This morning at Charlotte Latin School, the Middle School students and faculty gathered in Thies Auditorium to honor students with two of the division’s most prestigious awards. The Mary Sue Patten Scholarship (voted on by eighth grade students) goes to a student who is kind to everyone and a good representative of Charlotte Latin, on and off campus. The Alma Award (voted on by the entire Middle School student body) honors the Middle School student who shows the most caring attitude; thinks of others before self; demonstrates compassion; and shows concern for their peers, community, and family. 

Head of Middle School Louisa Polos announced the laurels — and the surprising news that this year, the Alma Award had two winners. The first recipient was eighth grader Thompson P., of whom Polos said, “She consistently chooses kindness, even when no one is watching, and embodies the values of integrity, leadership, and compassion in all that she does.” Polos added, “She is often the very first person to reach out when someone is struggling, offering support with authenticity and care.”

Speaking of eighth grader Caroline T., the second winner of the Alma Award, Polos said, “Peers specifically highlighted the way she looks out for students who are new to Latin, intentionally helping them feel connected, seen, and welcomed from the very beginning.” She shared high praise from a fellow student: “She always works hard to make others’ days better, even if she isn’t having a great day herself.”

The Alma Award comes with a $500 scholarship for next year’s tuition at Charlotte Latin, while the Mary Sue Patten Scholarship — named in the memory of a beloved Middle School secretary —  comes with a $1,000 scholarship for next year’s tuition at Charlotte Latin.

This year, the Mary Sue Patten Scholarship went to eighth grader Banks F.: “His humor, kindness, curiosity, resilience, and genuine care for others have enriched the Middle School community,” Polos asserted. One student testimonial read, “While I do not know him personally, he is always nice to my friends and me. I haven’t met a single person who dislikes him.”

In a tribute to the impact they’ve made in the lives of the people around them, each of the honored students received a spontaneous standing ovation from the Middle School community.