COLLABORATION ~ CREATIVITY ~ CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
D A V I D S O N
D A Y
S C H O O L
H O N O R S S P R I N G
2020
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Davidson Day's mission:
Davidson Day School fosters academic excellence through collaboration, creativity, and character development.
Davidson Day's values:
MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. Our faculty, staff, and coaches build genuine relationships with the students in their care, seeking to understand how they think, feel, and learn. A SECURE, SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. We prioritize physical, emotional, and intellectual safety in every academic and social environment. ENRICHING EXPERIENCES. We cultivate curious, well-rounded students. Our academic and extracurricular programs help students discover and explore their interests. INTEGRITY. We have high standards for honorable and respectful behavior. We expect our community members to be compassionate and contribute to the well-being of others.
Dear Upper School Community, Ending any school year is bittersweet; however much we look forward to the change of pace and liberation that summer offers, we also lament the separation from our friends, classmates, teachers, and colleagues. The circumstances of this year make this especially difficult, as we have missed seeing each other in-person for the past nine weeks. I have long held the opinion that good schools are known by what they choose to celebrate, and while we are not able to hold our year-end Honors Assembly in the usual manner, I am thrilled to invite you to view our inaugural Honors Magazine! Highlighted within are the sensational achievements of our students, brought about by the intersection of talent, hard work, and dedication, as recognized by our faculty. I want to thank each of the contributors from our faculty and staff, and particularly Kerri Hunt and Laura Woods, whose additional labor at the end of the year made this magazine a reality. I wish each of you a wonderful summer full of great fun, health, meaningful connections, and enriching experiences! Sincerely, Michael Smith Head of Upper School
D E P A R T M E N T A W A R D S
E N G L I S H
Kiko Williams Class of 2020
Cameryn James Class of 2021
The recipient of the 2020 English Department Senior Award is Kiko Williams.
The recipient of the 2020 English Department Underclassman Award is Cameryn James.
Kiko deserves this award not only for the significant ability he has shown as a reader, writer, and thinker, but also for his work ethic and determination to improve. Always a class leader, he nevertheless understands that even the most talented student has room to grow, and he is determined to continue his own progress. Over the course of this past year in AP Literature, I have watched him develop into an insightful critic of literature and language – from the dense prose of Joseph Conrad to the lyrics of Kanye West. Kiko’s intellectual generosity, his sense of humor, his hunger for knowledge honestly acquired, and his wideranging curiosity will take him far on whatever path he chooses to follow.
Cameryn is an exceptional student: curious, analytical, creative, and eminently teachable, she continually surprises me with her insight into the complex texts we’ve discussed in AP Literature this year. Cameryn’s passion for exploring the intersection of literature, history, and culture has inspired lively in-class discussions that often continue outside class. She has a knack for asking questions that get at the heart of the topic under discussion – from Nella Larsen’s interrogation of racial categories to Bram Stoker’s critique of Victorian gender norms. Cameryn sets high standards for herself and eagerly seeks out new challenges; next year, she will pursue further studies in English literature beyond the AP level.
- Dr. Kerri Hunt
- Dr. Kerri Hunt
E N G L I S H
M A T H
YY Xie Class of 2020
Bobby Merryman Class of 2021
The recipient of the 2020 Math Department Senior Award is YY Xie.
The recipient of the 2020 Math Department Underclassman Award is Bobby Merryman.
During her senior year, YY chose to take both AP Statistics and Calculus 3. Throughout the school year, she excelled in both of these classes. In Calculus 3, she would often step up to the whiteboard to lead her classmates when it was time to solve complicated problems. In AP Statistics, she always worked hard to make sure that she fully understood all of the material. In both classes, YY always had a positive attitude toward whatever we were learning. And she was always willing to help her classmates whenever they needed it. Those traits, combined with her work ethic, leadership, and exceptional mathematical skills made her a joy to have as a student in class this year. After graduating from Davidson Day School, YY will attend Georgia Tech. I hope she will continue to embrace her inner nerd as a Yellow Jacket!
