Academic Awards 2021-2022

Congratulations to all our students on their exceptional academic achievements this school year! (Additional photos will be added over the coming week.)
Awards

The Harvard Book Award is awarded to an outstanding student in the next-to-graduating high school class who displays excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields. The Harvard Book Award is presented to Parijat Basak.

The Princeton Book Award should be awarded to a junior who demonstrates strong character and intellectual promise. The Princeton Book Award is presented to Gabrielle White.

A successful nominee for the Dartmouth College Book Award must rank in the top 10% of the class, demonstrate strong character, have made a positive contribution to the school community, and excel in at least one non-academic area, and be a candidate for entrance to a competitive college or university. The Dartmouth College Book Award is presented to Ellie Lee.

The University of Pennsylvania Book Award is awarded to a student who should be enrolled in the most rigorous academic program, ranked within the top 5% of the junior class, a leader in one or more of the following areas:- Student government, Music, Drama, Athletics, Journalism, Community service. Character: Demonstrates high personal and academic integrity; highly respected by peers and faculty. The University of Pennsylvania Book Award is presented to Emmeline Moore.

The Rensselaer Medal is awarded to a junior who is ranked within the top 10% of their class, excels in advanced math and science courses, has completed chemistry, biology, lab-based physics, and at least four years of math, including pre-calculus by the end of high school. The student must demonstrate potential for success in a challenging academic setting and exhibit significant involvement in extracurricular activities. The Rensselaer Medal is awarded to Mia Luparello.

The Brandeis Book Award is awarded to an outstanding high school junior in the top 15% of the class who demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement, community service, political activism, social justice, or volunteer work. The Brandeis Book Award is presented to Lance Hebert.

Rhodes College Book Award is awarded to a student who has demonstrated exemplary community engagement and passion for one's city. At Rhodes, we strive to foster a meaningful relationship between our students and the Memphis community. We hope to congratulate and honor your nominated student for a love of their community through active involvement and dedication. The Rhodes award is presented to Max Mills.

The Tulane Book Award recognizes high school juniors who embody Tulane's motto of "Not for one's self, but for one's own" and have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and public service. The award is given to one outstanding student at select high schools across the country every year. The Tulane Book Award is presented to Ethan Smith.

Williams College Book Award is awarded to a high school junior who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and made a significant contribution to the extracurricular life of his or her school. The Williams College book award is presented to Ellie Schneider.

The St. Lawrence University Book Award is awarded to a junior who has displayed a significant commitment to inclusivity. The St. Lawrence Book Award is presented to Anna Hayne.

University of Rochester, Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award is awarded to a junior who has high achievement and rigor in science and math classes and positive contributions to their school and within the larger community. This award is presented to Armin Parsi.

The University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award is awarded to a junior who shows strong leadership experience at school and in the community, high grades and challenging courses, and extensive involvement in extracurricular activities. This award is presented to Caroline Fernandez.

The University of Rochester, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award is awarded to a junior who demonstrates a commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, leadership, and dedication to community action, strong grades, and rigorous courses taken in the humanities and social sciences. This award is presented to Jack Morton.

The University of Rochester, Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology is awarded to a junior who has a strong interest in innovation and/or information technology and a high level of achievement in this area, exposure to new technologies outside of school, such as pursuing serious work opportunities in local laboratories or industry, leading other students to new approaches to old problems (e.g., business plans for fundraising, innovative community service, after-school activities, and best uses of internal communications tools such as chat and blogs). This award is presented to Colin Fiore.

