Fifth Form Awards Celebrate Achievement Across the Lawrenceville Community

Lawrenceville recognized members of the Fifth Form during the annual Prize Ceremony in Kirby Arts Center on May 23, honoring achievement in academics, arts, athletics, leadership, and community life. The ceremony celebrated both public accomplishment and the subtle qualities that shape daily life at the School, including curiosity, perseverance, sportsmanship, and a love of learning.

Watch a recording of the 2025-26 Fifth Form Prize Ceremony. See more photos of the 2025-26 Fifth Form Prize Ceremony on Lawrenceville's Flickr page.

Head of School Steve Murray began the ceremony by celebrating the four Fifth Formers who have chosen to serve the United States after graduation. 

• Estelle May Chafin has accepted an Appointment to the United States Naval Academy.
• Andrew Hurlock has accepted an Appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
• Anthony Woo will be attending Bowdoin College and will be enrolling in their Air and Space Force ROTC program.
• Jabrahlyn Jones will attend Virginia Military Institute.

The following awards were then presented:

THE EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP - PERFORMING ARTS PRIZE: For excellence in leadership in the discipline of performing arts. Congratulations to Mihajlo Gajic.

THE EXCELLENCE IN VOCAL PERFORMANCE PRIZE: For general excellence in vocal performance. Congratulations to Braedon Owen.

THE EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP-MUSIC PRIZE: For significant contribution and extraordinary dedication to the musical arts at Lawrenceville. Congratulations to Anna Androulakis.

THE JAMES E. BLAKE PRIZE: For excellence in technical theater. Congratulations to Suzie Nguyen.

THE EXCELLENCE IN INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE PRIZE: Congratulations to Henry Tsai.

THE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN CHORAL SINGING:  Congratulations to Simi Rath.

THE MATTHEW DOMINY PRIZE: Awarded to a student who has contributed most to the musical life of the School. Congratulations to Martina Yanovich.

PERFORMING ARTS DANCE ENSEMBLE PRIZE: For outstanding commitment and creativity through collaboration in dance. Congratulations to Hudson Brown.

PERFORMING ARTS DANCE PRIZE: For excellence in dance, having made remarkable contributions, leaving a lasting impression through their innovation, leadership, and influence in the dance community. Congratulations to Bella Spencer.

THE PETER CANDLER PERIWIG AWARD: For significant contribution and extraordinary dedication to the dramatic arts at Lawrenceville. This award was established in 1904, and renamed in honor of the longtime director of dramatic arts at Lawrenceville. Congratulations to Kingsley Du.

THE ADDISON H. GERY, JR. JAZZ PRIZE: Awarded to a student whose talent, energy, and performance skills have brought recognition to the medium of jazz in the School community. This award makes funds available for books and recordings of jazz in the library in the name of the recipient. Congratulations to Eric Xu.

JOHN R. ROSE, JR. PRIZE: Awarded jointly by the Visual Art, Performing Arts, and Music Departments to a student who has demonstrated unusual creativity and who has made substantial contributions to the arts at Lawrenceville. Congratulations to Sophie Yang.

THE VISUAL ART DEPARTMENT FACULTY AWARD: VISUAL COMMUNICATION: Awarded to a student who has most distinguished themselves in the art of visual communication through dedicated studio work and the pursuit of knowledge. Congratulations to Lucia Chen.

THE R. JACK GARVER VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT PRIZE: Awarded to a Fifth Former who has continually extended themselves. Congratulations to Lily Purtuc.

THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT PRIZE FOR GENERAL EXCELLENCE: Congratulations to Angel Xin.

THE HENRY C. WOODS, JR. CRITICAL WRITING AWARD: Awarded for the best essay for an English elective. It is given in honor of the outstanding contributions of Henry C. Woods, Jr., Class of 1940, who has by his unparalleled benefactions and long, distinguished service to the School as teacher, department chair, coach, and trustee, transformed Lawrenceville for the best. Congratulations to Angel Xin.

THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN CREATIVE WRITING: Congratulations to Sarah Fernandes.

THE OWEN C. SMITH POETRY PRIZE: Established in 1986 by a gift from Owen C. Smith, Class of 1959, for excellence in the study of poetry. Congratulations to Lily Truong.

THE RICHARD H. ROBINSON PRIZE: Awarded to that student who has shown the most conscientious and persistent effort in the field of publications and who, by faithfulness and initiative, has contributed most toward gaining the highest possible standards in this line of activity. Congratulations to Ellen Jordan.

THE CLASS OF ‘95 JOURNALISM AWARD: For achieving a level of journalistic quality achieved by The Lawrence of 1995. Congratulations to Kingsley Du.

THE COLIN SULLIVAN AWARD: A special prize for remarkable effort and expertise in the service of The Lawrence. This prize is named for Colin Sullivan, Class of 2007, who, with great technical skills and long hours of work fine tuning the paper, made the 2007 Lawrence as perfect a looking newspaper as it could possibly be. Congratulations to Dorothy Lee.

THE RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT PRIZE: Awarded in exceptional circumstances to a student who demonstrates through academic work a special and significant contribution to religious studies. Congratulations to Louis Park.

THE JAMES SIPPLE AWARD: Given in honor of Dr. James Sipple, accomplished scholar and past chair of the Religion and Philosophy Department, to the student who displays excellence in the area of religion with the writing of superior papers dealing with religious content. This year, we have two recipients. Congratulations to Dorothy Lee and Alex Mo.

THE RELIGIOUS LIFE PRIZE:  Awarded to that Fourth or Fifth Form student who best serves the School community through their energetic and imaginative commitment to religious life at Lawrenceville.  The recipient best demonstrates and exemplifies an active, open, and respectful engagement based on their religious understanding and practice. This year, we have two recipients. Congratulations to Estelle Chafin and Lily Lanzetta.

THE JOHN W. GARTNER PRIZE: Awarded to that student who has shown the greatest devotion to the study of French for at least two years. Books relating to the study of French will be given to the School library in the recipient’s name. Congratulations to Lily Purtuc.

THE JOHN P. PHELPS, JR. PRIZE: For accomplishment in the study of Spanish. Congratulations to Mira Ponnambalam.

THE CHINESE LANGUAGE PRIZE: For accomplishment in the study of Chinese. Congratulations to Natalie Tang.

THE BENJAMIN H. TRASK CLASSICS PRIZE: Established in 1946 by a gift from Benjamin H. Trask, Class of 1907, for excellence in the study of classics. Congratulations to Sophie Yang.

THE FREDERICK P. KING PRIZE: Awarded to that student who best exemplifies passion, dedication, and collaboration in the study of one or more languages. Congratulations to Mila Cooper.

WALKER W. STEVENSON, JR. PRIZE: Awarded a Fifth Former who has most distinguished themselves by the achievement of excellence in the study of economics. Congratulations to Evie Hester.

FREE ENTERPRISE AWARD: For an economics essay that demonstrates the greatest understanding of free enterprise and the free market system. Congratulations to Henry Palmer.

THE STERLING MORTON PRIZE: Awarded to a student of United States history who submitted an outstanding research paper. Congratulations to Bastian Bocklage.

INDEPENDENCE FOUNDATION PRIZE: Awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement over two or more years of study in history. Congratulations to Clara Khabbaz.

THE WILLIAM MAYHEW DICKEY ’64 PRIZE: Awarded to that two-year student of history who has consistently demonstrated the qualities of scholarship, sportsmanship, and service that characterized the lifetime achievements of Will Dickey, Class of 1964, and history teacher from 1978 through 2005. Congratulations to Ellen Jordan.

THE THOMAS F. SHARP INTERDISCIPLINARY AWARD: Established in honor of Thomas F. Sharp, poet, musician, and scholar, to recognize achievement in textured and integrated thinking in the humanities. Congratulations to Alex Mo.

