Upper School Awards 2022-2023

Portledge Bowl

This distinction is awarded by the Board of Trustees upon the vote of the faculty to that senior who best exemplifies the character and values Portledge holds in the highest esteem, and is widely regarded as the most distinguished recognition awarded at Portledge School.

GRACE WILSON

Grace Wilson exemplifies the character and values Portledge holds in highest esteem… not an easy task to say the least. However, this year’s Portledge Bowl recipient does exactly that; she represents to the highest level the Portledge Pillars of Kindness, Purpose, Honor, and Respect. After coming over from Westbury Friends, her first-grade teacher said, “she has blossomed into a very productive student - she can be counted on to do her work, and not get involved where she does not belong.” In fourth grade, Mrs. Cavrell said, “I am so impressed with (her) and admire how important it is to her, to always do her best.” In sixth grade, Mr. Schwartz was amazed at her ability to “express great joy for each piece.” In the Upper School, her teachers remarked that she consistently demonstrated collaborative effort, and kindness in and out of the classroom.

A charter member of the Black Student Union, and an ambassador to ALL, her “This I Believe” speech in Town Meeting a few weeks ago was moving and inspiring to students and teachers alike, as were her performances all year long at showcases, coffeehouses, musicals, and my personal favorite as Mrs. Peacock in the Upper School rendition of Clue. Mr. Dula points out that “the excitement of committing fully to each new production, role and show family comes with the knowledge that it will all come to an end someday. That is a hard lesson for any theatre person to reckon with gracefully. Maybe it’s in the name, because Grace epitomizes this by giving over her whole self, knowing that there will be a potential sadness when it ends. That is a truly magical quality that will lead her into a truly magical life.”

At Portledge, we teach the pillars of Kindness, Purpose, Honor, and Respect, but Mrs. White recently noted that “GRACE is the one who walks through the hallways reteaching and reminding us” of those values by her behavior . . . “always . . . it’s her superpower." On Thursday evening, she received the Senior Class Award. Voted upon by the senior class, the award is presented to that member of the graduating class who demonstrates a high degree of kindness and generosity toward friends, faculty, and the Portledge community. Well, the faculty clearly couldn’t agree more with their choice, and so it is our pleasure to recognize Grace Wilson with the Portledge Bowl!

Slanetz Award

The Slanetz Award is awarded to that member or members of the senior class whose academic record shows the highest level of achievement throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior years at Portledge, and is given in the hope that this scholar will apply their intellectual ability to the improvement of the human condition and for the well-being of others.

MINGRUI (ABBY) JIANG

Throughout MingRui’s tenure at Portledge, which began in third grade, her teachers have noted her dedication to learning and the tenacity she brings to the classroom. “A dedicated mathematician and one who thrives when presented with challenging problems”… and that was when she was in third grade!

Her fourth-grade teacher noted how she inspires the others in her group to be focused and productive…using thinking routines to make connections and pose further questions. It is no shock that the skills noted in Lower School continued to develop.

Her eighth-grade teachers noted her contributions to class discussions reflected her depth of maturity as a thinker and also noted a refined sense of humor.

In her Upper School years, a rigorous program of study was her focus, especially in the math and science fields.

Always one to seek out help, as well as help others, her hard work and diligent work ethic contributed to her qualifying as a National Merit Semi-Finalist and earning the top GPA in her class.

The driving force behind the vision for the yearbook, she brings a unique and creative style to all her work as shown by the design and palette that she created. According to Mrs. Simon, “her vision and her application of that vision were extraordinary.” It is with great pleasure that we present the Slantez Award to MingRui Jiang!

Barbara Lisanne Ayers Memorial Award for Outstanding Scholarship

TheBarbaraLisanneAyersMemorialAwardforOutstandingScholarshipispresentedannuallytothat memberofthegraduatingclasswho,throughouttheircareeratPortledge,hasbestexemplifiedthe characterandachievementofBarbaraLisanneAyers(Classof1977)throughprofounddevotionto learningtogetherwithaconsistentlyhighlevelofacademicaccomplishment.

Thisyear,twostudentsarehonoredwiththisaward.

LUKE FOLEY

Our first recipient is beloved by his teachers for his constant enthusiasm and quick-witted responses. He has attempted a wide variety of courses, continuously challenging himself throughout his Upper School career. A consistent member of theatre productions, a key member of the jazz band, an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate, a member of Cum Laude, and this year he received the distinction of being a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. This student epitomizes the deeding of this award as his advisor most aptly put it “I can say without a doubt I have never had a student so responsible, independent, confident, and comfortable with himself as Luke. In the classroom, Luke continued to challenge himself through his studies, and his efforts were met with consistent success.” The first recipient of the Barbara Lisanne Ayers Award is Luke Foley.

Our second recipient noted in her application to Portledge that “A good teacher allows their students to explore the world around them and inspires them to learn.” Upon entering the Middle School, she definitely seemed to sample as many teachers as she could to test her sentiment; cartooning, broadcast journalism, theatre arts, and, of course, band. Her motivation as she transitioned to the Upper School led to a pursuit of AP and IB courses, becoming a fixture on the drums in the jazz band, and garnering an authentic respect from her teachers for her diligence and kindhearted manner. Her motivation to continually work hard to gain the confidence necessary to take chances highlights her overall love of learning. It is our distinct pleasure to recognize Sydney Rodriquez-Kong with the Barbara Lisanne Ayers Award.

SYDNEY RODRIGUEZ-KONG

Head of School Award

With a much larger graduating class this year, we have divided the Head of School awards into four categories, each reflecting one of the Portledge Pillars - Kindness, Purpose, Honor, and Respect.

KINDNESS

The first Head of School Award is given to two recipients who have shown remarkable character growth this year and have always been ready to extend a helping hand to those in need.

NOAH CAPPS

The first winner is someone who has fought hard to make Portledge a better place by contributing in every way possible. He was a three-season athlete who helped our school achieve the highest heights. He is a selfless individual who always puts the needs of others above his own. He has grown by leaps and bounds and has a huge heart, and is incredibly generous in spirit. His grit and determination are mirrored by his caring approach to the adults and his classmates in this illustrious grade.

Congratulations to Noah Kapps.

SANDEEP SOOD

The second winner is a vivacious, thoughtful, and generous person. In some ways, he embodies the word kindness, and his warm personality was in evidence as he recently received word of his induction to the Cum Laude Society. He is at ease conversing with adults as he is when holding court with his peers. He is intelligent, wise, and mature beyond his years. It was a pleasure to work with him on his Extended Essay examining the intricacies of the economic reasons behind the decline of the Ottoman Empire before World War I. He is a true scholar and gentleman.

Congratulations to Sandeep Sood.

Head of School Award

With a much larger graduating class this year, we have divided the Head of School awards into four categories, each reflecting one of the Portledge Pillars - Kindness, Purpose, Honor, and Respect.

PURPOSE

This Head of School Award recognizes seniors who have acted with real purpose this year in a particular field. While many individuals have made great contributions towards improving the education at the school, two individuals stand out as having contributed in exceptional ways.

LUCA WILLIAMS

The first recipient has inspired countless underclassmen to develop their skills in the area of music composition. This individual has furthered the music program by working closely with other seniors and underclassmen to compose and produce and perform in the school’s first-ever rock opera. It was spectacular; innovative, edgy, balanced, and exciting. In addition, he was always willing to step in to help others when they were short-handed and worked on providing excellent performances until the end of the school year. Music is his passion, and if you need further evidence of this, then I suggest you visit his awesome vinyl store in Sea Cliff, which he owns and operates. Congratulations to Luca Williams

DANIEL SHALAM

The second recipient of this award has become the voice of Portledge. He has selflessly commentated on multiple games and given freely of his time, so those who wished to listen to games but could not attend them could still find great enjoyment. Along with a colleague, he recently helped lead the auction and helped the school raise over $300k that night. He is articulate, polished, and has been given the gift of extemporaneous speech. I look forward to hearing future broadcasts on major media outlets as the years unfold. He has been the consummate voice of Portledge. Congratulations to Head of School award recipient, Dan Shalam.

Head of School Award

With a much larger graduating class this year, we have divided the Head of School awards into four categories, each reflecting one of the Portledge Pillars - Kindness, Purpose, Honor, and Respect.

HONOR

The third Head of School award is given in relation to the Portledge Pillar of Honor. These two individuals have done a remarkable job upholding the principles of our school and always act with integrity and maturity.

HENRY MERCIER

The first recipient is loved and respected by his peers. He is the voice of calm and reason and is often the student others turn to when looking for advice. He is jovial, kind, and disciplined yet competitive whenever he dons the Portledge crest. It matters to him that we all demonstrate a degree of moral rectitude in our dealings. His strength of character and fortitude are commendable. He is thought of fondly and trusted by all who know him. Congratulations to Henry Mercier.

