceramics)
Klara Morrissen Jacobs(Music)
Julien Andrew Luebbers (Music)
THE HARRY LLEWELLYN BIXBY DRAMATIC CUP, first given in 1919, is awarded to students in recognition of their contribution to the Thacher Drama Program. This year the recipient was senior Alette Nicole Segerstrom.
THE ERIC BECHTEL DACHS PRIZE FOR TECHNICAL THEATRE is awarded to the student who, in his or her career at Thacher, has shown the greatest dedication, imagination, and expertise in technical theatre. This year’s recipients were seniors Stephanie Marie Lueders, Abigail Miao Romo, and Grace Jinning Zhang.
DARRAH CORBETT JR. STUDIO PRIZE was first given in 1941 in memory of Darrah Corbett, Jr., CdeP 1936. This year the recipient was senior Alice Bi Er Tang.
THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN ART AWARD is given to the student who has demonstrated uncommon dedication, commitment and achievement in the Visual Arts. This year the recipient was senior Fiona Carter McLaughlin.
THE MARCUS HELE DALL AWARD is given to the student who has done the best work in photography. This year the recipient was senior Sophie Anne Moe Bekins.
THE AGNES M. LORD MUSIC AWARD was first given in 1922 to honor Mrs. Walter St. Clair Lord, who taught music at Thacher from 1898 to 1925. This year the recipient was senior James Peter Costigan.
THE CLASS OF 2000 DANCE AWARD was established in recognition of the dedication, leadership and accomplishments of the dancers of the Class of 2000. It is awarded to the senior who most embodies those qualities. This year’s recipient was senior Samantha May Hollins.
THE ART HISTORY AWARD is given to that student who has done exemplary work in Advanced Placement Art History. The award recipient this year was senior Anna-Liisa Clair Eklund.
THE WOOD DESIGN AWARD is given to that student who has done exemplary work in Wood Design. This year the award went to sophomore José Guadalupe Sanchez.
THE CERAMIC ARTS AWARD is given to the student who has demonstrated uncommon dedication, commitment, and achievement in the ceramics studio. This year the award went to junior Tea Clara Alphea Wallmark.
RIDING
THE MOFFITT SADDLE, given by Liz Moffitt Herr in memory of the long-term relationship between Thacher and her father, Herbert C. Moffitt, M.D. CdeP 1933, awarded each year to that junior whose energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the Horse Program reflects that of Doctor Moffitt. This year’s recipient is Jose Guillermo Carpio.
THE TOP WRANGLER AWARD, given by the Class of 1979 in memory of their friend and classmate Richard A. Wilson, Jr. CdeP 1979 to recognize 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. This year’s recipient isUrsula Elizabeth Gately.
THE GEORGE BECKWITH GYMKHANA TROPHY is presented to the captains of the winning gymkhana team. This year the award is presented to the captains of the blue team: Jose Guillermo Carpio, Madeleine Calais Moore, and Yao Yin.
THE BISSELL GYMKHANA TROPHY is presented each year to the high-point man or woman. Last year’s recipient was Sarah Ann Finch. This year the award is presented to freshman Vanessa Hexuan Lu.
THE VAQUERO CUP, awarded to the best all-around studentin riding, shooting andgymkhana.This year’s recipient is freshman Dylan Anthony Jin-Ngo.
THE HOLLISTER WHEATON TRAPSHOOT AWARD is awarded to the parent and student with the highest score.This year’s recipients are freshman Joaquin Beare Cardoza and his stepfather Lee Hudson with a score of 19/25.
THE CHARLES PRATT TRAPSHOOT PLATE is awarded for outstanding leadership in the program. This year the recipients are seniors Xavier Perfecto Cardoza and Brooks Thomas Walker.
SPORTS AND OUTDOOR
THE BEST CAMPER AWARD is awarded to the students who, in the opinion of the Camping Committee, has done the most camping and helped significantly with the running of the camping program. This year’s recipients were Luke Aaron Letscher, Fiona Carter McLaughlin, and Piper Frances Stacey.THE EDWARD R. SPAULDING TENNIS CUP was presented to The Thacher School by E. R. Spaulding of Santa Barbara. First awarded to Albert T. Spaulding in April 1903 and presented each year to the School Tennis Champion. This year’s recipients were Natalie Rie Cheng ’22 and Janghee “John” Han ’19.
CONDOR TROPHY is awarded to that girls and/or boys varsity athletic team or teams that, in the opinion of the Athletic Council, have through their work rate, dedication, attitude, and record of achievement in league and post-season competition, truly distinguished themselves. This year it is awarded to the Girls Varsity Basketball Team and the Boys Varsity Soccer Team.
1
/
151
More About Thacher
Interested in learning more about Thacher? Sign up for a virtual visit here.
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.