The Wyckoff Honor Prize is a cup endowed by the family of William W. Wyckoff (1895) in his memory to that member of the senior class who has completed the work of the junior and senior years at the school and who, in the judgment of the faculty, unites in the highest degree the three most important elements of success — ability, character and attainment. It is the wish of the donor that the prize shall be awarded to a student of moral integrity, high rank in scholarship, and the natural qualities that warrant future success. The student shall also show a marked spirit of loyalty to the best tradition of the school. This is the school’s highest prize.
A number of Peddie faculty across disciplines and in varied stages of their teaching tenure, agree that Dennis Zhang is the most impressive high school student they have ever taught. Any one of these teachers can attest to his intelligence; what sets Dennis apart is his willingness to be coached, try new things and never be satisfied. At Peddie, Dennis has challenged himself with the most rigorous curriculum, completing Advanced Placement coursework in eight subject areas, post-AP classes in mathematics and foreign language, extra English classes in creative writing and philosophy, as well as an independent project. But his time at Peddie has also been dedicated to making the very best use of his talents for the good of the community, serving as class representative, prefect in an underclassmen dorm and a captain on the cross country and track teams, establishing PEST (an award-winning environmental club), and co-editing the Amphion. All of this, and yet Dennis is far more than a list of stellar accomplishments; he is wonderfully kind and generous as well. Dennis brings out the best in his peers because he makes others believe they can be their best selves.
The Annenberg Honor Award is a plaque retained at the school and a cup awarded to that student exemplifying the greatest devotion and service to Peddie.
Delightfully and consistently upbeat, Ny’Aisia is unabashedly grateful for the opportunities life, family and school have provided for her, and she is governed by a spirit of generosity and compassion. An incredibly hardworking student, she is inspired by a deep intellectual curiosity and committed to giving her best to her obligations and choices. In her time at Peddie, she has served as a leader of the Multi-Cultural Alliance, Gender and Sexuality Alliance and the Feminist Club; represented Peddie as a head tour guide for the Admissions Office and an ambassador for the Alumni and Development office; and led the largest girls’ dorm on campus as prefect. She is genuinely curious and faces each day within our community as an opportunity to learn, to teach, to serve and to celebrate.
The Parents Association John Green Prizes are cups awarded to that male and female member of the Senior Class who excel in sportsmanship, conduct, scholarship and character.
Nathan Ackerman: A terrific young man who embodies so much of the great Peddie spirit, Nate lives the Peddie motto, “Finimus Pariter Renovamusque Labores,” (We finish our labors to begin them anew). Whether in the Jazz Ensemble, in the classroom or on the track, he develops himself every day, repeating the process until he reaches the high standards he sets for himself.
Alexandra Drake: A student of remarkable intelligence with a strong work ethic, Alex is motivated by a genuine desire to learn. Completing one of the most academically rigorous schedules possible at Peddie, Alex also served as two-year captain of the Girls’ Varsity Cross Country Team, flute section leader in the school orchestra and Editor-in-Chief of The Peddie News. Alex is genuinely and unfailingly modest about her abilities, and while she makes it look leisurely and effortless, she gets things done in profound and purposeful ways.
The Matthew R. Weiner ’98 Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to that Peddie senior whose integrity, determination, compassion, leadership and courage epitomize their ambitious pursuit of excellence in scholarship, athletics and in life.
Though Bateman came to Peddie as a new junior, it felt like she had been a part of the community for years; she immediately immersed herself in Peddie life, from the dorms, to PEST, to the tennis team. On the courts, Bateman was a spirited, positive and ever-welcoming leader. She made other students feel comfortable with her warmth and goofy sense of humor, and in the face of adversity, she never failed to smile and find a way to make things work.
Established by the Helfet family in honor of Dr. Kissinger, The Dr. Henry Kissinger Award for Citizenship and Diplomacy is awarded to that senior who, during their tenure at Peddie, has demonstrated a mature sense of citizenship and diplomacy, advancing understanding throughout the Peddie community.
Gordon is a change-maker who wants to make a difference in his community. A thoughtful student who is both a leader and a cheerleader, he drives class discussions to a deeper level while encouraging his peers to do their best work. Through his involvement in various clubs and organizations, he has shown commitment to social justice, bringing speakers to campus and contributing extensively to the chapel program. He can talk to anyone about anything and have fun doing it. But at the end of the day, everything Gordon does is with purpose.
