News

Each year the Girard College community celebrates the achievements of our scholars through a variety of individual awards. Awards are conferred from a variety of sources, including the Sundry Trusts, the Girard College Alumni Association, and the Girard College Federation of Teachers, among others.

The College is pleased to announce the 2025 Student Awards. Congratulations to the following students!

SUNDRY TRUST AWARDS

George O. Frey Award:  Awarded to a band member who most typifies the spirit of the College, is proficient in the instrument he/she plays, shows the greatest progress in music during the year and is respected by the other students.

• Stefani Ashley ’25

Joseph A. Campbell Prize:  Presented to a student showing the greatest proficiency in keyboarding.

• Shauib Conteh ’27

John Humphreys Prize:  Presented to a junior student for the best short story and essay writing.

• Simone Jones ’25

John E. Rodgers Prize:  Presented to High School students for proficiency in the life skills curriculum, including but not limited to, computer technology, video and audio technology, consumer economics, home economics and small engine repair.

• Joseph Johnson ’25

Daniel Fink Prize:  Presented to a High School and Middle School student for their superior performance in technology and related areas.

• Saadir Sommers ’25

Sherwood Githens Prize:  Presented to a High School student who has done outstanding work in public speaking.

• Jayden Cooper ‘26

E. Newbold Cooper Fund:  Awarded to an 8th grade student having the best combined record for the year in scholarship, comportment, citizenship, and extracurricular activities.

• Malachi Cordes ’28

Joseph G. Simcock Prize:  Presented to a High School student who composes and submits the best essay on technology and industry.

• Laila Carter ’25

Herman C. Horn Prize:  Presented to the 10th grade student producing the best essays on subjects of their choice.

• Jayden McCutcheon ‘27

Thomas B.K. Ringe Prize:  Presented to the senior having the highest scholastic standing and an 8tgrade student judged as having the best record for outstanding scholarship and all-around achievement.

• Jordan McMillian ‘29

Louis B. Wagner Fund:  Presented to the senior having the highest scholastic standing.

• Aliayah Blount ’25

CORE VALUES & OTHER GIRARD COLLEGE AWARDS

Continuing a tradition started two years ago, a student from each grade was selected by faculty and staff for exemplifying the Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Compassion.

The recipients of the Core Values Awards for the 12th grade is Sanaa Young.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 11th grade is Randi Walls.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 10th grade is Hamza Logan.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 9th grade is Katherine Garcia-Rodriguez.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 8th grade is Tahmir Davis.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 7th grade is Aryn Dickson.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 6th grade is Noah Smith.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 5th grade is Biore’ Lincoln-Conner.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 4th grade is Genesis Furbert.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 3rd grade is Abdulai Brown.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 2nd grade is Judah Holman.

The recipient of the Core Values Award for 1st grade is Skye Moore.

Kristopher Minners Memorial Award:  Honors Kristopher Minners, a residential advisor and former student. Kristopher’s students loved him, and he was proud to be working at Girard. As a former student, he understood and modeled the Core Values. To keep his memory alive this award is presented to Girard students who embody his enduring characteristics of kindness, compassion, and empathy.

• Noah Smith ’31

William Seibert Stewardship Award:  Presented to a graduating 12th grade student who has shown a passion to serve others for the betterment of Girard College, their fellow students and community. Named in honor of a Girard alumnus of the class of January 1948. This year’s recipient is a lifer, which means she started at Girard in first grade. She is an Active member of Girard’s Student Council (or StuCo), our Nationl Honor Society, an Advancement Ambassador, lead member of the gardening club, and the scholarship review board committee. She is one of two seniors who were named to the Union League’s Good Citizen Day as a junior last school year, embodying the civic virtues on a daily basis. This fall she will attend Arcadia University.

• Jordan Hall ‘25

Class of 1968 Community Enrichment Award (in Memory of Richard Marker):  Awarded to a Girard Student, selected by RAs with recommendations from any faculty member, who through an act, an undertaking, a project, or an initiative, demonstrates courage, kindness, and civil decency.

• Aryn Clark ’26

Marie Hicks Award:  Awarded to a deserving student for their leadership by example, commitment to courage, achieving victory over adversity by walking in the footsteps of Mrs. Hicks.

• Maria Bedford ‘26

James M. Hamilton Award:  Awarded to the student whose character most typifies the spirit of Girard College.

• Blessadeh Chea ’25

Class of 1974 Award: Awarded to a graduating senior selected by the head of the High School.

• Jahniyyah Jackson ’25

Charles W. Hicks ’74 STEAM Prize:  Presented to high school students who demonstrate an interest in and desire to pursue a career in any of the STEAM fields.

• Serenity Glenn ‘26
• Jeremiah Price ‘26
• Channing Scott ‘27

Charles W. Hicks ’74 Space Camp Prize:  Presented to high school students who demonstrate an interest in attending Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

• Serenity Glenn ‘26
• Jeremiah Price ‘26

Excellence in Spanish Award:  Awarded to the student most proficient in Spanish.

