Fifth Form Prizes Awarded

Cheers to the Class of 2021, Lawrentians who have distinguished themselves in so many ways. The School is proud to honor some of members of the Fifth Form class for their excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service.

See more photos on in the Fifth Form Prize Ceremony Flickr gallery. 

The Visual Art Department Faculty Award: Given to that student who has distinguished themself in the arts through dedicated studio work and the pursuit of knowledge. Presented to Ankita Suri.

The James E. Blake Award: Given for excellence in technical theatre. Presented to Benjamin Polaski.

Performing Arts Department Prize/Leadership: For excellence in leadership. Presented to Eleni Lefakis.

Jean S. Stephens Performing Arts Department Prize: For excellence in creativity in the performing arts. Presented to Katherine Li.

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. Presented to Zachary Finacchio.

The Addison H. Gery, Jr. Jazz Prize: Awarded to that member of the Fifth Form 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. Presented to William Atkinson.

The Music Department/Excellence in Instrumental Performance Prize: For general excellence in instrumental performance. Presented to Katelyn Ge.

The Music Department Prize for Excellence in Leadership: Awarded to a student for their significant contribution and extraordinary dedication to music. Presented to Nolan Lee.

The Music Department Prize/Excellence in Vocal Performance: For general excellence in vocal performance. Presented to Anjali Kumar and Gabrielle Medina.

The R. Jack Garver Visual Arts Department Prize: This award goes to a Fifth Former who has continually extended themselves. Presented to Brian Tan.

Performing Arts Department Prize/Excellence in Dance: For excellence in dance. Presented to Evelyn Dugan.

Visual Art Department Prize: Given to that Fifth Form student who has exhibited extraordinary skill and dedication as a filmmaker. Presented to Pashmina Ali Khan and Mackenzie Bunnell.

The Colin Sullivan Award: Given for remarkable effort and expertise in service to The Lawrence. Presented to: Eric Morais.

The English Department Prize For General Excellence: Presented to Ria McDonald.

The English Department Prize For Achievement In Creative Writing: Presented to Christine Cheng. 

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. Presented to Scarlet Sherr.

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. Presented to Katelyn Ge.

The Religious Life Prize: This award is for that Fourth or Fifth Form student who best serves the School community through their energetic and imaginative commitment to religious life at Lawrenceville. The Prize is awarded to the Lawrentian who best demonstrates and exemplifies an active, open, and respectful engagement based on their religious understanding and practice. This year, there are two recipients. Presented to Danica Bajaj and Ava Conyer.

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. Presented to two students, Jasmine Bright and Isla Kilby.

The John P. Phelps, Jr. Prize: Awarded for accomplishment in the study of Spanish. Presented to Kylan Tatum.

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. Presented to Amelia Devine.

The Chinese Language Prize: Awarded for accomplishment in the study of Chinese. Presented to William Atkinson.

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. Presented to Caroline Foster.

The 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. Presented to Katherine Deskey.

The Paul L. Marrow Award: Presented in memory of Paul Marrow, a dedicated employee of Lawrenceville, for excellence in science and citizenship. Presented to Jacqueline Chen.

Free Enterprise Award: Awarded for an economics essay that demonstrates the greatest understanding of free enterprise and the free market system. Presented to Theodore Cohen.

Walker W. Stevenson, Jr. Prize: Awarded to honor a member of the class who has most distinguished themselves by the achievement of excellence in the study of economics. Presented to Kristen Li.

The Sterling Morton Prize: Awarded to a student of United States history who submitted an outstanding research paper. Presented to Isabelle Lee.

The Benjamin F. Howell Jr. Science Prize Fund: Presented for accomplishment in the study of a subject related to geophysics or any aspect of physics. Presented to Katherine Li.

The Wendell Hertig Taylor Prize: Awarded to a member of the Fifth Form who has bridged the two worlds of science and the humanities. Presented to Kylan Tatum.

Parents at Lawrenceville Community Service Award: Presented annually to a Fifth Former who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community service and a deep concern for the needs of others and the quality of life in our communities. Presented to Lauren McKinnon.

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. Presented to Alper Canberk.

The Richard H. Robinson Prize: Awarded annually 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. Presented to Isabelle Lee and Fiona Pando.

The Matthew Dominy Prize: This is awarded to the student who has contributed most to the musical life of the School. Presented to Arata Fujii.

Independence Foundation Prize: Awarded for the best two or more years of work in the study of history. Presented to Kylan Tatum.

The William Mayhew Dickey ’64 Prize: Given 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. Presented to Ava Conyer.

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. Presented to Cherie Fernandes.

The Mathematics Faculty Award: In the opinion of the members of the math department, the recipient of this prize has demonstrated great perseverance to fulfill a strong desire to study mathematics. Presented to Mackenzie Bunnell.

The Howard Hill Mathematics Award: Given to a Fifth Former who has shown the most outstanding achievement in mathematics. Presented to Michael Zhang.

The Herman Hollerith Prize: Awarded to the student who exhibits the most creativity, ingenuity, or entrepreneurial flair in the application of computer science. Presented to Alper Canberk.

Aldo Leopold Ecology Prize: Presented in memory of conservationist Aldo Leopold, Class of 1905, for outstanding contributions to ecology and sustainability at Lawrenceville. Presented to: Maia Hawkins-Litvin.

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. There are two recipients this year. Presented to Alper Canberk and Ellie Shin.

The Henry C. Woods, Jr. Critical Writing Award: This award is given for the best essay for an English elective this year. It is given in honor of the outstanding contributions of Henry C. Woods, Jr., Class of ’40, 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. Presented to Kristen Li.