Established by John Campbell ('16), The Ingersoll Honor Prize is a cup awarded to that student who has shown the greatest development and improvement while at Peddie.
Johnny’s growth at Peddie represents the core of our school’s mission, which nudges each student to reach and risk and measure their success by the progress they make. Observing Johnny as a young scholar in the chapel balcony trying to find his place, you could see the potential and drive of an exuberant student. Flash forward to senior year, and it’s clear that Peddie has reaped the benefit of Johnny’s enthusiasm. Fully embodying the words of Ambassador Annenberg, Johnny strives for the highest quality of citizenship in all he does.
The John Holmes Lubkert Memorial Prize for Creativity is awarded jointly by the Arts and the English Departments to a senior who has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of the school.
Bryanna Mendez has contributed generously behind the scenes in the theater as a dedicated member of set crew by night, while leading creatively in the art studio, AP Art History and English classrooms by day. Her nuanced sculptures and videos bravely tackle issues of faith, gender and struggle, which culminated this past spring in a breathtaking senior thesis that explored her experience as a student of color from an economically disadvantaged background. The work is raw and unsettling, poignant and thought provoking, full of empathy and grace. As an English student, Bryanna is a wonderful critical thinker. She dissects characters and texts with precision, and she reads on multiple levels of meaning. Her writing is creative and dynamic. Bryanna thinks independently, powerfully and with an eye for imagery and larger implications. Ever humble about her achievements, this student is also a powerful listener and generous collaborator.
The Arts Department Prize is awarded annually by vote of our faculty, both visual and performing, to a senior whose outstanding achievement has contributed generously to the programs of the arts.
While quarantined in isolation last spring, Vincent Hou channeled his disappointment into re-imagining his Honors Thesis Exhibit as a powerful musing on xenophobia and the threatening specter of death during the pandemic. We will long remember his many other contributions, from remarkable shadow puppets, set and sound design in Geiger Reeves to magical installations in Swig built from a seemingly endless supply of bubble wrap and white foam clay. His powerful work ethic coupled with a perfect blend of intellect, playful intuition and disarming kindness have left a permanent mark on Peddie Arts.
The Barton Excellence in Music Award is awarded annually by vote of the music faculty to a senior whose musical achievement is considered to be most outstanding.
Mia Huang set a new standard of measure for musical excellence at The Peddie School. She demonstrated dedication to her craft, often practicing many hours per day while managing a rigorous academic and performance schedule. This wonderful musician and concertmaster combined the highest level of technical skills with a unique quality of sublime expressiveness in her playing. One could not help but to have been profoundly moved by her artistry. We can say from experience that Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music will be fortunate to benefit from her musicianship and collaborative spirit.
The Lawton Chapel Music Award is awarded annually by vote of the music faculty to a senior who has made a most significant contribution to the cultural life of the school through music.
Kavya Borra is a musician of incredible skill, artistry and charisma. She is a regular performer at chapel as well as every other corner of campus, compelling as a soloist as well as in any type of collaboration with fellow students. Over the years, she has been involved in musical theater productions, Percussion Ensemble, Revisit Day band, music videos and recording sessions and all the performances she can, as well as being a strong leader – both as a singer and as a conductor – in Chorus, Treblemakers and Peddie Singers. Truly, she is one of the most gifted vocalists that we have ever worked with at Peddie. Her technique is flawless, her understanding of stylistic interpretation is unusually sophisticated for a young musician and her repertoire and programming ideas are unique and creative. Her spectacular vocal riffs and gorgeous performances and arrangements have even made her a rising star on TikTok!
The Excellence in Visual Arts Prize is awarded annually by vote of all the visual arts faculty. The recipient receives an engraved golden hammer, an appropriately eclectic trophy symbolizing the industry and excellence we value in the arts at Peddie.
Whether fearlessly exploring her own struggles or giving voice to victims of the #MeToo movement through a series of feminist bikinis, Katarina Kuharsky magically transformed everyday objects like burnt toast, zip ties and Q-tips into powerful works of art. By turns hilarious, obsessive, disarmingly poignant or just plain wacky, her creations (from 10 terms of visual arts coursework!) have challenged and delighted Peddie for four years.
The Holcombe Theater Award, donated by a member of the class of 1978 in honor of their beloved teacher, Jeffrey (aka Harry) Holcombe, is presented each year to that graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in theater throughout their tenure at Peddie.
