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Awards Announced at May 30 Senior Send-Off

At the May 30 Senior Send-Off online celebration, a few 2019-20 awards for seniors were announced. Below are the award winners and citations from faculty honoring them.

These awards are typically presented to seniors at the in-person Valedictory event during Commencement weekend. The remaining awards for seniors will be presented at the in-person Commencement later in the year. Awards for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will be announced in the fall.

WILLIAM GARRETT BIBB MEDAL
for Excellence in Shakespeare
Whit Morgan writes: Teachers are arsonists. They do their best to start little fires of interest in their students and hope that these will grow into long-lasting conflagrations, perhaps enveloping people who weren’t even originally in the classroom where the first match was struck. This year’s recipient of the Shakespeare Medal is absolutely ablaze with genuine love for The Bard. She’s adeptly burnt through every play we teach at EHS, taking both of our Shakespeare electives, reading extensively beyond our requirements, and seeking opportunities outside our gates to stoke her fires by attending live performances. With great admiration, this year’s William Garrett Bibb Medal for Excellence in Shakespeare goes to: 
Reid Jamieson ’20
of Ann Arbor, Mich.

LAUNCELOT MINOR BLACKFORD MEDAL 
AND RICHARD PARDEE WILLIAMS, JR. SCHOLARSHIP
for Excellence in Classics
Jeff Streed says: At some point, every student hits a wall in understanding a Latin passage, when the grammar is not enough and the pieces don’t connect. But that’s where the fun started for this year’s winner. Resilient and tenacious, she bested the likes of Cicero’s and Tacitus’ most challenging prose, and recovered the brilliance of these ancient authors. Her energy and spirit and her unwavering desire to do her best have allowed her to become one of the very strongest students in our Latin program. The award for Excellence in Classics is presented to:
Sunny Miller ’20
of Richmond, Va.

BOYD TAYLOR CUMMINGS MEDAL
for Publications
Mitch Pinkowski writes: Whether at the heart of the Chronicle meetings or amidst the mayhem of the Daemon nights, this executive editor, writer, and publications guru led her staff with a cheerful enthusiasm and keen focus. Tireless in her pursuit of a high aesthetic standard, she meticulously scrutinized grammar, font, images, layout dimensions, and more long after others had left the room. Her writing set the standard for her peers, but it was her selfless drive, her patient consideration of others, and her unwavering positivity that inspired all who worked with her. She has brought great light and a resounding voice to our publications on the Hill.  Congratulations!
Charlotte Breckenridge ’20
of West Palm Beach, Fla.

WILLIAM WINDER LAIRD MEDAL
for Excellence in French
Bohdi Amos writes: This student’s sharp intellect and facile learning style made the classroom experience lively, rich, and entertaining. He epitomizes what hard work and innate talent can achieve for any student not born into a second language but who nevertheless dreams of reaching the highest level of fluency. This student’s work in French art history this year leveraged their astute visual perception and devotion to a completely immersive francophone environment with an extraordinary intellectual ability. We are proud to give this year’s William Winder Laird Medal for Excellence in French to:
Finlay MacKnight ’20
of Alexandria, Va.
 
CHARLES FELLOWS PAGE AWARD
for Excellence in Poetry
Mitch Pinkowski says: Her poems somehow simultaneously carry the charm of the familiar and the yearning allure of the exotic. They tickle one’s fancy with images of “tangerines after lunch,” and yet catch our breath characterizing photos as “little moments suffocated into a rectangle.” Paradoxical, splendid, and always provocative, her work makes one cherish the time we set aside to ponder with her. Thank you, Cecilia Moore, for that time, and congratulations for most fully deserving the 2020 Charles Fellows Page Prize for Excellence in Poetry.
Cecilia Moore ’20
of Alexandria, Va.

