Awards Ceremony Highlights Fall Term Accomplishments

The Westminster community gathered in Werner Centennial Center Dec. 1 to celebrate the achievements of the fall 2022 term. “For some, [this fall] marks the last time you’ll see the leaves change on campus, for others, it marks a milestone in your transition to life here on the Hill. So, whether returning or new to Westminster, taking time to reflect on our fall is important,” said Dean of Faculty Jess Keough as she welcomed students and faculty. 

 

“The fall is all about possibilities,” she continued. “We spend the final weeks of summer shifting our focus back to Williams Hill and in turn, we start to make a mental list of all the possibilities that lie ahead. Certainly, one of the greatest parts of being a teacher is the rhythm of the school year; each September offers a clean slate — the opportunity to realize your hopes and dreams in the months ahead.”

 

When reflecting over the past term, she challenged students to think of the goals they set for themselves, the ways in which they worked towards those goals, and the way the journey has impacted them and their time on the Hill.

 

“There is much to celebrate this term,” she concluded. “But let us also not forget about all the possibilities that lie ahead and the work to achieve them that will move us forward.”

 

 

Marin Benoit, Caroline Breslav, John Dwyer, Lauren Levinson, Sunshine Li, Nick Lopriore, Aidan O’Callaghan, Henry Warren, Luna Yang

 

Ethan Choi, Finn Seeley, Alex Goodman, Cindion Huang, Trent Jones, Elise Park, Meiyin Ren, Lily Vincent, Lucy Wainwright, Max Williams, Jennifer Yang

 

Carolyn Cheng, Nora Davis, Wills Erda, Sarah Lenox, Jonathan Li, Tarapi Pyo, Sarah Rocchio, Kalle Schmidt, Michael Song, Alice Tao, Ella Ungerman, Kimi Weng

 

Lucy Benoit, Sam Bradley, Annabel Brawn, Emma Budke, Maris Cathcart, Olivia Fernandez, Alice Liu, Tia MacDonald, Owen Murphy, Grace Yuan, Allen Zhou, Heather Zhu

 

The following students earned scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams:

 

Francesca Carnovale ’23, Jack Carter ’23, Amber Caruso ’23, Elizabeth DiBlasi ’23, Wills Erda ’24, Troy Griffith ’23, Owen Huang ’23, Gabe Lugo ’23, Emma Mason ’23, Saskia Mattiko ’23, Maggie McCarthy ’23, Oliver Olson ’23, Tomasina Pearman ’23, Hewitt Shelton ’23

 

Students who earned an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scored 3 or higher on four or more:

Annabel Brawn ’23, Ethan Cramer ’23, Beck Hanypsiak ’23, Jay Henry ’23, Josh Mason ’23, Jakub McKinney ’23

 

AP Scholars with Distinction who earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scored 3 or higher on five or more:

 Kalilah Akbar ’23, Lucy Benoit ’23, Sam Bradley ’23, Maris Cathcart ’23, Tommy Cramer ’23, Jonathan Li ’24, Alice Liu ’23, Grace Yuan ’23, Allen Zhou ’23, Heather Zhu ’23

 

Named in honor of Richard P. “Scott” Berry, loyal faculty member, coach and friend here from 1971-2017, recognizes the player from each lower team who gave the best effort and demonstrated the best attitude throughout the season.

 

JV Field Hockey : Lucy Wainwright ’25

Third Field Hockey : Caroline Breslav ’26

JV Boys’ Soccer : Daniel Olaosebikan ’26

Third Boys’ Soccer : Cayden Darnowski ’25

Fourth Boys’ Soccer : Alex Martinez ’26

JV Girls’ Soccer : Mather Thompson ’23

Third Girls’ Soccer : Sarah Rocchio ’24

 

Most Improved Player (MIP) and Most Valuable Player (MVP)

Field Hockey

MIP: Amelia Molin ’23

Pitcairn MVP: Mckenzie Bloom ’23

 

Boys’ Water Polo

MIP: Simon Stambaugh ’26

MVP: Wills Erda ’24

 

Boys’ Cross Country

MIP: James O’Connell ’25

Jones Bowl, MVR: Sam Bradley ’23

 

Girls’ Cross Country

MIP: Simone Routledge ’23

Wilbur Bowl, MVR: Emma Mason ’23

 

Girls’ Soccer

MIP: Catherine Graves ’24

MVP: Jillian Gregorski ’24

 

Boys’ Soccer

Wilbraham MIP: Henry Warner ’25

1956 MVP: Lawrence Taylor ’23

 

The Stephen Harris Squibb Bowl awards, which honor the athlete from each Varsity team who demonstrated the greatest sportsmanship, consistent effort, and inspired performance throughout the season were given to:

 

Water Polo: Mason Zottola ’23

Girls’ Cross Country: Catie McGuigan ’23

Boys’ Cross Country: Rhys Marschke ’24

Girls’ Soccer: Kalilah Akbar ’23

Boys’ Soccer: Parker Sinclair ’23

Field Hockey: Dylan Bloom ’23

 

 The All Founders League Award is given to two members of each varsity team who best exemplify the League ideals of sportsmanship, hard work and character in the spirit of competition and fair play at the varsity level.

