Senior Awards Announced

On Friday, May 20, 2016, the Marksmen of the Class of 2016 donned their white dinner jackets and walked across the stage on the Cecil & Ida Green Commencement Theater, crossing the threshold from student to alumnus. That evening, Eugene McDermott Headmaster David Dini announced the recipients of the three Major Awards:

 

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 certainly represents all that we seek to instill in our students. The words ‘Courage and Honor’ immediately come to mind when you think of this Marksman. He sets the highest standards in everything that he does and strives to bring out the very best in others. A serious scholar, he is a member of Cum Laude and a National Merit Finalist. Compassionate, thoughtful and determined, he’s a force in the classroom, on the playing field, and in the journalism suite. He’s a young man of unquestioned integrity and character, and he leads with humility and purpose. Charismatic and inclusive, he has worked hard to strengthen our community in every way possible. A natural-servant leader, he’s a multi-sport athlete, Managing Editor of the Marksmen yearbook, a member of TELOS, Discipline Council, and much more. Humble and modest, he’s held in highest regard by faculty and students alike. The 2016 recipient of the Headmaster’s Cup is Jackson Cole.

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.

 

With boundless energy, passion, and enthusiasm for his School, this young man has enriched our community and the lives of his classmates since he was in Lower School. A powerful force on and off campus, he wants every member of this community to feel loved and supported, and he makes a concerted effort to brighten the lives of everyone around him. Wherever this Marksman goes, enthusiasm follows. He’s thoughtful, kind, and generous, striving to bring out the best in everyone. Recognized as one of the top scholars and leaders in his class, Community Service Board Co-Chair, Leadership and Ethics Council Chair, Head Photographer for the Marksmen yearbook, and captain of the crew team, he gives his all to St. Mark’s. This year’s recipient of the School Flag is Alden James.

 
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 year’s recipient of the Citizenship Cup leads with quiet confidence, letting his actions speak louder than words. He possesses a servant’s heart and strives to make a difference in all that he does. This Marksman is a force in the classroom, an inspiring teammate on the basketball court, and loyal friend to all of his classmates. He freely shares the contagious love and pride he has for St. Mark’s with the entire community. Setting an example for younger Marksmen, he has demonstrated what it means to be fully engaged in all facets of school life and how to live a life of honor, integrity, and purpose. As the guiding force behind our award-winning paper, The ReMarker, he’s thoughtfully and courageously supported the coverage of important issues that affect all of us. The recipient of this year’s Citizenship Cup is Philip Smart.

 

 

Additionally, numerous students received recognition for their outstanding accomplishments during the 2015–2016 school year at the Upper School Final Assembly. Scott Gonzalez, Interim Head of Upper School, announced the following 2016 senior award recipients:

 

For the way he leads by example with the perfect balance of seriousness and light-heartedness; for the care and support he shows his teammates, his classmates and especially the younger Marksmen; and the for the many ways he quietly serves the school with passion and skill, the faculty presents a special award to Drew Baxley.

 

For his infectious enthusiasm for all things St. Mark’s; for his service as a member of the Telos Society, Remarker news editor, member of the water polo team, Lion and Sword, and Student Council; for his leadership as the Senior Class president that enabled the class to become a unified, positive force, the faculty presents a special award to Philip Montgomery.

 

For his record-setting performances and team-first leadership in cross-country and track; for his unselfish, judicious, and inspiring presidency over the student body; for exemplifying excellence in mind, body, and character, and for inspiring the same in others, the faculty confer this special award on J. T. Graass.

 

For his “never give up” attitude on the playing fields and in the classroom; for the talents and sportsmanship he has shown as a three-sport athlete; and for his generous mentorship and involvement in Telos, Lion and Sword, Student Council, and journalism, the faculty presents a special award to William Caldwell.

 

For his global perspective that enriched academic and extra-curricular endeavors on local, national, and international levels, for his leadership and commitment to serving others through our community service program, for representing our school community on UNICEF’s National High School Council, and for embodying the St. Mark’s values we uphold each day, the faculty presents a special award to Henry Goldberg.

 

For his unselfish devotion to St. Mark's School, its students, its faculty, and the principles for which it stands;  For his leadership by example which reflects the cherished value of service to others; For his inclination to promote the well-being of the group ahead of his own individual achievement, the faculty presents a special award to Brannon Rouse.

For his willingness to put his team’s needs first; for his involvement in the fine arts program and commitment to sharing his peers’ talents with the rest of the St. Mark’s community;  for his commitment to the Math and iGEM teams, leadership and ethics council, and philosophy club; for his leadership in this year’s senior retreat; and, for his willingness to help new 9th grade students ease their transition to St. Mark’s, the faculty presents a special award to Tim Skapek.

For his exemplary scholarship and leadership; for his tremendous work and discipline, both in the classroom and in the pool; for his commitment to this community and for the countless hours spent on making others better; and for his determination to enrich the lives of anyone around him, the faculty presents a special award to Eric Li.

For his stellar academic performance in all subject areas; for his remarkable musical talents ranging from playing the violin to singing opera; for his competitive spirit on the football field and humility off the field; for his big smile, big heart and generous nature, the faculty presents a special award to Eugene Song.

 

For his leadership and stellar accomplishments in journalism; for his amazing musical talent and leadership in the Blues Club, including his musical contributions to the dinners at Austin Street Homeless Shelter, the faculty presents a special award to Will Clark.

 

For his inspiring intellect, for his love of learning for its own sake, for his avid participation in Quiz Bowl, for his incredible depth of knowledge in a myriad of fields, for his sterling character and service to the school, the faculty presents a special award to Brent Weisberg.

 

For his meticulous attention to his academic course work; for his unassuming humility and leadership in the classroom and on the tennis court; for his selfless service to his community and to his country as evidenced by his choice to attend the Air Force Academy next year, the faculty presents this special award to Albert Thieu.