Upper School Awards Recipients

The Upper School Closing ceremony recognizes the students across academic departments that have earned recognition for their personal growth and achievements. Award winners are included below:

ENGLISH

English Book Award
Awarded annually to the student in grade 11 who best combines a high degree of ability in English expression, both written and spoken, with outstanding personal qualities. (Book donated by Kenyon College.)
Award Recipient: Maeve Lichtenberg

Excellence in Expository Essay Writing Award
Awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the writing of expository essays.
Award Recipient: Ava Raffel

Excellence in Creative Writing Award
Awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the writing of fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry.
Award Recipient: Dylan Vincent

Breck Trustee English Award
Awarded annually by the Trustees of Breck School to the senior student who shows excellence in English.
Award Recipient: Boatemaa Agyeman-Mensah

English Departmental Distinction Award
Awarded annually to students who have earned academic distinction in the English Department.
Award Recipients: Abbe Colgan, Caroline Hedlund, Julian Moyer, Abigail Schaus, Amira Sinclair

HISTORY

Colonel Porter P. Wiggins History Award
Colonel Wiggins was a commandant at Breck School at the Como Avenue campus. This award is presented to the senior student who has shown the most outstanding ability in history.
Award Recipient: Taylor Nelson

Breck Trustee History Award
Awarded annually by the Trustees of Breck School to the student who shows excellence in history.
Award Recipient: Grace Medeiros

History Book Award
Awarded to a history student in grade 11 for outstanding scholastic attainment, character, and achievement. (Book donated by Harvard University.)
Award Recipient: Giselle Adiyia

Sons of the American Revolution Award
Awarded to the history student who best exemplifies scholarship, leadership, character, service and appreciation of patriotism.
Award Recipient: Josh Furman

History Departmental Distinction Award
Awarded annually to students who have earned academic distinction in the History Department.
Award Recipients: Lily Conway, Charlie Delano, Sarah Feng, Kyndal Witherspoon

MATHEMATICS

John Nelson Mathematics Award
Mr. Nelson was a math teacher and department head at Breck School for approximately 35 years. This award is given to the senior student who has demonstrated excellence in mathematics.
Award Recipient: Emre Adabag

Richard Yonker Mathematics Award
Mr. Yonker served as a math teacher at Breck School from 1962 to 1999, including many years as department head. This award is presented to a junior student in recognition of high achievement in mathematics.
Award Recipient: Jiabao (Judy) Wang

Mathematics Community Impact Award
Awarded annually to a student who uses mathematics or statistics for the betterment of Breck School, a partner organization, or the community at large. This award recognizes both the quality of the work and its impact on those affected.
Award Recipients: Alex DeMaris, Liam Walsh

Citizenship in Mathematics Award
Awarded annually to a student who enriches the mathematical life of Breck School in any or all of the following ways: contributing to the success of classes or clubs, extending help to peers, embracing productive struggle, or exhibiting a growth mindset.
Award Recipient: Abigail Schaus

Mathematics Book Award 
Awarded to a student who, in addition to maintaining high scholastic achievement in mathematics, has made a significant contribution to the school and community at large. (Book donated by Yale University.)
Award Recipient: Maeve Lichtenberg

Mathematics Departmental Distinction Award
Awarded annually to students who have earned academic distinction in the Mathematics Department.
Award Recipients: Margaret Broyles, Andrew Cheng, James Clinton, Sarah Feng, Ekemini Jones

WORLD LANGUAGES

World Languages Book Award
Given annually to a student in grade 9, 10, or 11 who has proven excellence in the World Languages program while also exhibiting qualities of leadership and citizenship.
Award Recipient: Abigail Samuel

Virginia McKnight Binger Award
Awarded annually to the senior student who has shown the greatest proficiency in World Languages.
Award Recipient: Elizabeth Holt

Michael Uram Spanish Award
Mr. Uram was a devoted Spanish teacher, coach, and Director of Transportation at Breck for 45 years. This award is given to a student for outstanding achievement in three years of Spanish.
Award Recipient: Maeve Lichtenberg

World Languages Departmental Distinction Award
Awarded annually to students who have earned academic distinction in the World Languages Department.
Award Recipients: Caroline Hedlund, Emily Johnson, Benjamin Rex, Nate Ernst

PERFORMING ARTS

Performing Arts Excellence Award
Awarded to a student in grade 9, 10, or 11 for excellence in the area of performing arts.
Award Recipient: James Hicks

Performing Arts Book Award
Awarded to the student in Upper School who has shown outstanding ability in performing arts. (Book donated by Dartmouth College.)
Award Recipient: John Santrizos

Charles Krenz Creative Arts Award
Awarded annually to the senior who has fully utilized their creative ability in one or more of the following areas: music, dance, and drama.
Award Recipient: Elizabeth Berman