Julia Patella has been a star of the program in every way, participating in 10 productions as an actress, singer, dancer, choreographer, stage manager and assistant director. With her tremendous talent and dedication, she has been a constant source of inspiration to both students and faculty, and contributed tirelessly to every aspect of theatrical production at The Peddie School.
Given annually to that senior whose enthusiastic participation in Peddie Athletics and enduring pride in wearing the Blue and Gold best demonstrates Mrs. Cabot's commitment to fair play and joyful competition.
Chahat Mittal is the perfect recipient of the Susan K. Cabot because it notes that the student athlete possesses "enthusiastic participation" and "pride in wearing the Blue and Gold." A three-sport athlete, Chahat was integral in helping the Peddie field hockey, basketball and softball programs remain strong and competitive during her time at Peddie. Her diligence and dedication made her a positive leader on any team of which she was a part.
The Winant Cups are awarded to the outstanding male and female scholar-athletes. A bowl is given by John J. Winant, class of '41, to the boy and girl in the senior or junior class who have qualified by winning two varsity letters during the school year, and who, in the judgment of a committee of the faculty, excels in scholarship and athletic ability.
Julia Gorajek (Two-time Winant Cup winner): For four years, we have had the joy of watching Julia's excellence flow across our soccer and lacrosse fields and our basketball court. A consummate teammate and leader by example, Julia consistently shifted her game into a gear that no one around her could match. What makes her ever more special is the effect that this quiet determination and competitive spirit had on those around her as they tried to match her skill, intensity and focus. She made her teams better every day in myriad ways and will be sorely missed.
Luke Johnson: On the football and lacrosse fields, Luke demonstrated an intense competitive edge, willing himself and his teammates to perform at their highest levels. This dedication to excellence translated to the classroom during his two years at Peddie, where his passion for academics matched his thrill for pancake blocks and top corner goals. Luke is thoroughly deserving of this year’s Winant Cup.
The Fred Rager Class of 1944 Prize for Excellence in English is the department's highest prize and is awarded to that senior whose work has been especially marked by sophistication, clarity, and vigor.
The respect that Mollie Schmidtberger garners from students and faculty alike is as impressive as her relationship to literary consumption and creation. Much like a rising tide, her presence in classrooms, for her entire career, always raised the discourse of everyone involved. Her written work was characterized by a voice so unique and sophisticated that grading her work was an absolute joy. To quote one of her English teachers, “If every student approached English the way Mollie did, we might have to start paying to work here.”
Sponsored by the English Department in memory of Rob Roberson and awarded annually to that senior who, in the judgment of the English Department, shows sensitivity to people and situations, an interesting and creative use of talents, a warm regard for others, a sense of humor, and a recognition that life is a joyful experience."
In each class conversation, Katrina Zeng’s genuine excitement about the text and our conversations was palpable. She approached each part of the course with thoughtful deliberation and true enthusiasm, bringing ideas, energy, and care to each task. Her warmth and charisma made an impact on every group she was a part of.
The Gordon H. Sunbury English Improvement Award is a plaque to be given annually by the Class of 1957 to that Senior who, by a vote of the English Department, has shown outstanding progress in English by virtue of his/her effort, curiosity, and imagination.
Christian Jackson went from doubting his ability in every area of English class to being consistently energetic and vocal in sharing his textual interpretations. His interest in the material, his confidence during class discussion, the sophistication of his readings, and the complexity of his written arguments are just a few areas where his growth was noticeable and noteworthy. While there are still miles to go before his evolution as a reader and writer is complete, Christian should be proud of how his thinking and understanding of literature grew over the course of his time here at Peddie, because we certainly are.
The Carl E. Geiger Creative Writing Prize is an award made by the English Department to honor Mr. Carl E. Geiger, former head of the department. A cup is presented to that senior who has made the greatest contribution to creative writing at Peddie during the previous school year.
Jessica Cheng's writing reminds the reader of the beauty in small moments-- the realization that in a slight instant one can be forever changed, left to navigate a new or old world as a metamorphosed self. Her capstone, "Are You Fine?" demonstrated her thoughtfulness and promise as a writer, filled with sharp imagery, intricate details, and intentional crafting.
The Dr. William H. Mariboe Award is presented to that student whose work in the field of history has been of unusually high quality, as well as showing some degree of originality. The student should have demonstrated those qualities of clarity of thought and integrity of purpose that characterized the late Dr. Mariboe's distinguished teaching career here at Peddie. This is the department's highest award.
