Winter Awards Ceremony — Academic, Athletic and Community Accomplishments Honored

On March 22, the community gathered in Werner Centennial Center to celebrate the accomplishments of scholars, artists and athletes and to recognize members of the community for their commitment to the school during the winter term.

 

Dean of Faculty Lee Huguley kicked off the ceremony noting that “the winter term was filled with moments that saw Westminster at its best while challenging us to reaffirm our commitment to the community.”

 

He highlighted individual and team accomplishments and underscored the community’s resilience and ability to rise above adversity.

 

“Sometimes we had to regroup as a community to defend what was important,” he said. “At those times, I was reminded of Nelson Mandela’s words: ‘The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.’ It was during those somewhat dark moments that our school shined brightest. It is well understood that character is what is done when no one is watching. When we are forced to examine ourselves, we are at our best. A lot can be learned about a community based on how they respond to adversity. I learned that Westminster is a place that believes in the redemptive power of forgiveness to promote healing and growth.”

 

He left students with an encouraging and powerful message: “We can do hard things. Your work and success are a testament to all you are capable of accomplishing. Please don’t ever stop chasing excellence.”

Academic Dean Betsy Heckman announced the names of students who earned the honor of Summus for the winter term.

Anna Hassett

Xavier Kahn

Jaelyn Kang

Bella Lilien

Gianna Monaco

Kitty Olson

Mya Polastry

Rohan Satpathy

Lily Abdel-Meguid

Caroline Breslav

Clara Covill

John Dwyer

Hayley Fineberg

Pippa Jiranek

Nick Lopriore

Caroline Pokorny

Henry Warren

Steven Xie

Luna Yang

Anthony DiBartolomeo

Tomas Figura

Cindion Huang

Trent Jones

Finn Seeley

Sophie Grace Stevenson

Lily Vincent

Viktoria Voitiuk

Lucy Wainwright

Allysen Whitehead

Carolyn Cheng

Nora Davis

Wills Erda

Cassie Goundrey

Jillian Gregorski

Johnathan Li

Margee Mahoney

Alice Tao

Kimi Weng

Jacqueline Wu

Phil Zhang

 

Before announcing the awards, Athletic Director Timothy Joncas ’00 congratulated Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12, who was chosen as the recipient of the 2023-2024 MD Nadal Award by the Founders League for his contributions to Westminster’s athletic program since being hired in 1983. During his time here on the Hill, Stevens has coached football, ice hockey, lacrosse and he was instrumental in launching the girls’ golf program.

 

Most Improved Player (MIP) and Most Valuable Player (MVP)

 

Most Improved Player: Austin Black ’24

Keyes Foul Shooting Award: Wills Lown ’24

Donald H. Werner Most Valuable Player: Chris Powell ’26

Most Improved Player: Elizabeth Smith ’27

Keyes Foul Shooting Award: Emme Pacheco-Hager ’25

Most Valuable Player: Haley Cramer ’24

 

Most Improved Player: Nicholas Tsatas ’24

Most Valuable Player: Matteo De Luca ’24

 

Most Improved Player: Mya Polastry ’27

Most Valuable Player: Julia Matyas ’24

 

Talbot-Edwards Most Improved Player: Zelin Hu ’25

Fritz Zeller Most Valuable Player: Jiaming Pang ’24

 

Talbot-Edwards Most Improved Player: Chase Hager ’26   

Fritz Zeller MVP: Sophia Lazor ’27

 

Most Improved Swimmer and Diver: Matthew O’Connell ’25 and Filip Tomic ’25

Preston “Pete” Test Most Valuable Swimmer and Diver: John Dwyer ’26

 

Most Improved Swimmer and Diver: Caroline Hebbeler ’27

Most Valuable Swimmer and Diver: Grace Tyler ’24

 

The Stephen Harris Squibb Bowl honors the athlete from each Varsity team who demonstrated the greatest sportsmanship, consistent effort, and inspired performance throughout the season.