BO (EDDY) HU

The second winner is a student for whom balance and quiet composure are virtually synonymous with his name. He has worked tirelessly to garner an enviable academic reputation and was thoroughly deserving of his acceptance to NYU. He is principled and self-disciplined in his adherence to our community's rules and regulations. He takes our Pillars seriously and quietly conveys what it means to do the right thing without making a show of his goodness. He has climbed a huge academic mountain and fully deserves his spot as one of the top scholars in this capable and assiduous grade. Well done to Bo (Eddy) Hu.

Head of School Award

With a much larger graduating class this year, we have divided the Head of School awards into four categories, each reflecting one of the Portledge Pillars - Kindness, Purpose, Honor, and Respect.

RESPECT

The last Head of School Award connects to the Portledge Pillar of Respect, and this award has two recipients this year.

LAURA NARBY

The first winner of this special award exemplifies the Pillar of Respect, as illustrated by unwavering school spirit and optimistic character. Ever vibrant and generous, this student embodies the essence of rectitude and exemplary behavior as embodied in student/faculty relationships and with her peers. This individual conducts herself with grace, selflessness, and warmth. She has been a valued community member for many years and is loyal and dependable. Congratulations to Laura Narby.

RAMSEY CAMMERER

The second deserving recipient of the Head of School Award for Respect is kind, open, thoughtful, and positive in her everyday dealings. She always comes to school ready to learn and with a productive and constructive attitude, is respectful and deferential to faculty, and genial and supportive of her classmates. She embodies school spirit and has carried her passion for community service into her life at school, providing opportunities and fruitful contrivances, bringing different groups together to learn, share, and grow. Congratulations to this year’s recipient of the Head of School Award for Respect Ramsey Cammerer.

Hahn Enviromental Award

The Hahn Environmental Award recognizes the student who exhibits extraordinary exemplary leadership in the field of sustainability both globally and within the Portledge community.

BELAINE MAMO

As a four-year member of the Green Team, Belaine Mamo has been actively involved with organizing Green Team initiatives and inspiring other students to become involved in green initiatives. She focused on recycling of plastics by purchasing recycling bins and helped to develop the rummage sale website.

NICOLETTE WU

Nicolette Wu has been an active member of the Green Team for four years, actively involved in raising money for environmental efforts on the Portledge campus. Additionally, she designed and created beautiful posters to convey Green Team initiatives, created a website to encourage recycling of old or outgrown clothes, and focused on recycling of plastics by purchasing recycling bins.

Bliss Award

BlissAward-Music TYLERWASSERMAN

The Bliss Award in music is given each year to a senior who has demonstrated the highest commitment to music through enthusiasm for the creative process and also performing with excellence while on stage. Not only an incredible solo performer, this year's senior recipient of the Bliss Award in music also played exceptionally in several critical ensemble roles throughout his Upper School years. Shining during all of his concert band performances on the clarinet, he was also featured as a pianist at the Portledge Showcase during all four of his Upper School years. Both as a soloist and accompanist, his piano performances have always stood out musically for following the composer's intentions while also having his own personal touch on them. As a co-leader of Portledge School's first ever student-composed Rock Opera "Neither Here Nor There",

Tyler Wasserman was only expected to spend 90 hours finishing his Higher Level IB Music Assessment; yet he had already surpassed that time before Winter Break while designing, building, and programming the code for his own original instrument to be used in the performance. While spending hundreds of hours more painstakingly transcribing and notating the music for the opera along with fine-tuning his instrument, Tyler showed that he was fully committed to taking artistic risks and would only settle to achieve the highest quality product. Over four years in the Upper School, Tyler not only worked on all of his musical and academic assignments with passion, but he also took on personal projects and practiced them with the same intensity. Recently, he even brought in piano music after his IB exams were finished simply because, in his words, 'I wanted to learn a new piece.' There were many occasions when he was on campus by 7:00 a.m. in order to have a piano on which to compose, arrange, or just practice on. His dedication, commitment, passion, and drive have all fostered his musical talent. A curious composer, focused researcher, budding improviser, and passionate performer, Tyler Wasserman has shared his love of music with the entire Portledge community throughout every step of his Upper School journey, and the Music Department proudly awards him with the 2023 Bliss Award - Music. Congratulations Tyler!

Bliss Award

BlissAward-Theatre JOHNDELUCA

The Bliss Award in theatre goes to a student who truly embodies what a Portledge theatre student represents: a caring, collaborative, supportive, dedicated and fallon-your-face-fearless student. During his four years here, this student was an integral part of holding our community together during the challenging COVID years. Despite Zoom improv, virtual scene work and the now famous outdoor Pippin, this student has only grown and excelled. He has taken every theatre course offered, participated in every show and project, and was co-leader of Theatre Club this year. He is a fantastic performer, but more importantly he is a fantastic person. I could go on and on about what this student has meant to our theatre community, but I think you get the point. John - break a leg at TCU and know that the Black Box and everyone in it will miss you. The Bliss Award - Theatre goes to John DeLuca.

Bliss Award

BlissAward-VisualArts ALEXAD’AMATO-ORLOFF

Webster defines an artist as someone who creates art, such as painting or sculpture using conscious skill and creative imagination. Last October, this student had a solo show entitled “Amygdala” at the Local Project in Queens. An active member of the Portledge community, her poster design for this year’s production of Urinetown was personally chosen by Mr. Dula. She has also been very involved in cultivating the Portledge Butterfly Garden. While working with Lower School students and faculty, she engaged the children with her creativity, infectious smile and good humor. She helped them create mosaics, and decorated stones with positive aphorisms and pavers that focused on the Portledge Pillars. She also participated in the demanding International Baccalaureate Visual Arts program. Her work is currently being displayed in our Meshel Gallery. Lastly, this student will be continuing to follow her love of art at Johns Hopkins next fall. This year’s Bliss Award - Visual Arts goes to Alexa D’Amato-Orloff.

Senior Class Award

The Senior Class Award, Upon the vote of the senior class members, and affirmation of the faculty, the Senior Class Award is presented to that member of the graduating class who demonstrates a high degree of kindness and generosity towards friends, faculty, and the Portledge community.

GRACE WILSON

Senior Athletic Award

REESE BARNETT

Reese was described by one of his coaches as “the ideal player you want to coach. He was positive, determined and relentless in his effort to compete.” Another coach stated that “he simply did the job of being a selfless member of our team. Constantly looking for ways to help improve the club in any way that he was asked, he always played as if the team was more important than his individual pride or accolades.” Reese Barnett, thank you for everything you have done for Portledge and its soccer, hockey, and lacrosse programs.

LAURA CASTRONOVA

From the moment Laura Castronova arrived on campus she had an impact on every team that she played on and had a strong impact throughout the campus. One of her highlights this year was being a White Captain - helping to lead the team to victory. Impressively, she played two sports in the same season in order to commit to her main spring sport of golf. One of her coaches stated that 'she has matured as an athlete and learned how to channel her intensity into focused play, scoring some key goals for the hockey team coming down the stretch and especially on championship weekend." Laura Castronova, thank you for everything you have done for Portledge and its hockey, golf, and lacrosse programs.

The Senior Athletic Award is presented in recognition of overall contribution to the school’s athletic program through outstanding effort on behalf of team play and sportsmanship, and excellence in a number of athletic endeavors.

Student Council Award

The Student Council Award is presented, upon vote of the Council members, to that student who has displayed outstanding school spirit and a commitment to the Portledge community throughout their involvement in academics, community service, athletics and extracurricular activities.

JOHNSON

SAMUEL

Senior Project Award

The Senior Project aims to explore an area of interest and to do something that matters. The opportunity allows students to investigate a problem, explore a belief, confront a challenge, or even take a risk, keeping in mind the criteria of creativity, action, and service. This journey requires effort, focused attention, and dedication. Students worked diligently on projects throughout the year that require them to be creative, that focus on activity, and personal well-being - or that of others - and/or that involve serving others within the community.

LUKE FOLEY

Building a custom arcade machine

The first Senior Project Award of Distinction goes to a student that took gaming to a whole new level. Combining the most popular gaming consoles and vintage videogames, this project was all fun and games. Luke Foley built an arcade cabinet, wired it properly, programmed the joysticks, configured sound, and video, and painted it. It was a true labor of love. Luke has always had a strong connection to the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club, so true to his nature, Luke is donating the arcade cabinet so that the students there can enjoy their time there, as much as he did. Well done, Luke!

TYLER WASSERMAN, LUCA WILLIAMS, SEBASTIAN TATE

Neither Here, Nor There (Rock Opera)

This next project is Neither Here, Nor There. To compose, transcribe, promote, and perform a rock opera, soliciting the help of thirteen of your classmates, was quite the challenge! But a challenge that these three seniors handled well. What better way to celebrate the culmination of your time spent here at Portledge than by leaving us with this legacy? In his reflection, Luca Williams commented that “... [the rock opera] brought members of our school community together, which otherwise would not have been brought together.” This is the true essence of what a senior project is all about. It is an opportunity to bring the community together to create or serve others. Your efforts are to be commended. Congratulations Tyler Wasserman, Luca Willians, and Sebastian Tate.