The following varsity student-athletes are the top academic performers on their respective teams and have earned 2020-2021 Mid-Atlantic Prep League and Lawrenceville Athletics All Academic Team honors. Congratulations to:

Fall

Field Hockey

• Katie Li
• Claire Rubenstein
•  

Football

• Michael Yu

Soccer

• Mak Kalwachwala

Water Polo

• Amelia Devine
• Lucia Wetherill

 

Winter

Basketball

• Rana Myneni
• Gabe Gaw

Fencing

• Danica Bajaj
• William Atkinson
• Jasper Zhu

Ice Hockey

• Devon Cole

Indoor Track and Field

• Ije Achebe
• Ben Polaski

Swimming and Diving

• Amelia Devine

Squash

• Kylan Tatum

Wrestling

• Jake Heimowitz

Spring

Baseball

• John Weaver

Crew

• Ethan Markel
• Amelia Devine
• Danica Bajaj

Golf

• Alex Chun

Lacrosse

• Henry Murray
• Chris Crane
• Libby Ford

Outdoor Track and Field

• Ije Achebe
• Ben Polaski

Softball

• Gia Massari
• Perri Kitei

Tennis

• Kylan Tatum
• Marcos Maldacena

The Nick Gusz Best Male Athlete Award: Given annually to that member of the senior class who exhibits in two or more sports the highest degree of leadership, sportsmanship, and skill. It is awarded in honor of Nicholas F. Gusz, director of athletics at Lawrenceville from June 1966 to July 1984. Presented to Drew Friedman.

The Melissa Magee Speidel Best Female Athlete Award: goes to that member of the senior class who exhibits, in two or more sports, the highest degree of leadership, sportsmanship, and skill. It is awarded in honor of Melissa Magee Speidel, a member of the 1980 United States Olympic Field Hockey Team. Presented to Marcia Ojo.

The Tommy Sullivan Award: Given annually 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. Presented to Isabelle Tilney-Sandberg.

The John H. Thompson, Jr. Prize: Awarded annually to that member of the Fifth Form who has demonstrated excellence as an athlete, a scholar, and a human being. Presented to Ava Conyer.

The Adam and Mackellar Violich Awards: Given annually 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. Presented to William Murray and Paige Gillen.

The New Jersey Independent Schools Athletic Association annually awards the Nick Gusz Male Scholar-Athlete award and the Jan Baker Female Scholar-Athlete award to the top male and female scholar athletes in New Jersey for their academic and athletic achievements. Though the winners did not come from Lawrenceville this year, the School’s nominees were Kylan Tatum and Devon Cole. 

Major L Blankets are given to Fifth Formers who, over their years at Lawrenceville, have earned nine or more Major L letters for interscholastic participation on varsity teams. This year we have eight individuals who have earned this prestigious award and the distinction of the ultimate student-athlete.

• Mackenzie Bunnell earned nine Major Ls for volleyball, basketball, and softball.
• Bob Fish earned nine Major Ls for football and indoor and outdoor track & field.
• Dylan Welborne earned nine Major Ls for soccer, indoor track & field, and lacrosse.
• Ava Conyer earned ten Major Ls for soccer and indoor and outdoor track & field.
• William Murray earned ten Major Ls for soccer and indoor and outdoor track & field.

L12 Award: Given to this year to three individuals who have ascended to the highest level of interscholastic commitment. It is reserved for the ultimate and most elite student-athletes.

• Christopher Crane earned 11 Major Ls for cross country, crew, lacrosse, and indoor and outdoor track & field.
• Paige Gillen earned 11 Major Ls for soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.
• Marcia Ojo earned 11 Major Ls for soccer and indoor and outdoor track & field.

The Kathleen Wallace Award: Presented to the best one-year Fifth Form student. Presented to Charles Hoban.

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 House heads, has contributed significantly to the style and tone of the Form through their energy and spirit. Presented to Soleil Saint-Cyr.

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 person in the graduating class who best exemplifies personal moral integrity and loyalty to Lawrenceville. Presented to Ava Conyer.

The Deans’ Award: This award is given 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. Presented to Brian Tan.

The Elizabeth Louise Gray Prize: Presented to that student of at least two years who through energy, commitment, and service has joyously sought the fullest measure of the Lawrenceville experience. Presented to Zachary Finacchio.

The Andrew T. Goodyear Class of 1983 Award: A special merit award to a student who has demonstrated unusual courage in overcoming adversity. Presented to Miles Sylvester.

The Max Maxwell Award: This award was established by the African American-Latino Alliance in honor of Max Maxwell, former English teacher, for his dedication in helping students inside and outside the classroom. It is given annually to a Fifth Former who has demonstrated a dedication to diversity in their career at Lawrenceville. Presented to Ijeamaka Achebe.

The Phi Beta Kappa Association of the Delaware Valley Award: Presented 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.” Presented to Kylan Tatum.

Scholar’s Prize: Awarded to the outstanding scholar of the Fifth Form. Presented to Alper Canberk.

Virtus, Semper, Viridis Award: Awarded to a student who embodies the mission of The Lawrenceville School by leading a life of learning, integrity, and high purpose while inspiring the best in each and seeking the best for all. This year there are two recipients. Presented to Caroline Foster and Sunjay Riener.

The Aurelian Honor Society Award: Chosen by the Fifth Form, this honor is given to that member of the 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. Presented to John Weaver.

For additional information, please contact Lisa M. Gillard Hanson, director of Public Relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.