This morning, the Upper School community gathered in Thies Auditorium for one of the signature events of the Charlotte Latin School year: a celebration of the outstanding achievements of its students across a wide spectrum of human knowledge and effort. In recognition of their accomplishments, students were praised by their teachers and loudly applauded by their peers.

The privilege of announcing these awards was shared by members of the Charlotte Latin faculty and administration, including Head of School Chuck Baldecchi, Associate Head of School Dr. Sonja Taylor, Head of Upper School Tracey Vanneste, Dean of Academic Affairs Abigail Cudabac, and Dean of Students Whitney Duquette. “We have much to celebrate,” Baldecchi noted in his opening remarks.

Each award summed up years of high achievement and high character — which happily, are in abundance among Charlotte Latin students, including those who were not cited this morning. As Vanneste noted at the beginning of the program, “We are proud of those who receive awards, but we know that we have many, many deserving students.”

The Johnson Scholarship at Washington and Lee University is a merit-based award that recognizes academic achievement, personal character, leadership, and potential to contribute to the university community: the highly competitive award covers the full cost of tuition, room, and board. This year’s recipient was Kelsey Sciacca ’26.

The Presidential Scholars Program of High Point University is the school’s top-tier award for its incoming freshman: it recognizes high-achieving students who excel in the areas of citizenship, leadership, and scholarship. Honorees receive a scholarship covering the full cost of tuition. It was received by “a student who has shown a commitment to excellence in and out of the classroom,” Samora Elam ’26.

The Hampden-Sydney Book Award went to a student who “inspires his classmates with his optimism, infectiously positive attitude, and desire to truly get to know his peers and teachers”: Henry Brooks ’27.

The Harvard Book Award honors outstanding high school students for academic and personal accomplishments: it went to “a student who who knows that one instrument alone does not make an orchestra, and so he chooses to collaborate humbly and earnestly, elevating the voices around him in harmony with his own”: Clark Fan ’27.

The University of Notre Dame Book Award recognizes a student whose achievements exemplify scholarship, leadership, service, and character. It was received by a student who “has selflessly served on the Honor Council, providing unquestionable leadership while also demonstrating her own deep commitment to personal integrity,” Sophie Edwards ’27.

The Optime Merens award, awarded by Charlotte Latin to students who would enrich any college campus, went to a student who has “a thirst to take classwork to the next level by exceeding expectations on a regular basis”: Margaret Piasecki ’27.

The St. Lawrence University Book Award recognizes students who have made exceptional contributions in the areas of equality, diversity, and inclusion and have worked to foster a community where all individuals are respected and valued. It went to “a conduit for the spirit of adventure”: Bennett DuBose ’27.

The University of Virginia’s Jefferson Book Award recognizes “a demonstrated citizen leader who… embraces creativity and innovation…[and] works to improve his or her community locally or globally”. The recipient this year was “a natural leader” who “approaches the world with relentless curiosity”: Erik Anglemyer ’27.

The William and Mary Leadership Award is presented to a junior who demonstrates inspirational leadership, outstanding scholarship, and unwavering loyalty to their high school and community: it was awarded to the “loyal, thoughtful, genuine, and generous” Alex Korkowski ’27.

The Yale Book Award is given to a junior in the top 10% of the class with outstanding character and a high level of intellectual achievement: this year, the “articulate, sophisticated, and sometimes hilarious” Henry Anglemyer ’27.

The Class of 1975 Award went to a student who “shows us that true leadership is defined by the depth of one’s character and the compassion of one’s actions”: Matthew Barber ’26.

The Class of 1982 Award was received by a student who “embodies growth with purpose, humility, and determination”: Keller Onstad ’27.

The Marjorie Nicholls Friendship Award, named in honor of a departed member of the class of 1985, and further funded by the class of 1994, goes to a senior known for “his contagious laughter, outgoing spirit, and sincere kindness”: Maxwell Williams ’26.

The Baird Private Wealth Management Scholar Award is given annually to a graduating senior who displays a strong work ethic, seeks growth-promoting opportunities, challenges himself to excel and who has an interest in business, finance, or economics. The recipient receives a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to intern at Baird: it went to a student with both academic success and “significant entrepreneurial initiative”: Daniel Lokas ’26.