Music Awards
National School Orchestra Award - Ethan Taylor
Leonard Bernstein Award - Miles Lemmler
 
All-State Orchestra - Charlie Antis, Phillip Antis, Mason Kwon
District Honor Band - Henry Breen, Xander Roniger
District Jazz Honor Band - Xander Roniger
 
All-State Chorus - Parijat Basek
Lit Rally Vocal Performance Superior Rating - Parijat Basek
District Solo and Ensemble Festival - Superior Ratings (Meredith will get you those names. Most if not all, US Chorale)
 
Literary Rally
District Literary Rally
Charles Antis - District Qualifier, French II
Sarah Heebe - District Qualifier, English II
Eleanor Lee - District Qualifier, American History
Oliver Parsi - District Qualifier, Algebra II
William Varisco - District Qualifier, Spanish III
 
Phillip Antis - First Place, Chemistry
Julia Drago - First Place, Biology II
Colin Fiore - First Place, Computer Science
Barrett Goldenberg - First Place, Calculus I
Pierce Hatheway - First Place, Pre-Calculus
Charles Kazour - First Place, English I
Isabella Miller - First Place, Spanish IV
Gabrielle White - First Place, English IV
Cooper Woods - First Place, Geometry
Jack Zink - First Place, Calculus II

Congratulations to the following students who placed in their events among all participating Division III schools in the state: 
 
Charlie Antis - 2nd place, French II
Sarah Heebe - 4th place, English II
Oliver Parsi - 4th place, Algebra II
Jack Zink - 3rd place, Calculus II
 
And congratulations to the following students for their ratings in the Open and Performance Events:
 
Charlie Antis - Superior, French II Interpretive Reading
Parijat Basak - Excellent, French IV Extemporaneous Speaking
Alden Boyce - Excellent, Spanish II Interpretive Reading
Coco Goldenberg - Superior, French IV Interpretive Reading
Xander Roniger - Excellent, Spanish II Extemporaneous Speaking
William Varisco - Excellent, Spanish III Extemporaneous Speaking

French Awards
Oliver Parsi
Manish Jain
Mason Kwon
Max Pollock
Charlie Kazour
Laney Hebert
Londyn Norwood
Pierce Hatheway
Minnie Mae August  
Winnie Goldenberg
Bastien Sever
Peetsie Goldenberg
Gabrielle White
Mia Luparello
Clarisse Bernard-Bitchatch

Stephen T. Victory Award

The award is given to recognize and honor those students who have committed themselves academically and athletically to the philosophy of the school. The criteria for the award are any senior who participated in two (2) sports in separate seasons during his or her freshman and sophomore years, who lettered in two (2) sports in separate seasons during his or her junior and senior year, and who has a cumulative rank in the top 20% of his or her class at the end of the first semester of their senior year. These students’ names will be displayed on a plaque located in the lobby of the Reily Recreation Center.

This year’s recipients are:
Valerie Cannella
Mason Poole
Ethan Taylor
Jack Zink

LHSAA All-Academic Award

Student-athletes must maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA and have played the sport for at least 2 years. 

Parrish Abramson - Football
Jake Amann - Football
Valerie Cannella - Girls' Track & Field
Layne Corcoran - Girls' Cross Country, Girls' Soccer, Girls' Track & Field, Girls' Golf
Ellie Davidson - Girls' Soccer, Girls' Track & Field
Eli Goodwin - Boys' Cross Country & Boys' Track & Field
Mason Poole - Girls' Cross Country & Girls' Track & Field
Marguerite Schwarz - Girls' Tennis
Ethan Taylor - Boys' Cross Country & Boys' Track & Field
Maximo Valobra - Football & Boys' Soccer
Ellison Vosbein - Volleyball
Wil Watrous - Boys' Cross Country
Jack Zink - Boys' Cross Country & Boys' Track & Field
 
LHSAA All-Academic Composite Team
Student-athletes must maintain a 4.0 GPA and have played the sport for at least 2 years. 
Barrett Goldenberg - Boys' Basketball and Baseball

The National Honor Society is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious student academic recognition program. It was established in 1921 to "recognize and encourage academic achievement while also developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. These ideals of scholarship, leadership, service, and character remain as relevant today as they were in 1921." Our inductees should feel great pride in being a member of this organization. Throughout the year, members of our chapter serve as role models for our Country Day community. They strive to maintain their high academic records. They participate in additional service-learning requirements, both on and off-campus. And, they uphold the tenets of the National Honor Society: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.

