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Achievements Celebrated at Fall Awards Ceremony
Members of the Westminster community gathered in Werner Centennial Center Dec. 1 for a Fall Awards Ceremony to celebrate achievements and to recognize people in the Westminster community who did especially well in various realms of school activity during the fall trimester. Headmaster Graham Cole welcomed everyone to the ceremony by saying:
"When I travel for the school or run into alumni, as I did with amazing frequency over this Thanksgiving vacation, especially members of the Class of 2006, one of the first questions they ask invariably is: 'How is the year going?' This year, my answer is 'very well, indeed.' I do believe that we have enjoyed a very good fall. Consider the numbers of people who earned summus gradus for the term; our teams’ results this season, particularly some of our lower squads; Dramat’s production of Museum; the daily torrent of families coming through our admissions office demonstrating what a 'hot school' we are; our parents’ weekend artists, highlighted by Young (Bahn) and E.J. (Nisbeth) on the drums; and the impressive array of interesting speakers who have addressed us in this building.
"Yet as important to me in measuring our success in the term have been those small, often unnoticed interactions, encounters on the Hill that go so far to make this such a special place: when I go out to greet a family in admissions and they say, 'you have such nice, friendly kids and faculty here'; when I visit a class and hear a student say to the class during a discussion, 'this is really interesting'; when I see a teacher who regularly gives prodigious amounts of extra help in Watts Hall and so clearly enjoys being with students and talking about their work; when the Head and Junior Prefect visit with me to communicate student concerns; when I watch a game and hear the bench cheering so enthusiastically for teammates on the field; when I go through the lunch line and find the Marriott people serving and greeting us all so warmly; when I go the West Wing in Cushing and see the college counseling office giving their all to help our Sixth Form; when I learn of corridor proctors who support and help the under formers on their floor; and when I listen to a chapel talk in which a student or faculty member takes the risk of getting up in front of everyone and sharing parts of their lives and opinions in a powerfully personal way.
"Frankly, this is the stuff that makes or breaks a term, not our sports records, not our artists’ performances, not admissions statistics, not National Merit semi-finalists. Yes, these are important and impressive, but to me these lower profile experiences ultimately define the quality of the term. And by these criteria, I salute and thank you all for an outstanding trimester. Let’s keep this momentum going into this winter."
Headmaster Cole then introduced Director of Studies Greg Marco who announced the following academic achievements:
Sixth Formers – Summus: Emma Anquillare, Matt Emmel, Woojae Eum, Andrew Kim, Adam Lewicki, Thames Sae Sue, Rachael Susaneck, Drew Ugalde, Jake Utzig, Peter Williams, Liza Winship and Gavin Zalinger
Sixth Formers – Superus: Laura Arciero, Leigh Armstrong, Wilson Bak, Leah Barker, Schuyler Biedron, Heidi Bitter, Adam Bitzer, Erica Briggs, Leila Campoli, Greg Carey, Mal Coquoz, Frank Coughlin, Harish Dadoo, Ali Evans, Corrie Ferguson, Tim Gavrich, Alexandra Geitz, Alex Gerson, Julie Gonzalez, Chelsea Hall, Kelly Harrington, Carsey Hawkins, Melissa Haynes, Chris Heilakka, Pat Hesketh, Mandy Hyne, Tucker Jones, Graham Kohan, Chris LaBarre, Clark LaMotte, Sarah Lobdell, Sky Miers, Grace Moore, Taylor Neighbours, Pat O’Brien, Augie Perrigo, Rob Pierce, Caroline Reigeluth, Olivia Robinson, Charlie Rocco, Andrew Ryan, Evan Salzberg, Kathryn Sargent, Ryan Seong, John Sherman, Drew Skipp, Carl Spevacek, Nick Stevens, Andrew Sutherland, Mark Sutherland, Elsie Swank, Parker Swenson, Ellie Thom, Jessi Waters, Andrew Webb, Jamie Whittendale, Bill Wiederseim, Kelsea Wigmore, Kevin Wu and Alexander Young
Fifth Formers – Summus: Leah Brewer, Shelby Brown, Jason Hesketh, Anne Hoyt, Sam Jackson, Amy Lee, Sarah Marco, Louisa Sanford, Sarah Shanfield, Marianne Specker and Michelle Yoon