THE MATHEMATICS FACULTY AWARD: Awarded to the student who has demonstrated great perseverance in fulfilling a strong desire to study mathematics. Congratulations to Ellie Duffy.

THE LAWTHER O. SMITH COMPUTER SCIENCE PRIZE: For excellence in the study of computer science. We have two recipients this year. Congratulations to Sathvik Samant and Andrew Yang.

THE HOWARD HILL MATHEMATICS AWARD: Awarded to a Fifth Former who has shown the most outstanding achievement in mathematics. Congratulations to Gloria Yu.

THE HENRY AND JANIE WOODS PRIZE FOR RESEARCH SCIENCE: Awarded to an outstanding student in research science in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Woods, staunch supporters of science education at Lawrenceville. Congratulations to Gloria Yu.

THE RICHARD C. SMITH PHYSICS PRIZE: Awarded for excellence in the study of physics. It is a gift from Owen C. Smith, Class of 1959, in honor of his brother. Congratulations to Gloria Yu.

ALDO LEOPOLD ECOLOGY PRIZE:  Awarded in memory of conservationist Aldo Leopold, Class of 1905, for outstanding contributions to ecology and sustainability at Lawrenceville. Congratulations to Louise Carroll.

THE WENDELL HERTIG TAYLOR PRIZE: Awarded to a member of the Fifth Form who has bridged the two worlds of science and the humanities. Congratulations to Mila Cooper.

THE RICHARD C. SMITH PHYSICS PRIZE: Awarded for excellence in the study of physics. It is a gift from Owen C. Smith, Class of 1959, in honor of his brother. Congratulations to Gloria Yu.

THE ROBERT MAMMANO FREZZA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: Named in memory of Bob Frezza, Class of 1998, this scholarship is given each year to a Lawrenceville Fifth Former who best exemplifies the values and potential that Bob evidenced during his short but dynamic life. Congratulations to Sathvik Samant.

PARENTS AT LAWRENCEVILLE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Awarded to a Fifth Former who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community service, a deep concern for the needs of others, and the quality of life in our communities. Congratulations to Alice Xie.

2025 MID-ATLANTIC PREP LEAGUE (MAPL) AND AND LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS

THE NEW JERSEY INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NJISAA) annually awards the NJISAA Nick Gusz Male Scholar Athlete award and the NJISAA Jan Baker Female Scholar Athlete award to the top male and female scholar athletes in New Jersey for their academic and athletic achievements. Sophie Bilanin (tennis, wrestling and softball) and Bastian Bocklage (cross country, and both indoor and outdoor track and field) both attending University of Chicago in the fall, were Lawrenceville’s nominees. The winners have not yet been announced.

THE NICK GUSZ BEST MALE ATHLETE AWARD: Given annually to that member of the graduating class who exhibits, in two or more sports, the highest degree of leadership, sportsmanship, and skill. It is awarded to honor Nicholas F. Gusz, director of athletics at Lawrenceville from June 1966-July 1984. Congratulations to Ayodele Joa-Griffith.

THE MELISSA MAGEE SPEIDEL BEST FEMALE ATHLETE AWARD: Awarded to that member of the Fifth Form who exhibits in two or more sports the highest degree of leadership, sportsmanship, and skill. Awarded in honor of Melissa Magee Speidel, former associate director of athletics and a member of the 1980 U.S. Field Hockey team. Congratulations to Jael Gaines.

THE TOMMY SULLIVAN AWARD: Awarded to that member of the Fifth Form, with two or more years of varsity experience, who best exemplifies the qualities of a true athlete: dedication, desire, congeniality, sportsmanship, and above all, competes as a team player. Congratulations to Isabella Wang.  

THE JOHN H. THOMPSON, JR. PRIZE: Awarded to that member of the Fifth Form who has demonstrated excellence as an athlete, a scholar, and a human being. Congratulations to Isabella Jin.