Bobby has done outstanding work this year, developing the analytical thinking skills necessary to fully understand the concepts and theorems used in the very competitive AP Calculus BC class. Bobby is the embodiment of a mathematically proficient student. In class this year, I could see and hear him thinking – constantly trying to make sense and explaining to himself the topic or exercise being discussed, then sharing his thoughts with the rest of his peers. Whenever he felt challenged, he would very precisely and effectively communicate his problem – a strong indication of the quality of his understanding and his grasp on the material. Bobby frequently took lessons or discussions outside our classroom to share with others: from Calculus topics to why the Boeing 747-Max is not designed to fly. Thank you, Bobby, for being such a fun and clever student!
- Mr. Peter Blake
- Ms. Olga Cadilla-Sayres
E N G L I S H
H I S T O R Y
Mark Breunig Class of 2020
Daxton Nell Class of 2021
The recipient of the 2020 History Department Senior Award is Mark Breunig.
The recipient of the 2020 History Department Underclassman Award is Daxton Nell.
Mark is one of a handful of students who chose to take four AP courses in the History department during his time in the Upper School. From World History and Psychology to Microand Macroeconomics, he excelled at each. Mark routinely showed a mastery of material rivaled by few students from year to year and course to course. In two years, we’ve had three classes together and there are only a handful occasions when Mark wasn’t the highest performer across all of my sections. During class discussions and meeting privately for review, it was clear that he was considering our subjects on a deeper level. Mark’s diligence and intellect were also on display as he submitted independent research with Mr. Saunders. His curiosity, depth of understanding in complex subjects, and problem-solving skills have left a lasting impression on me. While there were many worthy candidates for the History department award this year, we’re honored to award it to Mark.
Daxton’s interest in history and social studies was evident well before he entered the Upper School. I’ve only taught Dax starting this year, but he’d approach me to ask questions and debate historical topics as a freshman on the soccer field. As of this year, he has taken three AP-level courses in the History department, and he was recommended for this award by his previous-year History teacher. What sets Dax apart isn’t his interest in his own personal success, but his intrinsic motivation to better understand the subject matter. That curiosity is a necessary trait for anyone pursuing these content areas at a higher level, and I’m sure he will find success as he continues to explore his passion for history. - Mr. Rob Simpson
- Mr. Rob Simpson
E N G L I S H
S C I E N C E
Kiko Williams Class of 2020
Kaley Dawson Class of 2021
The recipient of the 2020 Science Department Senior Award is Kiko Williams.
The recipient of the 2020 Science Department Underclassman Award is Kaley Dawson.
I had heard about Kiko for years. I thought "How great can he be? I’ve taught lots of smart kids." Well, everyone is right. Kiko is exceptional: his work is perfect, his ability and desire to understand challenging concepts is second to none, and his enthusiasm for learning and quirky sense of humor have turned many of my days around. Kiko has taken every AP science we offer at Davidson Day, along with AP math and history and English. He carries his knowledge from class to class, using biological models to explain economics and applying chemistry to every part of biology. On his Instagram page, he describes himself as a "5 Star Calculus Recruit." And in addition to being a brilliant student, he also has a job, speaks Italian, and especially enjoys "Chess Day." He is exceptional in so many ways that we could never cover them all here. He is truly a joy to teach, and to know, and we hope you remember us when you win your Nobel prize someday, Kiko, whether it is in science, literature, or (yikes) economics.
There are students who are so curious, so engaged, so eager to learn, that they make me step up my game. They make me try to be a better teacher. Kaley Dawson is one of those kids. She is an extremely well-rounded young lady and I know she’s busy – with sports, family, friends and other classes – but I swear I think she thinks about Biology all the time. She sends me texts with articles about tissue regeneration, experimental vaccines, and brains grown in a lab. This year, Kaley took AP Chemistry, Honors Forensics and Microbiology, and Honors Anatomy and Physiology. That’s a pretty impressive science schedule, but more importantly is what she did in those classes. She was always engaged, always thinking critically, and always thrilled to be learning. She never made excuses when an assignment was hard – she just figured it out. Kaley sees the creativity, logic, and beauty of science. - Mrs. Julie Brown
- Mrs. Julie Brown
E N G L I S H
W O R L D
L A N G U A G E S
Lauren Orfinik Class of 2020
Kaley Dawson Class of 2021
The recipient of the 2020 World Languages Department Senior Award is Lauren Orfinik. Lauren has been a consistently enthusiastic French student during her four years in the Upper School at Davidson Day. She absolutely loves everything French, and has shared countless new songs, news articles, videos, and French cultural tidbits over the years. Part of Lauren’s success in French comes from the challenge it posed for her. This was not always an easy course, especially when it came to grammar. There were many times during freshman and sophomore year when Lauren asked for extra grammar work or reading on her own so she could get stronger. She has been intrinsically motivated to continue with French simply because it makes her happy! Lauren, I hope that you continue exploring the world as a language learner. I know how important it is for you to travel and learn about people and their lives, and it is clear that you see French as a tool to help you accomplish these goals. Felicitations, congratulations, and Bonne Continuation!
