Select members of the junior class were surprised by an invitation to the Recital Hall on Thurs., April 29. These students were honored with a Book Award that comes with a book and a certificate.
This year honorees are:
Sarah Hu – Aurelian Yale University Honor Society Book Award – To a junior, based on character, leadership, and everything possible to the highest degree.
Leule Mesfin – Berea College Dr. Samuel Hurst Scholar Award – To a first-generation junior with resilience and grit who is dedicated to their academics.
Shaylin King- Berea College Carter G. Woodson Scholar – To an African-American junior who demonstrates dedication to scholarship and community.
PJ Varatta – Brandeis University Book Award – To an outstanding student who is committed to civic engagement, community service, political activism, social justice, or volunteer work.
Ana Smith – Brown University Book Award – To an outstanding junior who best combines overall academic excellence with clarity in written and spoken expression.
Penda Dabo – Centre College Fellows – To a junior recognized for their outstanding academic, extracurricular, and personal achievements.
Jackson Riddle – Chatham University Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Book Award – The Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award will be awarded to one deserving student nominated from each high school across the United States and Internationally who embodies the spirit of Rachel Carson in his or her dedication to sustainability and community development.
Ayana Kim – The Cincinnati Zoo Book Award – To recognize a student keenly interested in Biology, Natural History and Wildlife Conservation.
Spencer Pugh – Clarkson University Achievement Award – To recognize a high school junior who demonstrates strong leadership qualities, positively impacts their school and local community, and has a proven academic record.
Subham Dahal – Clarkson University Leadership Award – To recognize a high school junior who demonstrates strong leadership qualities, positively impacts their school and local community, and has a proven academic record.
Shixuan Zhao – Harvard University Book Award – To an outstanding junior who combines excellence in scholarship with achievements in other fields.
Adharsh Sundar – Johns Hopkins University Junior Book Award – This award is for the junior in each participating high school who best exhibits the qualities and characteristics that form the core of the Johns Hopkins ethic: A demonstrated desire for intellectual and moral growth. An uncommon interest in, and capacity for, independent and original scholarship.
Ruby Rooksberry – Mercantile Library Timothy Crane Book Award – To a junior student with a high academic average and love of books.
Anette Beidleman – Miami University Book Award – To a junior with outstanding academics, leadership and community service.
Anya Shukla – New York University Book Award – To a junior who excels in academics, leadership and service.
Tvasta Gajjar & Anna Quellhorst – The Ohio State University Book Award – To two students with an outstanding academic record and involvement in community service.
Rahifa Maricar – Princeton University Book Award – To a junior who rates high in the class based on scholarship and demonstrates a desire to be in the nation’s service and service of humanity.
Emmett Royalty – Portrait of Walnut Athlete Scholar Award – To a junior who excels in athletics while maintaining high grades.
Malak Jaddi – Portrait of Walnut Courageous Leader Award -To a junior who exhibits a positive attitude and shows leadership in the classroom and during school activities.
Ellison Glenn – Portrait of Walnut Creative Eagle Award – Recognizes a student who demonstrates a commitment to the arts and their community.
Katherine James – Portrait of Walnut Distinguished Global Citizen Award – To academically high-achieving juniors who embrace what it means to be a leader in the community.
Edwin Butcher – Portrait of Walnut Distinguished Green Award – To a junior who cares about the environment and is committed to make the Earth a better place.
Shai Riddle – Portrait of Walnut Soaring Eagle Award – To a junior who embodies the spirit of giving.
Caroline Lovelace – Portrait of Walnut Theater Award – To academically high-achieving juniors who embrace and have excelled in Walnut’s Theater program.
Riley Coleman – Portrait of Walnut Walnut Theater Award – To academically high-achieving juniors who embrace and have excelled in Walnut’s Theater program.
Nikolai Fedorov – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute “The Medalist” Award – To a junior who demonstrates outstanding dedication to scholarship especially in the fields of mathematics and science.
Ella Laurenson – Rochester Institute of Technology Art and Design Award – To a junior who demonstrates interest and ability in art and design.
Arshya Maricar – Rochester Institute of Technology Business and Leadership Award – To a junior who demonstrates an interest and ability in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Bahand Abdulrahman – Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Award – To a junior who demonstrates evidence of an interest and ability in computing.
Aidan Mahoney – Rochester Institute of Technology Humanities and Social Sciences Award – This award is presented to a student who demonstrates interest and ability in humanities and social sciences.
Ernest Manders – Rochester Institute of Technology Science and Math Award – To a junior who demonstrates interest and ability in science and mathematics.
Riley Weisman – Rochester Institute of Women in STEM Award– This award is presented to a female student who demonstrates high achievement, ability, and interest in science, computing, robotics, and/or math.
Helena Joo – Saint Michael’s Achievement Book Award – To a top student who exhibits achievement in academics and community service.
Eniola Olakanmi – Saint Michael’s Social Justice Book Award – To a top student who shows a sustained and sincere commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, and concern for others.
Janne Guo – Tulane University Book Award– To a junior who embodies Tulane’s motto “Not for one’s self, but for one’s own,” and has demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and public service in their respective communities.
Zosia Vogan – University of Cincinnati – Honors College Book Award – To a junior who exhibits academic excellence, service to the community, and leadership in his/her chosen area.
Charles Stoffregen – University Of Louisville Yarmuth Book Award – Its purpose is to recognize juniors who show academic promise, intellectual curiosity, and are community service oriented. The program is funded by an endowment from the family of Mr. John Yarmuth. It was started to honor his father, Stanley Yarmuth.
Sena Asefa – University of Notre Dame Book Award – To a junior who exhibits excellence in academics, leadership and community service.
Sophia Polger – University of Rochester Bausch+Lomb Honorary Science Award – To a junior who shows high-achievement and rigor in STEM courses and positively contributes to their school and within the larger community.
Bareen Abdulrahman – University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award – To a junior who demonstrates leadership and commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, and shows strength in humanities and social science courses.
Katherine Little – University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award – To a junior with strong leadership experience at school and in the community, who is a high-achieving student with extensive involvement in extracurricular activities.
John Polger – University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology Award – To a junior with a strong interest in innovation and/or information technology.