 

Varsity Boys’ Soccer: Kade Smith ‘23, Mason Clarke ‘23

Varsity Girls’ Soccer: Kalilah Akbar ’23, Haley Cramer ’24

Varsity Boys’ Cross Country: Jay Henry ’23, Sam Bradley ’23

Varsity Girls’ Cross Country: Simone Routledge ’23, Emma Mason ’23

Varsity Field Hockey: Ava Lynch’23, Dylan Bloom’23

Varsity Water Polo: Jason Hu ’25, Andrew Pang ’24

 

The Hopley-Jackson Award, named in honor of Richard Hopley and Michael Jackson, lower team coaches for many years at Westminster, is given seasonally to the Westminster lower team with the best season.

 

JV Field Hockey Coaches: Lawrence Court, Kristen Styspeck

Captains: Bella Ursano ’23, Reese Hutchen ’23, Charlotte Trafelet ’23, Maggie McCarthy ’23

 

The Houghton Award, named in honor of Frederick Houghton, class of ’32, trustee, friend, and fan, is given seasonally to the Westminster team with the best season.

 

Varsity Girls’ Soccer Coaches: Kelly Wosleger, Kelly Lucas

Captains: Bianca D’Onofrio ’23, Jillian Gregorski ’24, Elizabeth DiBlasi ’23

 

Frances Laurel Hopkins award, which recognizes a student who has made outstanding contributions to the Westminster Dramat Association, was given to Tia MacDonald ’23

 

New Members of Dramat: Jake Holland ’24, Anaya Huguley ’26, Johnathan Li ’24, Caterina McGuigan ’23, Adela McKinney ’25, Jillian Mihailovich ’25, Tomasina Pearman ’23, Ellery Reitzas ’26. Students are admitted into the Westminster Dramat Association after accumulating 100 hours working on Dramat productions.

 

New Members of the Williams Hill Players: Alexa Dailey ’24 and Taylor Schuster ’24.

became Williams Hill Players when they accrued 400 hours working on Dramat productions.

 

The last celebration of the morning highlighted special community members. Head of School Elaine White explained, “The strength and the love of every person in this community give us the staying power that we need to pursue studies or teach, stay focused on the field or the stage, and push ourselves to be better. Graham Cole, head of school from 1993-2010, awarded a headmaster’s pin each season to recognize extraordinary community commitment; it is a practice that I am delighted to continue.

 

“As part of the process, I ask faculty to make nominations for each term. Each nomination is accompanied by a wonderful explanatory description which serves as testament to the love, effort and care that happen under the radar, behind closed doors and away from the fanfare. They confirm how lucky we are to be in this space and time with one another.”

 

This year, three pins were given to:

 

Mason Zottola ’23, who stepped up to coach his teammates when Coach Kendall was out sick and was unable to coach one of the water polo’s home games “Mason remained poised and levelheaded throughout the match. He served as not only an extremely positive influence on the players but also set the tone as to how the team should conduct themselves, said Associate Head of School Mark de Kanter.

 

“This was not the only example of commitment to community this term for Mason. He also gave numerous tours, but, true to form, when he was touring international families, he intentionally researched customs for those visitors and carefully followed them when welcoming the families to campus. These families were shocked and pleased by his actions and immediately felt included.”

 

Next, Allison Blanton and her husband, Tim, a history instructor, each received pins for their many efforts throughout the fall term to be part of the dormitory community. “My favorite one,” said White,  “comes from Mr. Blanton who wrote that ‘tonight Allison cooked up a fresh apple pie, a pumpkin roll, and brownies for the boys in the corridor for when they checked in. The goods were incredible. Barely a crumb left. She’s the best.’

 

“You are not so bad yourself, Mr. Blanton,” White said. “You both uprooted yourselves at the last minute this summer and came to meet our needs.  For being willing to bake, sing, strum, do extra duty & throw yourselves wholeheartedly into dormitory life this fall.”

 

Last, Mariama Camara ’23, was given the third community pin. In thanking her, Coach Kelly Wosleger wrote, “You are not a player on this team, you are not a manager, and as much as you try to be, you are also not a coach. But somehow, you are all of these things and more. You claim you took an exemption for “lacrosse” but we all know you took an exemption for soccer. Over the last two years, you’ve shown up day after day, game after game, trip after trip, and poured your heart and soul into this team. More than anything, you’ve shared your contagious energy and positive vibes with us all. Let us not forget, you left early from your lacrosse showcase in Long Island (an event that would help determine your future) to take an Uber to the train station, to then take another Uber to get to our game at Loomis by halftime. Who does that?! I can assure you your absence was felt in that first half.  While this team has certainly become more talented over the last two years, it is no coincidence that we’ve found success since you joined our program. All I can really say is thank you. Thank you for your unwavering commitment, your devotion and support, your barrels of energy, your banging playlists, and for all of the laughter and memories you’ve helped us make. This team will not be the same without you. Thank you.”