THE CLASS OF 2021

NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS

Sayre was pleased to report the Class of 2021 National Merit® Finalists in the 66th Annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. Levy Deckard, Spencer Lutz, Ricky Reynolds, Parker Stewart,

and Donald Woodruff were declared National Merit Finalists and Claire Thayer and Tracy Zhao, National Merit Commended Scholars.

“I am extremely proud of this amazing academic accomplishment earned by these Sayre School seniors. To have seven members of the class garner National Merit distinction speaks to the high academic caliber of our student body, as well as to the high caliber of instruction offered by our faculty,” said College Counselor Randy Mills.

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

SENIOR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The senior internship program plays a vital role in the educational process. It moves education beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom into the workspace and allows students to gain on-the-job experience in a career of interest. Whether interning in a field of interest or learning about something entirely new, students gain important experience during their month out in the workplace. Seniors are required to plan, design, and implement an internship experience in one of the following areas: social service, vocation-career exploration, or the arts. In our virtual classroom, students post pictures and submit weekly reflections that faculty advisors review. Some seniors are asked to make an oral presentation about their internship in a formal Upper School assembly. In the past, students have worked in a variety of areas, including veterinary science, law, communications, engineering, finance, graphic design, merchandising, education, banking, business, medicine, environmental studies, and journalism.

CLASS OF 2021 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

(Matriculations in boldface)

Alfred University American University Asbury University Auburn University Baldwin Wallace University Belmont Abbey College Belmont University Birmingham-Southern College Bluegrass Community and

Technical College Boston University Butler University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Centre College Clemson University College of Wooster Colorado State University Columbia College of Chicago Columbia University Curry College Davidson College Dean College Denison University DePaul University DePauw University Drexel University Earlham College Eastern Kentucky University Emory University Florida State University Fordham University Furman University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown College Grinnell College Hampden-Sydney College Hanover College Indiana University Lake Forest College Landmark College Loyola University Chicago Loyola University New Orleans Lynn University Marymount Manhattan College Miami University Morehead State University Mount St. Joseph University Muskingum University North Carolina State University Northeastern University Northwestern University Ohio State University Oklahoma City University Pace University Penn State University Point Park University Pratt Institute Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhodes College Rollins College Rose-Hulman Institute of

Technology Saint Louis University Samford University Savannah College of Art and

Design School of the Art Institute of

Chicago Southern Methodist University (SMU) Spelman College Stanford University Stetson University Texas A&M University Texas Christian University (TCU) Transylvania University University of Alabama University of California-Los

Angeles (UCLA) University of California-San

Diego University of Cincinnati University of Colorado-

Boulder University of Denver University of Florida University of Georgia University of Illinois University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Maryland University of Massachusetts University of Mississippi University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of South Carolina University of Southern

California University of Tampa University of Tennessee University of Texas-Dallas University of Toronto University of Vermont University of Virginia Vanderbilt University Virginia Tech University Wake Forest University Washington and Lee

University Washington University in St.

Louis Western Kentucky University Wittenberg University Wofford College Worcester Polytechnic Institute Xavier University

CHARGE TO THE CLASS OF 2021

“When he was 16, George Washington’s schoolmaster assigned him an exercise in penmanship that involved the copying by hand of a list of rules governing behavior. The list (based on a set composed by French Jesuits in 1595) numbered 110 items and has become known to us as George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation.”

For the past one hundred and fifty years, The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has done an outstanding job presenting the rules of civility on their website. “I close with Rule #56 - Associate yourself with People of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for tis better to be alone than in bad Company…So thanks to you, Class of 2021, this rule is covered beautifully because I can’t think of any collective company that is better than yours!”

—WOODY SNOWDEN, UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY MEMBER 2004-2021, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 1991-2003

LEGACIES For over 165 years, students have followed in their parents’ footsteps by graduating from Sayre. Among those in the Class of 2021 were:

Evan Brock Connor Davis Cate Goodman Emme Goodman Abby Grunwald Eleanor Ickes Marcum McLean Elizabeth Patterson Harrison Ward Allison Whitaker

LIFERS

A Lifer is a student who has attended Sayre School since first grade or 12 years or more.

Rayyan Ahmad William Conley Connor Davis Bella Duer Cate Goodman Emme Goodman Abby Grunwald Alexis Henry Allison Kimmerer Marcum McLean Will Morris Elizabeth Patterson Claire Peters-Seymour Eman Rasul Nate Scudder Melissa Shane Claire Thayer Ian Thornberry Scout VanMeter Donald Woodruff Audrey Zahn

GRADUATION RECOGNITIONS

Valedictorian Address Tracy Zhao, co-valedictorian, was not able to attend graduation.