The recipient of the 2020 World Languages Department Underclassman Award is Kaley Dawson. In Spanish 5 Honors this year, the quality and depth of Kaley’s work has consistently set the bar for her peers. During this academic term, her language skills progressed immensely. She is able to communicate detailed information with specialized vocabulary, as well as communicate nuanced opinions on complex issues. Her stellar work this year has ranged from an informational presentation about the origins of the global pandemic to literary analysis of the works of Isabel Allende and Jorge Luis Borges. Beyond simply understanding the language and mimicking the words or thoughts of others, Kaley has the ability to showcase her unique ideas, pushing her language skills to the limit to share creative and interesting insight. It is remarkable to observe the truly advanced language proficiency she has achieved to date! - Mrs. Brittany Shelley
- Mrs. Ellen Teyssier
E N G L I S H
T E C H N O L O G Y
YY Xie Class of 2020
Charlie Caputo Class of 2022
The recipient of the 2020 Technology Department Senior Award is YY Xie.
The recipient of the 2020 Technology Department Underclassman Award is Charlie Caputo.
This past school year saw the introduction of a new course, Computer Aided Design, into the Technology Department. From the start of the year, YY took the assignments in stride and showed initiative by teaching herself the features and concepts of the software. Not only did she complete her own work to an exemplary standard, she was also instrumental in helping other students with their work. After completing all her assignments, YY began working on additional projects, above and beyond the course curriculum, to further her knowledge in Computer Aided Design.
Charlie has been taking computer science classes at Davidson Day for the past two years. During this time, he has shown enormous interest in computers. In AP Computer Science Principles this year, he demonstrated an ability and desire to ask overarching questions to further his knowledge in the subject material both inside and outside the classroom. Charlie will continue his studies next year in AP Computer Science A, and plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science in college.
- Mr. Dwight Jessup
- Mr. Dwight Jessup
V I S U A L
A R T
Emma Lindquist Class of 2020
Emma Lott Class of 2021
The recipient of the 2020 Visual Art Senior Award is Emma Lindquist.
The recipient of the 2020 Visual Underclassman Award is Emma Lott.
When we are selecting a senior to recognize in the Visual Art department, we often face the dilemma of choosing between talent and commitment. Fortunately, Emma Lindquist has distinguished herself in both of these areas. In AP Studio Art, each student chooses a “sustained investigation”: a series of related works that they will create that year. Emma chose portrait painting, one of the most challenging subjects. Portraiture requires an understanding of proportions, values, and color, along with skillful brushwork. Beginning with a self-portrait, Emma went on to paint several of her friends, putting in the hours of work necessary to develop each painting into a cohesive likeness that was easily recognized and appreciated by her peers. Inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo, she incorporates patterns and still-life objects into her paintings to tell us more about her subjects. Emma is a skilled artist, but she does not rest on her talent. She quietly outworks her competition, establishing herself as the clear choice for this award.
Emma is now in her third year of photography, and it has been a joy to watch her grow – not only as an artist, but as a caring, gracious, bold, engaging, dedicated, independent, complicated, curious, silly, serious, and talented human being. Emma finds the unexpected in the everyday. She is able to walk through the woods, stop where detritus is interesting, and capture the beauty she finds in the subtle shift of color beneath her steps. She sees the moment the straw blows from the elephant's trunk. She finds the heart in the giraffe’s pattern of spots. She sees jeweled spiderwebs in the morning fog. Emma goes beyond what is asked of her. She is curious. She researches. She discovers – and applies her discoveries to her photographs, her presentations, her illustrations, her Photo-a-Day project, her website, and her portfolio. Emma brings a love of life not only to her photography but to our class with moments of silliness as well as times of contemplation. All done with grace, and each class finished with a genuine thank you – even as we continue with our classes online.