SELBY BARNES PAPIN MEDAL
for Excellence in Spanish
Rocio Mendizabal says: This student has made Spanish language and culture part of her identity. Her advanced skills, learned through years of hard work and dedication, allow her to understand the most sophisticated literature in the language. But it is her intimate response to the words — her affirmation, for example, that in “San Manuel Bueno, martir,” Blasillo’s death not only moves the story along but is uniquely sad — that demonstrates the true depths of her comprehension and the genuine connection she has to the Spanish language. The Selby Barnes Papin Medal for Excellence in Spanish is awarded to:
Cecilia Moore ’20 
of Alexandria, Va.

CHARLES C. PLUMMER AWARD 
for Excellence in Choir
Brent Erstad writes: Humility, positivity, and creativity are hallmarks of the culture of the choir. This year’s recipient not only embodies these characteristics, but, through her example, inspires those around her to lean into their work as well. Never one to seek the spotlight, her dedication both to her peers and to the team dynamic have made her a uniquely effective leader within our choral program. This year’s Charles C. Plummer Award for Excellence in Choir is awarded to:
Pierson Gammage ’20
of Greenwich, Conn.

SCHOOL AWARD 
for Excellence in Music
Mark Carter says: Leader? CHECK! Percussionist? CHECK? Dependable? CHECK! Accomplished musician? CHECK!!! I could keep going with my checklist, but you get the point. This instrumentalist is the REAL deal. Arriving at Episcopal as a pianist, he didn’t think twice when asked to play the marimba. Not afraid of any challenge, motivated to improve, and unable to stand by and watch his classmates struggle without stepping into help, he is quite simply OUTSTANDING!!! The award for Excellence in Music is given to:
Mike Yang ’20
of Beijing, China

ROBERT L. WHITTLE MEDAL
for Excellence in German 
Dr. Rick Dixon writes: This student´s success in German has been oxymoronic: It has been determined, persevering, and steady, while, simultaneously, dramatically meteoric. Understanding that any successful study must include that great Teutonic attribute, Sitzfleisch, this student has spent long hours learning German grammar and vocabulary; the resulting language acquisition has been energetic and exciting. She has become an early expert in what will be a lifelong relationship with the words and culture of her ancestral forebears. The Robert L. Whittle Medal for Excellence in German is awarded this year to:
Alli Boehm ’20
of Alexandria, Va.
 
EDWIN WILSON AWARD
for Theater Arts: Acting 
Michael Winsdor says: Filled with passion and the drive to succeed, this student has shown what it means to be a leader in the theater at Episcopal High School. Whether the roles are comedic, dramatic, and everything in between, this performer throws themselves into each, owning the stage with unmatched charisma and talent. Willing to help in any way to ensure the success of a production, this student truly has the heart of a performer. The Edwin Wilson Award for Theater Arts in Acting goes to: 
Violet Regan ’20 
of Alexandria, Va.

EDWIN WILSON AWARD
for Theater Arts: Technical Performing Arts 
Wes Reid says: Theater technology comes easily to this student, and her commitment to her craft has been extraordinary. She has ensured rehearsals and performances run smoothly in Pendleton, whether for a theater, dance, or musical production. Over the course of her four years in the EHS theater program, she has grown as a technician and a leader. She is not afraid to take chances with her leadership, and her high standards have inspired others to improve their skills and technique. If she had a nickel for every time she has bailed us out of a technical challenge, she’d have a big jar full of them! This award is presented to:
Aamishq Dhir ’20
of Jersey City, N.J.

ROBERT WIATT FARRAR COMMITMENT TO ATHLETICS AWARD
Chineme Agulanna
Thanos Androus
Alli Boehm 
Claire Boehm 
John Boyles 
Rob Deaton 
Dymin Gerow
Harrison Green
Neely Holt 
Nora Huffines 
Bear Matheson
Ransdell McCauley
Jamall Mensah 
Tre Simmons 
Charlie Teeters 
David Zeng

THE CURTIS RANDOLPH HUDGINS, JR., '42 ECONOMICS AWARD
Jack Donaldson

THE MARTIN BALDWIN WHITAKER MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING SENIOR EXTERNSHP DEFENSE 
Brennan Sharp

HONORARY DIPLOMA — THAI SCHOLAR
Sakdipat Kongkaeo

 


 
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