National Honor Society
Officers, 2020-2021
President- Valerie Cannella
Vice President- Parrish Abramson
Secretary- Emmeline Moore
Faculty Adviser- Maddie Oberfoell
 
Class of 2022
Parrish Abramson (2020-2021)
Valerie Cannella (2019-2020)
Layne Corcoran (2020-2021)
Ellie Davidson (2020-2021)
Claire Fernandez (2019-2020)
Eli Goodwin (2021-2022)
Mason Poole (2019-2020)
Marguerite Schwarz (2019-2020)
Ethan Taylor (2019-2020)
Maximo Valobra (2021-2022)
Wil Watrous (2020-2021)
Jack Zink (2020-2021)
Class of 2023
Parijat Basak (2020-2021)
Cole Collier (2021-2022)
Colin Cummings (2021-2022)
Colin Fiore (2021-2022)
Caroline Grant (2021-2022)
Yash Gupta (2020-2021)
Lance Hebert (2020-2021)
Jeanne Marie Landry (2021-2022)
Ellie Lee (2020-2021)
Mia Luparello (2020-2021)
Hunter Miller (2020-2021)
Isabella Miller (2020-2021)
Lila Moody (2020-2021)
Emmeline Moore (2020-2021)
Jack Morton (2020-2021)
Olivia O’Bell (2020-2021)
Armin Parsi (2020-2021)
Olivia Prout (2021-2022)
Ellie Schneider (2020-2021)
Ethan Smith (2020-2021)
Margo Thionville (2020-2021)
Gabrielle White (2021-2022)
Class of 2024
Sinnott Bland (2021-2022)
Mark Brown (2021-2022)
Claire Cannella (2021-2022)
Jack Davidson (2021-2022)
Pierce Hatheway (2021-2022)
Sarah Heebe (2021-2022)
George McCelvey (2021-2022)
James Rogers (2021-2022)
William Varisco (2021-2022)
Cooper Woods (2021-2022)
Sophie Wyatt (2021-2022)

Cum Laude Society 

The Cum Laude Society, which is the high school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, is a national organization founded in 1906. Its primary goal is to recognize and honor superior scholastic achievement. We are limited to the number of students that we can elect based on a percentage of juniors and seniors in any given year. Their nomination is based on their superior GPA, good character, honor, and integrity in all aspects of their school life. 
Cum Laude Members:

From the senior class, we welcome Emily Baumgarten, Barrett Goldenberg, Eli Goodwin, Mason Poole, and Ethan Taylor. 

In addition, Parrish Abramson, Claire Fernandez, and Jack Zink were inducted as juniors. This year's juniors include Parijat Basak, Ellie Lee, Mia Luparello, Emmeline Moore, Ellie Schneider, and Gabby White.

Michael P. Smith Award

Michael P. Smith was a legendary photographer and a member of the Country Day Class of 1955. He was praised by the Times-Picayune as "a photographer who spent three decades capturing vivid, vibrant images at jazz funerals, Mardi Gras Indian ceremonies and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival . . . A man of boundless energy who devoted himself to the culture he chronicled, Mr. Smith seemed to be everywhere at whatever event he was shooting. Fellow photographers joked that every good Jazzfest picture they took included the back of Mr. Smith's head."  Stephen Maklansky, a former curator of photography at the New Orleans Museum of Art said, "I don't think there's another photographer who has more sensitively documented very significant aspects of the second half of 20th century New Orleans culture."
 
To honor his contributions to the fields of the Arts and Humanities and to inspire a new generation of Country Day students, his classmates established the Michael P. Smith 1955 Award in the Arts and Humanities.  This award will be granted on an annual basis to a Country Day senior who has distinguished himself or herself in both the arts and the humanities. This year the award goes to Emily Baumgarten.

National Merit 

Each year 1.5 million high school juniors take the PSAT standardized test, and approximately 34,000 of those students are named National Merit Commended Scholars based on performance. Parrish Abramson was named a Class of 2022 National Merit Commended Scholar. Additionally, Parish was named a 2022 candidate in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. 
 
Over 200 high school seniors in Louisiana were named 2022 National Merit semifinalists. They are among 16,000 semifinalists named from across the nation out of the class of 2022. Emily Baumgarten is honored today as a Class of 2022 National Merit Finalist.  
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