- Mr. Mike Thomas - Mrs. Laura Woods
E N G L I S H
Art
P E R F O R M I N G
A R T S
Bella Mascorro Class of 2020
Sydney Brown Class of 2021
The recipient of the 2020 Performing Arts Senior Award is Bella Mascorro.
The recipient of the 2020 Performing Arts Underclassman Award is Sydney Brown.
Drummer Steve Such has "A Hundred Rules for Drummers." Here are three that apply to Bella: #25: Play the song, not the drums: Bella understands that there is no one experience that overrides the bigger picture. She looks at what’s ahead in her life; what kind of meaningful part she is going to play; how she is going to make an impact. #20: Communicate with Soloists: Drummers are the literal support of the song and of everyone who is playing or singing the song. There is an unspoken message communicated from a drummer to a soloist: "I got you; I’m behind you." It’s a relationship of trust. Bella is one of our most trustworthy performers onstage. #87: Listen, Practice, Play: When she goes into listening mode, it’s common to see Bella’s hands "drumming" out rhythms. This literal interpretation of "listen, practice, play" is easy to imagine – but it’s also just the way Bella lives her life. She is a compassionate listener, able to put into practice the ideas and advice she believes are important, and she gets what it is to play – whether she’s literally playing a song, or a scene, or just letting go and having fun!
In this year’s round of senior speeches, it’s hard to ignore the number of seniors who chose to be introduced by Sydney Brown. Speaking for Bella Mascorro, Sydney recalled playing with the Contemporary Ensemble as a middle school student, clad in her regulation polo shirt and khakis, in awe of the talented Upper School kids. This image reminded me of just how valuable Sydney has been as a member of our performing arts community – all the way back to fifth grade! From ensemble roles to featured characters, Sydney shines. This year, she leapt at new challenges, stretching her acting and singing chops to play the sultry and captivating Justice Charlier in Rock of Ages, as well as taking on the bass (besides flute, keyboard, and vocals) in Contemporary Ensemble. While it is a joy to witness her growth as an actor, singer, musician and visual artist, there is also something already evolved about her. She’s talented on many levels, but it is her fierce work ethic, professionalism and honest connection to others that caused her peers to request Sydney’s words on their behalf, and that made her our choice for the 2020 Performing Arts Award.
- Ms. Joanna Gerdy
E N G- Ms.L Joanna I SGerdy H
U N I V E R S I T Y B O O K A W A R D S
Katherine Nikolich Class of 2021
J e f f e r s o n B o o k A w a r d The Jefferson Book Award was established by the University of Virginia to recognize outstanding students during their junior year. The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, who wished to establish a university with a truly national stature. In his own words, he hoped it would be a “temptation to the youth of other states to come and drink from the cup of knowledge and fraternize with us.” UVA’s Lawn and Rotunda are the architectural centerpieces of the University community and were designed by Jefferson himself. Today, the University is not only national in stature, but also international. Thirteen thousand undergraduate students from all over the world study liberal arts in such specialized areas as education, nursing, engineering, architecture, and business. Davidson Day recognizes this year’s Jefferson Book Award recipient, Katherine Nikolich, as a student who embraces creativity and innovation and embodies the spirit of discovery, like Thomas Jefferson. Katherine is a demonstrated citizen leader who works to improve her community locally and globally.
Bobby Merryman Class of 2021
T h e R e n s s e l a e r M e d a l For more than 100 years, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in conjunction with high schools around the world, has awarded the Rensselaer Medal to promising secondary school students who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science. The Medal was first presented in 1916 with two purposes: to recognize the superlative academic achievement of young men and women, and to motivate students toward careers in science, engineering, and technology. A merit scholarship with a value of $30,000 per year is guaranteed for four years for each Medalist who is accepted and enrolls at Rensselaer. This year’s Rensselaer Medal Award winner is Bobby Merryman.
