All-School Banquet
The community gathers for a last meal together and celebrates the 2017-18 school year’s successes.
Finals were in the books, students had returned from their backcountry EDT excursions around California and the West, dorm rooms were packed up in boxes, and the entire Thacher community gathered, as it does each year, on the Pergola for the end of year All-School Banquet on May 31, 2018.
It was a time for strengthening the ties of community, thoughtfully reflecting on the joys, successes, and challenges of the year, and celebrating the academic and extracurricular accomplishments of the students.
Bookended by the traditional singing of Domine and The Banquet Song, the evening featured readings from Chris Robinson ’18 and Maddy Waltemath ’18 and thoughtful remarks from School Chair Nicole Bassolino ’18 and Head of School Michael Mulligan.
“This school’s superpower is seeing potential in you, even when you are completely unaware of it,” Nicole said during her remarks. “Thacher understands that that best self that we always talk about striving to create actually already inherently lies in you. It just needs the right environment to blossom.”
She continued: “Perhaps, it’s simply an environment in which trust is extended to a bunch of teenagers and the adults tell us, ‘We love you. We support you.’ Thacher is what happens when you simply tell kids you believe in them, that they have it in them to figure it out for themselves. Love and support. Those are the two greatest gifts you can give to someone who is still trying to figure out who they are and what their place is in the world.”
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The following commendations, awards, and prizes were given during the course of the evening. An asterisk indicates the top scholar or scholars in the discipline at that grade or level.
ENGLISH
9th
Olivia Skye Neulight*
Karina Lynn Andersen
Sophie duPont Benello
Grace Caroline Huber
Emer Grace Kilgallon
Saga Madeleine Leslie
Matthew Dean Robinson
10th
Malena Wren Quistgard Solin*
Winslow Avery Atkeson
John Carmichael Geyer
Nina Haskell Harbison
Daisy Jaye Lawrence
Else Ryan Harding Nye
William Schaw Harding
William Schaw Harding
Tea Clara Alphea Wallmark
11th
Abigail Miao Romo*
Trevor Seymour Duggins
Lindsey White Greenhill
Lily Winfield Harding
George Cleveland Lawrence
Julien Andrew Luebbers
Piper Frances Stacey
12th
Joseph Bennett Hardwicke
Ruoyi “Zoe” Huang
Ricardo Carlos López
Joelle Rubeli
Alexis Anne Silverman
Griffin Daniel Somaratne
THE JACK BOYD ENGLISH PRIZE was established in 1906 in memory of John Franklin Boyd, Jr., who died at Thacher in 1902. Last year it was awarded to Talia Rose Isaacson. This year, by vote of the Department, the twelfth grader who has done the best work in English and is therefore the winner of The Jack Boyd English Prize is: Suzanna Juliet Gulick-Stutz
NASH ROBBINS SHORT STORY PRIZE is given in the name of John Nash Robbins, CdeP ’81, for excellence in writing. It is presented to the author of the best short story written at any time during the school year. Last year, it was awarded to Lingyu “Mary” Yan for “Down, Down by the Lake.” This year the winner of the Nash Robbins Short Story Prize is: Else Ryan Harding Nye
THE WILLIAM BISHOP NIXON POETRY PRIZE was first given in 1945 by William Nixon in memory of Jack Boyd. The prize is awarded for the best poem written at any time during the year. Last year it was awarded to Griffin Daniel Somaratne for his poem, “i watched.” This year the winner of the William Bishop Nixon Poetry Prize is: Griffin Daniel Somaratne
THE PALMER PRIZE FOR DEBATING
The Palmer Prize was first awarded in 1937 and given by the father of Lowell M. Palmer II CdeP 1938. Last year it was awarded to Edel Dupré Galgon. This year’s recipient is: Reina Kuroda Nadeau
MATHEMATICS
9th
Karina Lynn Andersen*
Duncan Paul Grimes
Maximilian Martin Moore
Edward Barry Rosenbaum
10th
Justin Wei*
William Schaw Harding
William Russell Keeling
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
Alice Palmer Robertson
Malena Wren Quistgard Solin
11th
James McGrew Twichell*
George Cleveland Lawrence
Julien Andrew Luebbers
Abigail Miao Romo