THE ADAM and MACKELLAR VIOLICH AWARD: Awarded to two members of the Fifth Form who have demonstrated the qualities of an athlete and scholar on the playing field, as well as in the classroom, and who have earned a minimum of three letters in at least two different sports. Congratulations to Willem Anton and Isabella Devine.

MAJOR L BLANKETS are given to members of the Fifth Form who, over their years at Lawrenceville, have earned nine or more Major L letters for interscholastic participation on varsity teams. Congratulations to:

• Mohamed Mohamed earned nine Major Ls for soccer, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.
• Aslan Aksu earned nine Major Ls for water polo, swimming and diving, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.
• Ava Moses earned nine Major Ls for field hockey, indoor track and field, and lacrosse.
• Micah Kim earned 10 Major Ls for water polo, fencing, swimming and diving, and crew.
• Marissa Lombardi earned 10 Major Ls for water polo, swimming and diving, outdoor track and field.
• Willem Anton earned 10 Major Ls for water polo, swimming and diving, and crew.
• Estelle Chafin earned 11 Major Ls for cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.

THE L12 AWARD: Awarded to students who have amassed 12 varsity letters over their four years at Lawrenceville. The 2025-26 L12 award winners are Bastian Bocklage (who earned 12 Major Ls for cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field) and Ayodele Joa-Griffith (who earned 12 Major Ls for soccer, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.

THE KATHLEEN WALLACE AWARD: Awarded to the best one-year Fifth Form student, this award is provided in the name of Kathleen Wallace whose four sons attended Lawrenceville as postgraduate students. They each served as examples of the kind of commitment and growth that characterizes the best of one-year students. Congratulations to Philip Reslow.

THE DIRECTOR’S AWARD: Awarded to a member of the Fifth Form, who, in the opinion of the Director of the Fifth Form and Fifth Form Heads of House has contributed significantly to the style and tone of the Form through their energy and spirit. Congratulations to Martina Yanovich.

THE BOCZKOWSKI AWARD: This award was a gift in recognition of Dr. Catherine Boczkowski’s 25th anniversary as a member of the faculty at Lawrenceville. It has been given annually since 2002 to that young person in the graduating class who best exemplifies personal, moral integrity and loyalty to Lawrenceville. Congratulations to Clara Khabbaz.

THE DEANS’ AWARD: Awarded by the Head of School and the Deans to a Fifth Form student, who, by example, has shown steadfast dedication and consistent effort in the best traditions of the School. Congratulations to Victor Nikolaev.

THE ELIZABETH LOUISE GRAY PRIZE: Awarded to that student of at least two years who, through energy, commitment, and service, has joyously sought the fullest measure of the Lawrenceville experience. Congratulations to Sienna Kulynych.

THE ANDREW T. GOODYEAR CLASS OF 1983 AWARD: A special merit award to a student who has demonstrated unusual courage in overcoming adversity. Congratulations to Mohamad Mohamad.

THE MAX MAXWELL AWARD: This award was established by the African American-Latino Alliance in honor of Mr. Max Maxwell for his dedication in helping students inside and outside the classroom during his 27 years of service to the school as an English teacher. It is given to a Fifth Former who has demonstrated a dedication to diversity in their Lawrenceville career. Congratulations to Lola Afari-Martinson.

THE PHI BETA KAPPA AWARD:Awarded to a member of the Fifth Form whose academic record is worthy of special praise. This award is named for the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, whose motto reads, “Love of learning is the guide to life.” Congratulations to Mira Ponnambalam.

SCHOLAR’S PRIZE: Awarded to the outstanding scholar of the Fifth Form. Congratulations to Sathvik Samant.

THE AURELIAN HONOR SOCIETY AWARD: Each year the graduating class chooses one of their own to receive the Aurelian Honor Society Award. The citation reads, “Given to that member of the graduating class who is outstanding in sterling character, high scholarship, and forceful leadership--qualities upon which the Aurelian Honor Society was founded at Yale University in 1910.” Congratulations to Bridget Holden.

For more information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.