Valedictorian Address

As a lifer at Sayre, I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the brightest minds and kindest hearts. From Mrs. Huff in kindergarten to this past year, I’ve been taught the true value of patience, hard work, courage, and compassion.

When my family moved from Denver to Kentucky, my parents looked at a variety of schools. They chose Sayre because it was the perfect balance of academic excellence and a warm social environment. That has been true my entire time here, and I’ve come to think of all of you as an extension of my family.

Despite a year full of uncertainty, each of you has managed to overcome adversity in some way and find normality in a time that sorely lacks it. However, I prefer to look at the future’s uncertainty as an opportunity to succeed and flourish, and I urge each of you to take advantage of the exciting years to come. I could not be more proud watching the accomplishments of my peers and friends as they venture into the next stage of their life.

I’d like to shine a light on those who will be parting Sayre’s campus along with the class of 2021. Mr. O’Rourke, Mr. Bebensee, and Mr. Snowden have each left their mark on this school and transformed it into the bright, inclusive community sitting before me, and each of you will be deeply missed next year.

“Welcome to the rest of your lives.”

—CLAIRE THAYER

Diplomas of Distinction

Sayre offers Diploma Distinctions in four discrete areas to recognize students’ affinities and accomplishments in these different disciplines: Distinction in Creative Arts, Distinction in Global Studies, Distinction in Service, and Distinction in Sustainability. This year, ten seniors earned recognition for their work in three of these four areas. Cassidy Brandenburg - Distinction in Service Evan Brock - Distinction in Creative Arts Shane Landis - Distinction in Creative Arts Claire Peters-Seymour - Distinction in Creative Arts Seth Rubin - Distinction in Service Emma Samuel - Distinction in Creative Arts Nate Scudder - Distinction in Creative Arts Connley Sewalls - Distinction in Creative Arts Melissa Shane - Distinction in Service Parker Stewart - Distinction in Sustainability

Salutatorian Address

Dear Freshman self, having survived three arduous years of middle school, you and I probably both know that “The Sayre Difference” is no more than a phrase of buzz words, a marketing strategy contrived by the conspiracy of coats and ties housed within Old Sayre, intended to coerce potential families to send their kids here. Looks like you all fell for it. But, if only for a few minutes, let’s put on the rose-tinted glasses of an optimist to picture what “The Sayre Difference” truly means.

On your four-year journey towards academic enlightenment, you’ll meet a lot of educators who will take part in creating who you are today – who I am today. Perhaps it’s the faculty who are The Sayre Difference.

Then again, the most fun times you’ll have will often occur while idly twiddling your thumbs with other students. Perhaps it’s the students – the community of scholars who are (in some part) dedicated to learning – that is “The Sayre Difference.”

“If I was given the opportunity to live the past four years all over again, would I?” Maybe.

But then I’d risk losing a piece of who I am today. And I’m proud of the person that I am today. If that’s not The Sayre Difference, then I don’t know what is. Somewhere along the way, you, impatient freshman self, will too find the fabled Sayre difference just as those sitting before me have.

Thank you all. I love most of you. It truly has been a spectacular past seven years.

—LEVY DECKARD

Salutatorian Address

Ironically, the last thing I learned in high school is… life’s most magnificent moments lie in the endings we experience.

It was then I realized what is truly magnificent about ending this chapter and springing forth into a new era.

The moment our tassels will turn the page of our own stories.

Our slow and steady metamorphosis over the last four years is a natural evolution that marks the end of our childhood - the unstoppable end of our time together. The end of living full time at home. For some, like me, the end of even living in Kentucky. But what a beautiful ending it is… I’m not sad, really. I’m already nostalgic about my Sayre years, and my classmates and teachers - remembering the best of times, which seemed even better than they were in the moment, and the most challenging times, acknowledging them as moments of growth and discovery. That’s the beauty in endings. They transform us and our lives in ways that make us uncomfortable, make us question everything, and challenge us to create a new version of ourselves - all while keeping our most precious memories forever.

All of us have different paths, but this ending is one we can relish together.

Before I leave you, Class of 2021, take comfort in knowing you are embarking on another beautiful (spectacular/ glorious/ and wonderful) ending – hopefully with the same serendipitous feeling following you. Good luck and Congratulations!

—ELEANOR ICKES

The Headmaster’s Medal

There is no written criteria for the medal other than it is to be given to the Sayre student who has given outstandingly to the school.

