May 26, 2007

117th Commencement Awards

photos by Bob Falcetti

AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

WILLIAM AND LEE ABRAMOWITZ AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Presented to that teacher who made his subject matter come alive and thereby induced enthusiasm and a love of learning among his students.
John Adams Magee
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THE SHOUP AWARD IN MEMORY OF JAMES PAYNTER LOGAN
Presented to that teacher who has been at Taft for at least five years who has been committed to working with students in a broad range of activities and who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence by helping individual students develop self-esteem through positive achievements.
Jennifer Lee Zaccara
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MAURICE POLLAK AWARD
The Maurice Pollak Scholarship Award was established in 1992 by Mr. Henry Pollak II of the Class of 1940 and by his mother, Lucile R. Pollak, as a permanent memorial to his father, Maurice Pollak. The award provides aid to a deserving member of the graduating class to help defray expenses during the student's first year of college.
Erica Estelle Maia
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THE ROBERTS SCHOLARSHIP
Harley Fish Roberts was a master at Taft from 1897 to 1930. In the early days of the School, he was Mr. Taft's main aid and colleague, in addition to being part owner of the School. At his death, The Roberts Scholarship was established to aid a deserving Taft senior through college.
Robert Abbe Campbell II
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ATHLETIC, ARTISTIC, AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS
SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARDS
Each year the School awards a watch to each senior who has won six or more varsity letters.
Gordon Richard Atkins, William McKay Jump Claghorn, Alexander Timothy Dodge, Holly Thatcher Donaldson, Abigail Meredith Hine, Ajmah Jabari Houston, Nicholas Otjens Liotta, Clare Scott Maltman, Michael Stephen McCabe, Chayapong Naviroj, Emily Neilson, Dante Angelo Paolino, Martha Kerr Pascoe, Meta Carroll Reycraft, Afolabi Saliu, Margaret West Seay, Penelope Ann Smith, Jaclyn Marie Snikeris, Colleen Mary Sweeney, Augustus Torrey Thompson, Ashley Lauren Wiater, Eleanor Mason Winship, Heidi Lee Woodworth
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MARION HOLE MAKEPEACE AWARD
This award is presented each year to the girl who has contributed most to Taft athletics.
Heidi Lee Woodworth
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LAWRENCE HUNTER STONE AWARD
Established by the 1967 Varsity Baseball team with the support of the student body and faculty, this award goes to the person who has contributed most to boys' athletics.
Michael Stephen McCabe
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THEATER AWARD
To that actor who, through enthusiasm, cooperation and competence have contributed most to the theater at Taft.
Benjamin Roger Grinberg
Grace Lee Scott
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THE BILL WALDRON MEMORIAL PRIZE
In memory of Bill Waldron, Class of 1972, this award is presented to that individual who has contributed most to the technical aspects of theater at Taft.
Sara Norma Merrick-Albano
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MARK POTTER AWARD IN ART
This award, established by the Taft Class of 1996 in memory of Mark Potter, who inspired art students at Taft for 40 years, goes to that student who has excelled in studio art.
Min Kyung Yoo
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THOMAS SABIN CHASE AWARDS IN ART
Presented annually in memory of Thomas Sabin Chase, Class of 1950, to those students who have exhibited in the study of art a significant perception, originality, and developing talent.
For her work in photography:
Jacqueline Reed Staub
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For her work in ceramics:
Katharine Talbott Thayer
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THE DANCE AWARD
For their work in dance:
Ashley Barronette
Eve Gavin Lewis
Hannah Dexter Utley
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GEORGE H. MORGAN AWARD
Instituted by the Glee Club of 1963 in honor of George H. Morgan, who headed the school's Music Department for forty years, this award is made to that member of the Taft School singing organizations who through ability, leadership, and enthusiasm has made the most significant contribution to the success, effectiveness, and well-being of those organizations.
Penelope Ann Smith
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THE P.T. YOUNG MUSIC AWARD
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who has contributed significantly to music at Taft through leadership, personal achievement, and dedication to sound musicianship.
Jennifer Yu-ping Chang
Eric Kim
Hee Kwon Seo
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THE DAVID EDWARD GOLDBERG MEMORIAL AWARD
This award for outstanding independent work was established in 1964 in memory of David Edward Goldberg, Class of 1962, by his classmates, parents, and friends.
For her writing and directing of a play:
Carra Elisabeth Herron
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ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
THE SHERMAN CAWLEY AWARD
This award was established by the family and friends of Mr. Sherman Cawley, a distinguished teacher of English and most valuable member of the Taft faculty for many years.
Marlena Rose Hamilton Slowik
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THE DAVID KENYON WEBSTER PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING
This award was established in memory of David Kenyon Webster, Class of 1940, by his friends and family.