John Ford Shaper
Jiho “Jamie” Song
Yao Yin
12th
Nicholas Montgomery Edwards
Paiton Toshiko Kanda Gleeson
Joseph Bennett Hardwicke
Reina Kuroda Nadeau
Kelly Seohee Oh
Diallo Kandia Scott II
THE COMPUTER SCIENCE PRIZE: By vote of the Mathematics Department, the students who have done the best work in Computer Science this year are: Nicholas Satoru Amano, Jeffrey Ding and Yousef Lawrence
MORGAN WARD PRIZE: The Morgan Ward Prize was established in 1964 by Dr. Marshall Hall, Jr., in honor of a former colleague and friend, Dr. Morgan Ward. Last year it was awarded to Liam Reed Kirkpatrick. This year, by vote of the Mathematics Department, the senior who has done the best work in mathematics and is therefore the recipient of the award is: Yousef Lawrence
LANGUAGE
Mandarin
Griffin Daniel Somaratne*
Janghee “John” Han
Daisy Jaye Lawrence
Olivia Skye Neulight
French
James Mugo Langan*
Anyu “Phoebe” Cao
William Russell Keeling
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
Julien Andrew Luebbers
Latin
Emer Grace Kilgallon*
George Cleveland Lawrence
Yao Yin
Spanish
Ethan Rimes Kallett*
Karina Lynn Andersen
Sophie duPont Benello
Anyu “Phoebe” Cao
Nina Haskell Harbison
William Schaw Harding
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
James Mugo Langan
Anna Elizabeth Lister
Abigail Miao Romo
Alette Nicole Segerstrom
Alexis Anne Silverman
Tea Clara Alphea Wallmark
Ian Lin Zhang
Jina Zhao
THE LANGUAGE AWARD: Each year, by vote of the Department, this award is given to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in and a passion for language acquisition. Last year it was awarded to Steven Malcolm Jump III. This year the recipient of the Award is: Suzanna Juliet Gulick-Stutz
SCIENCE
9th
Karina Lynn Andersen*
Sophie duPont Benello
Anna Elizabeth Lister
Juliet Huntington Thiessen
Charles Ford Tracy
10th
Ian Lin Zhang*
Celia Ysabel Cowles
William Schaw Harding
William Russell Keeling
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
Daisy Jaye Lawrence
Sarah Liu
11th
Lindsey White Greenhill (Biology)
George Cleveland Lawrence (AP Biology & Advanced Topics in Astronomy Research)
Eric Mao (AP Chemistry & AP Physics C)
Lulu Clarke Patterson (Biology)
Alice Bi Er Tang (AP Environmental Science)
James McGrew Twichell (AP Biology)
Yao Yin (AP Chemistry)
12th
Shalan Mimi Billault-Lee (AP Biology)
Olivia Huntington de Polo (AP Environmental Science & AP Psychology)
Helena Teresa Girardoni (Biology)
Christopher Burke Robinson (AP Environmental Science & AP Psychology)
Griffin Daniel Somaratne (AP Biology & AP Environmental Science)
THE BIOLOGY AWARD: Each year, by vote of the Department, this award is given to the student who has done the best work in biology. Last year it was awarded to Edison Gregory Chadwick. This year the award goes to: Abigail Miao Romo
THE CHEMISTRY AWARD: Each year, by vote of the Department, this award is given to the student who has done the best work in chemistry. Last year it was awarded to Griffin Daniel Somaratne. This year the award goes to: Julien Andrew Luebbers
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AWARD: Each year, by vote of the Department, this award is given to the student who has done the best work in environmental science. Last year it was awarded to Steven Malcolm Jump III. This year the award goes to: Ursula Elizabeth Gately
THE PHYSICS AWARD: Each year, by vote of the Department, this award is given to the student who has done the best work in physics. Last year it was awarded to Jeffrey Ding. This year the award goes to: Justin Wei
THE PSYCHOLOGY AWARD: Each year, by vote of the Department, this award is given to the student who has done the best work in psychology. Last year it was not awarded. This year the award goes to: Reina Kuroda Nadeau
HISTORY
9th
Emer Grace Kilgallon*
Karina Lynn Andersen
Anna Elizabeth Lister
Wyatt Menzies O’Connell
Charles Ford Tracy
10th
Daisy Jaye Lawrence* (Latin American History)
Luke Aaron Letscher* (Asian History)
Colin Dahl Smith* (Middle Eastern History)
Nina Haskell Harbison
William Schaw Harding
William Russell Keating
Charlotte Ruby Kelliher
11th
Lindsey White Greenhill*
Isabel Ana Hosafros
George Cleveland Lawrence
