Awards

Arts Awards

The Breene Baggett

Award is presented each year in memory of Breene Baggett ’76, who found the FVS theater to be a special place of fulfillment. Breene’s father, Bryce Baggett, created the award “to be given to a student who, during their school career, made the greatest achievement or improvement in the dramatic arts.” This year’s award goes to Lyndee Pinkerton. Lyndee cares deeply about each student in the cast and crew, and has gone to great lengths to improve their experience. She sees each performance as a gift to the community, and works tirelessly to make sure every play is a wonderful experience for all audience members.

The Photography

Award is presented to a student who uses the camera as a way to share how they see and interpret the world. This year’s recipient, Francis Zhou, has demonstrated a unique passion for the art and process of photography throughout his time at FVS. Francis has used his years on the Prairie to explore the many facets of the medium and hone his photographic voice. Along the way, he has become a mainstay of the FVS marketing team, a consistent yearbook contributor and a featured photographer in the Bulletin.

The John W. Emery

Music Award is given in memory of John W. Emery ’44, a former member of the Board of Trustees and father of FVS archivist, former dean of faculty and history teacher Jake Emery ’71. The Emery Award honors a student whose appreciation for music and creative potential has been most awakened by participating in the FVS music program. This year’s recipient, Laelim Jung, has been involved in at least one and usually two music classes during all four of her years at FVS. Laelim is a multifaceted musician, working with both the choir and orchestra, and has been recognized by her teachers for helping in whatever capacity is needed in the Music Department.

The Rumbough

Award is given in memory of David Rumbough ’68 to the student who has demonstrated excellence not only as a performer, but also for behind-the-scenes work that helps make the arts an important part of the lives of the FVS community. This year’s recipient is Nicholas Li. Nicholas has executed hundreds of sound cues of all levels and intricacies, and has done it so well that he’s been nicknamed “the octopus” for his ability to control so many buttons and sliders at once. Nicholas’ attention to detail, sense of humor and dedication to making each performance sound perfect will be greatly missed next year.

The Musical Award

is presented to the performer who has delighted the audience with their talent and inspired fellow performers with hard work and high standards. This year’s honoree, Linda Pan, has been dedicated to honing her skills since the first musical she appeared in at FVS. She’s devoted countless free blocks and weekends to making beautiful music, and her presence makes every rehearsal a warm and welcoming environment.

The Kitson Music

Award is presented to a musician who consistently demonstrates selfdiscipline, effort and devotion in the classroom, in the practice room and on the stage. This year’s award goes to Ben Jin, who plays acoustic guitar, drums, jazz piano, bass and electric guitar, and also composes his own music. Ben has been an upstanding proctor for the music room, has offered his help to beginning music students and even started a band during the lunch block.

Academic Awards

The Creative Writing

Award is given by the English Department to honor a student’s love of both poetry and prose, and is presented to talented writers in recognition of their creative excellence. This year’s honoree, Elisa Liu, pens poems that have been recognized in local competitions. She also has a keen eye as editor of the Athenaea magazine, and inspires others to write creatively.

The Cum Laude Awards recognize members of the graduating class and junior class who have distinguished themselves through their scholastic achievement, gaining admission to the Cum Laude Society. Each year, up to 20 percent of the graduating class and 10 percent of the junior class may be elected to the Society. 2021-22 Cum Laude Society faculty committee members are Rob Gustke, Rob Gilbert, Nathan Eberhart, Josh Alford, Deb Prantl, Jed Haupt, Penny Steele and Kat Baker.

Class of 2022 Cum Laude Society Members include:

Sofia Al Ghamdi Emma Garman Laelim Jung Quinn Lander Abby Lin Elisa Liu Maya Magee Ahn Nguyen Jocelyn Ni Linda Pan Ben Prantl Mia Sanchez

Class of 2023 Cum Laude Society Members include:

Lily Farley Natalie Haase Malachi Miller Gus Rhee Tony Teng Leo Yang

AWARDS

Athletics Awards

The Varsity Awards are given to Fountain Valley School male and female students who, in the judgment of the coaches, have shown outstanding accomplishment in allaround athletic performance. Female Varsity Award recipient Annaliese Fricke has been on the varsity volleyball team all four years at FVS, and was captain her senior year. A front row powerhouse, Annaliese was ranked number one in hitting percentage and number nine in kills in the entire state of Colorado during her senior year. She led the Black Forest League in kills, hitting percentage and blocks, and was voted overall number one on the league’s All Conference Team.