Senior Project Award

JOHN DELUCA

Effect of Theatre on Youth

Our next award recipient is someone who truly wanted to share their passion with younger students. Realizing that not all students have access to the same educational opportunities and experience, John DeLuca decided that he wanted to devote his time to sharing his love of theater with students at the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club and teach them various techniques through games and activities. When asked on his project proposal about why this project matters, his response was “It matters because every kid deserves to have access to try new things.” Working with 24 first and second-graders may have tired John out, but he accepted the challenge and learned a lot from it. I had the privilege of being his advisor and when checking in for advisory the Monday after his experience with these students, he looked at me and said “I don’t know how you teachers do it!” John got just as much out of this experience as the students did and presented his project eloquently to the community. A standing ovation for you, John! Bravo!

LAURA CASTRONOVA, MOLLY SULLIVAN, CHRISSY MAVRAKIS

Learn to Skate

This next project was completed by a group of seniors that also wanted to share their skills and talents with younger students. While many projects may have taken a different shape than what was originally proposed, this project proposal stayed true throughout. Laura Castronova, Molly Sullivan, and Chrissy Mavrakis wanted to take their love of hockey and their skating skills and hold a clinic for younger female players. These three reflected on their past experiences as young hockey players and recognized that they did not have much opportunity to learn from older female players. This reflection inspired them to hold clinics for young players, teaching them drills, and inspiring them to reach their fullest potential. As a result of teaching others, they learned a lot about themselves as players and as future leaders. There is no doubt that the experience they created left a lasting impression on these future hockey stars. Well done to you all!

Senior Project Award

ALEXA D’AMATO-ORLOFF

Beautifying the Lower School Butterfly and Rock Gardens

This last project of distinction is one that focuses on art, appreciation for the environment, and love for the Portledge community. Alexa D’Amato-Orloff wanted to find a way to incorporate her amazing artistic ability into something that would be shared with lower-school students in a meaningful way. The result? A healing rock garden in our Lower School. This project provided a safe space for the Lower School community to learn, to be mindful, and to understand the importance of being kind. Alexa met with students from kindergarten to fifth grade and painted rocks and signs with inspiring messages that promote positivity, kindness, and hope. The students even created a conflict resolution corner! Alexa left the students with the message that even though her senior project is completed, they can continue to work on the garden and make it even more special. Congratulations, Alexa!

Cum Laude

Modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude strictly regulates the standards of each school chapter and establishes precise limits on the number of students that can be admitted. The requirements to be considered for Cum Laude are rigorous and highly selective. Students must achieve at the highest level in the most demanding curriculum offered at the school. Character matters. Student conduct is reviewed and discussed and attention is paid to a variety of standards before final approval is given. The total number of inductees must not exceed 20% of a senior class and 10% can be inducted as juniors.

Newly Inducted Members: Class of 2023

Newly Inducted Members: Class of 2024

BELAINE MAMO LEAMARIE MASTORAKIS ISABELLA MOHAMMED ALEXANDER SIMMS LUCA WILLIAMS SANDEEP SOOD ELLA STACCONI

ALEENA ABDELHADY ANNA BLOCH CARINA CAVIEZEL DANIEL GALVINGUSMANO ELIZABETH SINGER ROBERT MESHECHOK HOLLY SIMON

Community Service

Independence, responsibility, and a sense of civic duty are qualities that Portledge seeks to instill in its students. To that end, there has been instituted an annual Community Service requirement that every Upper School student is expected to complete at least ten hours of community service.

Students who completed more than 50 hours of community service from September 2022 through May 2023 are:

Students who completed more than 100 hours of community service from September 2022 through May 2023 are:

Thankyoutoallofyou.

PRAJNA JAIN KAJAL KHANDELWAL CHRISTINA MINK MICHELLE OH

DEVIN SWEENEY

JAYSON PEREYRA NOAH SMITH

OLIVER BAHNIK ANNA BLOCH RAMSEY CAMMERER KYLA CARTER REESE KUGEL ELLIS ROSENBERG

Triple C Award

RAMSEY CAMMERER

The first award is going to a student who completed the most hours and showed tremendous consistency and dedication to her partnership. Ramsey chose HorseAbility, a charity which strives to improve and enrich the lives of individuals with special needs through interactions with horses. She completed over 100 hours there, more than ten times the required amount, showing her true passion and commitment to this important and incredible charity. Additionally, she attended one of the Middle School Town Hall meetings to share her experiences, ultimately inspiring the students to get involved.

NICOLETTE WU

The reasons Nicolette is receiving this award are threefold: firstly she had enormous variety within her services, ranging from beach clean ups, to caring for both children and seniors; secondly she was the first student to finish the minimum required hours; and thirdly she was one of the founders and leaders of the Portledge School Green Team Club. Niki wonderfully continued her community partnership well beyond the expectation, specifically through Portledge by creating this club. She also promoted environmental opportunities to our community to enable other students to engage with this cause.

The Triple C Award is given to students from the Attorney General's office for courage, commitment, and character. This year, there are two recipients.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

These students took a rigorous course load of International Baccalaureate classes in their junior and senior years in order to become a part of the globally-heralded program that is recognized by top colleges and universities around the world. They will receive the results of their examinations and diplomas from the IB this summer.

EMILY CHEN BRANDON COOPER ALEXA D'AMATO-ORLOFF THOMAS DAY

LUKE FOLEY

JAI GUPTA BO HU ANDREA LIU

BELAINE MAMO LEAMARIE MASTORAKIS

TOBIAS MUMMERS YAEL RATNER

JAKE RIVERA DANIEL SHALAM WILLIAM SIEGEL ALEXANDER SIMMS REBECCA SOLOMON SANDEEP SOOD

SEBASTIAN TATE TYLER WASSERMAN LUCA WILLIAMS NICOLETTE WU

WEIYAO YAN CELINE ZHU

English Department

Ninth-Grade English Love of Learning

MADELINE FULD

Maddie is an artist in every aspect: her imagination holds no boundaries, she treats each assignment as her personal work of art and creates a vivid image of herself in her work. She is a lover of education, curious, and devoted to her studies - especially within the humanities. Maddie is an incredible artist who makes deep connections through her artwork and finds joy in sharing it with others. She is insightful, hardworking, and caring in her work. Maddie doesn’t only focus on doing well in her classes and achieving high grades; she genuinely cares about growing as a learner. After spending a lot of time with Maddie, it has been evident to see how she gains confidence in herself through the education she gains. She has been reliable, extremely involved, and excited about making the literary journal come to fruition.

Ninth-Grade English Academic Excellence

PRAJNA JAIN

Prajna models excellence in everything she accomplishes in the classroom. She completes all of her assignments in a highly commendable manner. In fact, her writing was so strong that it was frequently selected to be utilized as a model sample for other students. She is also a great role model for her peers, always striving beyond the minimum requirements. Her ability to go beyond is apparent in her projects as well. When tasked to create her own fairy tale, she blended together her love of fantasy and all things equestrian to create a memorable story. When it comes to any sort of presentation, Prajna is prepared and poised; she always has a clear, positive presence in the classroom. Even if there’s a difficult question asked to the class, her hand is always raised. It is our pleasure to present this award to Prajna Jain for her wonderful performance in ninth-grade English this year.

English Department

Tenth-Grade English Love of Learning

Kajal brings her diligence, insight, and dedication to excellence to class every day. Her passionate love of literature and desire to perfect her own writing are evident in every paper she writes and report she delivers. She uses every assignment as an opportunity to explore a topic of interest to her, as when she investigated the use of shadow screens as a vehicle for non-verbal storytelling when deciding to shoot a shadow film for her Macbeth project. A leader in class discussion, Kajal helps inspire her classmates to take intellectual risks and delve deep into the literature we read.

Tenth-Grade English Academic Excellence

JEREMY RATNER

Jeremy Ratner embodies excellence in the English classroom. When working with classmates, he is always supportive, carrying himself as a community role model. His contributions to the class are invariably thoughtful, as well as provoking. He never just repeats information but always offers unique perspectives to the class. In fact, more than once, Jeremy’s classmates voted him to be a leader in class Socratic seminars, showing the respect his peers grant to him. Everyone can see the extensive detail he puts into his work. No matter the assignment, Jeremy refuses to submit work that does not reach his own rigorous standards - whether adapting the plot and themes of Macbeth into a chess game or teaching himself to draw in order to create his own graphic novel for a project on Maus. These small examples exemplify the excellence of execution that Jeremy exudes in the academic arena.

English Department

Eleventh-Grade English Love of Learning

DALE JACKSON

Dale treats stories like friends. He loves to spend time with them, and he is excited to connect them with one another. He always listens to stories intently, but leans in with special attention when metanarrative talks about itself. And, already a budding cultural critic, Dale is delighted to join the conversation when media works talk thoughtfully about one another. Dale also understands that diverse media forms exist in community with each other, and is constantly linking reading material from inside and outside of class to his favorite music and films. His enthusiasm is so palpable and contagious that an hour-long conversation about literature with Dale seems to go by in a blink. It is a delight to work with Dale as he avidly explores the complex web of dialogue between authors, and a gift to share in his deep love for art and story.