Performing Arts Departmental Distinction Award
Awarded annually to students who have earned academic distinction in the Performing Arts Department.
Award Recipients: Allison Casad, Dominic Frerichs, Madigan Hogan, Grace Scott, Erin Stevens

RELIGION

Mrs. Reuben L. Anderson Sacred Studies Award
Mrs. Anderson was a Breck parent. Her husband served many years on the Breck School Board of Trustees. This award is given to the senior student who has demonstrated the greatest interest and proficiency in sacred studies.
Award Recipient: John Santrizos

L. Paxton Meeker Award
Mr. Meeker was a business manager at Breck School. This award is presented to a student in grade 9, 10, or 11 who, in the judgment of the department, symbolizes excellence in Christian citizenship.
Award Recipient: Ayres Warren

McGill Public Speaking Award 
Awarded annually to the student who has demonstrated excellence in public speaking.
Award Recipient: Grace Schurtz-Ford

SCIENCE

Science Award of Excellence
Awarded annually to the student who has shown outstanding ability in science.
Award Recipient: Elise Mills

Science Leadership and Achievement Award
Awarded to the student who has shown leadership and innovation in science.
Award Recipient: Samantha Detor

Science Book Award
Awarded to a science student for outstanding scholarship and involvement in science.
Award Recipient: George Richards

Science Achievement Award
This award recognizes outstanding academic achievement in science by a high school junior.
Award Recipient: Ava Raffel

Science Departmental Distinction Award
Awarded annually to students who have earned academic distinction in the Science Department.
Award Recipients: Mina Adabag, John Gorman, Ingrid Wilson, James Clinton

VISUAL ARTS

Charles Krenz Creative Arts Award
Awarded annually to the senior who has fully utilized his or her creative ability in visual arts.
Award Recipients: Rachel Gunderson, Niels Wu

Rhode Island School of Design Book Award
Awarded annually to the senior who has shown outstanding ability in visual arts.
Award Recipient: Byron Jia

Visual Arts Book Award
Awarded to a student in grade 9, 10, or 11 for excellence in the area of visual arts. (Book donated by Smith College.)
Award Recipient: Sarah Hatfield

The Carolyn GlasoeBailey ’87 Artists Award
Awarded to the students in the Upper School that have demonstrated outstanding ability in two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or the digital arts and displayed a passion for the arts community at Breck. As part of a committee, awardees will share these talents with the greater Breck community.
Award Recipients: Fiona Reilly (2D), Sadie Nelson (3D), Matthew Berestka (Digital)

Visual Arts Departmental Distinction Award
Awarded annually to students who have earned academic distinction in the Visual Arts Department.
Award Recipients: Emily Akins, Jennie Ehlert, Maya Mischke, Kayla Piper

ATHLETICS

Allen Dunn Trophy
Allen Dunn is an alumnus of the class of 1952. This trophy is awarded annually to the male and female student in grade 9, 10, or 11 who, through efforts as members of an athletic squad, have demonstrated outstanding qualities of courage, athletic proficiency, loyalty, leadership, and a strong desire to improve as athletes and as students.
Trophy Recipients: Britt Helgaas, Carter Theissen

Fred B. Anderson Athletic Trophy

Awarded annually to the male and female in the senior class who, on the basis of ability, teamwork, sportsmanship, and hard effort, are judged to be the best athletes in the class.
Trophy Recipients: John Blake, Olivia Mobley

EXTRACURRICULAR

David Hancock Yearbook Award
Awarded to a student in the Upper School for outstanding achievement and service to Breck School in the field of school publications. This award is presented in memory of the son of the late Mrs. Betty Hancock, who was a longtime teacher at Breck School.
Award Recipients: Grace Medeiros, Abigail Schaus

CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

The Cum Laude Society is a national honorary society modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, which recognizes students who have achieved academic distinction and demonstrated good character, honor, and integrity during their years in the Breck Upper School. These students are recognized below.

Class of 2020: Emre Adabag, Roberaa Ayana, Elizabeth Berman, Margaret Broyles, Andrew Cheng, James Clinton, Samantha Detor, Abigail Faeth, Dominic Frerichs, Rachel Gunderson, Madigan Hogan, Caroline McCue, Grace Medeiros, Taylor Nelson, Jack Peterson, Allyson Qualley, Ava Raffel, Nathan Rockafellow, Abigail Roh, Abigail Schaus, Eleanor Skemp, Dylan Vincent

Class of 2021: William Bae, Nathan DeMichaelis, Joshua Furman, David Gorman, Benjamin Kroul, Maeve Lichtenberg, Ishan Nadkarni, Katelin Phelps, Lindsey Putnam, Benjamin Rex, George Richards, Jiabao (Judy) Wang

BRADFORD LAMSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Mr. Lamson was an Assistant Headmaster at Breck. These are awarded to those students who have led their respective classes (9-12) in scholarship for the 2019-2020 school year.