Fifth Formers – Superus: Sacha Alaby, Dukes Aspland, Emma Beck, Sarah Bingham, Dorothy Brown, Lisa Cavazuti, Renzie Chipman, Carson Christman, Jarrod Connolly, Salvador Gutiérrez, Caitlin Hodson, Polly Ketcham, Ollie Koo, Luke Lamothe, John Le Clerc, Saskia Leopold, Victoria Manganiello, Conor McGovern, Helena Morris, Katelyn Morton, Andrew Nitkin, Jordan Ohanesian, Chinazo Okpalanma, Eric Phillips, Andy Polio, Joseph Putko, Jamie Renwick, Michele Ribaudo, Abigail Seymour, Hannah Sharaf, Corey Starbuck Willie Waggaman and Zach Wigmore
Fourth Formers – Summus: Mac Cahill, Robin Cotter, Charlie Keegan, Margot Lieblich, Eliza Mandzik, Zach Reitano, Josh Zalinger and Kirby Zdrill
Fourth Formers – Superus: Jae Kyung Ahn, Joe Ascioti, Nico Barragán, Bec Bishop, Ali Bragg, John Buchta, Natalie Chan, Philip Cho, Kelsey Clarke, Liz Cole, Claire Corroon, Mike Curran, James Curtiss, Hannah Dimmitt, Bree Evans, Whitney FitzPatrick, Alexis Gay, Aimee Hannah, Amanda Humphrey, Kierra Jones, James Kingsbury, Jeannie Lee, Colby Mauke, Jaime McComb, Juliette McComb, Jake McPhee, Chanler Murphy, E.J. Nisbeth, Molly O’Connor, Catherine Outerbridge, Charles Park, Roger Peikin, Natalie Perkins, Alie Philip, Abby Pribble, Harry Radovich, Jacki Savage, Krissy Schultz, Chris Shimamoto, Julie Simons, Caroline Snyder, Hunter Spannaus, Dylan Spevacek, Annie Ulrich, Izzie Wragg, Jeremy Zelinger and Kyle Zinn
Third Formers – Summus: Kathryn Brady, Anni Cervas, Alex Gioia, Sean Kelley, Suchi Mandavilli, Hilary Marshall, Colin McLaughlin, Sam Reynolds, Libby Shea, Clare Ulrich and Will White
Third Formers – Superus: Meg Barnes, Zach Curcio, Kip Denoyer, Isabelle Hill, Maddie King, Tiff Liu, Matt Mahany, Ben Mandell, Mike Maurer, Greg Miller, Tammie Moopenn, Francheska Munoz, Pat Niedermeyer, Jonathan O’Brien, Ben Ross, Ben Sharaf, Bronwyn Shortly and Karin Yoshida
In addition to acknowledging students who have achieved academic honors, fall term awards were presented to members of the Westminster community who made a special contribution to the school during the trimester by adding to the success, tone, sportsmanship and spirit of the school.
Director of Athletics Dennis Daly presented the fall sports awards beginning with the Berry Awards, named in honor of faculty member Richard P. “Scott” Berry, which recognize the player from each lower team who gave the best effort and demonstrated the best attitude throughout the season. Awardees included: Third Field Hockey, Daley O’Herron; Third Boys' Black Soccer, Conor McGovern; Third Boys’ Gold Soccer, Harish Daddoo; Third Girls' Soccer, Robin Cotter; Second Boys' Cross Country, Woojae Eum; Second Football, Kirby Zdrill; Second Field Hockey, Juliette McComb; Second Boys' Soccer, Hunter Spannaus; Second Girls' Soccer, Ann Cervas; and Second Volleyball: Jeannie Lee.
He also announced the following First Team Awards:
First Boys’ Cross Country: Most Improved Runner, Andrew Overbye; and the Jones Most Valuable Runner: Zane Rooney
First Girls' Cross Country: Most Improved Runner, Anne Hoyt and the
Wilbur Most Valuable Runner, Helena Morris
First Field Hockey: Most Improved Player, Maddie King; and
the Pitcairn Most Valuable Player, Emily Walsh
First Football: the Hovey Most Improved Player, Jason Hesketh; Most Valuable Player, Wilson Bak and CG Grant; and the Chapman Cup Most Valuable Defense: Pat Hesketh and Alex Young
First Boys' Soccer: the Wilbraham Most Improved Player: Carson Christman and the 1956 Team Most Valuable Player, Jimmy Turbide and Peter Williams
First Girls' Soccer: Most Improved Player, Erica Briggs and
Most Valuable Player: Bethany Dymarczyk and Ali Evans
First Volleyball: Most Improved Player, Abigail Pribble; and
Most Valuable Player, Hilary Marshall and Karin Yoshida
The Stephen Harris Squibb Bowl awards, which honor the athlete from each first team who demonstrated the greatest sportsmanship, consistent effort and inspired performance throughout the season, were given to: First Boys' Cross Country, Gavin Zalinger; First Girls' Cross Country, Liza Winship; First Field Hockey, Kayla Lessard; First Football, Pat Hesketh; First Boys' Soccer, Chris LaBarre; First Girls' Soccer, Jessi Waters; and First Volleyball, Nicole Palazzo.
