2023 Middle School Awards

The Bruce Anderson Award

John Dunn ’27

This award is given by his eighth grade classmates of 1973 in memory of Bruce Anderson. It is awarded to an eighth grade boy who not only displays athletic excellence and a fine sense of sportsmanship, but also contributes to the general welfare of his classmates through strength of character and leadership.

The Cornelia L. Dopkins Award

Gabriele Pili ’27, Emmet Mehaffy ’28, Ryan DeFazio ’29, Luca DiCunzolo ’30

Named in honor of an extraordinary teacher, scholar, and Head of the Nichols Middle School on two different occasions, this award is given to fifth-eighth grade students who have been nominated by their peers because they have demonstrated a genuine concern for others and for Nichols School. The recipient is a person who sees what needs to be done and does it with enthusiasm and without expectation of reward, a quality Mrs. Dopkins displayed throughout her lengthy career at Nichols.

The Henry D. Waters Award

Justin Houze ’29, Riley Stinson ’29

This award was established to honor Henry D. Waters, who dedicated his life to his second career as a dean, advisor, English teacher supreme, Hall of Fame coach and athlete, and friend of middle school students for twenty-five years. It is awarded to fifth or sixth grade students who display the qualities Henry Waters valued most: a willingness to participate in all activities to the best of their ability; fair-mindedness; good sportsmanship; honesty; empathy; citizenship; and a positive sense of humor.

The Pliny H. Hayes III Award

Levi Mayer ’28

This award was established to honor Pliny H. Hayes, III, former Head of the Nichols Middle School; a brilliant leader, counselor, classical scholar, and world traveler, Pliny was devoted to Nichols, its students, and its faculty. It is given to that seventh grade student whose commitment to and pursuit of excellence in all endeavors challenges others; whose enjoyment and pleasure in new experiences and learning stimulates others, and whose character and personal integrity inspires others.

The Charles I. Kleiser Award

Anne Boscarino ’27

This award was established in 1960 by the faculty to honor the memory of Charles I. Kleiser, a Nichols Junior School teacher for more than thirty years whose devotion to his craft and his students remains legendary. It is awarded to an eighth grade student who has demonstrated qualities of positive leadership, sound character, and concern for others.

George J. Kloepfer ’68 II Faculty Award

Aedan Brockman ’27, Ellen Fox ’27, Emmett Hughes ’27, Sofia Sanchez-Wolf ’27, Gus Smith ’27

This award is named in honor of George Kloepfer, who devoted his entire professional career of 48 years to the Nichols Middle School. As a wise, no-nonsense advisor, teacher, and coach, he provided a model of ethics, responsibility, and accountability for his students and co-workers, earning their respect, admiration, and love.

The George J. Kloepfer II ’68 Award is presented to eighth grade students who exhibit the qualities Mr. K exemplified: positive leadership, sound character, true concern for others, and a helping nature.

The Elizabeth R. Stone Award

Olive Donaghy ’27, Hayden Printz ’27

This award honors Beth Stone, who, in her 40-year career in the Nichols Physical Education and Athletic Departments, challenged both Upper and Middle School students to surpass their perceived limitations and develop a love of sports and wellness. It is given to an eighth grade girl(s) who not only has displayed athletic excellence and a fine sense of sportsmanship, but also, through strength of character and leadership, has contributed to the general welfare of her classmates.

The Robert A. Gillespie-Vincent E. Walsh Academic Award

Ashlyn Xiao ’27

The Robert A. Gillespie-Vincent E. Walsh Academic Award was established by Allan J. Lerner, class of 1947, to honor two outstanding Nichols teachers. It is awarded to the eighth grade student(s) who has achieved the highest academic standing during his or her eighth grade year.

More than 8,000 promising young men and women have graduated from Nichols over the school’s 131-year history. Our alumni are doctors, musicians, lawyers, professional athletes, business owners, and so much more. We invited one of our talented alums, and newly appointed President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, Betsy Constantine ’93, back to campus as this year’s commencement speaker. Prior to her visit, Nichols had a chance to ask Constanine about her time at Nichols and how her experience here set her up for future success.