 

Varsity Boys’ Basketball: Wills Lown ’24

Varsity Girls’ Basketball: Haley Cramer ’24

Varsity Boys’ Hockey: Michael Bianco ’24

Varsity Girls’ Hockey: Liv Emerson ’24

Varsity Boys’ Squash: Long Teng ’26

Varsity Girls’ Squash: Emily Fonner ’26

Boys’ Swimming and Diving: Will Larock ’26

Girls’ Swimming and Diving: Hayden Schneider ’25 and Ellie Pearman ’25

 

The Founders All League Award is given to those Varsity athletes who best exemplify the League ideals of sportsmanship, hard work and character in the spirit of competition and fair play at the varsity level.

 

Boys’ Basketball: Jermaine James ’24, Johnny Hadden ’24

Girls’ Basketball: Haley Cramer ’24

Boys’ Hockey: Brian Judge ’24, Jack Jin ’24

Girls’ Hockey: Olivia Gordon ’24, Alex Whalen ’24

Boys’ Squash: Cisco Lilien ’24

Girls’ Squash: Natasha Johnson ’27

Boys’ Swim/Dive: Reggie Kanu ’25 and John Dwyer ’26

Girls’ Swim/Dive: Margee Mahoney ’24 and Grace Tyler ’24

 

The Hopley-Jackson Award, named in honor of Richard Hopley and Michael Jackson,

lower team coaches for many years at Westminster, is given seasonally to the Westminster lower team with the best season.

 

Winner: Third Boys’ Squash

Coaches: Dan Aber

Captain: Harvey DeMovick ’24

 

The Houghton Award, named in honor of Frederick Houghton, class of ’32, trustee, friend and fan. Given seasonally to the Westminster team with the best season.

 

Winner: Varsity Boys’ Squash, Varsity Girls’ Hockey

Coaches: Peter Doucette (Squash), Sara Ugalde (Hockey) Kelcie Finn (Hockey)

Captains: Andrew Pang ’24 (Squash), Alex Whalen ’24 (Hockey) and Olivia Emerson ’24 (Hockey)

 

Berry Awards, named in honor of Richard P. “Scott” Berry, loyal faculty member, coach and friend from 1971-2017, recognizes the player from each lower team who gave the best effort and demonstrated the best attitude throughout the season.

 

JV Boys’ Basketball : Finn Williams ’26

Third Boys’ Basketball :  Aidan O’Callaghan ’26

JV Girls’ Basketball : Bella Lillien ’27

JV Boys’ Hockey : Jake Holland ’24 and Anthony DiBartolomeo ’25

Third Boys’ Hockey : Justin Cardia ’24

JV Girls’ Hockey : Tilly Lynch ’26 

JV Boys’ Squash : Phil Zhang ’24

Third Boys’ Squash : Chip Genung ’25

JV Girls’ Squash : Maddie Clark ’25

Third Girls’ Squash: Clara Covill ’25

The recipient of the Frances Laurel Hopkins Award, given to a student for outstanding contributions to Dramat, is Cindion Huang ’25.

 

Head of School Elaine announced four recipients of the community pin, which recognizes those who help to make Westminster a better community through their selflessness, kindness, attitude or approach. “In the dark and cold months of the winter term, these people bring us joy and help us to feel the beauty and strength of community,” she said.

 

Kathryn Katz, a school nurse, was awarded a pin for her stalwart daily presence in the health center this winter. “She often returned on call in the evening to take care of the many varied needs of students. Her calm, confident approach to each situation reassures anyone that everything is going to be OK,” White said.

 

Tenniel Hacker, college counseling coordinator and director of testing, was honored for consistently demonstrating a commitment to the community. “She epitomizes our theme of engagement as she actively seeks opportunities to extend her involvement beyond the college counseling office, including volunteering to work with the peer leaders, lead MLK Day workshops, and advise the Ladies of Color,” said White.

 

Sophie Grace Stevenson ’24 received a pin for being an ally to all and a voice for those who may not otherwise have one. “She is not afraid to stand up against unfairness or injustices that she sees,” said White. “Courage is the first word that comes to mind when I think of her. Since her third form year, she has always been willing to do the right thing, even when it is the hard thing.

 

Finally, Kimi Weng, who tutors many students, founded WeSTEAMinster and solves challenging computer problems. “He lives his passion for science on his sleeve, and he pulls us into that love with his humor,” said White. “He does so much for the community without much recognition, and it is time that Kimi Weng moves into the spotlight.”

To see the video of the awards ceremony, click here.