The 2006 Fall Hopley-Jackson Award, which is given to the Westminster lower team with the best season, was presented to Third Field Hockey and accepted by coach Amy Graham and captain Daley O’Herron.
The 2006 Fall Frederick D. Houghton Award, which is given to the Westminster team with the best season, was presented to Second Girls' Soccer and accepted by coach Ariel Hirshberg, and captains Emma Beck, Kim Sirko and Abby Seymour.
In the performing arts, Director of Theater Mark Bishop presented the Frances Laurel Hopkins Award to Leah Barker '07 recognizing her outstanding commitment to Dramat this fall.
The newest members of Dramat, the student dramatic organization requiring 120 hours of service, were announced as Randi Crawford, Matt Emmell, Dylan Spevacek, Courtney Stafford, Danielle Williams and Josh Zalinger.
Two students who join the ranks of Williams Hill Players this fall were also recognized: Alex Geitz and Alex Gerson.
Lastly, Headmaster Cole presented the prestigious Headmaster’s Award winners for achievement in the areas of service, leadership, and citizenship to: Adam Bitzer ’07, cross country team manager, for his “impressive hard work, ingenuity, support and reliability”; Kat Johnson, faculty member, Spanish, for her “selfless commitment and willingness to help that makes Westminster so successful”; Mark de Kanter ’91, faculty member and cross country coach “to celebrate a coach who has not only enjoyed terrific results with his teams by dint of his dedication, energy and leadership but who, this fall, went the proverbial extra miles to bring Westminster huge measures of good publicity and good will”; and Sue DiFatta, assistant athletic director, and Karen Fair, assistant athletic trainer “two people who are there every day, who are so wonderfully knowledgeable, kind, caring and supportive, who heal our bodies and our souls, who make such a difference to our teams and to our school.”
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"When I travel for the school or run into alumni, as I did with amazing frequency over this Thanksgiving vacation, especially members of the Class of 2006, one of the first questions they ask invariably is: 'How is the year going?' This year, my answer is 'very well, indeed.' I do believe that we have enjoyed a very good fall. Consider the numbers of people who earned summus gradus for the term; our teams’ results this season, particularly some of our lower squads; Dramat’s production of Museum; the daily torrent of families coming through our admissions office demonstrating what a 'hot school' we are; our parents’ weekend artists, highlighted by Young (Bahn) and E.J. (Nisbeth) on the drums; and the impressive array of interesting speakers who have addressed us in this building.
"Yet as important to me in measuring our success in the term have been those small, often unnoticed interactions, encounters on the Hill that go so far to make this such a special place: when I go out to greet a family in admissions and they say, 'you have such nice, friendly kids and faculty here'; when I visit a class and hear a student say to the class during a discussion, 'this is really interesting'; when I see a teacher who regularly gives prodigious amounts of extra help in Watts Hall and so clearly enjoys being with students and talking about their work; when the Head and Junior Prefect visit with me to communicate student concerns; when I watch a game and hear the bench cheering so enthusiastically for teammates on the field; when I go through the lunch line and find the Marriott people serving and greeting us all so warmly; when I go the West Wing in Cushing and see the college counseling office giving their all to help our Sixth Form; when I learn of corridor proctors who support and help the under formers on their floor; and when I listen to a chapel talk in which a student or faculty member takes the risk of getting up in front of everyone and sharing parts of their lives and opinions in a powerfully personal way.
"Frankly, this is the stuff that makes or breaks a term, not our sports records, not our artists’ performances, not admissions statistics, not National Merit semi-finalists. Yes, these are important and impressive, but to me these lower profile experiences ultimately define the quality of the term. And by these criteria, I salute and thank you all for an outstanding trimester. Let’s keep this momentum going into this winter."