Eleventh-Grade English Academic Excellence

HOLLY SIMON

Holly is a shining example of what makes the humanities humanistic. She experiences literature with all parts of her personhood; all at once, she appreciates the craft of beautiful writing, deeply empathizes with characters in their various situations, and gives profound thought to the social relevance of the perspectives she finds in stories. The humanities are important because a people is, at its core, individuals and their shared stories; Holly not only understands this concept but lives by it. When she engages with a narrative, be it a lengthy 19thcentury novel or an obscure work of musical theater, she sees a rainbow of reasons to value that story. Holly sees the minute textual details and the big picture, the satirical ironies and the earnest truths, the social power and the individual pathos - and she knows that none of these aspects are separate from one another. It is our pleasure to present Holly with this award, and to honor her brilliant mind, active hand, and open heart.

English Department

Twelfth-GradeEnglishLoveofLearning GRAYSONSCHAMIS

Grayson is Portledge’s “Boy Wonder” and has evolved extensively through both his education and his self-discovery. He is resilient in his studies, making sure each assignment is completed to the high standards that he sets for himself. Grayson is unafraid to confront the shadows of human complexities through challenging works in his classes. He showcases a genuine enthusiasm towards learning and appreciation for all things creative, including the bizarre and peculiar. A fantastic writer with an imagination that pushes past all expectations, Grayson is eager to take part in all forms of writing. The samples he has produced this year are a testament to that hard work and dedication. He always welcomes the opportunity to work harder, receive feedback, and achieve greater things. He has experienced growth in this regard, and we know that the growth will continue beyond Portledge. We hope that college will become a space for him to continue exploring works that are as imaginative, complex, and as spirited as he is.

Sydney possesses all the qualities that mark a top-flight student writer: a precise and unfailing ear for language; a true mastery of mechanics and structures; original, insightful, and incisive analysis; fierce independence in the writing process; and a desire to seek out additional feedback to nourish her craft further. To Sydney, excellence is not a simple and sporadic act - it is a hard-won habit honed through her unwavering dedication and insatiable curiosity.

At a young age, Sydney already recognizes that truly excellent writing is honest and genuine - it has little patience for flashy tricks. She also realizes that potent analysis opens up the interpretive possibilities of a text - it invites others to join the scholarly conversation rather than simply congratulating the writer on her own cleverness.

Most of all, Sydney’s writing has an ingenuous veracity, as well as a confidence that her natural modesty sometimes belies. Jazz great Miles Davis famously remarked, “It took me years to learn how to play like myself.” Syd already understands that the ultimate goal is to write like herself. And she is well on her way to doing just that.

Twelfth-GradeEnglishAcademicExcellence SYDNEYRODRIGUEZ-KONG

History Department

Ninth-Grade History Love of Learning

SARAH FRIEDBERG

This year’s award for love of learning is deeded to Sarah Friedberg. Sarah is a fastidious and well-organized scholar in history class. She uses her skills and wide knowledge of social studies to help her peers, both during classwork and in preparation for important tests and quizzes. In addition to all these qualities, Sarah showed growth and improvement over the course of the academic year. For sharing your love of learning with other students, the History Department is pleased to recognize Sarah for her academic achievement and for exemplifying what it means to be a Panther. Kudos!

Ninth-Grade History Academic Excellence

RONDELL RABSATT

This year’s award for academic excellence will be deeded to Rondell Rabsatt. In history class, Rondell is an excellent student who consistently goes above and beyond in his consummate execution of excellent historical analysis and class participation. He consistently contributes insightful analysis and thought-provoking questions in class. In addition to his fantastic work in the history classroom, this year, Rondell has become the undisputed trivia king at Portledge. It is for these reasons and his high marks that Rondell is to be awarded the ninth-grade award for academic excellence.

History Department

Tenth-Grade History Love of Learning

ELLIS

ROSENBERG

Since the very beginning of this year's class in Advanced Modern World History, one student has set herself apart by exhibiting an extremely high degree of intellectual curiosity and dedication to the study of history. Thus, the History Department is proud to present an award for love of learning to Ellis Rosenberg.

Tenth-Grade History Academic Excellence

JEREMY RATNER

For some students preparing for an assessment is simply a means to an end, a grade. But for this student, his preparation is meant to master the content, to understand the story behind an event, and to know the why. That is why this year's tenth-grade Academic Excellence History Award goes to Jeremy Ratner.

History Department

Eleventh-Grade History Love of Learning

GABRIEL CAPPS

During this year's study of AP United States History, one student has set himself apart from all others. His performance on various types of assessments has been exceptional and his ability to discuss American history in a clear, concise, and analytical way is truly amazing. It is with deep gratitude for his commitment to learning and his overall academic achievement that the History Department presents this award for love of learning to Gabriel Capps.

Eleventh-Grade History Academic Excellence

CARINA CAVIEZEL

This year’s award in academic excellence is deeded to Carina Caviezel. In history class, Carina is an excellent writer who consistently goes above and beyond in her consummate execution of excellent historical analysis. She consistently contributes insightful analysis and thoughtprovoking questions in class. It is for these reasons and Carina`s high academic marks that she receives this award for academic excellence.

History Department

Twelfth-GradeHistoryLoveofLearning LUKEFOLEY

This convivial character consistently demonstrates a superior understanding of the material and a genuine thirst for knowledge. Curiosity and inquiry are words that surround this eminently capable scholar. His convivial character, deep insight, and intelligence inspire classroom discussion, resulting in well-planned written work and project presentations. He is articulate, imaginative in his thinking, and unafraid to ask questions when in doubt. The respect he garners from his classmates comes naturally and is rooted in a genuine appreciation for his authentic perspicacity and raw intellectual ability. We sense that something great is ahead of this eager autodidact. We will no doubt read in future years of some discovery, invention, new method, or recreated design thinking of his that propels others forward in his chosen field. Notre Dame is fortunate to have him in their freshmen class. Congratulations to Luke Foley, this year’s recipient of the Love of Learning Award

Twelfth-GradeHistoryAcademicExcellence ALEXANDERSIMMS

This year’s Academic Excellence Award winner in humanities is a senior who has committed wholeheartedly to enlightening himself and those around him as a component of his stolid academic journey. His relatively demure nature subtly masks the deep waters of curiosity and fidelity nestled below the surface. He is judicious, hard-working, conscientious, and devoted to his studies. His work in the humanities has consistently been superior at Portledge and undoubtedly serves as an overture for achievement and success as he enters college and for the years ahead. His geniality and good manner are infectious. His maturity and earnest approach to all areas of study have prepared him well for his life at the prestigious Emory University in Atlanta, where he will join the freshmen class next year. Congratulations to Alex Simms, this year’s recipient of the senior award for academic excellence in the humanities.

History Department

ExcellenceintheSocialSciences

This year we are highlighting three students of excellence in the social sciences. Congratulations to Jai Gupta, Tucker Ort, and Sebastian Tate.

JAI GUPTA

TUCKER ORT

SEBASTIAN TATE

History Department

JENNINGSPRIZE ANNABLOCH

Prescott Jennings, the longtime Chairman of the History Department, particularly enjoyed working with students on the combination of historical analysis and written prose. Every year, several essays are submitted to the History Department for evaluation and the finest is selected through a secret ballot. This year, for her work on ``The Impact of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg`s Espionage on Cold War America,`` we are proud to present the Jennings Award to Anna Bloch.

BARBARAMILESAWARD AJAYKHANDELWAL

Barbara Miles served as the Head Librarian at Portledge School for 20 years. She consistently encouraged students to delve into the process of scholarly research. She was instrumental in developing the annual tenth grade history research project. Every year, the History Department selects the paper or papers that represent the finest qualities of research that come from the class research project. This year, one paper has been selected for recognition for the Barbara Miles Award. The paper is titled The Effect of European Imperialism on the Structure of South Africa Today and the author is Ajay Khandelwal.

Educational Technology & Computer Science

Ninth-Grade Educational Technology & Computer Science Love of Learning

RONDELL RABSATT

This quiet, dedicated student completed both the Website Design and Introduction to Coding courses. Each End-of-the-Unit project they worked on would go beyond the requirements of the assignment, showing hours of commitment, and impressing their peers. This student also attended the Roslyn Code Overload event with peers from Portledge to partake in a one-day coding project challenge. During the event, this student expertly designed backgrounds for the team project using the Unity game development platform. We would also like to give this student a shout out for their great Halloween costume when they dressed up as an Ethical Hacker. The Love of Learning Award in ninth-grade Technology Education & Computer Science goes to Rondell Rabsatt.

