Honoring The Class of 2024: Prize Night and Commencement Awards

Members of the Class of 2024 received various awards and honors at Prize Night and on Commencement Day. 

Under blue skies and the beside Potter’s Pond, the Class of 2024 officially graduated during Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 29. The night before—Prize Night—was a time to celebrate the many achievements of this exceptional class. Photo galleries from both events are available at TaftPhotos.com.

Congratulations to all of the members of the Class of 2024, their families, friends, and supporters. And congratulations to all of the 2024 prize and award winners, listed below, beginning with those awards presented on Prize Night.

MAURICE POLLAK AWARD: Noah Zafer Cinel

The Maurice Pollak 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 recognizes a deserving member of the graduating class.  

ROBERTS AWARD: Elise Lynn Taylor

Harley Fish Roberts was a teacher at Taft from 1897 to 1930. In the early days of the School, he was Mr. Taft's main aide and colleague, in addition to being part owner of the School. The Roberts Award was established to recognize a deserving Taft senior.

 

ATHLETIC, ARTISTIC, AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARDS

Each year the school awards a watch to each senior who has won six or more varsity letters and to each postgraduate who earns three varsity letters.  

John Lachlan Hamilton Abbott                      Rina Kurihara

David Ebanehita Aluya                                   Samuel Collier Lovell

Broder Paul William Bowser                          Jacob Arthur Lucas

Erin Reilly Butler                                           Conrad Soong Lynch

Katherine Janice Cicchetti                              Maxine Isabella Maag

Esmee Claire Clew-Bachrach                         Alayna Grace Mariani

Enoch Duodu                                                  Logan Sokol Marku    

Faith Anne Graziano                                       Shane Charles Mettler

Sydney Mina Grogean                                    Kyla Marie O’Byrne

Charlotte Alice Helen Hay                             Michael Jeffrey Pangaro

Annabel Elizabeth Izmirlian                           Samantha Mae Ricciardelli

Nolan Robert Jacobi                                       Matthew Hickey Surin

Justin Jisoo Kang                                            Truus Montague van Wees

Alexander Robert Kenerson                           Leah Claire Wasserstein

 

MARION HOLE MAKEPEACE AWARD: Truus Montague van Wees

This award is presented each year to the girl who has contributed most to Taft athletics. 

 

LAWRENCE HUNTER STONE AWARD: Alexander Robert Kenerson

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.  

 

OTIS L. GUERNSEY, JR '36 THEATER AWARDS: Vincent Chen and Sara Takanabe

Named in memory of renowned theater critic Otis Love Guernsey, Jr., '36, the Guernsey Theater Award is given to that actor or actress who, through enthusiasm, cooperation and competence has contributed most to the theater at Taft. 

 

BILL WALDRON MEMORIAL PRIZE: Isabel Yang and Allisen Yen

In memory of Bill Waldron, Class of 1972, for exceptional contributions to technical theater at Taft.

 

MARK POTTER AWARD IN ART: Chufan Julianne Jin

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. 

 

THOMAS SABIN CHASE AWARDS IN ART: 

-For work in photography, Mengxi CiCi Li

-For work in ceramics, Tanya Nicole Trujillo

-Dance Award: For exceptional contribution to dance at Taft, Hei Yu Maggie Zeng and Tiffany Zong

-Video Arts Award: For excellence in Video Arts, Yohan Panditaratne Fernando and Mason John Harper

Presented annually in memory of Thomas Sabin Chase, Class of 1950, to those students who in the study of art have exhibited a significant perception, originality, and developing talent. 

 

GEORGE H. MORGAN AWARD: Sabrina Isabel Moffa

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. 

 

P.T. YOUNG MUSIC PRIZE: Vincent Chen

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. 

 

DAVID EDWARD GOLDBERG MEMORIAL AWARD: Nikas Lukyanov

For the independent project entitled, The Economically Detrimental Pandemic of Sleep Deprivation in Adolescents

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.

 

ACADEMIC AND LEADERSHIP ACHIEVEMENTS

 

SHERMAN CAWLEY AWARD: Hei Yu Maggie Zeng

Presented in recognition of excellence in English, 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.  

DAVID KENYON WEBSTER PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING: 

Charlotte Langworthy Blair

This award was established in memory of David Kenyon Webster, Class of 1940, by his friends and family. 

BOURNE MEDAL IN HISTORY: John Lachlan Hamilton Abbott and Sabrina Isabel Moffa

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(s) in History. 

JOHN T. REARDON PRIZE: John Lachlan Hamilton Abbott

For his essay entitled An Economic Analysis of the New Deal

In honor of John T. Reardon, who was an outstanding teacher of history at Taft for thirty-seven years, this award goes to the student who has written the best essay in American history. 