Headmaster Cole then introduced Director of Studies Greg Marco who announced the following academic achievements:
Sixth Formers – Summus: Emma Anquillare, Matt Emmel, Woojae Eum, Andrew Kim, Adam Lewicki, Thames Sae Sue, Rachael Susaneck, Drew Ugalde, Jake Utzig, Peter Williams, Liza Winship and Gavin Zalinger
Sixth Formers – Superus: Laura Arciero, Leigh Armstrong, Wilson Bak, Leah Barker, Schuyler Biedron, Heidi Bitter, Adam Bitzer, Erica Briggs, Leila Campoli, Greg Carey, Mal Coquoz, Frank Coughlin, Harish Dadoo, Ali Evans, Corrie Ferguson, Tim Gavrich, Alexandra Geitz, Alex Gerson, Julie Gonzalez, Chelsea Hall, Kelly Harrington, Carsey Hawkins, Melissa Haynes, Chris Heilakka, Pat Hesketh, Mandy Hyne, Tucker Jones, Graham Kohan, Chris LaBarre, Clark LaMotte, Sarah Lobdell, Sky Miers, Grace Moore, Taylor Neighbours, Pat O’Brien, Augie Perrigo, Rob Pierce, Caroline Reigeluth, Olivia Robinson, Charlie Rocco, Andrew Ryan, Evan Salzberg, Kathryn Sargent, Ryan Seong, John Sherman, Drew Skipp, Carl Spevacek, Nick Stevens, Andrew Sutherland, Mark Sutherland, Elsie Swank, Parker Swenson, Ellie Thom, Jessi Waters, Andrew Webb, Jamie Whittendale, Bill Wiederseim, Kelsea Wigmore, Kevin Wu and Alexander Young
Fifth Formers – Summus: Leah Brewer, Shelby Brown, Jason Hesketh, Anne Hoyt, Sam Jackson, Amy Lee, Sarah Marco, Louisa Sanford, Sarah Shanfield, Marianne Specker and Michelle Yoon
Fifth Formers – Superus: Sacha Alaby, Dukes Aspland, Emma Beck, Sarah Bingham, Dorothy Brown, Lisa Cavazuti, Renzie Chipman, Carson Christman, Jarrod Connolly, Salvador Gutiérrez, Caitlin Hodson, Polly Ketcham, Ollie Koo, Luke Lamothe, John Le Clerc, Saskia Leopold, Victoria Manganiello, Conor McGovern, Helena Morris, Katelyn Morton, Andrew Nitkin, Jordan Ohanesian, Chinazo Okpalanma, Eric Phillips, Andy Polio, Joseph Putko, Jamie Renwick, Michele Ribaudo, Abigail Seymour, Hannah Sharaf, Corey Starbuck Willie Waggaman and Zach Wigmore
Fourth Formers – Summus: Mac Cahill, Robin Cotter, Charlie Keegan, Margot Lieblich, Eliza Mandzik, Zach Reitano, Josh Zalinger and Kirby Zdrill
Fourth Formers – Superus: Jae Kyung Ahn, Joe Ascioti, Nico Barragán, Bec Bishop, Ali Bragg, John Buchta, Natalie Chan, Philip Cho, Kelsey Clarke, Liz Cole, Claire Corroon, Mike Curran, James Curtiss, Hannah Dimmitt, Bree Evans, Whitney FitzPatrick, Alexis Gay, Aimee Hannah, Amanda Humphrey, Kierra Jones, James Kingsbury, Jeannie Lee, Colby Mauke, Jaime McComb, Juliette McComb, Jake McPhee, Chanler Murphy, E.J. Nisbeth, Molly O’Connor, Catherine Outerbridge, Charles Park, Roger Peikin, Natalie Perkins, Alie Philip, Abby Pribble, Harry Radovich, Jacki Savage, Krissy Schultz, Chris Shimamoto, Julie Simons, Caroline Snyder, Hunter Spannaus, Dylan Spevacek, Annie Ulrich, Izzie Wragg, Jeremy Zelinger and Kyle Zinn
Third Formers – Summus: Kathryn Brady, Anni Cervas, Alex Gioia, Sean Kelley, Suchi Mandavilli, Hilary Marshall, Colin McLaughlin, Sam Reynolds, Libby Shea, Clare Ulrich and Will White
Third Formers – Superus: Meg Barnes, Zach Curcio, Kip Denoyer, Isabelle Hill, Maddie King, Tiff Liu, Matt Mahany, Ben Mandell, Mike Maurer, Greg Miller, Tammie Moopenn, Francheska Munoz, Pat Niedermeyer, Jonathan O’Brien, Ben Ross, Ben Sharaf, Bronwyn Shortly and Karin Yoshida
In addition to acknowledging students who have achieved academic honors, fall term awards were presented to members of the Westminster community who made a special contribution to the school during the trimester by adding to the success, tone, sportsmanship and spirit of the school.