Ninth-Grade Educational Technology & Computer Science Academic Excellence

ROWAN SHENOY

Expertly working through assignments and tasks, this year’s recipient of the Educational Technology & Computer Science Department’s Academic Excellence Award for ninth grade goes to a student in the Website Design and Robotics courses who achieved academic success in all areas! On many assignments, this student would complete the assigned task and then either take on additional, bonus challenges or assist others in their learning. In Website Design, they helped students with debugging their HTML and CSS, and in Robotics they would help junior coders incorporate advanced syntax, and new elements into their programs. In this way, they were not just achieving academic success for themselves, but helping others reach that goal as well. They attended weekend build sessions for Robotics and also participated in the Roslyn Code Overload event with fellow students to partake in a one-day coding project challenge. The Academic Excellence Award in ninth-grade Technology Education & Computer Science goes to Rowan Shenoy.

Educational Technology & Computer Science

Tenth-Grade Educational Technology & Computer Science Love of Learning

JOSHUA LEVY

This student displayed a high degree of focus on the class material in Robotics and during the single-semester course, Website Design. Their dedication to understanding the material in both courses is commendable. In Robotics, the student would come to weekend build sessions when they could to contribute to the development of their team’s competition robot. For Website Design, this student would often attend conference time when they needed to continue to grow their understanding of a concept. When challenged to incorporate a new element, not covered in the course, into the final project for Website Design, they researched CSS Grid Layout and proficiently built it into their code. The Love of Learning Award in tenth-grade Technology Education & Computer Science goes to Josh Levy.

Tenth-Grade Educational Technology & Computer Science Academic Excellence

CONSTANTINE ZOGRAFOS

This student dedicated themself to their studies in Robotics and the single semester course, Introduction to Coding. They attended weekend build sessions for Robotics and also participated in the Roslyn Code Overload event with fellow students to partake in a oneday coding project challenge. Throughout this academic year, this student would consistently discuss assignments to make sure they were completing them to a high standard. They also attended almost every Robotics Team Build Session this season. The Academic Excellence Award in tenth-grade Technology Education & Computer Science goes to Costa Zografos.

Educational Technology & Computer Science

Eleventh-Grade Educational Technology & Computer Science Love of Learning

ANTHONY STENNETT

This student explored a new area of study by taking both the Introduction to Coding and Website Design courses this year. This student applied themself in class, and when they didn’t understand a new topic or concept, always scheduled meetings during conference times. This dedication to growing their understanding showed a commitment to their learning. At the end of these sessions, they not only had a better grasp of the concept, but made connections to previously covered course material. The Love of Learning Award in eleventh-grade Technology Education & Computer Science goes to Anthony Stennett.

Twelfth-Grade Educational Technology & Computer Science Academic Excellence

ELLA STACCONI

Quietly working through assignments and tasks, this year’s recipient of the Educational Technology & Computer Science Department’s Academic Excellence Award in Twelfth grade goes to a student in Computer Science Principles who achieved academic success in all areas of the course! Each class day, this student was ready to participate in discussions and classwork. Not only was their diligence reflected on all of their assignments, but they also earned outstanding scores on all of the assessments. End of Unit Projects were always completed to a high standard and stood out not only for the end product itself, but the efficient and cleanly written code. The award for Academic Excellence in twelfth grade goes to Ella Stacconi.

Mathematics Department

Ninth-GradeMathematicsLoveofLearning RONDELLRABSATT

The award for love of learning goes to a positive, curious, and selfdriven student who consistently sought to make connections in the classroom. He enthusiastically participated in each lesson, asked clarifying questions to deepen his understanding, and completed all assignments in a thorough and organized manner. In addition, this recipient always went the extra mile to assist his peers or challenge himself with a difficult problem. His patience, kindness, attention to detail, and impressive problem-solving skills clearly demonstrate his love of learning. The Mathematics Department is pleased to recognize an incredible role model, Rondell Rabsatt.

Ninth-GradeMathematicsAcademicExcellence MASONLEE

The ninth-grade award for academic excellence goes to a recipient who averaged a perfect score in Algebra 2A this year. He was a focused and driven student in class, who demonstrated a unique intellectual curiosity to understand functions in their entirety. This student consistently exceeded expectations in all categories, and he represented Portledge in several math competitions this year. The Mathematics Department is pleased to recognize the impressive mathematician, Mason Lee.

Mathematics Department

Tenth-GradeMathematicsLoveofLearning AVACHAN

The Love of Learning Award is presented to a student whose determination, grit, and thirst for knowledge is inspiring. Her willingness to spend free periods seeking clarification on homework or spiral review problems has pushed her to excel in math this year. In addition, this student was always a team player who worked collaboratively and effectively with all of her peers. The Mathematics Department is pleased to recognize Ava Chan.

Tenth-GradeMathematicsAcademicExcellence

This year's Academic Excellence Award goes to Kajal Khandelwal. As an AP Calculus student, she was always ready to take on the challenges posed to her during class and in preparing for the AP Calculus exam. She came to class everyday ready to ask questions about the homework, to solidify concepts we had learned previously, and to learn new and more challenging material. When Kajal needed extra help, she came during conference time with questions and an open mind. She chose to push herself this year by taking the AP Calculus BC exam which required her to learn topics on her own outside of class. With all of this, she consistently performed well and was a solid participant in all situations throughout the year. Kajal was such a stellar student this year, making her an absolute pleasure to teach.

Mathematics Department

Eleventh-GradeMathematicsLoveofLearning AARONTHORNBERG

The Love of Learning Award goes to a student who holds himself to a very high standard both in and outside of the classroom. He is the first to correctly complete problems in class, always remains respectful, and submits all assignments on time. This student asks questions when needed, and he is very quick to grasp new concepts. He loves to dive deeper into the material than we do in class. He loves finding the “real-world” connections of math. This student has even attended our math competitions through the Nassau County Interscholastic Math League and the New York Math League to further challenge himself. We loved learning about his efforts to become an EMT as well! The Mathematics Department is pleased to present this award to Aaron Thornberg.

The award for academic excellence goes to a student who has exceeded expectations in both her math classes and has impressed her peers and teachers. Her math teacher once said, “In over a decade of teaching, there are only a small handful of students as brilliant and dedicated as this student, and it is an absolute honor to have taught her in class.” The Mathematics Department is pleased to recognize Anna Bloch.

Mathematics Department

Twelfth-GradeMathematicsLoveofLearning DEMETRIPASSELIS

The award for love of learning goes to a student who consistently sought to make connections with applied math lessons and the real world. He would enthusiastically share personal experiences about hearing new vocabulary on the radio or filling out tax forms when applying for a job. Whether he was budgeting for a vacation to Greece, trading in and buying a new car, or tracking Amazon’s stock price, this recipient completed each project with intention and effort. The energy and passion this student brought to the classroom each day made him a joy to teach, and we are excited to see him use the skills he learned to grow his DJ business in the future. The Mathematics Department is pleased to recognize Demetri Passellis.

Twelfth-GradeMathematicsAcademicExcellence FEIFAN(ERIC)CAO

The Academic Excellence Award in Mathematics goes to a dedicated student who truly sees the value of his accomplishments. This individual worked diligently to master both the conceptual and procedural aspects of the material. His devotion drove him to produce work that was always of the highest quality, especially in the multivariable calculus class. The Mathematics Department is pleased to recognize Feifan (Eric) Cao.

Mathematics Department

PORTLEDGEOUTSTANDINGACHIEVEMENTIN MATHEMATICSAWARD LUKEFOLEY

The Portledge Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics Award is given to a student who has shown exceptional mathematical performance during their time at Portledge. This distinguished award in mathematical achievement goes to a kind-hearted, hardworking, and humorous student. He takes any challenge thrown at him and he is happy to work with anyone. His extensive knowledge of mathematics and impressive problem-solving skills set him apart from his peers. However, the trait that really makes this awardee truly deserving is his tenacity. He will not give up on a problem, no matter how difficult or time consuming. The Mathematics Department is honored to present this award to Luke Foley.

Science Department

Ninth-GradeScienceLoveofLearning ROWANSHENOY

This student contacted the faculty months before beginning his freshman year as a new Portledge student. During that time, he contemplated a science project in detail, and when the opportunity arose to pursue it, he was well prepared. His work with computers and artificial intelligence is extraordinary, and he made an oral presentation at the Portledge Science Symposium, a rare accomplishment for a freshman. He is generous with his time, and has often stepped up to help his classmates with their computer programming problems. This year’s ninth-grade Love of Learning Award in Science goes to Rowan Shenoy.

Ninth-GradeScienceAcademicExcellence OLGAMARKOVIC

With a calm confidence, exemplary work ethic, and keen attention to detail, this student has performed outstandingly throughout the course of this entire year in Advanced Biology. She remains humble despite her many talents - always setting a positive example for her peerswhile serving as a leader in the classroom. Quick to pick up concepts and often willing to delve deeper into the content, her work consistently reflected her diligent effort, mastery of the material, and genuine desire to produce work of very high quality. She arrived to class each day with a seriousness of task, but also brought humor and enthusiasm to make for a dynamic and enjoyable experience for all. This year’s ninth-grade Academic Excellence Award in Science goes to a true gem, Olga Markovic.