Julien Andrew Luebbers
Eric Mao
Yao Yin
Grace Jinning Zhang
12th
Shan Nicole Bassolino
Ethan Rimes Kallett
Reina Kuroda Nadeau
Alexis Anne Silverman
THE DAVID B. JOHNSTON HISTORY PRIZE
The David B. Johnston History Prize—named for a beloved history teacher and department chair known fondly as Dr. J during his 29-year tenure at the School—recognizes the student who has consistently demonstrated all-around scholarship in and deep passion for the discipline of history. Last year, the inaugural recipient was Cara Marie Dienst. This year it’s awarded to: Suzanna Juliet Gulick-Stutz and Ricardo Carlos López
PERFORMING & FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
9th
Jamie Nichole Bailon
Julia Katherine Parker Hale
Grace Caroline Huber
Saga Madeleine Leslie
Anna Elizabeth Lister
Theodore Marx Mailer
Dashiell Wyle Martin
10th
Tea Clara Alphea Wallmark (Ceramics)
Daisy Jaye Lawrence (Visual Art)
Matthew Anson Thacher (Music)
Ian Lin Zhang (Music)
11th
James Peter Costigan (Music)
12th
Emma Theresa Gilmore (AP Art History)
Nicholas Satoru Amano (Ceramics)
Olivia Huntington de Polo (String Ensemble)
Adam Lirio Marcelo (Music)
THE HARRY LLEWELLYN BIXBY DRAMATIC CUP: First given in 1919, the cup is awarded to students in recognition of their contribution to the Thacher Drama Program. Last year it was awarded to Isabel Ann Harding Ouweleen and Ava Rae Penner. This year the recipient is: Elizabeth Frances Hatton
THE ERIC BECHTEL DACHS PRIZE FOR TECHNICAL THEATRE: Awarded by the Technical Director to the student who, in his or her career at Thacher, has shown the greatest dedication, imagination, and expertise in technical theatre. Last year it was not awarded. This year’s recipient is: Helena Teresa Girardoni
DARRAH CORBETT, JR. STUDIO PRIZE: First given in 1941 in memory of Darrah Corbett, Jr., CdeP 1936. Last year’s recipient was Maximilian Tyler Damon. This year the recipient is: Francisco Vidal Zamora
THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN ART AWARD: Given to the student who has demonstrated uncommon dedication, commitment and achievement in the Visual Arts. Last year’s recipient was Natalie Osuna. This year the recipient is: Helena Teresa Girardoni
MARCUS HELE DALL AWARD: This award is given to the student who has done the best work in photography. Last year it was awarded to Colin Poole Kirkpatrick. This year the recipient is: Alice Palmer Robertson
THE AGNES M. LORD MUSIC AWARD: First given in 1922 to honor Mrs. Walter St. Clair Lord, who taught music at Thacher from 1898 to 1925. Last year’s recipient was Anthony Aristides Nikitopoulos. This year the recipients are: Paiton Toshiko Kanda Gleeson and Elizabeth Frances Hatton
THE CLASS OF 2000 DANCE AWARD was established in recognition of the dedication, leadership and accomplishments of the dancers of the Class of 2000. It is awarded to the senior who most embodies those qualities. Last year it was awarded to Sophia Fung. This year’s recipient is: Yosephina Antonia Peters and Mary Ophelia Walton
THE ART HISTORY AWARD is given to that student who has done exemplary work in Advanced Placement Art History. Last year it was awarded to Edel Dupré Galgon. The senior who has done the best work in AP Art History this year is: Yousef Lawrence
THE WOOD DESIGN AWARD is given to that student who has done exemplary work in Wood Design. Last year it was awarded to Yao Yin. This year the award goes to: Julien Andrew Luebbers
The Ceramic Arts Award is given to the student who has demonstrated uncommon dedication, commitment, and achievement in the ceramics studio. Last year it was awarded to Finnegan Peter Keilty. This year the award goes to: Finnegan Peter Keilty
THE MARVIN H. SHAGAM AWARD
Awarded annually to that junior who has made a difference in the Thacher community through force of character, goodness, courage, vision, and love for all God’s creation. Last year the recipient was Lingyu “Mary” Yan. This year the recipient is: Abigail Miao Romo
CUM LAUDE SOCIETY INDUCTION
Class of 2018
Elected in their junior year:
Joseph Bennett Hardwicke
Jeffrey Ding
Suzanna Juliet Gülick-Stutz
Ricardo Lopez
Alexis Anne Silverman
Mary Ophelia Walton
Elected in their senior year:
