Over the past few weeks, students have shared their passions and accomplishments widely within our school community. We have celebrated those endeavors in many venues from classroom presentations, to theatrical performances, at concerts, on the playing fields, and at gallery openings and the Arts Walk.

Assistant Head of School Ann Pickrell shared the most notable of these student accomplishments and recognized overall distinction among the Class of 2017.

On Friday morning Williston held its Athletic Awards Assembly to celebrate another incredible year of success for Williston’s athletic teams. The Athletic Department presented the Blanket Award, which recognizes seniors who have distinguished level of participation on a team every season during their junior and senior year. For seniors who have been at Williston for more than two years, they are eligible for the award if they have only missed one season during either their freshman or sophomores years. 24 seniors were presented the Blanket Award on Friday. Ms. Pickrell asked them to stand and be recognized. She also recognized the senior recipients of our top two athletic awards and asked those individuals to stand. The George Denman Bowl (for boys) and the Alumnae Bowl (for girls) are “awarded to seniors whose contribution to the athletic program has been characterized by exceptional achievement, faithful participation, and loyal devotion to the best interests of the school.”

This year The George Denman Award was given to: DAVID FITCH

This year the Alumni Bowl Award was given to: ALEXIS RYAN

The Academic Awards Ceremony, held on May 27, celebrated outstanding academic achievement for the year. There were 87 students who received prizes for their academic accomplishments during the school year. Ms. Pickrell asked that all recipients of course awards and prizes stand and be recognized for their achievement. She also highlighted excellence at each grade level asked them to stand as their name was read. For the 9th grade there are 3 prizes. Julia Farnham was the recipient of the Head of School Prize, Steven Wang was the recipient of the Yale Prize and Nathaniel “Nat” Markey was the recipient of the Bowdoin Prize. For the 10th grade there are three prizes. Madeleine Elsea was the recipient of the Head of School Prize, Glede Wang was the recipient of the Smith Prize and Robert “Robby” Hill was the recipient of the Williams Prize.

For the 11th grade there are five prizes.  Sophie Carellas was the recipient of the Head of School Prize, Sophia Schaefer was the recipient of the Lincoln Granniss Prize, Sabrina Liew was the recipient of the Holy Cross Prize, Madison Fulcher-Melendy was the recipient of the Dartmouth Prize, and Anabelle Farnham was the recipient of the Harvard Prize.

Before presenting the senior class prizes and awards, Ms. Pickrell made announcements about the Williston Scholars program. This year we offered seven courses within our Williston Scholars program and there are 10 seniors who were recognized for their exemplary work.

For her work in the English Department: AVA MCELHONE YATES

For her work in the Mathematics Department: SARAH ANDREWS

For his work in the Science Department: NAM PHAM For his work in the Language Department: JESSE CASSUTO

For their work in the History and Global Studies Department: EMMA REYNOLDS  and ALEX FOSTER

For their work in the Performing Arts Department: DESTINY NWAFOR and MAKENNA HAMBLEY

For their work in the Visual Arts Department: CHIA HUNG, MARK WEI, and RICHARD ROYLE

The following are the Senior Prizes, awarded each year at Commencement, as voted by the full faculty and presented by Head of School, Robert W. Hill III.

The Tara Michelle Katzner Memorial Prize is awarded annually to that student who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and dedication. This year the prize is given to: GEORGE LANTZ

The Henry Teller Prize, in memory of a history teacher and choral conductor, 1947-1983, is awarded to that person in the Williston Northampton community who by active example encourages intercultural understanding and good will. This year the prize is given to: ENIOLA IKUKU

The Westcott E. S. Moulton Award, honoring a member of the Class of 1927 and Williston Alumni Secretary, 1961-1973, is presented to that member of the senior class who has shown a high degree of effort in publications, sportsmanship, leadership, and community involvement leading to continued loyalty and interest as an alumna or alumnus. This year the award is given to: AVA MCELHONE YATES

The Tim Wallis, Class of 1962 Prize was established in memory of an English Speaking Union exchange student at Williston; the prize is given at Commencement to that senior “who gets much from the School because he or she puts much in.” This year the prize is given to: GABRIELLA MERCIER

The Class of 1942 Prize is awarded in recognition of “Outstanding Service to the School.” This year the prize is given to: SOMA MIZOBUCHI

The George H. Higgins Prize is given to “that student in the graduating class who has displayed outstanding character in school life.”  This year the prize is given to: NOAH DEVOS

The Katherine M. Ockenden, Class of 1949 Prize is given to that senior who “in the opinion of the faculty has contributed moral, positive leadership.”  This year the prize is given to: DESTINY NWAFOR

The L. G. Treadway Citizenship Prize, established by Richard Treadway, Class of 1932, in honor of his father, is awarded to a senior who has been at the school for at least two years, who has maintained a strong scholastic standing, and who has given promise of future achievement.  The chief qualities to be considered are personal integrity and contributions made to the best citizenship of the school.  This year the prize is awarded to: NATALIE AQUADRO

The Joseph Sawyer Memorial Prize, honoring the 7th Headmaster of Williston Seminary, 1886-1919, is awarded to a young man who has made outstanding contributions to the intellectual and community life of the school.  This year the prize is awarded to: SAUL BLAIN

The Dorothy Bement Prize, honoring a co-founder of The Northampton School for Girls, is given to the young woman who has exhibited excellence in her academic endeavors and in her contributions to citizenship and the overall life of the school. This year the prize is awarded to: EMILY YEAGER

The final three prizes carry the greatest distinction; the first two being awarded to the outstanding young man and young woman in the senior class, the third honoring the first scholar in the class:

The Archibald V. Galbraith Prize, honoring the 8th Headmaster of Williston Academy, 1919-1949, is awarded to that young man who in academics, athletics, and citizenship is exemplary, representing that which is best in the school. The Galbraith prize is awarded this year to: NICHOLAS HILL

The Sarah B. Whitaker Prize, honoring a co-founder of the Northampton School for Girls, and co-Principal, 1924-1962, is also known as the White Blazer Award. The White Blazer is given to the young woman who has distinguished herself with the greatest contributions to the academic, athletic, and community life of the school while exhibiting exemplary leadership and integrity. The White Blazer is awarded this year to: MOLLY ZAWACKI

The Valedictory prize is awarded to the first scholar of the class. It is a combination of two awards from an era in the school’s history, when the Edmund H. Sawyer Prize was given for work in the classical curriculum and the Horatio G. Knight Prize was given for work in the scientific curriculum. These prizes are now combined into one. It honors the student who, by record of performance during the senior year, is judged by the faculty to be pre-eminent in academic achievement. This year the recipient of the Valedictory prize is: EMILY YEAGER

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THE CLASS OF 2017! WE WILL MISS YOU! Please come back and visit us often!