Science Department

Tenth-GradeScienceLoveofLearning LUCASBURACHIO

This Portledge sophomore has acted with independence and confidence in Research Methods, studying probiotic bacterial growth when exposed to acids. He set up an incubator and quickly worked through pilot studies to find an effective method. He produced valid data and applied interesting imaging techniques for analysis. In working so diligently, he inspired his classmates. This year's tenth-grade Love of Learning Award in Science goes to Lucas Burachio.

Tenth-GradeScienceAcademicExcellence AJAYKHANDELWAL

This year’s tenth-grade award for academic excellence is given to an engaged and talented student, who is curious about all topics that come up in his science courses. From the very first day of Advanced Chemistry, he has remained engaged and actively involved in our classwork and discussions. He has continued his development as a thoughtful and diligent worker in the laboratory, who makes detailed observations and follows instructions carefully. He works well during collaborative work with all of his classmates, always willing to help his classmates and contribute valuable questions and comments to our discourse. He has excelled in all aspects of the course, maintaining an average well above 90% for both semesters. In Research Methods, he tackled a college-level question on the behavior of semiconductors exposed to ionizing radiation. He made a sophisticated oral presentation at the Portledge Science Symposium to an appreciative audience. In addition, he is a genuinely wonderful young man who cares about his classmates and school. This year’s tenth-grade Academic Excellence Award in Science goes to Ajay Khandelwal.

Science Department

Eleventh-GradeScienceLoveofLearning ALEENAABDELHADY

This student takes a deep dive into every intellectual challenge placed before her. She contemplates details, and takes advantage of conference time to work through theory and data analysis. Her questions inspire her classmates. She visited a local university to perform an experiment that is typical of college seniors majoring in Engineering. This year's eleventh-grade Love of Learning Award in Science goes to Aleena Abdelhady.

Eleventh-GradeScienceAcademicExcellence ANNABLOCH

This student consistently works at an advanced level, and yet remains humble and always willing to help her classmates without fanfare. She made substantial contributions to our nascent Science Olympiad team, and performed independent experiments in ecology, presenting a sophisticated poster at the Science Symposium. Her grasp of the most subtle and interesting issues in science are an inspiration to her peers and teachers alike. This year's eleventh-grade Academic Excellence Award in Science goes to Anna Bloch.

Science Department

This student has exhibited intellectual growth over his four years in the Upper School. With rare exceptions for varsity sports, he is first to show up for class and last to leave. He tackles each problem with seriousness and focus. He is especially keen on experimentation, and guides his classmates with a steady hand. This year's twelfth-grade award for Love of Learning in Science goes to Noah Capps.

The Academic Excellence Award in Science goes to an individual who challenged themself in two science classes. She was actively engaged in class sessions and always shared her exuberance. Her strong study skills and natural ability to understand biological topics resulted in consistently excellent work in AP Biology and Anatomy & Physiology. I suspect that she will someday make major contributions to the world of science. This year’s award for Academic Excellence in Science goes to Ella Stacconi.

Twelfth-GradeScienceAcademicExcellence

Twelfth-GradeScienceLoveofLearning

Science Department

Each year for the past 28 years, in conjunction with The American Chemical Society and its Long Island subdivision, Portledge School presents one or more plaques to recognize Advanced Chemistry students, who have demonstrated a strong interest in continuing their chemistry education in the future, and who have excelled in their first year of chemistry study. The American Chemical Society hopes these awards will help encourage students to pursue further study in chemistry. The Portledge Science Department presents this year’s ACS award to a student who shows great potential as a future scientist; she has developed a strong understanding of chemistry and excellent problem-solving skills. She always seeks to truly understand the material and perform to the best of her abilities. This year, the American Chemical Society award for excellence in Advanced Chemistry is presented to Ellis Rosenberg.

STEAM Scholars

The STEAM Scholar Program is a planned, multi-year course of study in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Throughout this program, students pursue their passions and interests by completing approved courses from these fields. These students have demonstrated a high capacity for critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and an initiative to be both contributors TO and influential IN a technological society.

JAMES BODIAN PARKER MEYER BO (EDDY) HU

TOBIAS MUMMERS

JAKE RIVERA

TATYANA NEUGEBAUER

DANIEL SHALAM LUCA WILLIAMS

TYLER WASSSERMAN

Music Department

Ninth-GradeMusicLoveofLearning

YUHAN(MELODY)ZHANG

The Love of Learning Award in ninth grade goes to a student who started the violin as a middle schooler at Portledge and has developed into a fine player. Her skills on the piano make her a well-rounded musician, and she attended chamber rehearsals in the morning. It is common to see this student spending her unscheduled time practicing or accompanying other students in a practice room. She is a faithful member of the orchestra who is always counting her part and leading the harmony. This year's recipient of the ninth-grade Love of Learning Award for Music is Yuhan (Melody) Zhang.

Ninth-GradeMusicAcademicExcellence AVERYJOSHUA-TOR

With a strong desire to succeed, the student receiving the Academic Excellence Award for Music in the ninth grade has proven, time and time again, that she has the determination and skill needed to achieve her goals. Whether it be earning a perfect score on her NYSSMA solo, or mastering a song for the Portledge Music Showcase, this student always rises to the occasion. In the Solo-Chamber ensemble, she is a diligent and persistent worker who learned not only one level VI solothe highest level possible - but took it upon herself to learn a second equally difficult piece. Additionally, in order to be more well rounded, she began to explore jazz and popular music that have both added to her already strong classical music background. Without hesitation, she begins working each class as soon as she can get her hands onto a piano and her work ethic and focus inspire those around her. She has exceeded expectations at every turn this year and the Music Department proudly awards the ninth grade Academic Excellence award to Avery Joshua-Tor.

Music Department

Tenth-GradeMusicLoveofLearning JOIEJEAN-PAUL

The tenth-grade Love of Learning Award for Music goes to a student who enjoyed every moment of rehearsals and performances. This student brought a positive spirit to class meetings, consistently lifting up those around her. As a member of the Select Chorus, this singer demonstrated a strength for music arrangement, often creating harmonies for her fellow altos or even suggesting a brief tempo change to strengthen a piece. Her persistence on a particular song recommendation resulted in an impressive finale at the Spring Concert, and her lead vocals at the Upper School Black History Month Town Meeting left many in the audience in tears. The recipient of the tenth grade award for Love of Learning for Music is Joie Jean-Paul.

Tenth-GradeMusicAcademicExcellence MADISONCOHEN

The Academic Excellence Award for Music in the tenth grade goes to a student who demonstrated performance of the highest caliber all year while working on technically and musically demanding pieces in her ensemble. Never shying away from a challenge, this musician always took it upon herself to learn her parts quickly for her band class and helped the group make it through extremely difficult pieces. Leading by example in the flute section, this musician stood out by not only playing flute and piccolo, but also humbly accepting roles that required her to support the ensemble. Her acceptance to the 2023 Nassau AllCounty Ensemble coupled with her recent All State NYSSMA scores of 99 and 100 demonstrate her ability to perform at the highest level. It is with pleasure that the Music Department awards the tenth-grade Academic Excellence Award to Madison Cohen.

Music Department

Eleventh-GradeMusicLoveofLearning OLIVIADRUMMOND

The eleventh-grade Love of Learning Award for Music goes to a student who arrived at each rehearsal with genuine eagerness and energy, whether it was during second period or the end of the day. Her upbeat demeanor highlighted a true love of music, while her powerful voice displayed talent for it. As a member of both the Concert Chorus and Select Chorus, this singer mastered challenging harmonies, and was also comfortable taking center stage with her beautiful performance at the Music Showcase. Always looking to challenge herself to be the strongest musician she can be, the recipient of the eleventh grade award for Love of Learning for Music is Olivia Drummond.

Eleventh-GradeMusicAcademicExcellence CHRISTOPHERHONG

Never wanting to be the center of attention, the recipient of the eleventh-grade Academic Excellence Award for Music is a student that is the model for excellence in music. Chris Hong received perfect scores on NYSSMA evaluations, which allowed him acceptance into the prestigious All-State Symphonic Orchestra. After a stunning performance in December with the best musicians in New York state, he was then invited to perform with the highest ensemble in the county available to him at the "All-Eastern" festival. There, Chris played in a symphonic band that included musicians from thirteen states as well as Europe. While he is truly a model musician, what stands out is his humility and his desire to help those around him be better. He is an invaluable member of the Portledge Concert Band and a student who has as much character as he does musical talent. The Music Department proudly awards the Academic Excellence for Music distinction to Chris Hong.

Music Department

Twelfth-GradeMusicLoveofLearning

LUCAWILLIAMS

If you see someone carrying a bass guitar around campus, tinkering with the wiring on their own 6-output electric guitar, running rehearsals for any number of student groups, printing programs until after the cleaning crew has left at night, or coming to school a few minutes into first period after pulling one of many all-nighters to ensure that had all of the musical ideas out of his head ... you have seen Luca Williams. Luca stood out on stage this year not only for his spontaneous leg kicks coordinated with the original music during the rock opera that he composed, but also for his exceptional musicianship and passion while creating. Seemingly everywhere at once this year, Luca could be found mixing and mastering musical recordings from the Rock Opera (now available on iTunes and Spotify) in the recording studio, performing with the orchestra and jazz band, arranging music for a senior band for Blue White Day, or simply composing in IB music whenever he had a chance. An ambitious and driven musician, the Music Department proudly awards the Love of Learning Award for Music to Luca Williams.