• Tommy Nguyen ’26

GIRARD COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Class of 1957 Award:  Graduating seniors regarded as a solid, dependable member of the community. They exhibit qualities indicating that they will continue to display to the community at large, consistent with the vision of Stephen Girard.

• Samirah McNish ’25

Class of 1999 Award:  Given to the 12th grade student who best characterizes the senior class.

• Jaelah Allen ’25

William F. Geibel ’21 Memorial Award:  Awarded to the president of the student body in recognition of his/her loyalty, unselfish service, devotion to duty, and exemplary leadership.

• Kamil Davis ’25

Joseph Glasser Award:  Awarded to one High School and one Middle School student who have maintained average scholastic standing and made a positive contribution to Girard College.

• Jeremiah Price ’26 and Jason Brennan ‘29

Charles L. Maillardet ’22 Memorial Prize:  Presented to the high school student who has shown the greatest proficiency in art.

• Stefanie Ashley ‘25

John McMahon Mathematics Prize:  Presented to the 9th grade student who has shown the greatest proficiency in mathematics.

• KeArie Harris ‘28

Henry Niwinski June ’40 Award:  Awarded by the class of June 1940 to a junior selected by a special committee of staff and students for outstanding leadership, service, scholarship, and character.

• Aryn Clark ’26

J.S.F. Ruthrauff Memorial French Prize:  Presented to the high school student(s) showing the greatest proficiency in French.

• Stefanie Ashley ‘25
• Aliayah Blount ‘25
• Sanaa Young ‘25

Raymond Welsh Band and Orchestra Award:  Presented to a student showing the greatest proficiency on a musical instrument.

• Malachi Rose ’26

Charles R. Merkel ’52 Award:  Awarded to the 7th or 8th grade student who has shown the greatest improvement in all aspects of his/her life at Girard College.

• Eli Kellam-Wilkes ’29

Alumni Athlete-Scholar:  Awarded annually to two outstanding athletes with the highest scholastic average.

• Aliayah Blount ’25
• Saadir Sommers ’25

Alumni High School Mathematics Prize:  Presented to a 10th, 11th or 12th grade student showing the greatest proficiency in mathematics.

• Maria Bedford ‘26

Alumni Science Award:  Awarded to a high school student showing the greatest proficiency in science.

• Humza Logan ’27

The Dominic A. Garofalo Memorial Scholarship is presented by the Bucks County Foundation to Girard College students who plan to major in a science field. This year’s recipients are:

• Messiah Jetter ‘25
• Joseph Johnson ‘25
• Aliayah Blount ‘25
• Jayden Peterson ‘25

The Class of 1957 Bruce Perazzelli Scholarship Fund Award is presented by the Class of 1957 to graduating seniors who are regarded as a solid, dependable member of the Girard Community. They exhibit qualities indicating they will continue to do so for the community at large, consistent with the vision of Stephen Girard. This year’s 12th grade recipients are:

• Somari Butler ‘25
• Aliayah Blount ‘25
• Tommy Nguyen ‘25

Edward Henry Good Sportsmanship Award:  Awarded by the Class of 1940 to one High School and one Middle School athlete who shall exhibit, in the most outstanding fashion, the qualities of good sportsmanship both on the athletic field and in his/her daily life.

• Ndaye Mbeye ‘27
• Kaleb Ryans ‘29

Kenneth A. Hollenshead Award:  Awarded to a graduating senior who held a 3.0 GPA, is going to college, and is an outstanding athlete.

• Simone Jones ’25

The Harmony in Courage Award:  Presented to the student whose strength, sacrifice, and sound choices create a future in tune with his dreams.

• Adeshina Tejan ‘25

The Compassion Through Courage Award: Given to the student who has faced every challenge with strength and leads with a heart full of purpose.

• Jahniyyah Jackson ‘25

GIRARD COLLEGE FEDERATION OF TEACHERS AWARDS

Josephine Kipping Book Scholarship Award:  Awarded by the Girard College Federation of Teachers to a deserving senior who will be attending college.

• Jayden Peterson ’25

Dan Ezzio Award:  Awarded by the Girard College Federation of Teachers to a 6th, 7th or 8th Grade Student who shows great compassion to fellow classmates and other members of the Girard community.

• Jace Barnes ‘29

John C. Lestino Award:  Awarded by the Girard College Federation of Teachers to a 6th, 7th or 8th grade student exhibiting a positive attitude in his/her daily school life.

• Jordan McMillian ‘29

Katrin Schultz Award:  Awarded by the Girard College Federation of Teachers to a 6th grade student who best exemplifies good human relations in his/her school.

• Noah Smith ’31

William Stein Memorial Award:  Awarded by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers to a student who best embodies the character, morality, and integrity of William Stein.

• Tommy Nguyen ’25

William Gallagher Legacy Award:  Awarded to a high school senior that has attended Girard since first grade and encompasses the following: compassion, leadership, respect of his/her peers and the faculty, humble and is consistently an all-around good person.

• Adeshina Tejan ’25

TEAMSTERS AWARD

Teamsters 628 Award: Awarded by the 628 teamsters to a deserving senior.

• Derrick Bannister ’25