Exceptionally bright, earnest, and hardworking, Zhe Yuan Vincent Hou handled the pace and quantity of information in his history and politics courses without flinching. Whether talking about key artistic moments in ancient China or the boundary-pushing activism that reverberated throughout the United States in the 1960s, Vincent's observations and analysis demonstrated depth of thinking and the ability to make rich connections among cultures and time periods through his elegant writing and discussion contributions.
The Victor Maccagnan Award is presented in honor of Victor Maccagnan, a longtime member of the history faculty whose teaching was characterized by a sincere passion for history and for his students. This award is presented to an outstanding student taking history this year, who in the opinion of its faculty has shown close association with the department and its field of study.
With a work ethic and curiosity like few others, Patrick Cettina distinguished himself as a scholar who not only cared deeply about what he was learning, but also created space for others to be part of the discussions. Whether learning about military strategies during the world wars, examining the hyper-partisan political climate of today, or parsing the effects of Title IX in college sports, Pat’s understated thirst for knowledge and innate thoughtfulness helped to shape collaborative and interesting classroom experiences for all.
The Pam Zbehlik Class of 1978 Memorial Prize in European History or world history is awarded to a student who, in the opinion of the History Department, has shown a consistent interest in, and has excelled in, the study of European or World History.
Whether diving into the intricacies of refugee policy or working to tackle the global climate crisis, Jessica Cheng blended her classroom work with real-world activism during her time at Peddie. Always striving to understand others’ perspectives, but never hesitant to offer insight and sophistication to discussions, Jessica has been a model citizen in the Peddie history and politics classrooms, and in modeling global citizenship for her peers.
The Language Department award is given each year to a student who has completed successfully higher levels in one or more languages taught at Peddie.
Myles Rescher showed inner curiosity and determination to succeed throughout his Peddie career. He consistently brings a great attitude to his study of both Spanish and Latin, and he fosters collaboration with his peers. Myles is one of the few students that took two languages since his Freshman year in Peddie, building his way up to a terrific achievement in both languages.
The Rob Thomas Memorial Award is given in the memory of Rob Thomas, Class of 1973, by his family for excellence in the study of Latin and is awarded annually to that senior who, in the judgment of the Foreign Language Department, shows highest standing and enthusiasm in Latin.
Yiwei Yan has excelled in Latin studies every year of her Peddie career, and was the top student in this year’s Advanced Placement Class. Her intelligence, hard work and sense of humor will be sorely missed.
Every year, the Chinese program recognizes one graduating senior who has shown enthusiasm for the study of the Chinese language and culture.
Connie Wang has completed the highest level of Chinese coursework offered at Peddie, as well as a month-long signature experience in China. She spent the summer of her junior year in China creating a summer camp for students around the world who have an interest in Chinese culture to have an opportunity to experience it first-hand. Her passion for promoting Chinese culture is amazing and sets a wonderful example for others.
Every year, the French program recognizes one graduating senior who has shown enthusiasm for the study of the French language and culture.
Christina Liang has shown outstanding dedication to the study of the French language as well as the history and culture of the francophone world, and enriched class with her enthusiastic contributions and insightful writings.
Every year, the Spanish program recognizes one graduating senior who has shown enthusiasm for the study of the Spanish language and culture.
Zhaobo Tom Han is an outstanding student who has always scored at the top of the class, showed dedication and commitment to improving his oral skills to a nearly bilingual level, and was always excited about learning more about the language and Hispanic culture.
The Wintersteen mathematics prizes are given annually by the children of the Reverend Roy Brown Wintersteen of the Peddie class of 1909, in his memory, to the most outstanding student in each of the courses of study in mathematics at Peddie. The winners are discussed and determined by the entire Math Department faculty.
Chang Yan (Calculus): As a student of mathematics, Chang stands out as someone who takes enormous pleasure and delight in the ideas and results. He is the student who pushes the class to deeper understanding, to make connections between concepts, and to ask “why” – and often to answer that question himself. It was a regular occurrence to see Chang leap up to the whiteboard and solve a problem or write a proof, often one beyond the scope of even our advanced Multivariable Calculus course. Chang’s work was outstanding, of course, but it was the way that he shared his joy in mathematics with his teacher and classmates that made him a perfect match for this award.
Isaac Kwon (Statistics): Isaac has a natural talent for statistics. He quickly grasps methodological concepts and is easily able to apply them to new problems. At the same time, his strong mathematical background provides him with the foundation necessary to grasp more conceptual topics. As Isaac refined his ability to both share his own knowledge and support the learning processes of his peers, he increasingly became a leader in the Statistics classroom this year.