Twelfth-GradeMusicAcademicExcellence SYDNEYRODRIGUEZ-KONG

The twelfth-grade Academic Excellence Award for Music goes to a student who, according to her theory teacher, is a committed musician who took the time to understand the details of every aspect of harmony and helped others understand the concepts whenever asked. In her jazz course, she not only learned all of her written drum parts with precision, but took it upon herself to study and analyze original source recordings in order to learn exactly how certain intricate grooves should be played. Sydney Rodriguez-Kong is not only a fantastic musician, but also a true jazz scholar in the sense that she pursues the tradition by learning from the greats who have come before her. One example of this is when the jazz band was preparing for the winter concert with a complicated and ambitious piece that had no sheet music. Sydney listened to the track, practiced at home, and then came to class with an entire section of polyrhythmic drum feels completely memorized and flawlessly played the complex grooves as though they were completely natural to her. She is a fearless musician who always works to make the ensemble sound its best and the Music Department proudly presents Sydney Rodriguez-Kong with the Academic Excellence Award for Music.

Theatre Department

Ninth-GradeTheatreLoveofLearning EMMEDIXON

The freshmen award for Love of Learning in Theatre goes to a ray of sunshine in theatre class. She brought a level of enthusiasm and dedication to the Spring Musical that instantly ingratiated her to everyone involved. In her first year with the theatre program, she’s made quite a lasting impression and you would be hard pressed to find anyone in the program who does not adore her. The ninth-grade award for Love of Learning in Theatre goes to Emme Dixon.

Ninth-GradeExcellenceinTheatre AUTUMNGLASS

The freshmen award for Excellence in Theatre goes to a student who, even as a student in the Lower School, showed a great deal of acting instincts as well as a special singing voice. Her passion for performing was evident then, and her growth as an artist and a person, has shaped her into a performer with unlimited potential. The ninth-grade award for Excellence in Theatre goes to Autumn Glass.

Theatre Department

Tenth-GradeTheatreLoveofLearning JULIENNEDEVERSON

The sophomore award for Love of Learning in Theatre goes to a student who is the definition of theatre appreciation. She is not only a present and committed performer but is also a thoughtful and conscious investigator about all things that interest her, especially theatre. Her dedication is second to none and you can always count on her to bring it in on stage and in the classroom. The tenth-grade award for Love of Learning in Theatre goes to Julienne Deverson.

Tenth-GradeExcellenceinTheatre JULESRICHARDS

The sophomore award for Excellence in Theatre goes to a student who showed great promise during her freshman year, and through multiple opportunities this year, has really come into her own as an actress. She has great acting instincts; her comedic timing is always on point and her willingness to be vulnerable and fearless inspires those around her to do the same. The tenth-grade award for Excellence in Theatre goes to Jules Richards.

Theatre Department

Eleventh-GradeTheatreLoveofLearning ISLABURMAN

The junior award for Love of Learning in Theatre goes to a student who I met as a young, shy, introverted lover of theatre. Every year, she has pushed herself to take more risks, which has allowed her to trust her work and herself. She is also loved by everyone and is a true ambassador to the theatre program. The eleventh-grade award for Love of Learning in Theatre goes to Isla Burman.

Eleventh-GradeExcellenceinTheatre KYLACARTER

The junior award for Excellence in Theatre goes to a star student who truly shines when the stage lights come up. Her level of talent and preparation, as well as her genuine love for the craft, is palpable. It keeps her working towards becoming better and better and motivates others around her to work hard to keep up. Most of all, she is the best kind of star, leading with kindness and humility. The eleventh-grade award for Excellence in Theatre goes to Kyla Carter.

Theatre Department

Twelfth-GradeTheatreLoveofLearning CHRISDELUCA

The senior award for Love of Learning in Theatre goes to a student who epitomizes one of our program credos: embrace the uncomfortable. He is usually tasked with comedic and over-the-top characters, and he comes at them with fearless choices, a smile, and a certain je ne sais quoi. He is continuing his theatre training at TCU and I hope they know how lucky they are to have him. The twelfth-grade award for Love of Learning in Theatre goes to Chris DeLuca.

Twelfth-GradeExcellenceinTheatre MILANGLASS

The senior award for Excellence in Theatre goes to a student who is simply irreplaceable. She started her time at Portledge as a star in the Lower School, and that was only the beginning! Since then, she has taken every theatre class, participated in every show and was co-leader of Theatre Club this year. She inspires everyone around her, and she has helped continue our theatre tradition of nurturing an environment where everyone feels safe to take risks and be their authentic self. She is the best and this program will not be the same without her. The twelfth-grade award for Excellence in Theatre goes to Milan Glass.

Visual Arts Department

Ninth-GradeLoveofArt YUHAN(MELODY)ZHANG

The recipient of the ninth-grade Love of Art Award approaches her work with an inquisitiveness matched only by the sensitivity she brings to her art. The best way to describe this student is “naturally talented.” Mr. Greene hopes she will continue to pursue avenues for her creativity. The Visual Arts Department is pleased to recognize Yuhan (Melody) Zhang with the Love of Art Award.

Ninth-GradeExcellenceinArt SABRINAHEMLEY

The ninth-grade Excellence in Art Award is dedicated to a student who is studious and attentive to the design process. She is openminded and willing to push her creative process. Skilled in computer graphics, sculpture, and drawing, everything she did had to meet her own high standards. She always remained intense and demanding of her own capabilities on every project. The Visual Arts Department is pleased to recognize Sabrina Hemley for Excellence in Art.

Visual Arts Department

Tenth-GradeLoveofArt GEORGIADORRIAN

The recipient of the tenth-grade Love of Art Award has the distinction of being the first student to attempt an oil painting in the Studio Art class. We can certainly consider it a success: it graced the cover of our Spring Concert and Art Exhibition program. Her dedication to the discipline of art extends beyond the classroom. She has been studying at the Huntington School of Fine Arts and has applied to a summer arts program at Brown University. The Visual Arts Department is pleased to recognize Georgia Dorrian with the Love of Art Award.

Tenth-GradeExcellenceinArt MADISONCOHEN

The recipient of the tenth-grade Excellence in Art Award is truly one of the most outstanding artists Mr. Greene has had the pleasure to watch grow and mature as both an artist and a person. She continues to gain confidence in her abilities with each new piece of artwork she creates. Next year will be both challenging and rewarding as she takes on the I.B. Art program. The Visual Arts Department is pleased to recognize Maddy Cohen with the Excellence in Art Award.

Visual Arts Department

Eleventh-GradeLoveofArt DANIELD’ALESSANDRO

The recipient of the eleventh-grade Love of Art Award is a young man who has demonstrated commitment and dedication to both his work and the creative process. Focus, along with a willingness to explore aesthetic options, elevated his work, perhaps even beyond his own expectations. The Visual Arts Department is pleased to recognize Dan D’Alessandro with the Love of Art Award.

Eleventh-GradeExcellenceinArt

The recipient of the eleventh-grade Excellence in Art Award has excelled in every art elective she has taken at Portledge. She enjoys using her laptop to create amazing fantasy characters but is also an accomplished painter. She has even been known to occasionally pose for Mr. Krause’s photography class. The Visual Arts Department is pleased to recognize Zilin (Belle) Zhang with the Excellence in Art Award.

Visual Arts Department

Twelfth-GradeLoveofArt ALEXAD’AMATO-ORLOFF

The twelfth-grade Love of Art Award recipient is a young woman who creates introspective, personal art. Exploring a passion for selfexpression, her work is often cerebral and filled with iconography but can also be presented as a simple watercolor portrait of family members. The Visual Arts Department is pleased to recognize Alexa D’Amato-Orloff for Love of Art.

Twelfth-GradeExcellenceinArt CELINEZHU

The twelfth-grade Excellence in Art recipient is a young woman with various interests, including computer animation and board game design, and she demonstrated technical expertise in her paintings. She approached each assignment with a quiet intensity, whether producing a gouache portrait or collage. The Visual Arts Department recognizes Celine Zhu for Excellence in Art.

Art Scholars

The Arts Scholars program is a multi-year planned program of study in the Visual, Performing, or Theatre Arts. Students must participate and excel in various courses and performances in order to be recognized as an Arts Scholar.