Sydney Brown Class of 2021
H a r v a r d B o o k P r i z e A w a r d The Harvard Book Prize Award Program was originated by Harvard alumni in 1910 in an effort to attract young, talented college-bound students to Harvard University. Students selected to receive the award must display excellence in scholarship, high character, and high achievement in extracurricular activities. This year’s winner of the Harvard Book Prize, Sydney Brown, exemplifies excellence and achievement. Harvard has a distinguished list of alumni, a number of whom have contributed to the Harvard Book of Essays. The Harvard Book Award books are revised every few years, with some essays added and others replaced, but the end result is the same: a broad history and view of life and experiences at Harvard. John F. Kennedy described Harvard as “a humbling, stimulating, intellectually challenging, competitive, and inspiring community with two goals in mind, first, challenge you to come to the realization of what learning has to offer to your mind and second, the freedom that learning offers. You can never be bound by your circumstances, as long as you have the freedom to think, learn and challenge yourself.”
Cameryn James Class of 2021
Y a l e A w a r d Since its founding in 1701, Yale University has been dedicated to expanding and sharing knowledge, inspiring innovation, and preserving cultural and scientific information for future generations. Yale’s reach is both local and international. It partners with its hometown of New Haven, Connecticut to strengthen the city’s community and economy. And it engages with people and institutions across the globe in the quest to promote cultural understanding, improve the human condition, delve more deeply into the secrets of the universe, and train the next generation of world leaders. Local Yale Clubs recognize outstanding juniors each year by presenting the Yale Book of Quotations, a collection of quotes that draws not only from literary and historical sources but also from popular culture, sports, technology, science, politics, law, and the social sciences. This book is presented to a student of outstanding personal character and intellectual promise who exemplifies the characteristics of a Yale student. Yale University is pleased to join Davidson Day School in recognizing Cameryn James.
Kaley Dawson Class of 2021
W e l l e s l e y C o l l e g e B o o k A w a r d The Wellesley College Book Award honors young women in their junior year of high school who are visible members of their schools and communities and who have excelled through determination, motivation, and achievement in their academic and extracurricular activities. For over 140 years, Wellesley College has fostered outstanding academic and personal achievement in women. Wellesley graduates have made exceptional contributions to our nation. For example, Wellesley has educated former Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton; former U.S. Ambassador and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; and renowned broadcast journalists Diane Sawyer and Cokie Roberts. In the spirit of this tradition, this year’s Wellesley College Book Award goes to Kaley Dawson, a young woman who has the highest personal and intellectual expectations. She will be awarded the Norton Book of Women's Lives, a collection of twentieth-century literature of women's lives that includes autobiographies, journal entries, and memoirs.
N A T I O N A L M E R I T S C H O L A R S H I P F I N A L I S T S
Mark Breunig Class of 2020
Will Confoy Class of 2020
Over 1.5 million juniors from approximately 21,000 high schools entered the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 advance to the Finalist level.
J U N I O R
M A R S H A L S
The role of Junior Marshal is an honor bestowed on the top academic students from the junior class. Junior Marshals serve as volunteers and help the Graduation Committee with all commencement related events. They play an especially important role in Graduation rehearsal and the Graduation ceremony.
The Class of 2021 Junior Marshals (in alphabetical order) are: Sydney Brown
Kaley Dawson
Mallorie Haines
Cameryn James
Katherine Nikolich
Andrew Parker
S A L U T A T O R I A N
Kiko Williams Class of 2020
The salutatorian for the Class of 2020 is Christopher “Kiko” Williams. There is no shortage of superlatives to choose from when composing a profile of Kiko Williams. A dual U.S. and Italian citizen, Kiko has a global perspective that fosters his quiet confidence and allows him to be comfortable in his own skin. Scholastically, he is one of those students who love to learn simply for the sake of learning. He embraces every opportunity for academic challenge that ignites his curiosity. In every class, Kiko works hard to connect with his teachers, master concepts, understand deeply, and measure the impact of whatever he is learning on himself and the world around him. Throughout his four years in the Upper School, he never earned a grade below an “A” in any course he took, including eleven AP courses and twelve Honors courses. Those closest to him admire his charismatic, diligent, and optimistic personality as much as his fierce intelligence. Kiko will attend Duke University in the fall.
