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Girard College 2021 Student Awards Announced

Each year, the Girard College community celebrates the achievements of our students 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.

A new honor conferred this year goes to our graduating seniors who have been enrolled at Girard since the 1st grade. These students wore a special steel & garnet cord during the commencement ceremony.

The College is happy to announce the 2021 Student Awards. Congratulations to the following students!

Girard College Chapel - Student Awards

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Sundry Trusts Awards

Richard C. Anderson Fund: Awarded to a senior athlete graduating with the best academic record in his/her senior year.

  • Margaret Conteh ’21

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.

  • Danielle Ashley ’23

James M. Hamilton Award: Awarded to the student whose character most typifies the spirit of Girard College. Awardee is determined by the President.

  • Mya White ’21

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

  • Jayda Delbrune ’21

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

  • Brigitte Zigglih ’23

John Humphreys Prizes: Presented to a senior and junior student for the best short story and essay writings. Chosen by High School English Teachers.

  • Mya White ’21
  • Michael Okutoro ’22

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.

  • Mya White ’21

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

  • Isata George ’23

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

  • Jayda Delbrune ’21

Thomas B.K. Ringe Prize: Presented to the senior having the highest scholastic standing.

  • Indiya Muhammad-Burrell ’21

Joseph G. Simcock Prize: Presented to High School students who compose and submit or deliver orally the best essays on technology and industry.

  • Michael Okutoro ’22

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

  • Indiya Muhammad-Burrell ’21

Girard College Foundation Awards

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.

  • Brock Lyles ’21

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.

  • Cah’leah Rogers ’21

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

  • Brock Lyles ’21
  • Me’zel Square-Ward ’21

Girard College Alumni Association Awards

Alumni Student Award: Awarded by the Girard College Alumni Association to a high school student who has made a consistently worthwhile contribution to the well-being of the Girard College community, reflecting therein the ideals of unselfish service, solid citizenship and devotion to the common welfare which animated and characterized Stephen Girard’s life in his relationship to his community.

  • Jaden Dillard ’21

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

  • Damir Bacon ’21
  • Margaret Conteh ’21

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

  • Tori Miller ’21
  • Kalen Davis ’22
  • Janai Wright ’23

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

  • Mya White ’21

American Legion Medal: Awarded by the Stephen Girard American Legion Post, No. 320, to a 9th grade student attaining the best combined record in scholarship, athletics and citizenship.

  • Surayah Smallwood ’24

Class of 1955 Memorial Award: Awarded to a high school student whose citizenship and leadership qualities make Girard College a better place because of his/her presence. Chosen by the class of 1955 through an interview process.

  • Cameron Scott ’23

Class of 1957 Award: Awarded by the Class of 1957 to a graduating senior who is 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.

  • Brock Lyles ’21

Class of 1996 Khalif Dennis Choice Life Award: Awarded to two graduating student athletes who have maintained the highest level of excellence in the classroom while participating in the athletic program.

  • Margaret Conteh ’21
  • Feremusu Kuyateh ’21

Class of 1996 Citizenship Award: Awarded to two graduating seniors who participate in school and/or community service, show a positive attitude toward classmates, school, and the community, display an understanding and appreciation of civic responsibility, possess strength of character and the courage to do what is right and promote citizenship with their school or community through other activities.

  • Tyler-Cristofer Aluko ’21
  • Mya White ’21

Class of 1999 Award: Awarded to the graduating senior who best characterizes their class.

  • Sabbath Kpollie ’21

Class of 2000 Award: Awarded to the 10th grade student maintaining an academic average above 2.5 who has a high participation in sports at Girard College.

  • Faith Lynn ’23

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.

  • Jayda Delbrune ’21

Joseph Glasser Award: Awarded to a student in Grades 9-12 who has maintained average scholastic standing and made a positive contribution to Girard College.

  • Kaiya Johnson ’24

Edward Henry Good Sportsmanship Award: Awarded by the class of 1940 to an athlete in Grades 9-12 who, as a winner of a varsity letter, shall exhibit, in the most outstanding fashion, the qualities of good sportsmanship both on the athletic field and in his/her daily life.

