Class of 2020 Honored

8/5/2020

The Class of 2020 gathered on campus on July 31 to commemorate the culmination of their St. Mark’s career and the conclusion of a historic senior year. Dressed in white dinner jackets and matching face masks, the boys celebrated a year bookended by extraordinary events: a tornado that shut down campus for ten days in October and a global pandemic that shut down on-campus activities since March. Since first donning their blue senior shirts more than a year ago, the Class of 2020 has faced many challenges and faced them all with grit, resiliency, and leadership.

“As a Class, you’ve grown together, worked through difficulty, and celebrated success,” Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini told the graduates. “You’ve given your all to sustain the values and ideals that have made St. Mark’s special for generations.”

During the Commencement ceremony, Mr. Dini also presented the three major School prizes.

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.

Not only does this Marksman deeply love the School, he also loves all that it stands for: courage and honor, to seek knowledge and to accept responsibility and the obligation to serve, and to respect and value others. He is a compassionate leader with a genuine desire to serve the greater community. He works honestly and diligently to achieve the greatest version of himself, and he represents every component of what a true Marksman should be. He thinks, writes, and speaks with thoughtfulness and clarity and fosters the intellectual curiosity that is an essential trait of lifelong learning. He does not seek the spotlight, always sharing success and praise with those who have helped him along his own path to manhood. His impact on the School is strong, and he has led with humility and distinction. The 2020 recipient of the Headmaster’s Cup is Colin Campbell.

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.

1959 was a seminal year in the history of our School. Not unlike today, it was a period of some uncertainty about the future, and at the same time a period of great optimism, hope, and determination. The Class of 1959, not unlike this class on the stage tonight, served, led, and pushed the school forward in important and meaningful ways. They amplified The ReMarker into a more substantial monthly newspaper including photographs for the first time, established the constitution of the first Student Council, and hosted a special dinner to honor and recognize the faculty.

The Class of 2020 has also left an indelible mark on this School, helping St. Mark’s navigate unprecedented challenges, leading with heart, humility, and conviction. They brought strength, determination, and progress. But most importantly, they strengthened the foundation for the future. In the face of substantial adversity and disappointment, the Class never faltered or complained. When they excelled and succeeded, boys were quick to share credit with others. 2019-2020 delivered its fair share of difficult blows, but thanks to the Class of 2020, St. Mark’s emerged not only whole and intact, but stronger than ever.

For only the second time in School history and for the first time in 61 years, the faculty has made the decision not to honor a single member of the Class with this award, but the Class as a whole.

For their unfailing leadership, dedication to our School, and extraordinary commitment to service, this year’s recipient of the School Flag is The Class of 2020.

The J.B.H. Henderson Citizenship Cup is awarded by the faculty and presented by the Head of Upper School to the Senior who has genuine concern for others and is dedicated to the ideals of honor and justice.

This Marksman embodies all the qualities noted in the citation for this Award, and much more. He is the “heart” of the Class of 2020 who exhibits and maintains its sense of honor and caring. Comfortable around adults and students alike, he takes on every task assigned him and sees it through to a successful conclusion. An inclusive young man, he reaches out to all his classmates and values what each one contributes to the dynamics of the class. A person of deep insight and intellectual curiosity, he brings depth and careful analysis to every class and project. A singer, actor, and performer, he served on the Fine Arts Board and has been a key player in the Theater Program. As a member of the Choir, he served as Head Chorister his senior year and attained recognition in the All-Region and All-State Choirs. The faculty awards the 2020 J. B. H. Henderson Citizenship Cup to Will Mallick.

Additionally, several students received recognition for their outstanding accomplishments during the 2019–2020 school year:

For his leadership and even-tempered, thoughtful, and mature perspective as The ReMarker’s editor-in-chief, covering both the tornado’s destruction and the challenges of the pandemic; for his commitment to making every community, group, or organization in which he participated a better one; and for the distinguished international representation he gave the School through his passion for the Chinese language and culture, the faculty presents a Special Award to Sam Ahmed.

For his relentless pursuit of success in the classroom and athletics; a three-time All-SPC selection in Cross-Country; an All-SPC selection in Track & Field; and Captain of the Cross-Country team; #4 on the all-time Cross-Country record list; and for his quiet determination and achievement in the classroom, athletics, and throughout the community, the faculty presents a Special Award to Andres Arroyo.

For his wide-ranging and passionate love of learning; for his extraordinary intellectual curiosity and commitment; for his brilliant, original performance as a scholar; for his consummate musicianship; for his contributions to Quiz Bowl; and for his unfailing optimism, positivity, and growth mindset; the faculty presents a Special Award to Nicholas Cerny.

For his commitment and leadership on the basketball court and the golf course; for his outstanding scholarship; for his leadership of our choral music program and his passionate pursuit of music, including roles with the Dallas Opera and four years as an All-State chorister; the faculty presents a Special Award to Camp Collins.

For successfully leading the entire St. Mark’s community following a devastating tornado and global pandemic, he has been the heart and soul of 10600. Although this Marksman joined the community during his sophomore year, his love for the School and all his peers from the littlest lions to the most tenured faculty was visible from his first day on campus. Not a day goes by that he does not think about making St. Mark’s better; the faculty presents a Special Award to Taylor Hopkin.

For an unwavering dedication in his every endeavor – a highly organized, detail-minded standout in the classroom; an engaged enthusiast, ever eager to make much of others as a Spur and larger-than-life presence among adoring younger Marksmen; a locker room leader whose relentless work ethic on the basketball court set the tone as a four-year, varsity starter and all-time leading scorer for an SPC championship program, now recognized among the nation’s very best; the faculty presents a Special Award to Andrew Laczkowski.

For his selfless leadership, his academic drive and achievement, and his optimistic spirit that permeates all areas of campus life; as a dedicated member of choir and crew, for his enthusiasm and leadership as a SuperFan Man, who boosted all teams, performances, and clubs; as a member of the Community Service Board and Chair of the New Student Outreach Committee, where he maintained an unwavering focus on others, always looking for ways to move communities forward; for his achievement in all areas of School life; the faculty presents a Special Award to Jack Trahan.

A teacher’s ultimate reward is to witness the love of their subject demonstrated by their students’ accomplishments, and this Marksman did just that. A member of the Cum Laude Society and the Chinese Honor Society, he is a dedicated and responsible young man, displaying diligence and remarkable motivation; for his exemplary leadership to the International Week Committee; for his judicious service to the Discipline Committee; for his achievements of national recognition on both table tennis and international chess; for his outstanding contributions in and out of the classroom; and for his extraordinary academic achievement. The faculty presents a Special Award to Tianming Xie.

This Marksman uses his brilliant mind and his technological prowess to make a difference in the world, including his work on projects such as environmental stewardship, helping detect cancer, and making PPE during the COVID-19 crisis. For always courageously standing up for what is right; for being a voice for the voiceless; for his intellect and his character; the faculty presents a Special Award to Meyer Zinn.

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