Grade 9: Carson Bynum, Floria Elliott, Yvonne Frerichs, Matthew John Gorman, Daniela Kroul, Laura Logan, Sarah Peterson, Ava Roh, Ava Warford, Kendall White

Grade 10: Jessica Beastrom, Nicole Blake, Emily Johnson, Nicholas Tag Mehbod

Grade 11: William Bae, Nathan DeMichaelis, David Gorman, Maeve Lichtenberg, Ishan Nadkarni, Lindsey Putnam, George Richards, Zachary Sellman, Jiabao (Judy) Wang

Grade 12: Margaret Broyles, Samantha Detor

CITIZENSHIP AWARDS

Mustang Minute Editor-in-Chief
The Mustang Minute is an electronic bulletin that is sent out six days a week to the entire Upper School Student community. Recognition is given to a member of Student Government who is in charge of the Mustang Minute.

Mustang Minute Editor-in-Chief: Yvonne Jia

Upper School Student Integrity Council
Given to the students who participated on Upper School Student Integrity Council in recognition of their service and dedication to their fellow students, the faculty and the school.
President: Liam Walsh; Seniors: Boatemaa Agyeman-Mensah, Elizabeth Berman, Maya Mischke, Malcolm Yearby
Juniors: Josh Furman, David Gorman, Sahana Mangipudi, Will Sweeney; Sophomores: Ayres Warren, Izzy Pink

Service Award
Awarded to the students who have demonstrated outstanding service to the school and fellow students during the 2019-2020 school year.
Service Awards: Nicole Blake, Anders Dean, Siinian Ephrem, Elise Penn, Shaniya Newton, Kyndal Witherspoon

International Award
Awarded to the international student who has best exemplified the goals and ideals of Breck’s international exchange program by a serious effort to learn about American culture, by improvement in proficiency in English expression, and by contributing to the international awareness of the Breck community.
Award Recipient: Jiabao (Judy) Wang

James and Kathleen Lockhart Memorial Award
Awarded annually in memory of James and Kathleen Lockhart to a senior exhibiting outstanding school spirit and leadership.
Award Recipient: Abigail Schaus

Robbie Monick Memorial Award
Awarded to the senior student who has embraced life with enthusiasm and a sense of humor; expressed interest in and concern for others; and through curiosity, determination, and commitment, used his or her talents to the best of his or her ability.
Award Recipient: Malcolm Yearby

Timothy Randall and Todd Allan Hitchcock Award
Timothy R. Hitchcock, class of 1959, invested his heart and soul in a special love — Breck School. He generously gave his time, money and expertise to Breck. As president of Breck’s Board of Trustees from 1980 through 1984, he was a guiding force in relocating the school to Golden Valley, positioning the school for a future of success and growth. Tim was greatly respected by the people connected with this school. Tim died in 1998.

Todd Hitchcock graduated with the class of 1989 and passed away at the age of 24 years. Todd loved sports. He received no greater pleasure than seeing young children develop athletic skills. There were many instances when Todd was a mentor to younger children, and he always had time for them. This scholarship is presented annually to the graduating senior who has been the most effective mentor for younger students during his/her years in Breck’s Upper School.
Award Recipient: Derek Turner III

Citizenship Awards
Awarded annually to the student in each grade who has demonstrated devotion to the school, as well as excellence in citizenship, scholarship and extra-curricular activities. (Plaques donated by Trinity College, Hobart College, Dartmouth College, and Yale University.)

Grade 9: Emmett Wolf
Grade 10: Amrita Pal
Grade 11: Melanie Oden
Grade 12: Samantha Detor

Christin M. Mead Memorial Award
Christin Mead was an active member of the class of 1990. She attended Breck since the fourth grade. She passed away tragically a year and a half after graduating from Breck, and her friends and classmates have established this special award to honor her memory. This award is given to a member of the senior class who is chosen by his or her classmates. This person displays enthusiasm for life, devotion to academics, and genuine concern toward others.
Award Recipient: Elizabeth Berman

Breck Alumni Award
This award is presented by the Breck Alumni Association. It is awarded to the student in grade 9, 10, or 11 who has shown the greatest devotion and service to the school. This prestigious award is the underclassman equivalent of the Haupt Cup and is chosen by the faculty.
Award Recipient: Britt Helgaas

Robert J. Aarthun Award
Robert Aarthun was an Assistant Headmaster at Breck School. This award is presented annually to the male and female students who best exemplify dedication, effort, and loyalty to Breck School.
Award Recipients: Emre Adabag, Rachel Gunderson

McCall Academic Award
Awarded to the senior student who has been at Breck for all four Upper School years and at graduation leads the class in scholarship.
Award Recipient: Samantha Detor

Haupt Cup
Awarded to the student in grade 12 who has shown the greatest devotion and service to the school.
Award Recipient: Boatemaa Agyeman-Mensah