“Today is a celebration of tremendous effort and learning,” noted Assistant Head of School Jeremy LaCasse in kicking off this year’s Upper Mid Award Ceremony. “While we recognize a few, this day also speaks to the accomplishments of all. We should each feel proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
Congratulations to all!
Those honored during the ceremony, available to watch here, are:
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
Levani Machitidze
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The following students took the 2021 PSAT; their performances show outstanding academic potential. From more than 1.3 million program entrants, each of these students is among the 50,000 highest scoring participants who will receive recognition in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program as either Semifinalists or Commended Students in the fall:
Jude Celebi Andrew Niewinski
Brian Chi Jose Mateo Sanchez
Daniel Deng John Sawyer
Grace Deng Iok Tong (Rena) Shao
Martin Devino Chirapon Taepaisitphongse
Alexander Dicorpo Marina Tanaka
Maria Hogencamp Oujie (Kevin) Tong
Skylar Johnson Mina Xiao
Hanchen (Kevin) Liu Emile Zogbi
THE CITIZENSHIP AWARD
This annual award goes to Upper Middlers who have contributed significantly through their volunteer service in the community. Congratulations to:
Angilese Natalia Montambault
Emile Michael Zogbi
THE ROLLIN G. OSTERWEIS ’25 DEBATE PRIZE
Rollin Osterweis was a brilliant Taft student who went on to a distinguished career as a professor of American oratory at Yale, where among others, he taught George W. Bush and John Kerry. The Rollin G. Osterweis ’25 Debate Prize is given at the discretion of the Head of School to recognize that student whose dedication, passion, and ability in debate best embodies the legacy of Rollin G. Osterweis. The award goes to:
Andrew James Niewinski
NOTEWORTHY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
Science: The Science Olympiad team finished 15th overall this year, with a first place in Wright Stuff for Eli Juvan and Kevin Lian, and a second place in Trajectory for Brendan Staines and Alex DiCorpo.
Mathematics: This year Taft finished first in our section in the New England Mathematics League competition. We were second in the state and twelfth overall in in a field comprised of more than 200 schools. Michael Ren led the team, tying for second in the state and placing 19th overall.
World Langauges: Spanish
The following are the 2022 inductees into the Spanish Honor Society:
Taylor Adducci, Susannah Brown, Macy Cherneff, Ethan Costanzo, Gavin Feller, Callia Ferraris, Sadie Frame, Emily Andrea González, Jenna Gugliemi, Will Henderson, Kate Hrazdira, Olivia Karpas, Kevin Lian, Caroline Messer, Elise Moreira, Kate Sacerdote, Matt Sheinberg, Kartal Tepebasi, Gwen Thompson, Xiting (Amy) Wang, Anna Wice
World Langauges: Latin
The following students were honored for their achievements on the National Latin Exam:
Gold Medal: Michael Ren, Matthew Romero, Trevor Stellmach
Silver Medal: Christopher Joszcayk, Steve Mayer, Tanya Muangman, Matt Ramierez
Bronze Medal: Theo Charrington, Grace Deng, Babi Marques Jones, Brooke Smith, Mercury Titterton
Honerable Mention: Lilly Bunnell, Maria Hogenkamp, Conrad Lynch, Kyla O’Byrne, Catherine Peng, Alicia Sze
THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER BAUSCH AND LOMB HONORARY SCIENCE AWARD
This award is presented by the Bausch and Lomb Company to that member of the Upper Middle Class who has been outstanding in their work in science. The recipient this year is:
Alexander Pellington DiCorpo
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY AWARD
Presented to that Upper Middler who best combines a high degree of ability in English expression, both written and spoken, with those outstanding personal qualities which, in the words of the Brown Charter of 1764, give promise that the student will become one of the succession of men and women duly qualified for discharging the offices of life with usefulness and reputation. The award goes to:
Emma Nicolaeva Chambourova
THE RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE MEDAL
Given to an Upper Middler for excellence in mathematics and sciences. This year the award goes to:
Evelyn Frances Hidy
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER FREDERICK DOUGLASS AND SUSAN B. ANTHONY AWARD
This award is presented to that member of the Upper Middle Class who has demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues; leadership and dedication to community action; strong grades; and rigorous courses taken in the humanities and social sciences. This year the award goes to:
Ronald Musa Ceesay
THE FRAKER FAMILY AWARD
This award is given by the Head of School, to that Upper Middler who has distinguished themself in creating a close and diverse global community. The award goes to:
Ronald Musa Ceesay
FEIDELSON FAMILY LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Feidelson Award is given annually to a rising Taft Senior who has shown great strength of character, acts quietly as a mentor in the Taft community, and sets an example of civility and leadership for others in the dormitories, on the playing fields, or in the classroom. The award goes to:
Angilese Natalia Montambault
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO BOOK AWARD
The University of Chicago Book Award is given to that student whose challenging coursework, intellectual engagement in and out of the classroom, ability to draw connections across academic disciplines, and commitment to the community to mark him or her unique. The award goes to:
Marina Tanaka
THE DARTMOUTH BOOK PRIZE
Presented to an Upper Middler who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and made a positive contribution to the extracurricular life of the school. This year’s recipient is:
Evelyn Frances Hidy
THE HARVARD BOOK PRIZE
Awarded to that student in the next‑to‑last year of college preparatory courses whom the Head of School, after consulting with the faculty, shall deem most worthy by result of high scholarship and character. The award goes to:
Xufei (Figo) Wang
BOWDOIN BOOK AWARD
The Award recognizes a high school junior who has demonstrated extraordinary service to the common good, and an unusual passion for inquiry, discovery, and innovative thinking.
Leyla Zhaksybek
THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRIZE
Awarded to a member of the Upper Middle Class whose high honor roll standing and commitment to learning exceeds classroom requirements. This student’s good character is evident in community service activities and outstanding contributions to the extra-curricular life of the school. The award goes to:
Iok Tong (Rena) Shao
THE SMITH COLLEGE BOOK AWARD
Presented to an outstanding Upper Middler who exemplifies the academic achievement, leadership qualities, and concern for others that characterize the thousands of women who have graduated from Smith College. This year, the award is presented to:
Isabel Cheng
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA JEFFERSON BOOK AWARD
The Jefferson Book Award Program was established to recognize outstanding high school students during their Upper Middle year. The award is presented to the Upper Middler whom the high school considers to best represent the Jeffersonian ideals of scholarship, leadership and citizenship. The award goes to:
Michael James Mangel