V A L E D I C T O R I A N
Mark Breunig Class of 2020
The valedictorian for the Class of 2020 is Mark Florian Breunig. Mark is one of our senior “Lifers,” and his peers have long looked up to him for his emotional intelligence and academic brilliance. His approach to each course is thorough and assiduous: he engages in discussions with refined and probing questions and does it all with a sense of humor. Mark, who has taken a remarkable eleven AP courses during his Upper School tenure, has the admirable ability to digest sophisticated material and excel at the highest level of scholastic achievement. As a result, his transcript is flawless, with nothing but straight “A”s in the Upper School – including the four high-school-level courses that he took while still in middle school. Mark managed to build this academic profile while playing varsity basketball for each of his four years in the Upper School, as well as varsity golf for three years and soccer for two. He has also participated in three ongoing archeological research projects with the AFAR program, in Belize, Spain, and Greece. Mark will attend the University of Virginia in the fall.
S T U D E N T S O F C H A R A C T E R 3 R D Aiden Lank Class of 2023
Delaney Brown Class of 2022
Q U A R T E R
The freshman Student of Character for the third quarter is Aiden Lank. Recently, our Shakespeare in Performance class considered the question: what is the most meaningful act a friend has done for you? I could answer this question with a story about Aiden. It is just one example, but I believe it proves what a thoughtful, selfless, and incredibly devoted guy he is. As a theatre director, I’ve become used to working alone well into the wee hours. During Rock of Ages, there were nearly a thousand projection cues to research, edit, and program. While there are a lot of things I am comfortable handling alone, I simply don’t have the skill set to manage this particular job. Aiden was in the show; he went to school all day, then straight into rehearsal until 7:00 or 8:00 p.m., AND he was a projection designer for the show. When it became clear that the work could not be completed during "normal" working hours, he told me, unbidden, "don’t worry, Ms. G, I promise I’ll stay as late as I need to. We’ll get it done." I knew he was exhausted, but he NEVER complained. In fact, he stayed positive, even cheerful, as the hours wore on and on. He showed up for me that night, proving he was someone I could count on. I will never forget that selfless act of kindness. - Ms. Joanna Gerdy
The sophomore Student of Character for the third quarter is Delaney Brown. Maya Angelou, a renowned author, actress, and civil rights activist, once said: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." If you have ever crossed paths with Delaney, she has undoubtedly made you feel better about yourself and better about the world in which we live! Her teachers and coaches use adjectives such as "ray of sunshine," "thoughtful," "pleasant," "a natural leader," "invested," and "committed" to describe Delaney’s personality and her level of integrity. Whether in the classroom, on the lacrosse field, or just hanging out with her friends, she is kind, respectful, and always recognizes the needs of others before her own. As we moved to remote learning, Delaney’s positive attitude never wavered, and she took it upon herself to find creative ways to spread happiness to her peers and her teammates. Never complaining, never looking for the easy way out, she is an inspiration and a role model to anyone she encounters. - Mrs. Kristy Johnson
Mallorie Haines Class of 2021
Sara Motto Class of 2020
The junior Student of Character for the third quarter is Mallorie Haines. Having taught Mallorie for the last two years, I have grown to appreciate how special and unique she is. In the classroom, she is driven to excel. She is only satisfied when she performs at the top level that she believes herself to be capable of. She sets a remarkable example for her peers, and also sets the standard for what it means to be a hardworking, diligent student. Mallorie is genuine; she knows how to pick people up when they’re down, and always comes from a place of love and caring. When she had to miss two weeks of the basketball season due to injury, she was losing her mind because she missed the game she loved so much, and because it hurt her so badly not to be helping her teammates. Away from school and sports, Mallorie enjoys simple pleasures like solving sudoku and jigsaw puzzles. She is a fiercely loyal friend. She loves her grandparents so much that she relinquished an opportunity to compete for a spot on a national basketball team last summer to visit them at their home in Alaska. For all these reasons, Mallorie is the welldeserved recipient of the Junior Student of Character Award for the third quarter. - Mr. Steve McGill
The senior Student of Character for the third quarter is Sara Motto. Every teacher’s goal is to create an environment that promotes learning. Nothing works better than student leaders who set the example for their fellow classmates. Sara was this leader in Conceptual Physics all year. When a senior gets "stuck" in a freshman class (due to transferring in), they might be tempted to keep to themselves and avoid engaging with their much younger classmates. Sara did the exact opposite. She led by example during lab activities – keeping one of the most organized lab notebooks ever. She led by speaking up in group discussion, assuring even the quietest, most unsure freshmen that their voices mattered. She led when I was out and there was a sub – the sub left a note praising Sara (and fellow senior Adam Brazil) on their leadership. I believe that her younger classmates will benefit from Sara’s example for the rest of their upper school careers and beyond. I will miss Sara in class next year; I would say that I wish her luck next year – but Sara doesn’t need luck, she’s got something much more likely to help her succeed in college: a great attitude and a thirst for learning. - Mr. Crispin McDonald
