Sydney Larkin (11) “With her shining eyes and intellectual enthusiasm and tenacity, Sydney comes to class simply radiating optimism. She expresses a sincere interest in every subject, setting the bar high for her own learning and understanding, and she simply refuses to let anything she doesn’t understand get past her. She articulates her ideas with grace and clarity, always enriching and driving class discussions to a higher level of insight. Sydney is one of those students that teachers just love to teach.” Tina Groom
Bryan Romaine (12) “Bryan, who would imagine from your placid classroom demeanor that you take in every aspect of a discussion, that you filter the ideas through a broadly comprehensive and informed intelligence, and then (but only when asked), present a reflective, cogent and stunning analysis—comments that invariably raise the bar for everyone? No academic challenges daunt you and the syntheses you produce in your writing are nothing short of breathtaking.” Sandra Smythe
Sasha Lieberman (11) “Sasha is a tenacious learner and an independent thinker and worker, but she has an even greater gift that has become a common area of praise from all of her teachers: the ability to breathe life into class discussions and to work cooperatively with her peers to bring them along to a higher level of learning. She builds camaraderie in the classroom and helps a group act cooperatively, while subtly and methodically propelling the discussions to a higher level in a quest for knowledge before grades.” Tina Groom
Quinn Schweier (12) “Your teachers speak of you with affection, dazzled by the striking insight you exhibit in your work and the modesty and amiability with which you approach learning. Your critical analysis is original and independent—often startlingly so—and with good humor and an antic spirit you shed new light—both morally and intellectually—on matters under discussion. This streak of thoughtful independence and the groundbreaking nature of all your intellectual undertakings have characterized your academic life.” Sandra Smythe
Ainsley McWilliams (12) “Intellectual, individualistic and brimming with enthusiasm, you have distinguished yourself in virtually every discipline. Apart from the perfect scores you have achieved on numerous standardized tests, you set yourself apart by your love of the academic enterprise. You explained that ‘Latin literature combines linguistic complexity with mathematical precision, historical documentation and poetic beauty. Every sentence is like an equation with rhyme and meter and movements.’ Genuinely enthralled by your academic pursuits, you are a pure academic.” Wynne Curry Kohki Nakafuku (12) “In every way, you have shown yourself to be an exemplary student. In all of your classes, you exhibit competence, a strong work ethic, discipline and a natural curiosity. You have set high standards for yourself. You dig beneath the surface, you want to understand rather than accept the facts, and mistakes are there to learn from. You are patient and resilient in your pursuit of excellence and you do not shy away from challenges. Kohki, you do not seek the limelight but you are a stellar student.” Barbara Scarr
Sheva Serota (12) “Your teachers speak highly of your excellent work ethic and accomplishments, your spirit and optimism, the curiosity and gusto that you bring to all of your intellectual pursuits. You fail to be intimidated by problems. You are willing to take risks and to look for creative solutions. You are resilient, tenacious and unafraid when challenged intellectually and you manage to remain cheerful whatever the task. It is not the grade but the comprehension that is most important to you.” Barbara Scarr
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Shirley Yan (12) “You seem to use as much as you can from every academic opportunity that you are presented with. In Physics and Calculus you have learned well the concept of being a skeptic until you are absolutely sure that you have received a ‘non hand waving’ explanation of your question, and I must admit I have enjoyed seeing you willing to push the envelope more and more this year. You have certainly become a leader in your classes and an inspiration to your classmates.” David Abineri