Editor’s note: Audrey Yin was assigned in advance to cover the spring awards assembly, where she was also announced as winner of the Phoenix Award for her grade. Her reporting was unaffected by this honor.
Students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Ken Griffin Auditorium on June 4 for the annual Student Awards Assembly, an event recognizing the achievements and contribution of students across the high school from this school year and, for some seniors, for the past four years.
Awards honoring accomplishments in academics, athletics, clubs, leadership and service were presented throughout the assembly. Special recognitions included the Brent Cawelti Award, athletics awards and the student-selected Phoenix Awards. The event also served as the final assembly for members of the Class of 2026 before graduation.
Principal Martin Woods opened the assembly by congratulating students on a successful school year and highlighting the importance of scholarship, curiosity and community. Faculty members and administrators then presented awards to students who demonstrated excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Students from academic groups and teams recognized their members and shared high points of the year.
The assembly concluded with the annual Senior Celebration, where seniors departed the auditorium to walk one last time through the hallways, which were lined with students, faculty and staff from age 3 to high school. Nursery school students handed out Fruit Loop necklaces, ring pops and popsicles to seniors.
The assembly also featured musical performances by two juniors: violinist Aiden Yu and pianist Jonah Chen.
“I felt that it was the end of the school year, you know, so it should be a celebration,” Aiden said.
After receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience, Aiden reflected on what performing at the assembly meant to him.
“I was just happy. With any performance, you’re just glad to have the opportunity to perform in the first place and be recognized for having the bravery, in a way, to just go up and perform,” Aiden said.
Sophomore Zain Zaidi received the Phoenix Award, an honor that recognizes students who support and uplift others in the school community.
“It means a lot to me because I feel like it’s a really important award in recognizing students helping each other, and having a student-selected award about uplifting each other,” Zain said. “I was just really grateful to be able to receive this award
Awards announced at the assembly:
Brent Cawelti Award in honor of the late U-Higher, recognizing seniors who have made considerable progress during their high school years, been academically strong, and participated in co-curricular activities or sports: Jonah Austen, Dallan Krewatch
Alan Stern Award in honor of the late alumnus to seniors in the creative arts: Abhay Chandran, Light Dohrn
Citizenship Awards:
9th grade: Layleh Adhi, Sara Chong
10th grade: Santiago Bravo, Leila Koss
11th grade: Zoe Cobb, Ari Novak, Lucy Shirrell, Savannah Woodson
12th grade: Emilia Anitescu, Clara Blucher, Maya Livni, Ty Quiles, Sohana Schneider
Senior Service Awards: Camila Bravo, Xia Nesbitt
LAB Awards: ArtsFest, Asian Students’ Association, Black Students’ Association, Innovators’ Club, Latinos Unidos, RU Science, Student Council, Thursday Afternoon Live,
Bill Zarvis Award: Danny Aronsohn, Daniel Chang, Capri Cooper, Mo Iyi-Ojo, Elspeth LaCroix-Birdthistle, Isolde LaCroix-Birdthistle, Sophie Li, Sam Oyler, Devyn Moubayed, Sohana Schneider, Ceci Siegel, Leyla Yates
James Wherry-Willis Award: Emilia Anitescu
William “Doc” Monilaw Medalists: Eve Dyson, Dallan Krewatch, Xia Nesbitt, Ty Quiles
Advisory Olympics Class Winners: Johnston, Class of 2029; Jones, Class of 2028; Doto, Class of 2027; Insalaco/Wideman, Class of 2026
Advisory Olympics Champion: Johnston Advisory
David Scheunemann Award in honor of the late alumnus to a junior with outstanding accomplishments in music, literature,science and with diverse interests: Aiden Yu
Faith Dremmer Award in honor of the late U-Higher to a student who manifests her many personal and academic qualities: Devdan Jeffrey
Phoenix Awards:
9th grade: Audrey Yin
10th grade: Zain Zaidi
11th grade: Clara Golley
12th grade: Luka Vegna-Spofford