Shan Nicole Bassolino
Edison Gregory Chadwick
Paiton Toshiko Kanda Gleeson
Ethan Rimes Kallett
Yousef Lawrence
Griffin Daniel Somaratne
Lingyu “Mary” Yan
Class of 2019
Elected in their junior year:
George Cleveland Lawrence
Julien Andrew Luebbers
Abigail Miao Romo
Yao Yin
THE MOFFITT SADDLE, given by Liz Moffitt Herr in memory of the long-term relationship between Thacher and her father, Herbert C. Moffitt, M.D. CdeP 1933, awarded each year to that junior whose energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the Horse Program reflects that of Doctor Moffitt. Last year’s recipient was Sarah Ann Finch. This year’s recipient is: Ursula Elizabeth Gately
THE TOP WRANGLER AWARD, given by the Class of 1979 in memory of their friend and classmate Richard A. Wilson, Jr. CdeP 1979 to recognize that senior who throughout his or her Thacher career has shown great endeavor and success in all aspects of the Horse Program: riding, camping, and leadership. Last year it was not awarded. This year’s recipient is: Sarah Ann Finch
THE GEORGE BECKWITH GYMKHANA TROPHY is presented to the captains of the winning gymkhana team. This year the award is presented to: Sarah Ann Finch, Suzanna Juliet Gulick-Stutz, and Elizabeth Frances Hatton
THE BISSELL GYMKHANA TROPHY is presented each year to the high-point man or woman. Last year’s recipient was Steven Malcolm Jump III. This year the award is presented to: Sarah Ann Finch
THE HERBERT SISTERS’ ENGLISH RIDING TROPHY
First awarded in 2006, The Herbert Sisters’ Trophy is given in honor of Alexandra MacLean Herbert CdeP 2002 and Deirdre Healy Herbert CdeP 2006, both former captains of Thacher’s Equestrian Team and dedicated English riders. The Award goes to that rider who has shown exceptional dedication, commitment, and talent in the English Riding Program. Last year, it was not awarded. This year’s recipients are: Emma Theresa Gilmore and Clare Marie McCormack
THE VAQUERO CUP, awarded to the best all-around student in riding, shooting, and gymkhana. Last year it was not awarded. This year’s recipient is: Sarah Ann Finch
THE HOLLISTER WHEATON TRAPSHOOT AWARD is awarded to the parent and student with the highest score. Last year it was awarded to Jim Finch and his son, James Michael Finch. This year’s recipients are: Jim Finch and daughter, Sarah Ann Finch (15/25)
THE CHARLES PRATT TRAPSHOOT PLATE is awarded to that student with the highest score. Last year it was awarded to Brooks Thomas Walker. This year the recipient is: Thomas Baskerville Lewis Hudson (22/25)
THE JESSE KAHLE HORSECAMPER AWARD is awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the Camping Committee, has demonstrated horse camping skills of the highest quality and greatest range by planning and carrying out a variety of worthwhile trips during a Thacher career. Last year it was not awarded. This year’s recipient is: Sarah Ann Finch
THE BEST CAMPER AWARD is awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the Camping Committee, has done the most camping and helped significantly with the running of the camping program. Last year it was awarded to Liam Reed Kirkpatrick. This year’s recipient is: Kathleen Joyce O’Neill
THE EDWARD R. SPAULDING TENNIS CUP was presented to The Thacher School by E. R. Spaulding of Santa Barbara. First awarded to Albert T. Spaulding in April 1903 and presented each year to the School Tennis Champion. Last year’s recipient was Joseph Bennett Hardwicke. This year’s recipient is: Joseph Bennett Hardwicke and Kelly Seohee Oh
CONDOR TROPHY
The Condor Trophy is awarded to that girls’ and/or boys’ varsity athletic team or teams who, in the opinion of the Athletic Council, have through their work rate, dedication, attitude, and record of achievement in league and post-season competition, truly distinguished themselves. It was awarded last year to The Girls Varsity Tennis Team and The Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team. This year it is awarded to: The Boys’ Varsity Cross Country Team and The Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team
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A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.