S T U D E N T S O F C H A R A C T E R 4 T H Piper Griffith Class of 2023
Ella Grace Wolfe Class of 2022
Q U A R T E R
The freshman Student of Character for the fourth quarter is Piper Griffith. We think of a person of excellent character as someone who is trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, and caring. Piper possesses all of these traits. Over the course of this unprecedented fourth quarter, she has consistently done her very best to be the student she was when we left the building for an unspecified period of time on March 13th. Since then, Piper has shown up for our class (usually the first in the waiting room), done every single assignment well and on-time (often going above and beyond the scope of the assignment) and always used her own words (instead of having an online translator do the work for her). For me, she was a source of reliability each day, which brought a bit of comfort while navigating the new world of online teaching. I’m proud to present the fourth quarter Freshman Student of Character Award to Piper Griffith! - Mrs. Ellen Teyssier
The sophomore Student of Character for the fourth quarter is Ella Grace Wolfe. We are only given 1,440 minutes in a day, and yet for so many of us those minutes slip away through procrastination, distraction, or laziness. Ella Grace seems impervious to this human malady. She is deeply self-disciplined. She shows up – in mind, body, and spirit. Even during remote learning, she has always been mentally present in classroom conversations. Ella Grace is honest, respectful, humble, and compassionate, with an astonishing work ethic. She takes advantage of time with teachers. She asks questions. In Yearbook, she not only reviews her own work but also reads other pages and brings errors to light so we can correct them before printing. Not a day goes by when she doesn’t greet everyone and ask how they are doing. During out-ofclass hours, Ella Grace has filled her sketchbook with complex drawings of Disney characters as part of an optional online class she is taking purely for fun. Her innate inclination toward conscious purposefulness is simply awesome! - Mrs. Tiffani Thomas
Andrew Parker Class of 2021
Kiley Woods Class of 2020
The junior Student of Character for the fourth quarter is Andrew Parker. Finding the negative in any situation is the easiest, and hence the laziest, thing to do. It takes minimal effort to complain, especially in less than ideal settings. Andrew Parker is the embodiment of someone who makes a daily commitment to be positive. He doesn't make a big deal of it. Nor does he draw attention to his commitment. He just does it - day in, day out. He combines this optimism with graciousness, consideration, and a dry sense of humor. We could easily sing Andrew's praises for his intelligence, his musical and other talents. But the thing that truly distinguishes Andrew is the fact that he makes every situation in which he finds himself, better. Whether we realize it or not, we have all benefited from Andrew's quiet commitment to being part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. Thank you, Andrew, and congratulations! - Mr. Noel Freidline
The senior Student of Character for the fourth quarter is Kiley Woods. Kiley has always been a thoughtful student, inventive writer, and caring friend, but this year she has taken on the challenge of sharing her unique, authentic perspective with a wider audience. She performed in the fall and spring musicals, joined the Cheer team, and shared her work during the Upper School poetry reading this past winter. Then came the challenge of moving to remote learning in the fourth quarter of her senior year. Kiley has not only thrived in the remote/online learning environment, she’s used the enforced isolation of learning from home as an opportunity and an inspiration for introspection and personal growth. At a time when many seniors are starting to loosen the reins of their attention and looking forward to summer and college, Kiley doubled down her effort in AP Lit and, motivated by her desire to grow as a writer, surpassed my expectations for her final project in Creative Writing. In the fall, Kiley will be attending the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where she plans to study creative writing and journalism. I look forward to seeing her work in print in the future! - Dr. Kerri Hunt
P A T R I O T A T H L E T I C C L U B A T H L E T E O F T H E Y E A R
Each year, the Patriot Athletic Club (PAC) sponsors the selection of one female and one male Athlete of the Year recipient. Our student athletes consistently reach high levels of achievement. Their spirit, determination and dedication are reflected daily, both on and off the field. They are the leaders at practice, the generals on the field, and are loyal to their teammates. The PAC Athlete of the Year Award, the highest award given in athletics at Davidson Day School, was created to honor the athletes who best demonstrate these qualities.
