Senior Awards Announced
On Friday, May 23, 2014, the Marksmen of the Class of 2014 donned their white dinner jackets and walked across the stage on the Cecil & Ida Green Commencement Theater, crossing the threshold from student to alumni. That evening Eugene McDermott Headmaster Arnie Holtberg announced the recipients of the three Major Awards:
The J.B.H. Henderson Citizenship Cup Award is made by the faculty and presented by the Head of Upper School to the senior who has genuine concern for others and who is dedicated to the ideals of honor and justice. This year the faculty found it impossible to decide between two nominees and so award the Citizenship Award to two members of the Class of 2014.
The first recipient is an individual who makes things happen and whose character is above reproach. He lives life to the fullest while exhibiting great humility. His optimism and mature perspective carry many a day. A member of Cum Laude Society, he combines an exceptional mind and verbal dexterity with wit and social awareness. He too has earned Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. His social consciousness and sense of responsibility are reflected by his serving as President of the Green Club. But it is as a journalist that his commitment to justice and honor show through. As editor-in-chief of The ReMarker, he has led the newspaper to cover topics on human rights, equity, fairness, and respectful behavior, including a front-page story on Lee Smith ’65, our first African-American student. Dylan Clark is our first Citizenship Award Recipient.
Our second honoree has distinguished himself in many ways. Compassionate and caring, he has led in word and deed, exhorting his fellow students to build up and not tear down. He is a dynamo who exhibits passion and curiosity at every turn. A member of the Cum Laude Society, his scholarship is superb. He chaired the St. Mark’s Literary Festival, has been a member of Telos and the Leadership and Ethics Council, and served as co-president of the Philosophy Club. The issues editor of The ReMarker, he was named Texas Student Journalist of the Year recently, and placed second in the national competition. Committed to the principles of compassion, fairness, and respect, this Marksman has shown us that in giving we make our community better. Ryan O’Meara is the second recipient of the Citizenship Award.
The School Flag is awarded by the faculty and presented by the Head of Upper School to a senior for loyalty, dedication, and distinguished service to the School.
This year’s recipient has invested himself fully in the life of this school and others’ lives as well. He fills voids that are felt, but not named. Moral and ethical leadership is a theme in all that he does. An outstanding student – member of the Cum Laude Society, Presidential Community Service Award Winner, member of Telos and the Chapel Committee, co-chair and co-founder of the Leadership and Ethics Council, President of the Dallas Area Diversity Youth Organization, co-chair of the Little Buddies Committee, he has found myriad ways to influence the course of this school. And he has run for the cross country and track and field teams. Run he does. This young man is respected and admired for his selflessness, and no one cares more for younger students than does he. His activity at St. Mark’s transcends divisional boundaries. He’s a man for all Marksmen. Vishal Gokani is the recipient of the School Flag.
The Headmaster's Cup is awarded by the Headmaster with the advice of the faculty to the senior who best exemplifies the traits that St. Mark's seeks to foster in its students: the quest for excellence, intellectual curiosity and commitment, service to the School and community, and concern for others.
This year’s recipient is an exemplar of honor, integrity, and courage. His moral compass points due north; he lives out the values and principles we espouse. Member of the Cum Laude Society, President of both the Discipline Council and Lion & Sword Society, member of Telos, he leads through word and action, and he consistently puts others’ needs ahead of his own desires. A scholar, athlete, and gentleman, he is an intellectual force in the classroom and an accomplished athlete – captain and All-Southwest Preparatory Conference in football and basketball. He was named to represent St. Mark’s at the International Boys’ Schools Coalition Student Forum in 2013 and emerged as a leader of an elite group of students from around the world. He is respected and admired by all. Luke Williams is the recipient of the Headmaster’s Cup.
Additionally, numerous students received recognition for their outstanding accomplishments during the 2013–2014 school year at the Upper School Final Assembly. The Headmaster announced the following 2014 senior award recipients:
For his leadership marked by probity and humility, articulateness and compassion, and inspiration and humor, for delegating responsibility and shining the spotlight on others, for his servant leadership as President of the Class of 2014, the faculty gives a special award to Harrison Perkins.
For his exemplary character, generosity of spirit, and respect and support for Marksmen of all ages, for his diligent and engaged effort in the classroom and his unflagging hard work in Waterpolo, and for his unwavering leadership of the Community Service Program, the faculty presents a special award to Ben Wilson.
For his boundless enthusiasm for all things science, for his leadership of the Robotics Team and Rocketry Club, for his vision and determination in founding and planning the STEM Conference, and for his many contributions as ReMarker photographer, the faculty presents a special award to Andrew Gatherer.
For setting and achieving the highest standards in both the film and academic programs, for his sportsmanship and team-mindedness in cross country, and for his commitment to serving this community with grace, diligence, empathy, and humor, the faculty presents a special award to Cole Gerthoffer.
For his superior achievement in Spanish and Chinese, for his outstanding service to the National Federation of Temple Youth, for organizing discussions as a leader in Teenage Communication Theater, for his dedication to Free the Children, and for bringing a global perspective that has inspired and encouraged classmates, the faculty presents a special award to Kobi Naseck.
For setting the tone for his classmates through presence and actions, for his leadership, insights, creative ideas, and genuine love for St. Mark’s, for his positive influence and superb service as Student Council President, the faculty presents a special award to Charlie Golden.
For his mature understanding of community and obligation, for his commitment to helping younger Marksmen grow and learn, for his dignity and resilience in the face of personal setbacks, and for his abiding and contagious sense of gratitude, we present this special award to Malcolm Bowman.
For his behind-the-scenes creative support to set design, for his passion and commitment to the arts, for his excellent accomplishments in woodworking, for his dedication to serve others as an athletic trainer, for his advocacy for the foreign exchange program, the faculty presents a special award to Drew Balog.
For his innovative and original scientific research, for his remarkable design and leadership of the School’s literary and arts magazine, for his award-winning photography, for his tireless commitment to excellence, and for his exemplary scholarship and work ethic, the faculty presents a special award to Halbert Bai.
For his ability to lead others to the high road, for his genuine humility in his endeavors and successes, for his outstanding leadership and performance in athletics, for his stellar academic work in the classroom, for his thoughtful work with younger Marksmen, and for his capacity for making everyone around him better, the faculty presents a special award to John Webb.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