Male Varsity Award recipient Theo Lawson has been a member of both the FVS mountain biking and climbing programs, but has achieved his most notable successes on the soccer team. In his junior year, Theo was an All-Conference player, tallying nine goals and one assist in a COVID-shortened season of just seven games. This year, in a full 18-game season, Theo was an offensive force for the Danes, accounting for 11 goals and two assists and earning League Honorable Mention honors. The Riding Director’s Award is given to the student who has shown the most allaround development within the FVS Riding Program, and demonstrates interest and enthusiasm in riding. This year’s recipient, Eliana Mora, is a four-year rider for FVS’ Interscholastic Equitation Association (IEA) English Riding team and has served as a team co-captain. She has also been honored with the Riding Program’s 2021-22 Horseman award.

The Top Horseman Award is presented to a student who demonstrates the desire to be a lifelong student of horsemanship and the willingness to fully utilize every opportunity to advance their understanding and knowledge of the equine world. This year’s recipient, Campbell Brown, has been a four-year rider in the FVS Riding Program and has spent countless hours helping with the IEA team.

The Anderson Outdoor Award

recognizes the Outdoor Education student who displays humility, compassion for teammates, physical and emotional tenacity, and an uncommon appreciation for the natural world. This year’s honoree, Anh Nguyen, has demonstrated exemplary leadership and growth over the course of her three years in Outdoor Education. Anh joined the program with little experience in camping, backpacking, hiking and climbing outside, but quickly learned the value of developing and nurturing strong relationships with her teammates.

The Don Kardok Coach’s Award

is given by the Varsity Club to a coach who exemplifies unwavering optimism and dedication to teaching, guiding and encouraging athletes. This year’s honoree, girls’ basketball coach Deb Prantl, is dedicated to supporting and challenging her players and teaching the fundamentals of the game. Over many years on the sidelines, Deb has exemplified what it means to be a teacher-coach, conveying her love of the game along with the essential skills for success. When other duties required her to move from head coach to assistant, Deb continued to serve FVS and its athletes with distinction, and this year helped lead the girls’ basketball team to its most successful season in decades.

AWARDS

Leadership Awards

The Fisher Howe Leadership Award

recognizes outstanding, innovative student leadership. It honors the School’s great friend and late Life Trustee Fisher Howe, who served FVS for decades and lived to one week shy of his 101st birthday. This year’s recipients, Sofia Al Ghamdi and Mason Burdett, have worked diligently throughout their time at FVS advocating for their peers. They have served as members of the community council and residential life programs, in addition to other leadership roles. Sofia and Mason led students through the challenges of COVID, helped spur courageous conversations, organized 3v3 basketball tournaments on weekends, presented engaging seminars during Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations and on Unity Day, organized school dances (including the first Spring Formal FVS had in three years), and served as the School’s greatest cheerleaders on the sidelines and in the theater.

The Samuel Colgate Memorial Award

is given by the head of school to honor excellence in sportsmanship, loyalty and character. The award was established in memory of Samuel Colgate ’31, who died shortly after graduating from FVS. This year’s recipient, Quinn Lander, is a thoughtful, compassionate and engaged leader. He has served as an exemplary RA in the dormitory, as a leader in the classroom through his active and inquisitive nature, and as a steady, contributing presence in athletics. Quinn combines a big heart with astute powers of observation, giving him a unique ability to identify the needs of others and quickly offer support. He is trustworthy, reliable and responsible, and he stands up for what is right. And as someone whose actions always speak louder than his words, Quinn is the epitome of who Sam Colgate was: strong, courageous, faithful to duty and a friend to all who know him.