DANIEL HIGGINS FENTON CLASSICS AWARD: Trevor Matthew Stellmach

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.

JOHN S. NOYES FRENCH PRIZE: Fiona Eileen Cheryl Zimon

This prize honors John S. Noyes, for thirty-nine years an outstanding teacher of Modern Languages.

SPANISH PRIZE: Maxine Isabella Maag and Anna Huger Sinkler

For excellence in Spanish.

YEN-LUNG LIU CHINESE PRIZE: Arabella MacGillvray Dane

Given for outstanding work in Chines, this prize honors Yen-Lung Liu, whose thirty-six years of teaching at Taft were marked by high standards and exceptional scholarship. 

ALVIN I. REIFF BIOLOGY PRIZE: Erin Reilly Butler, Allisen Yen, Hei Yu Maggie Zeng

Given for outstanding work in Biology, this prize honors Alvin I. Reiff, devoted Master Teacher for thirty years. 

CHEMISTRY PRIZE: Sabrina Isabel Moffa and Sara Takanabe

For outstanding work in Chemistry.

PHYSICS PRIZE: Kyla Marie O’Byrne

For outstanding work in Physics. 

WILSON-DOUGLAS MATHEMATICS PRIZE: Fengping Michael Ren

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.

COMPUTER SCIENCE PRIZE: Bryn Sophia Gavigan

For excellence in computer science.

GLOBAL STUDIES AND SERVICE PRIZE: Fiona Eileen Cheryl Zimon

The Global Studies and Service Prize is presented to a student who has shown leadership through outstanding academic achievement in global studies and through a demonstrated commitment to service domestically and abroad. 

GLOBAL STUDIES AND SERVICE DIPLOMAS

Fiona Eileen Cheryl Zimon

The Global Studies and Service Diploma recognizes active citizenship, demonstrated leadership, and an understanding of the global dimensions of everyday life. 

CUM LAUDE INDUCTIONS

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. 

October Inductees:

John Lachlan Hamilton Abbott

Theresa Isadora Alves de Oliveira

Charlotte Langworthy Blair

Noah Zafer Cinel

Finneas Maclay Gateley

Bryn Sophia Gavigan

Ivy Frances Kargman

Nikas Lukyanov

Shane Charles Mettler

Sabrina Isabel Moffa

Caiya Juliann Niewinski

Fengping Michael Ren

Trevor Matthew Stellmach

Hei Yu Maggie Zeng

Yunshuo Luke Zhang

New Inductees:

Erin Reilly Butler

Liangxi Chen

Katherine Olivia Erbstein

Sydney Mina Grogean

Rina Kurihara

Jack Stefan Moucha

Olena Rukkas

Theodora Hamm Ryan

Lucy Bryce Schwab

Nicholas Anthony Shaker

Vanessa Billie Snyder

Anmay Khyllar Suri

Sara Takanabe

Elizabeth Jane Walsh

Elianna Elizabeth Wolff

Isabel Yang

Tiffany Zong

 

OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

HARRY W. WALKER '40 "NON UT SIBI" AWARD: Erin Reilly Butler and Annabel Elizabeth Izmirlian

For volunteer work throughout their Taft careers. 

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 award a book and $1,000, $750 of which goes to a charitable cause of the recipient’s choice. 

HEMINWAY MERRIMAN AWARD:

Enoch Duodu

Finneas Maclay Gateley

Jack Austin Old

The Heminway 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.

BERKLEY F. MATTHEWS '96 AWARD:

Lina Benabdallah

Katherine Janice Cicchetti

Elizabeth Atieno Odero

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.

CLASS OF 1981 AWARD:

Qamar Gul Hussaini

Eno-Yaa Kissi

Jemima Osisiye Ologunja

Khadija Shayagan

In recognition of students who during their time at Taft have displayed exceptional personal growth and perseverance. 

 

The following awards were presented during the Commencement Day ceremony.

 

WILLIAM AND LEE ABRAMOWITZ AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE: Dana Bertuglia

Presented to that faculty member who made their academic subject matter come alive and thereby induced enthusiasm and a love of learning among their students.

 

JOSEPH I. CUNNINGHAM AWARD:

John Lachlan Hamilton Abbott

Sabrina Isabel Moffa

Trevor Matthew Stellmach

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 Head of School and faculty, have worked selflessly for the betterment of the entire Taft School community.  

 

AURELIAN AWARD: Sydney Mina Grogean

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. 

 

1908 MEDAL: Maya Jasmine Lewis and Julian Sartell Prentice

This award is made each year to that member of the Senior class whose influence has done most for the School. 

 

SALUTATORIAN: Caiya Juliann Niewinski

 

VALEDICTORIAN: Olena Rukkas

 

 

 

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