The Hornberger Prize in Mathematics is awarded to that student who, in the judgment of the faculty of the Mathematics Department has done the most outstanding work in mathematics during his or her career at Peddie. It is the highest prize awarded by the department.
The Hornberger award recognizes that student whose engagement with mathematics over the course of their career at Peddie demonstrates talent, effort, success, and the true enjoyment of mathematics. It is hard to imagine a student better suited to this award than Tom Han.
To talk about Tom’s endless string of A+ performances in BC Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and various Computer Science courses is almost to miss the point. By the start of his junior year, he had mastered the university-level math-major topic of p-adic numbers, and had written a paper hoping to add new knowledge to the field and submitted it to a journal. By the start of his junior year, he had participated in the prestigious Ross Mathematics Program (earning their Spirit Award) and further developing his understanding of advanced mathematics. Within and beyond Peddie’s classrooms, Tom has demonstrated and shared his intellectual curiosity about, and great love for, mathematics.
Computer Science falls within the realm of mathematics, and here, too, Tom’s involvement and success was exceptional. As a sophomore, Tom earned the top score on the AP Computer Science exam despite being unable to attend class every day due to a scheduling conflict! But, again, his classwork was just the start. Tom worked with a local non-profit to create a web site for their program, he developed the Peddie Hackathon page for the Computer Science Club, he was a central member of the Computer Science Fellow tutoring group, and did all of this as a volunteer. As part of his Data Science class he attended Columbia University’s Data Science Day, finding himself the only high school student brave and knowledgeable enough to ask a thoughtful question of the panelists.
This year, Tom became the first Peddie student to complete a Signature Experience in Mathematics. This work culminated in a presentation to the faculty of the department that held the group rapt as he shared the lessons he learned about doing, not just studying, mathematics. For his breadth and depth of commitment to mathematics and his great generosity of spirit and humor, the Hornberger Award goes to Tom Han.
The Science Prize is presented to that graduating senior who, in the judgment of the Science Department Faculty combines to the greatest degree the following attributes: outstanding achievement in science courses taken at Peddie, insight into the ideas and concepts of science, excellent laboratory skills, and a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the sciences.
Dennis Zhang was a phenomenal student in all aspects of science, and worked tirelessly to not only excel in classwork but also learn about the historical, economic, and social aspects of this field. In each class, he brought out the best in his peers; motivating and mentoring others as he joyously considered each day's material. He was a generous leader in many aspects of campus, forming our now-beloved PEST and engaging our entire community with sustainability on and off campus.
The Physics Teachers award is presented to that graduating senior who has done the most outstanding work in the study of physics.
Chang Yan was an exceptional student in both Honors Physics and AP Physics at Peddie. He earned A+ grades in both of these challenging courses. In Honors Physics, Chang’s solutions to the most difficult questions on assessments were so good that they were often used when going over tests and quizzes with other students. Chang consistently demonstrated an incredible understanding of complex physics concepts and was an extremely hard-working student. In AP Physics (as a junior!), Chang was one of the top-performing students in a course made up of some of Peddie’s highest academic achievers.
The Raymond F. Oram prize in Biology is awarded to that student who has demonstrated great enthusiasm for, and high achievement in, the study of Biology. It is presented to a student whose work in Biology has been characterized by creativity, insight, and appreciation of the principles of scientific investigation. Chosen by the teachers of Biology, this award is given as a tribute to Raymond F. Oram, former head of the Science Department and a distinguished teacher, whose dedication to teaching and learning inspired Peddie students for 35 years.
Uma Mani distinguished herself with her commitment to mastering Biology, excelling in Honors Anatomy and Physiology, AP Biology, AP Psychology, and in her EXP research. Along the way, Uma was a model student — diligent and focused yet always eager to help her peers and engage in group work.
Established by Chandler D. Ingersoll, Class of 1914, in memory of his brother, Oliver W. Ingersoll, Class of 1913, this prize is awarded to that student who shows the greatest amount of individual initiative, originality, and analytical powers in Chemistry.
Tara Bogavelli has an amazing scientific mind. She knows how to distinguish between details which are important and which are not. Tara also is not afraid of challenging problems; she has confidence in her abilities to think through the problem, to figure out what she knows and what she needs to figure out to arrive at the answer. Tara is not afraid of the unknown, and that is why she is such a wonderful student to teach.