Director of Athletics Dennis Daly presented the fall sports awards beginning with the Berry Awards, named in honor of faculty member Richard P. “Scott” Berry, which recognize the player from each lower team who gave the best effort and demonstrated the best attitude throughout the season. Awardees included: Third Field Hockey, Daley O’Herron; Third Boys' Black Soccer, Conor McGovern; Third Boys’ Gold Soccer, Harish Daddoo; Third Girls' Soccer, Robin Cotter; Second Boys' Cross Country, Woojae Eum; Second Football, Kirby Zdrill; Second Field Hockey, Juliette McComb; Second Boys' Soccer, Hunter Spannaus; Second Girls' Soccer, Ann Cervas; and Second Volleyball: Jeannie Lee.
He also announced the following First Team Awards:
First Boys’ Cross Country: Most Improved Runner, Andrew Overbye; and the Jones Most Valuable Runner: Zane Rooney
First Girls' Cross Country: Most Improved Runner, Anne Hoyt and the
Wilbur Most Valuable Runner, Helena Morris
First Field Hockey: Most Improved Player, Maddie King; and
the Pitcairn Most Valuable Player, Emily Walsh
First Football: the Hovey Most Improved Player, Jason Hesketh; Most Valuable Player, Wilson Bak and CG Grant; and the Chapman Cup Most Valuable Defense: Pat Hesketh and Alex Young
First Boys' Soccer: the Wilbraham Most Improved Player: Carson Christman and the 1956 Team Most Valuable Player, Jimmy Turbide and Peter Williams
First Girls' Soccer: Most Improved Player, Erica Briggs and
Most Valuable Player: Bethany Dymarczyk and Ali Evans
First Volleyball: Most Improved Player, Abigail Pribble; and
Most Valuable Player, Hilary Marshall and Karin Yoshida
The Stephen Harris Squibb Bowl awards, which honor the athlete from each first team who demonstrated the greatest sportsmanship, consistent effort and inspired performance throughout the season, were given to: First Boys' Cross Country, Gavin Zalinger; First Girls' Cross Country, Liza Winship; First Field Hockey, Kayla Lessard; First Football, Pat Hesketh; First Boys' Soccer, Chris LaBarre; First Girls' Soccer, Jessi Waters; and First Volleyball, Nicole Palazzo.
The 2006 Fall Hopley-Jackson Award, which is given to the Westminster lower team with the best season, was presented to Third Field Hockey and accepted by coach Amy Graham and captain Daley O’Herron.
The 2006 Fall Frederick D. Houghton Award, which is given to the Westminster team with the best season, was presented to Second Girls' Soccer and accepted by coach Ariel Hirshberg, and captains Emma Beck, Kim Sirko and Abby Seymour.
In the performing arts, Director of Theater Mark Bishop presented the Frances Laurel Hopkins Award to Leah Barker '07 recognizing her outstanding commitment to Dramat this fall.
The newest members of Dramat, the student dramatic organization requiring 120 hours of service, were announced as Randi Crawford, Matt Emmell, Dylan Spevacek, Courtney Stafford, Danielle Williams and Josh Zalinger.
Two students who join the ranks of Williams Hill Players this fall were also recognized: Alex Geitz and Alex Gerson.
Lastly, Headmaster Cole presented the prestigious Headmaster’s Award winners for achievement in the areas of service, leadership, and citizenship to: Adam Bitzer ’07, cross country team manager, for his “impressive hard work, ingenuity, support and reliability”; Kat Johnson, faculty member, Spanish, for her “selfless commitment and willingness to help that makes Westminster so successful”; Mark de Kanter ’91, faculty member and cross country coach “to celebrate a coach who has not only enjoyed terrific results with his teams by dint of his dedication, energy and leadership but who, this fall, went the proverbial extra miles to bring Westminster huge measures of good publicity and good will”; and Sue DiFatta, assistant athletic director, and Karen Fair, assistant athletic trainer “two people who are there every day, who are so wonderfully knowledgeable, kind, caring and supportive, who heal our bodies and our souls, who make such a difference to our teams and to our school.”
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