  • Silvia Howard ’21

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

  • Jy’sir Robinson ’21

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

  • Tyler-Cristofer Aluko ’21

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

  • Surayah Smallwood ’24

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.

  • Aaliyah Burton ’22

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

  • Tyler-Cristofer Aluko ’21
  • Tori Miller ’21
  • Cah’leah Rogers ’21

Wagner Prize (distinct from the Sundry Trusts Louis B. Wagner Fund): Presented to the senior with the highest academic standing.

  • Jayda Delbrune ’21

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.

  • Jayda Delbrune ’21

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.

  • Curtis Goines ’23

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.

  • Aviana Benton ’21

 

Girard College Departmental Awards

Teamsters 628 Award: Presented to a deserving graduating senior.

  • Gabriel Davis ’21

Girard College Spanish Award: Presented to a high school student showing the greatest proficiency in Spanish. Chosen by the High School Spanish Teacher.

  • Margaret Conteh ’21

Yearbook Award: Presented to a high school student in recognition of his/her contributions to the creation of the Yearbook.

  • Tori Miller ’21

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

  • Me’zel Square-Ward ’21
  • Fantasia Stone ’22
  • Tyel Matlock ’23

Cavalier School Spirit Award: Presented to the student who demonstrates continued enthusiasm for their classmates.

  • Mark Coney ’21

Girard Athletic Leadership Award: Presented to the senior who showcases what it means to be a teammate and quiet leader.

  • Tiana Johnson ’21

Girard Navigator Award: Presented to a senior who has demonstrated extreme commitment to the pursuit of a goal in the face of any adversity.

  • Bryonna Small ’21

Girard Digital Arts & Gaming Award: Presented for achievements in video production, games, or other digital media.

  • Bunthone Kan ’21

Girard College Philadelphia Award: Presented to the senior who best embodies the spirit of the city.

  • Danielle Trawick ’21

Girard Community Recognition Award: Presented to the senior who, in the opinion of the greater Girard community, illustrates a commitment to the core values of scholarship and virtue.

  • Tiara Andrews ’21

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation Scholarships

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation promotes the heritage and spirit of The Union League of Philadelphia. The Foundation scholarships provide Girard College seniors with funding for postsecondary educational expenses and give students the opportunity to interact with members of the League community.

Class of 1957 Bruce Perazelli Scholarship: Awardees must be a graduating senior of Girard College, and selection criteria may include, but is not limited to, academic performance, SAT scores, community involvement, and leadership.

  • Jayda Delbrune ’21
  • Indiya Muhammad-Burrell ’21
  • Mya White ’21

James McKendrick Scholarship: Awardees must be a graduating senior of Girard College recommended by the Upper School Administrator. Preference will be given to those planning to study architecture or a medical field and attending college on a full time basis. The criteria for receiving the award may include, but is not limited to, academic performance, SAT scores, community involvement, and leadership.

  • Tyler-Cristofer Aluko ’21
  • Damir Bacon ’21

President's National Honor Society Prize

Presented annually to seniors newly inducted into the National Honor Society.

  • Margaret Conteh ’21
  • Feremusu Kuyateh ’21

Middle School Awards

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.

  • Simone Jones ’25

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.

  • Jabre Porter ’25

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.

  • Olivia Odoms ’27

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.

  • Adeshina Tejan ’25

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

  • Aliayah Blount ’25

Daniel Fink Prize: Presented to an 8th grade student for their superior performance in technology and related areas.

  • Blessadeh Chea ’25

Thomas B.K. Ringe Prize: Presented to an 8th grade student adjudged as having the best record for outstanding scholarship and all-around achievement.

  • Tommy Nguyen ’25

Joseph Glasser Award: Awarded to a student in Grades 6-8 who has maintained average scholastic standing and made a positive contribution to Girard College.

  • Stefanie Ashley ’25

Edward Henry Good Sportsmanship Award: Awarded by the class of 1940 to an athlete in Grades 6-8 who, as a winner of a Middle School letter, shall exhibit, in the most outstanding fashion, the qualities of good sportsmanship both on the athletic field and in his/her daily life.

  • Javon Moore ’25

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

  • Aliayah Blount ’25

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