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.

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!