Cierra Huntley Class of 2020
Jackson Threadgill Class of 2020
The female recipient of the 2020 PAC Athlete of the Year Award is Cierra Huntley.
The male recipient of the 2020 PAC Athlete of the Year Award is Jackson Threadgill.
As one of the most decorated student athletes in Davidson Day’s history, Cierra helped lead the volleyball team to its second state championship during her four years of participation. She was selected as the Foothills Athletic Conference Player of the Year as she led the Patriots to the FAC Conference Championship. Cierra recorded 240 kills, 210 digs, and had 48 aces this season. Her performance this season led to her being selected All-State by the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) for the fourth consecutive year. In addition to volleyball, Cierra competed on the Track & Field team. She will attend Virginia Tech on a full volleyball scholarship in the fall.
“Focused,” “hardworking,” and “dedicated” are just a few words that describe Jackson’s approach to life. This approach helped him lead Davidson Day School to a 30-1 season record and a state championship victory this season (the first in school history for boys’ basketball). A tremendous all-round player, Jackson averaged 18 points per game during the season and 26 points per game during the team’s state title run this year. He was named the Foothills Athletic Conference Player of the Year, as well as a North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association All-State for the second consecutive year. Jackson was also chosen to play in the prestigious North Carolina Private School AllStar game. He will attend the University of North Carolina-Charlotte on a full basketball scholarship in the fall.
P R I D E Â O F A P A T R I O T A W A R D
Given by the Athletic Department, the Pride of a Patriot Award recognizes a Davidson Day community member who distinguishes himself or herself in the athletic arena. This award may not necessarily find a recipient each year, because it does not simply measure conventional statistics, coveted awards, or game-winning highlights. Instead, it looks to the core of the candidate and measures their heart, their determination, their dedication, and their eagerness to play whatever role is needed for the good of the team, the program, and the school. The ideal candidate is a person who demonstrates the true pride of a Patriot by vigorously supporting Davidson Day School athletics.
Olivia Oosterhouse Class of 2020
Anyone who has watched Olivia Oosterhouse compete as a member of our Cheerleading and Volleyball teams has witnessed her commitment, enthusiasm, and passion. Olivia’s non-stop energy and her support for her teammates made her an irreplaceable part of both teams. Head Cheer Coach Jessica Carter reports that Olivia “has been a great asset to the Cheer squad for the past three years. This year she really led the squad and was always willing to help other squad members learn the dances and routines.” Head Volleyball Coach Catherine Fulton adds: “It has been my pleasure having Olivia in the volleyball program for the past eight years. The energy and excitement she brings to everything she does is contagious! She is a great teammate and friend, and will be missed next year.” Davidson Day School Athletics thanks Olivia for all she has brought to our program. She will attend the University of Colorado-Boulder in the fall.
Mark Breunig Class of 2020
Mark Breunig’s commitment to Davidson Day athletics was demonstrated by his consistent participation on Patriot sports teams during his four-year Upper School tenure. As a member of the Basketball, Golf, and Soccer teams, Mark represented Davidson Day with pride and passion. Head Soccer Coach Brad Laatsch calls Mark “a complete 'team above self' kid. He was always willing to do what was best for the team.” Head Golf Coach Michael Thomas “was never surprised when his teammates would request to be paired with Mark.” Head Boys Basketball Coach Ron Johnson adds that it was Mark’s “willingness to assist the team wherever necessary that helped propel us to a state championship this year.” Mark’s overall dedication and success in athletics is even more remarkable when you consider his stellar academic performance. A Davidson Day School “Lifer,” Mark will be missed in the classroom, on the court, and on the field.