News

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 being awarded this year is the Core Value Award. One student from each grade will be recognized for living out Girard’s values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Compassion.

The College is happy to announce the 2022 Student Awards. Congratulations to the following students!

Sundry Trusts 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.

• Danielle Ashley ’23

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

• Stephan Philemon ’23

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

• Carter Fleury ’23

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. This year’s prize celebrates excellence in finance.

• Janai Wright ’23

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

• Samuel Okereke ’22
• Amadu Mansaray ’26

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

• Zion Bennett ’24

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.

• Rowan Willis ’26

Joseph G. Simcock Prize: Presented to High School students who demonstrate the greatest proficiency in technology and industry in the physics course of study.

• Constance Clark ’22

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

• Madison Blocker ’24

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

• Aaliyah Burton ’22
• I’yan Robinson ’26

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

• Aaliyah Burton ’22

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

• Aaliyah Burton ’22

Core Values Awards

A student from each grade was selected by faculty and staff for exemplifying the Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, and Compassion.

• Aaliyah Burton ’22
• Tyel Matlock ’23
• Surayah Smallwood ’24
• Tommy Nguyen ’25
• Rowan Willis ’26
• Jade Moore-Greene ’27
• Joetta Namayan ’28
• Sandra H. ’29
• Winner Y. ’30
• Ariyan W. ’31
• Lewis J. ’32
• Jace C. ’33

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.

• Madison Roberts ’22

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.

• Madison Roberts ’22

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.

• Vivica Ortiz ’22

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

• JaMear Harris ’22

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.

• Madison Roberts ’22

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

• Surayah Smallwood ’24

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

• Kaiya Johnson ’24

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

• Bianca Johnson-Bey ’24
• Nylah Rankine ’24
• Surayah Smallwood ’24

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 Hunstville, Alabama.

• Kalen Davis ’22
• Kevin Asante-Tagoe ’24

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

• Vivica Ortiz ’22

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

• Rey Marshall ’25

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

• JaMear Harris ’22
• Vivica Ortiz ’22

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

• Rowan Willis ’26

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.

• Shanir Frazier ’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.

• Christian Sayonkon ’22

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

• Durran Hyland ’22

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.

• Durran Hyland ’22
• Madison Roberts ’22

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

• Surayah Smallwood ’24

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.

• Aaliyah Burton ’22
• Aryn Clark ’26

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

• JaMear Harris ’22

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.

• Jah’lay Brown-Gilliam ’23

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.

• Tommy Nguyen ’26

Edward Henry Good Sportsmanship Award: Awarded by the class of 1940 to one High School and one Middle School athlete 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.

• Vivica Ortiz ’22
• Amadu Mansary ’26

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

• Dakota Williams ’22

The Union League Legacy Foundation Scholarships

The Union League Legacy Foundation Scholarships promote 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.

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.

• Reginald Brasby III ’22
• Dakota Williams ’22

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.

• Constance Clark ’22

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.

• Jayden McCutcheon ’27

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.

• Maleek Coker ’27

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.

• Xzavion McMillian ’28

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.

• Durran Hyland ’22

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.

• Faith Lynn ’22

Athletic Awards

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

• Faith Lynn ’22

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.

• Kalen Davis ’22
• Yandiel Surillo ’22

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

• Aaliyah Burton ’22
• Fantasia Stone ’22

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.

• Jahniyyah Jackson ’25

Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation Scholarship: Established with the intent of providing outstanding scholar/athletes financial assistance to pursue their higher education goals, so that they can reach their full potential.

• Durran Hyland ’22
• Madison Roberts ’22