Katharine Talbott Thayer
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THE BOURNE MEDAL IN HISTORY
Given in honor of Edward Gaylord Bourne, roommate of Horace D. Taft at Yale College in the Class of 1883, this award honors the outstanding student in History.
Katharine Talbott Thayer
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THE HUMANITIES PRIZE
For excellence in The Humanities:
Jacqueline Reed Staub
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THE DANIEL HIGGINS FENTON CLASSICS AWARD
Established by the family of Daniel Higgins Fenton, who for twenty two years, both as chairman of the Classics Department and director of studies, made an unusually significant contribution to the school. This award is made to the student who has shown particular excellence in Classics.
Marlena Rose Hamilton Slowik
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THE JOHN S. NOYES FRENCH PRIZE
This prize honors John S. Noyes, for 39 years an outstanding teacher of Modern Languages.
Flora Ilka Nagy
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THE SPANISH PRIZE
For excellence in Spanish:
Simone Raphael Foxman
Robert Thomas Parisot
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THE CHINESE PRIZE
For excellence in Chinese:
William Tyler Perry
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THE JAPANESE PRIZE
For excellence in Japanese:
Seung-Hyun Daniel Kim
William James Lovotti
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THE WILSON-DOUGLAS MATHEMATICS PRIZE
Given in honor of distinguished mathematics teachers George R. Wilson and Edwin C. Douglas, by Robert W. Cornell '42, this award recognizes outstanding work in mathematics.
Khoa Do Ba
Hee Kwon Seo
Wilson Cheung Yu
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THE COMPUTER SCIENCE PRIZE
For excellence in Computer Science:
Khoa Do Ba
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THE ALVIN I. REIFF BIOLOGY PRIZE
Given for outstanding work in Biology, this prize honors Alvin I. Reiff, devoted master teacher for 30 years.
Robert Thomas Parisot
Sarah Catherine Pyfrom
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THE CHEMISTRY PRIZE
For outstanding work in Chemistry:
Wilson Cheung Yu
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THE PHYSICS PRIZE
For outstanding work in Physics:
Khoa Do Ba
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CUM LAUDE INDUCTION
The Cum Laude Society is a national scholarship society in secondary schools corresponding to Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi in colleges and scientific schools.
Fall inductees:
Khoa Do Ba, Simone Raphael Foxman, Benjamin Roger Grinberg, William James Lovotti, Robert Thomas Parisot, Steven Benjamin Sclar, Hee Kwon Seo, Penelope Ann Smith, Katharine Talbott Thayer, Marina Tokoro, Wilson Cheung Yu
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Spring inductees:
Pongkarn Chakthranont, Jennifer Yu-ping Chang, Holly Thatcher Donaldson, Carra Elisabeth Herron, Eric Kim, Seung-Hyun Daniel Kim, Emily Latham Moore, Flora Ilka Nagy, Chayapong Naviroj, Emily Neilson, Peter Johnston Northrop, William Tyler Perry, Sarah Catherine Pyfrom, Marlena Rose Hamilton Slowik, Jaclyn Marie Snikeris, Kelly Urmston-Parish
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OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
HARRY W. WALKER "NON UT SIBI" AWARD
The "Non ut Sibi" Award, given by Harry W. Walker, Class of 1940, goes to that senior whose service and work outside of Taft best exemplifies the School's motto. We are awarding a book and $1000, $750 of which will go to a charitable cause of the winner's choice.
Kara Marie Iacoviello
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THE HEMINWAY MERRIMAN AWARD
The Hemingway Merriman Award, given by the friends and family of Junie Merriman, Class of 1930, is awarded to those young men whose gentle concern for others best reflects the qualities of Junie Merriman.
Michael Jay Furman
Nicholas Otjens Liotta
William James Lovotti
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THE BERKLEY F. MATTHEWS AWARD
Given by family and friends in memory of Berkley F. Matthews, Class of 1996, this award recognizes those young women whose loyalty, concern for others, and gentleness captures the remarkable spirit of Berkley Matthews.
Emily Carter Boyd
Alisha Tushar Mashruwala
Colleen Mary Sweeney
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THE CLASS OF 1981 AWARD
Presented to that member of the Senior Class who has demonstrated the most overall improvement during her years at Taft.
Charmaine S. Lester
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SALUTATORIAN
With a 5.50 weighted average for his/her senior year, William James Lovotti.
VALEDICTORIAN
With a 5.51 weighted average for his/her senior year, Robert Thomas Parisot.
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THE JOSEPH I. CUNNINGHAM AWARD
This award honors Joseph I. Cunningham, a member of The Taft School faculty for thirty-nine years. The award is presented to the seniors who, in the opinion of the Headmaster, have worked selflessly for the betterment of the entire Taft School community.
Holly Thatcher Donaldson
Chayapong Naviroj
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THE AURELIAN AWARD
This award is offered at several preparatory schools by The Aurelian Honor Society of Yale to that senior who, in the opinion of faculty and classmates, is outstanding in sterling character, high scholarship, and forceful leadership.
Penelope Ann Smith
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THE 1908 MEDAL
This award is made each year to that member of the senior class whose influence has done most for the School.
Gordon Richard Atkins
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