MUSIC

JAMES BODIAN

JOHN DELUCA BRANDON COOPER ABBY JIANG

AVANI SCHWARTZ

NICOLETTE WU

LUCA WILLIAMS

ANNA YAN

ANDREA LIU

YAEL RATNER

BELAINE MAMO

SYDNEY RODRIGUEZ-KONG

Art Scholars

THEATRE

VISUALARTS

CHRIS DELUCA

MILAN GLASS

JOHN DELUCA AVANI SCHWARTZ LEXI GITLITZ

WILL SIEGEL

GRACE WILSON

SANDEEP SOOD

NICOLETTE WU

CELINE ZHU

ALEXA D'AMATO-ORLOFF

World Languages & Cultures Department

Ninth-GradeWorldLanguagesLoveofLearning SABRINAHEMLEY

Sabrina has an incredible thirst for knowledge in all of her subjects, but she is always seeking more in French. Sabrina remembers every little cultural point that others forget so easily. She is able to relate what we learn in French class to all her other subjects and has an outstanding memory for vocabulary and grammar. Sabrina's work interest and dedication to learning more and keeping it in long-term memory make her a joy to know and to teach. In essence, Sabrina learns to know and not just for the tests, and that makes her stand out from other students with high scores who are simply going through the motions.

ELIZAO’NEILL

There are not enough positive adjectives to describe the ethic, character, and academic achievement of Eliza. She is one of the most responsible, motivated, and dedicated students that I have yet to meet throughout my career. She asks questions, is not afraid to take risks, and writes beautifully. Her grades are true reflections of her efforts and her commitment to studying the language. She is mature, does not become involved with classmates when they are losing focus, and is far exceeding the expectations of an advanced-level class. In addition to her achievements in school, she is a dedicated hockey player who travels to and from New Jersey 3-4 nights a week. She completes assignments in the car and has NEVER submitted an incomplete or late assignment. She always asks for work in advance, prior to being out for her extra-curricular activities. She attends conference time to ensure that she is prepared for assessments and is the type of student that always wants to learn more! She is well-liked and respected by her classmates and her teachers.

Ninth-GradeWorldLanguagesAcademicExcellence

World Languages & Cultures Department

Tenth-GradeWorldLanguagesLoveofLearning

Ava Bier has a passion for French that derives in part from the fact that she has family in French-speaking countries. Even though she began her language studies in Spanish (in Middle School), when she had a chance to switch to French in ninth grade, she took it, even though she knew she would have to work really hard to catch up if she wanted to join the IB French program (SL/HL). After studying on her own in the summer before ninth grade, Ava took French 2 last year and was ready to jump to French 3A this year, and she is one of 3-4 students who are the very top in the class. Her dedication to learning is on display daily. In class, an evolution has been seen this year from a student too shy and uncomfortable to participate to an eager volunteer who reads aloud in front of the class and asks helpful clarifying questions. She comes to office hours, sometimes before completing an assignment, sometimes after, just to “double check”. Ava loves to have as much knowledge and as solid a grasp on the material as she possibly can. She truly exemplifies what the love of learning award is all about.

Tenth-GradeWorldLanguagesAcademicExcellence JEREMYRATNER

Jeremy is passionate about learning Spanish and consistently exceeds expectations of any in-class task or assessment. While he absorbs new grammar concepts and vocabulary with ease, he does not learn the material to simply do well on assessments. One day in the hallway, he was overheard telling a classmate that he loves Spanish. He is genuinely curious about the language and culture and seeks to learn something new from each of our classes. If asked about a new vocabulary word I mentioned in the past, Jeremy can be counted on to recall it. He has been receptive to the feedback given his class about correct pronunciation and is reproducing the sounds so that he may sound more like a native speaker. On summative assessments, it is always a pleasure to read his writing as he incorporates all the requested elements, but in an original and creative manner. To quote a colleague’s comment about Jeremy’s writing in English: “When I read Jeremy’s work, I can put down the pen and enjoy his writing.” He has won the gold medal on the National Spanish Exam for the past two years, placing in the 99th percentile on the exam this year.

World Languages & Cultures Department

Noah is a serious student with a serious attitude towards academics. He has a strong desire to learn and strives to be the best he can be. Noah’s disciplined attitude has been evident throughout his three years of Chinese study. He has gone from studying for grades to studying for awareness. This year, Noah has demonstrated an attitude of international citizenship in Chinese language learning. He has done an excellent job of interpreting Chinese culture and history.

Eleventh-GradeWorldLanguagesAcademicExcellence ISHAANSRIVASTAVA

Ishaan is a lover of language learning. He spends time outside of school teaching himself Japanese, and takes advantage of all opportunities to practice his skills with the Spanish language. Ishaan’s grades reflect a strong understanding of the Spanish language and culture, and is always inquisitive, wanting to learn more. Ishaan is the only student to earn a Gold medal on the level 4 National Spanish Exam! His work ethic and interest in language learning are exemplary and he is mature beyond his years. Ishaan is respectful of his classmates, lends a helping hand when needed, and embodies the Portledge Pillars.

World Languages & Cultures Department

Twelfth-GradeWorldLanguagesLoveofLearning

Luke enriched the learning experience of his peers by bringing to each class curiosity, intellectual thought, and his quirky yet wonderful sense of humor. Luke was curious about vocabulary. When possible, he made connections between Spanish and English vocabulary words, and he retained them and was able to use them at a later point in time. He was intrigued by and inquisitive about various cultural topics, and he regularly contributed his thoughts and questions during our class discussions. Each time he left class, he said “Gracias, señora”. While I have heard this from many of my students on a daily basis, Luke’s “thank you” communicated a very different feeling. Whatever new word or concept he had learned on a particular day, it was understood that he would continue to think about it, analyze it, and perhaps bring it up again in the following class. In preparation for his Internal Assessment for the IB exam, Luke made certain to incorporate all the necessary elements, from theme-specific vocabulary to advanced grammar structures and unique idiomatic expressions. Luke has been the committed and enthusiastic language learner every language teacher hopes to see in their students.

Twelfth-GradeWorldLanguagesAcademicExcellence RAMSEYCAMMERER

Ramsey Cammerer has shown tremendous improvement in Spanish. In ninth grade, she began her languages journey in level 1, working her way up to Spanish 4/5CC class this year. Ramsey is a very accomplished language student. She is just a wonderful person and an excellent student. Ramsey worked hard on her final project in class and went beyond the minimal requirements. She is the true example of a student who is hardworking, dedicated, and pushes herself for academic excellence. It is clear that she enjoys learning the Spanish language and studying the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.

World Languages & Cultures Department

DISTINGUISHEDSCHOLAROF WORLDLANGUAGES&CULTURES:MANDARIN DANIELSHALAM

This award is granted to students who show a passion for World Languages and Cultures and outstanding dedication to and achievement in their studies. Daniel Shalam has been in Mandarin since level 2. He has a strong passion for learning Chinese language and culture. From having no knowledge of Chinese at all, his grandfather, who is a quarter Chinese, is proud of him today. Dan's attitude toward learning is always ready for action. His love for food has been a great motivation for him to learn about Chinese culture. Not only does he enjoy learning the Chinese language, but he also has an interest in Chinese history. As a result, his perspective on the world has expanded and he has a better appreciation of his identity and the vision he has for his future.

World Languages & Cultures Department

DISTINGUISHEDSCHOLAROF

WORLDLANGUAGES&CULTURES:FRENCH

ALEXAD’AMATO-ORLOFF

This award is granted to students who show a passion for World Languages and Cultures and outstanding dedication to and achievement in their studies. Alexa D’Amato-Orloff has worked diligently in French IB from the first day all the way up to the IB exam. She is sincerely interested in broadening her knowledge of the French-speaking world. She always exhibits enthusiasm, and she poses questions that help everyone (including the teacher) learn more. Her French has improved significantly this year, and as she continues her study of language in college, her love of language will continue to grow.

World Languages & Cultures Department

DISTINGUISHEDSCHOLAROF

WORLDLANGUAGES&CULTURES:SPANISH ISABELLAMOHAMMED

This award is granted to students who show a passion for World Languages and Cultures and outstanding dedication to and achievement in their studies. Isabella is an excellent language student. She loves Spanish and has worked diligently the entire school year. She paid excellent attention to detail and went beyond what was required of her academically in the Spanish classroom. During classroom discussions and in her written work, Isabella analyzed the topics presented in class and synthesized beautifullyexpressed responses that demonstrated her solid command of the language and deep cultural understanding. It has been a great joy to witness part of Isabella's journey in her exploration of Spanish. She tells us she will continue taking Spanish in college and is considering minoring in the language.

Portledge Language Honor Society

The Portledge World Languages & Cultures Department had the honor of celebrating its inaugural induction ceremony of students into the Portledge Language Honor Society this year. Students were inducted for demonstrating their love and appreciation for learning about languages and cultures while emphasizing community service and leadership, which are key components to being a true global citizen. The following students were inducted:

NOAH CAPPS ALEXA D'AMATO-ORLOFF ANDREA LIU

BELAINE MAMO

SANDEEP SOOD

ELIZABETH VICE NICOLETTE WU

HUIYING (ANNA)YAN

French

BRANDON COOPER LEAMARIE MASTORAKIS ISABELLA MOHAMMED LAURA NARBY

RAMSEY CAMMERER

DANIEL SHALAM

Spanish Mandarin