One word. Two syllables. That is all Head of School Stephen Manella needed to utter for the Class of 2021 to determine the recipient of The Headmaster’s Medal. That word, however, would not begin to describe the person who is: A dynamic leader with bold interests and a contagious enthusiasm that inspires others. One who makes friends easily and brings out the best in others. One who sees challenges as tantalizing opportunities rather than obstacles, en route to enacting positive change. As a result, his impact on the school is here to stay. One could say he has enlightened us all. Do you now know what that one word is? Solar. As President of the School, he ended morning assemblies with a joke, usually a really corny joke that elicited laughter and groans in equal measure. But, most importantly, it always made us smile, which we all needed this year. This year’s 2021 Headmaster’s Medal recipient, who attends Stanford University, was Parker Stewart.

The Optima Award

This is a special award voted on annually by the seniors in a secret ballot without nomination. They are simply instructed to choose the one individual, who in their opinion, best exemplifies the ideals of Sayre. This year, the Optima Award went to two individuals. The first recipient was involved in just about every area of school life. He was elected class president in his freshmen, sophomore, and senior years; he was a two-year Honor Council member and a member of Sayre’s Y Club for four years, and elected to serve as Secretary General (the highest leadership position at KUNA) in his senior year. In addition, he played varsity soccer for four years and was captain of the team his senior year earning all-city honorable mention. A Governor’s Scholar, a National Merit Finalist®, and an AP Scholar with Distinction, this young man has proven himself in the classroom, the hallways, and the playing fields at Sayre. Attending Northwestern University, the Co-Optima Award recipient of 2021 was Levy Deckard.

The second Optima Award recipient is a young man who is a Sayre lifer. During his Upper School years, he was involved in all facets of school life. He was a Kids-to-Kids facilitator for all four years, helping second graders develop good character by learning to accept differences in others, being kind and having integrity, and being a Future Spartans coach. He represented his grade as an Honor Council member for the past three years, was a student representative on the school’s Title IX committee for the past two years, a four-year member of the golf team and captain for three of those years, a member of the fledgling ultimate Frisbee team, and a Spartone, our male choral group, for three years. He is a member of the Math and Spanish Honor Societies as well as the National Honor Society. Attending the University of Colorado at Boulder, the 2021 Co-Optima Award recipient was Ian Thornberry.

FACULTY AWARDS

BOARD AWARD

Cathy Bilberry The Board Award is a distinction bestowed annually by the Board of Trustees highlighting excellence in teaching. This year’s recipient of the Board Award has been the ultimate guide for our students’ journeys through the Upper School. She helped students find their voice for over 11 years at Sayre. Standing figuratively beside them as they stood before the entire school sharing a story, perspective, or opinion about their life and their world. She has guided countless students through the process of self-exploration and self-actualization that has led them to the critical choice of where they will spend the next four years of their life. A champion of diversity. A pillar of integrity. Her journey with all of us has been imbued with dignity, civility, and mutual respect. A mentor with a heart of gold, Cathy Bilberry’s goal is to help you be the best. We thank her for being there and making our community better.

SHORT AWARD

Eve Greathouse and Michele O’Rourke This year’s Short Award in the General Category went to two teachers who have spent their combined 57 years of service in Sayre’s Lower School. These extraordinary ladies are responsible for building true communities of learners, not only crafting a brilliant curriculum but forging intellectual communities that surround children with love and support. They empowered students to hone their critical thinking, broaden their understanding of the world, and develop their written and oral communication skills and mathematical prowess. Even more importantly, both of these teachers have a gift for supporting children in developing a strong sense of self, ethics, and self-regulatory skills to enable them to work kindly and effectively with others. Familiar faces to all, having taught many Sayre graduates in the Lower School and true professionals supportive to all in the community, the 2021 Short Award recipients in the General Category were Eve Greathouse and Michele O’Rourke.

SHORT AWARD

Julie Wyman This year’s Short Award for Excellence in Math and Science went to a teacher who knows how to present the material in a systematic and consistent way that helps students learn. This teacher provides constant feedback, checks in daily with students, and provides them with multiple opportunities to show what they know and get clarification to ensure that they are working toward mastery. She has an aura of calmness and kindness about her that is felt by students and peers alike. Since arriving at Sayre five years ago, she has helped create Sayre’s chapter of the National Math Honor Society, and two years ago, she offered to start a new course, AP Computer Science Principles, that has proven to be quite popular with our students. She has become an integral part of our strong math department. The 2021 Short Award winner in Math and Science was Julie Wyman.

TACOS AND ICE CREAM DAY

April 15 was a warm, sunny day on our beautiful downtown campus. It was the perfect day to celebrate the Class of 2021. Thanks to many Sayre parents, students were treated to a special lunch. Two food trucks parked alongside the Upper School enticed the appetites of our seniors. Tacos and ice cream satisfied hunger cravings and brought the senior class together for an afternoon of fun.

Check out the Upper School Awards page!

Spartan Highlights