Student Body Co-Presidents Priyanka Seth ’24 (center) and Kyle Williams ’24 (right) urged their peers to strengthen Peddie spirit in their Convocation address.

Peddie began its 2023-24 academic year — the 160th year in the school's history — on Monday, September 4, with Convocation, held outdoors against the picturesque backdrop of Ayer Memorial Chapel.

The school's student body numbers 534, with the Class of 2024 comprising 149 students, including 18 post-graduates. 

Head of School Peter Quinn P’15 ’18 ’21 encouraged students to relish their Peddie experience.

"Fun is not a bad word. Having fun does not mean you are not learning or growing. A sense of humor is so important to learning and living," Quinn said.

View photos from all school year kickoff activities, including student arrivals and Convocation, on Peddie’s Flickr page.

Student Body Co-Presidents Priyanka Seth ’24 and Kyle Williams ’24 urged their fellow students to help strengthen Peddie spirit in a post-COVID era, echoing their desire for its reverberations to be felt "all the way from Blairstown."

“For this to be accomplished, we need leaders to arise,” said Williams. “What we love about Peddie is that leadership and success aren’t tied to the titles you accumulate. Instead, leadership, success, fulfillment and satisfaction are all tied to the time and energy you dedicate toward them.”

"We challenge each and every one of you to take advantage of the opportunities given to you,” said Seth. “In the words of Maya Angelou, 'Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.'"

Following the remarks, faculty presented academic and citizenship awards to students for their contributions during the 2022-23 school year. 

AWARDS & RECIPIENTS

Each academic department presents awards to students who excel in each discipline.

Science 
Academic Excellence in Science: Yeon-Soo (Adele) Raillot ’24  

Math  
Wintersteen Math Award: Sarah Tong ’25 (Precalculus)

Wintersteen Math Award: Jiayu "Jerry" Liu ’26 (Calculus)

History
Austin Kelly Award for the student who has submitted the research paper that best combines complexity of historical analysis, extensive original research and scholarly use of primary source materials: Karen Yao ’24

Christensen Cup for outstanding work in U.S. History: Yeon-Soo (Adele) Raillot ’24 

Doherty Prize for outstanding sophomore research paper: Sarah Tong ’25 and Noelle Cha ’25

Languages

Justin Elkareh ’24 (Chinese)

Olivia Dewar ’24 (French)

Ryan Thomas ’24 (Latin)

Ella Chon ’24 (Spanish) 

English

Miller Reading Prize for demonstrating the greatest progress in English during the 2022-23 academic year: Max Baldeon ’24, Julia Ulrich ’25 and Dasyer Bullock ’26

English department award for completing the most outstanding work in English during junior year: Yeon-Soo (Adele) Raillot ’24  

ALL-SCHOOL PRIZES

Swetland Honor Cup given to the member of the freshman class who has made the greatest contribution to the school: Ethan Sbarro ’26

Potter Cup to those students who demonstrate strength of character, leadership, citizenship and scholarship: Priyanka Seth ’24

View photos from all school year kickoff activities, including student arrivals and Convocation, on Peddie’s Flickr page.