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Bowman Benge Receives Bush Award Martha O'Brien '15
Awards Writer Astheendoftheschoolyearapproaches,wetaketime to acknowledge our school's exceptional students. The Charles W. Bush award is given to one junior boy and one
junior girl who have demonstrated the school's three main idealsofcharacter,scholarshipandservicethroughouttheir years at Wilmington Friends. This year, Bowman Benge receives the celebrated Charles W. Bush award. Establishedbytheboardoftrustees,theBushawardis dedicatedtoaformerWilmingtonFriendsHeadofSchool, Charles W. Bush, who served from 19221935.Aselectioncommittee,composedof the junior faculty, the eleventh grade team leader, and the Head of the Upper School chooses the recipient of the award. The
he regularly enriches our history classrooms by bringing that perspective into discussions !" Benge works diligently in and out of class to improve his understanding of the evolution of world history. According to Ergueta, this is not because he is an overachiever, but simply because he finds leaning fun. ``Bowman is already a model lifelong leaner," Ergueta adds. The last requirement for the Bush award is service. Benge dedicates himself to service, in and outside of the school community. "He thinks beyond himself," Zug comments. Since his freshman year, he has given back to the school community by participating in clubs such as MOAS, World Affairs, Agenda
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Committee, Nominating committee, and
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Quizbowl. Forthe 2012-2013 school year, he will clerk MOAS, a unique committee
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that enriches students' understanding about international diplomacy, inter-American
process to select the winner is complicated and thorough. Each year there are many students who demonstrate the character, scholarship, and service ideals that make an excellent candidate for the Bush Award. However, only one outstanding male
junior has the honor of receiving it. Bowman Benge is a great example of a positive character for the student body. Rebecca Zug, Head of Upper BwsfeAwclrd Wi.#"er School, describes Benge as having "strong Bowm¢# Be#ge
problems, and government procedures. Students in the club participate in the annual Model Organization of American States Conference in Washington D.C., with other high school students from across the country. Benge creates a balance of knowledge and continues to form connections between his studies and extra-curricular activities. As a Bush award recipient, Benge will receive one hundred dollars for educational
principles" that he brings to the classroom everyday. Javier Ergueta, Benge's History teacher, says puxposes, a letter from Head of School, Bryan Garman, he consistently "exercises discipline, hard work, and and will have his name engraved on the Charles W. Bush
perseverance ," which shows in his work and commitment to the school. Scholarship is another important quality of a Bush Award recipient. Members of the committee consider students who not only have good grades, but who are also truly curious to learn more. Benge has shown his teachers and fellow students that he strives to get the most out of every class. Benge takes a certain interest in History classes. Ergueta appreciates how he brings his Turkish heritage into the classroom: "We're very fortunate that
plaque , alongside the names of all the past winners . Benge will forever leave his mark on Wilmington Friends School, and will serve as a model for students in years to come. Bowman Benge's commitment to school , outstanding leadership qualities, and love of giving back make him a
perfect recipient for the 2012 Charles W. Bush Award. Throughout high school, Benge has never stopped being himself, and he is a great role model for underclassmen. The whole school community is excited to see what he will accomplish in the future.
Dunia Tonob Wins Charles W. Bush Award leadership in the community is admirable . ``Dunia focuses on both her school work and her committees with the utmost dedication. As clerk of many committees, she The female Charles W. Bush Award is given to a has become as involved as possible with her community. junior girl every year to honor exceptional demonstration She serves as an example to her peers," says Service of "character, scholarship, and service." Coordinator Behnaz Varamini. Tonob's Each year, a selection committee must involvement in the school community is truly exceptional, with leadership pick a recipient from a pool of nominees . "Every year it's so hard to pick," says roles in the Bio-Ethics Bowl Club and Rebeccazug,Headofupperschool."We GSA committees. However, Tonob's have so many fabulous students , but that's selflessness truly shines in her leadership what makes this award so meaningful." of the Compassionate Care Hospice This year, the committee has decided to committee, which provides students award Dunia Tonob with the Charles W. with the opportunity to volunteer at Bush Award. the Compassionate Care Hospice in Tonob, this year's recipient, is "an Wilmington. "She gave a presentation obvious choice," as Lynn Puritz-Fine, on her work at the hospice, and I was Dean for Students, puts it. Tonob has astoundedathergenerosityofspirit,"says stood out to faculty throughout her Puritz-Fine.BradeyBulk,Tonob'sFrench Dunia Tonob , teacher, speaks of Tonob's dedication to years at Friends because of her integrity, Bush Award Winner compassion, and intelligence. "Dunia both her school work and others: "Dunia is the perfect recipient for this award has one of the most compassionate and because she will be sulprised, not expectant," Puritz-Fine empathetic hearts of any student that I have taught. She says. ``Dunia does what she does without caring about truly models for us all how service can enrich one's own the glory." life and those of the community." Any student or faculty member at Friends can confimi It is clear to all that Tonob is an exceptionally these thoughts. Tonob's peers all know how incredibly deservingrecipientoftheBushAward.Theprimarygoalof hard she works, in all her classes. Her teachers see this the award is to honor a junior boy and a junior girl for their too.Rebeccazug,TheoryofKnowledgeTeacher,remarks "character, scholarship, and service." Dunia Tonob is an that Tonob "contributes a huge amount of knowledge and exemplary student as well as an impressively hardworking perspective to Theory of Knowledge." Zug adds, "She's and kindhearted leader, but her humility and empathy for an incredibly deep thinker." others have made her stand out. Thank you, Dunia, for In addition to being an exceptional student, Tonob's your contributions to the Wilmington Friends community. Ellie MCGinnis '14
Awards Writer
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wilmington, DE
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