May 27, 2015
hwchronicle.com/news
Top Honors
Students and faculty were recognized for their contributions and dedication to the school at the awards assembly Tuesday, May 26 in Taper Gym. The recipients of the Bishop’s Medal, Veritas Award and the Blanche Nelson Boyle Award will be announced Friday, June 5.
Valedictorian – Amelia Miller ’15
Senior Academic Awards
Salutatorian – J.J. Woronoff ’15
Each department honored a senior for an outstanding commitment to or achievement in that discipline.
Lester Medvene Award – Matt Thomas ’17 Awarded to a sophomore who contributes to the life of the school and embodies Lester Medvene’s “curiosity of mind and dedication of spirit.”
Rensselaer Award – Zack Belateche ’16
Computer Science – James Lennon ’15 Ducommun Award (Mathematics) – Marcella Park ’15 English – Parker Chusid ’15
Given to a junior who has distinguished himself or herself in the study of math and science throughout the year. If the student chooses to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, they receive a four-year scholarship.
Morris Michael Landres Award – Sammi Handler ’17 Recognizes a sophomore who has demonstrated “consistent effort, dedication and promise” through his or her work on a school publication.
Tamkin Community Service Award – Andrew Ravan ’15,
World Language – Perren Carillo ’15 The World Language Department recognized one exemplary senior who has taken Chinese, French, Latin and Spanish and inducted new members into the National Honors Society. See hwchronicle.com for more coverage.
History/Social Studies – Nadia Rahman ’15 Performing Arts – Covi Brannan’15
Alan Yousefzadeh ’15 and Elijah Akhtarzad ’15
Given to seniors who have given their time to serving the community, both on and off campus and both independently and with others.
Brendan Kutler ’10 “Two Hats” Award – Nicole Araya ’16 Awarded to a junior who pursues intellectual experiences outside the classroom, takes risks to pursue his or her interests and demonstrates kindness towards peers and adults inside and outside the classroom.
Jerry Margolis Jazz Award – Jason Oberman ’15 and Bridget Hartman ’15 Named in honor of performing arts teacher Jerry Margolis, who taught for 36 years begining at the Harvard School for Boys, to a student who contributed to the jazz program during his or her time at the school.
Frederick Douglass Diversity Award – Jensen McRae ’15 Recognizes a senior for his or her focus on his or her own culture or others based on ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation in a creative, courageous and compassionate way through art, activism or outreach.
Publications Chronicle Award – Cole Jacobson ’15 and Jacob Goodman ’15 Vox Populi Award – Benny Weisman ’15 Sandifer Creative Writing Award – Jensen McRae ’15 Science – Sriram Rao ’15 Visual Arts – Koji Everard ’15 and Danielle Stolz ’15 William L. Davis Award (Economics) – James Lennon ’15
Faculty Awards Garrett Hardin Award –
Cuscaden Blackwood Medal – Alexandra Gordon ’16 Given to a member of the junior class for his or her outstanding contributions to the school environment and spirit. The recipient is nominated and selected by senior class officers and faculty members.
Given to a senior, in memory of Lamar Trotti Jr. ’50, who made the most dramatic transformation in his or her life and work both inside and outside of the classroom during his or her time at Harvard-Westlake.
David Justin Rascoff ’91 Award – Jessica Spitz ’15 Given in memory of David Jusin Rascoff ’91 to a member of the senior class who has always spoken his or her opinions in his or her daily life.
Humanitas Award – Sarah Winshel ’15 Honors a senior who has demonstrated service to the school, friendliness, consideration for others and loyalty to the community.
Given to a senior faculty member for distinguished service to the school and a junior faculty member for early achievement in his or her department.
Created in honor of David Justin Rascoff ‘91, this award funds summer sabbaticals for faculty members which the recipients can decide how to use.
Senior Athletic Awards Lee Carlson Award for Athletics – Shea Copeland ’15 Michael Genender ’15 Awarded to two members of the senior class, one male and one female, who demonstrate excellence and dedication in athletics.
Schumacher Award – Cole Jacobson ’15 Given to a senior for his or her contributions to the athletics department, effort in a sport and display of sportsmanship during his or her senior year.
Debater, ‘Mean Tweets’ creator to give commencement speeches grateful to have the opportunity to speak in front of my teachers and classmates at Amelia Miller ’15 will graduation, and I’m very exspeak as valedictorian and J.J. cited for the tough challenge Woronoff ’15 as salutatorian at of writing the speech,” Miller commencement June said. 5. She plans to draw Miller was elected inspiration from her to speak by faculty experience with demembers based on bate during high academic ability and school while writing Woronoff by students her speech, Miller earlier this month. said. President Rick Com“My dad has almons announced ways told me that Miller’s selection ‘writing is not writnathanson’s at last week’s Cum ing, rewriting is writAmelia Laude induction cereing,’” she said. “That Miller ’15 mony, and Woronoff ’s pretty much says it post as salutatorian was an- all.” nounced at Tuesday’s annual “I’ve been watching a lot Awards Assembly. of speeches from other com“It’s a true honor — I’m mencements, and so many
Arthur Tobias (distinguished service) Tiantian Wang (early achievement)
Rascoff ’91 Faculty Award – Larry Axelrod
Lamar Trotti Jr. ’50 Award – Dora Palmer ’15
By Eugenia Ko and Marcella Park
News A3
are famous, interesting people sharing advice,” Miller said. “I’m only 18 and don’t think I’ll have that kind of wisdom for a long time, if ever, so I just want to offer up some thoughts on our time at Harvard-Westlake and how I’m thinking about the future.” Woronoff first became interested in running for salutatorian last year when he gave a speech dedicated to JV basketball coach Dwayne Garner and his friends suggested that he try. He’s liked comedic roasts since 2009, when business magnate Donald Trump appeared in one aired by Comedy Central, Woronoff said. When Woronoff found out he was speaking, he “was really excited because I think
“
SOURCE: EMILY KENNEDY GRAPHIC BY :SCOTT NUSSBAUM
If it doesn’t go well, I think it won’t be because the jokes are not funny. I’m pretty confident that they’ll be funny. I just think it might not go over well because people are like ‘Why did he just say that at our child’s graduation?’” —J.J. Woronoff ’15
it’s a huge honor, and I really think I can bring, if they allow me too, something that hasn’t been done before,” he said. “I really think there were a lot of people who could’ve taken this job,” Woronoff added. “Alan Yousefzadeh ’15 and Matt Beyer ’15, in particular, I think would have been great, and I think it’s important to give them a shout-out.” He plans to keep his speech centered on jokes, and though he thinks it will be important to strike a balance between his classmates and their families as his audience, he will focus on the students, Woronoff said, “because the day’s about
nathanson’s
them.” Woronoff will be the first salutatorian in at least six years who wasn’t a member of the Scene Monkeys, an upper school improv comedy group. He co-created “Mean Teacher Tweets #1,” a video played at the final semiweekly assembly May 18 that featured faculty members reading mean lines about themselves. “If it doesn’t go well, I think it won’t be because the jokes are not funny,” he added. “I’m pretty confident that they’ll be funny. I just think it might not go over well because people are like, ‘Why did he just say that at our child’s graduation?’”