Flag Day Honors

This year’s Flag Day Ceremony, held in the Cathedral because of the day’s intense heat and threat of storms, still had all of the essential elements – red roses, white dresses, and a bouquet of honors for academic achievement and service.  Some highlights:

Flag Award. NCS’ highest academic award, The Flag, was presented to senior Bridget Morrison. A flag, representing that which has flown over the Close for the entire year, is presented to the senior with the highest grade point average based on the average of the junior and senior end-of-year academic records.

Flag Day Speech. Senior Katherine “Katie” Mitchell, elected Flag Day speaker by her classmates, gave an address entitled “Namaste.” As she explained, “Namaste, or ‘the light within me recognizes the light within you,' signifies a highly personal recognition between two souls, in which each person acknowledges the essential human goodness of the other. Events like Flag Day serve as a public platform for a simplified version of this respect: we are called to recognize and honor lights in our community that shine particularly brightly.”  Her full Flag Day address will appear in the next edition of NCS Magazine.

Senior Parent Gift. In tribute to the senior class theme “Imagine,” this year’s Senior Parent Gift Committee chose to raise funds for the Woodley North drama classroom. They raised $251,000 for Woodley North and $158,000 for the Annual Fund for a grand total of $409,000—the most any senior class has donated to a senior class gift! Committee Co-Chairs Kim Matthews and Michael Hays thanked all the parents, in particular David and Alice Mott. “In addition to their previous generous gifts to the NCS Annual Fund and capital campaigns, David and Alice generously stepped up with an additional $50,000 challenge for our class to reach our goals,” said Mr. Hays, who also thanked Committee members Noni and Rich Lindahl, Pat Morrison, Debbie and Carl Rauh, Alice and Bruce Whelihan, and Scott Williams for their hard work.

Other Flag Day Awards

English Prize: Christina Cary, Andrea Hale & Summer Modelfino

Joye Pregnall Creative Writing Award: Katherine Mitchell & Kara Wernick

Science Award: Zayna Bakizada, Luise Dziobek-Garrett, Madeleine Mott, Julia Reed & Charlotte Zimmerman

Virginia K. Robertson Award for Distinction in Mathematics: given to students who have completed the Advanced Placement calculus course and have shown an unusual talent for and interest in mathematics. Christina Cary

Technology Prize: Abby Lindberg

Martha Sharma Geography Achievement Award: Established in 2004 by the National Geographic Society and retiring geography teacher Martha Sharma, this award recognizes students of geography. Christina Cary & Bridget Morrison

Elizabeth Fry Award: Anya Grenier & Sarah Norvell

Social Sciences Award: Margot Harris & Ann Lindahl

French Award: Zayna Bakizada

Margaret McBride Award for Excellence in Written French: Presented by the family of Dr. Margaret McBride in her memory, this award is given to a junior or senior whose command of the French language and ability to express her ideas are exhibited in a timed essay writing contest. Caroline Johnsen

Spanish Award: Monica Cogo, Anya Grenier, Andrea Hale, Caroline Kelley & Camila Notaro

Chinese Award: Natalie Chaney

Japanese Award: Anna Beeman

Laub-Novak Award: for achievement, excellence, and promise in the Classics. Summer Modelfino & Sarah Norvell

Religion Award: Katharine Holmes, Bridget Morrison & Katie Williams

Art Prize: Claire Voon

Rhode Island School of Design Award: for a senior who is outstanding in the visual arts. Andrea Hale

Gwendolyn B. Coney Award for Excellence in Theater: Margaret Morrison & Natasha Sacoto

Jane emily Clymer Award in Drama: Given in memory of Jane emily Clymer '83 to a 9th or 10th grade student has distinguished herself by her creativity, determination, promise…and a transcending love for the art of the theater. Radhika Rajkumar

Instrumental Music Award: to the orchestra members who have contributed not only to their own ensemble but also to the future of instrumental music at NCS. Kimora Brock, Margot Harris & Adrienne Larson

Choral Music Award: Isabel Eberstadt & Bridget Morrison

Dance Award: Julia Clancy, Katherine Ingram, Katherine Mackall & Lucie Shelley

High Point and Runner-Up Cups. Awarded to Purple or Gold team members who have accumulated the most Purple or Gold points throughout the school year. Points may be earned by participating on varsity, junior varsity and club teams, and intrasquad competitions.
Runner-Up Cup: Sarah Ing  High Point Cup: Arlana Agiliga

Announcement of the Winning Team: Gold

Stuart Runyon Work Middle School Citizenship Award: Established by the Class of 1964, first given in 1983, and renamed in 2001 to honor Stuart Runyon Work, the award is given to students who have vigorously and selflessly served the school. Caroline Ingram & Katherine Ann Van Kirk

Middle School Academic Achievement Award: Established in 1986 by the Headmaster, the award recognizes the 8th grade student who has maintained the highest academic standing in grades 7 and 8. Sarah Lipson

Ruttenberg Student Leadership Grant. Established by Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Ruttenberg in 1984, the grant provides training for students who will assume major leadership roles in the school. Arlana Agiliga & Michelle Lee

Chester Community Service Award: Given by Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Chester, parents of Kristin Chester '92, this award recognizes a senior who has made an outstanding contribution to community service. Monica Cogo

Mount St. Alban Award: Sarah Norvell

Cathedral Medal: Martha Barker, Summer Modelfino & Dyan Rizzo-Busack

Bruce Neswick Medal: Named to honor the founding director of the Cathedral Girls’ Choir, given to member(s) of the Girls’ Choir who has shown the most significant overall improvement both in terms of musicianship and dedication to the Cathedral’s choral tradition. Beatrice Liang & Katherine Spaller

Recognition of 20-Year Faculty Member: Kate Sheeler

Recognition of Retiring Faculty Members: Kay Dunkley, Syl Mathis & Rosalia Miller

Class of 1995 Senior Parent Gift: Molly Hemphill

John S. Wood “Great Cities” Teaching Fellowship: established in 1999 by Dr. Deborah Principato Lindsey ‘79, in honor of the distinguished teaching career of John Wood, the Fellowship is awarded annually to a faculty member to pursue a project in European studies that will enhance his or her teaching. Michèle Spittler

Nancy Needham Goodrich Award: given by the NCS Parents Association to that member of the sophomore class who demonstrates a well-balanced interest in academics, arts, and athletics, and who has contributed positively to the life of the NCS community. Katherine Blanton

Helen Harker Award: instituted by Helen Harker Albi, class of 1925, for the senior who, by a vote of her peers in the senior class, represents qualities including honor, loyalty and courtesy. Fariha Choudhury

Bishop's Scholar: presented to a member/members of the senior class whose experience during her high school years clearly embodies the NCS philosophy, set forth by Bishop Satterlee in 1900, of “sending into the world young women possessed of strong moral character and a lifelong love of learning.” Christina Cary & Andrea Hale

Geraldine Wharry Faculty Leadership Award: given  to the senior who has had the greatest influence for good in the school during the year. Katie Williams

Head of School's Award: Given to a graduating senior who has contributed in distinctive ways to the life of our community, honoring the work they’ve done to make NCS a better place. Catherine O’Donnell

Joshua Evans, Jr. Memorial Award: Established in 1972 in memory of Joshua Evans, Jr., long-time neighbor and friend of NCS, who enjoyed seeing all four of his granddaughters enrolled in NCS, this award honors that student who possesses those intangible qualities of leadership, mental and spiritual, which contribute to a significant service in the school. Maureen Smolskis