The Bob Patten Scholarship Award honors a student who exemplifies the spirit, character, and discipline of Bob Patten, long-time Charlotte Latin School football coach and Dean of Students. “Through his dedication, he mastered the difficult; through his voice he has elevated his peers; through his character, he has won the hearts of his teammates”: that was the classically inspired description of honoree Charles Guggenheimer ’27.

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship from the community-based philanthropic women’s organization called the P.E.O. Sisterhood. It went to a junior who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, academics — and who exhibits the “potential for success”: Avery Bly ’26.

The Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award recognizes a junior with a demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, a dedication to community action, and achievement in rigorous courses in the humanities and social sciences: the honor was received by a student who “is driven not only to research and understand complex social issues, but also to advocate for the communities most affected by them”: Lilly Berkovich ’27.

The inaugural Annissia NaWilla Neal ’84 Inclusion and Belonging Award, named in memory of the first Black graduate of Charlotte Latin School, honors an outstanding junior who intentionally includes others, nurtures friendships across differences, and advocates for peers in ways that promote understanding and belonging. The laurel was received by a student who “does not simply occupy space but expands it”: Michaela Maldfeld ’27.

The Global Citizen Award honors a student who “demonstrates a curiosity about our interconnected world,” said Kelly Willis, Director of Global Studies. The award went to a student who “reminds us that global citizenship is found in the brave choice to take risks, connect with others, keep an open heart, and welcome the world in”: Kate Seaman ’26.

The George Eastman Young Leaders Award is given to a junior with strong leadership skills, excellent grades in a challenging curriculum, and dedication to varied, extensive, or time-consuming co-curricular activities. This year, said Director of Student Leadership Development Dr. David-Aaron Roth, “a model leader that we are all fortunate to work with,” Sejal Dhiman ’27.

The plaque for the Patrick N. Calhoun Sportsmanship Award says that it is for “outstanding contributions to Charlotte Latin School’s Athletic Program in leadership, teamwork, ability, and high standard of conduct”: it went to the “versatile, impactful, trustworthy, humble” Banks Cutter ’26.

Upper School English Department Head Robin Siczek gave the Hawk Eye Award for achievement on the student yearbook to a student she said was “driven by relentless curiosity and a keen eye”: Kennedy Clutter ’28.

She also presented the Eyry Leadership Award to “the true heartbeat of the yearbook staff,” Bergan McLeod ’28.

The C.W. Stacks Service Award, recognizing a student who has transformed the lives of others through their volunteer work, went to a student Upper School English Teacher Jessica Lee said “illuminates how service to the community takes many forms but centers on goodness and gratitude”: Sophia Smith ’26.

Brittany Mercado, faculty sponsor of Student Council, sang the praises of the ten seniors who served on StuCo, and gave the Student Council award to “an outstanding leader”: Anisha Chandra ’26.

The Excellence in Drama Award went to a student that Director of Theater Arts Matt Cosper said “shows up ready to work, building characters that are as remarkable for their nuance as their ferocity”: Flo Roper ’26.

He praised the winner of the Excellence in Musical Theater Award as “one of the finest character actors we’ve seen in Latin musicals”: Max Colaco ’26.

The Excellence in Technical Theatre Award is presented to a senior who has demonstrated superior professionalism, knowledge, leadership, and dedication to the Charlotte Latin Stage Crew and the Performing Arts Department: it went to the “valued leader” and “excellent collaborator” AJ Jefferson ’26.

The John Philip Sousa Band Award, the top nationwide award for school band, is presented to an outstanding band student in recognition of superior musicianship, leadership, dependability, loyalty, discipline and cooperation. Alicia Long, Director of Performing Arts, cited the “shining example” of Avery Youse ’26.

The National School Orchestra Award goes to a student who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship and leadership, praised by Long for being “the driving force keeping the orchestra together”: Wills Hutchinson ’26.

The National School Choral Award, the highest honor for high school choral performers, recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of choral students who exemplify great choral singing and leadership. Long lauded the “beautiful soprano voice” and “absolute joy in being a ‘choir kid’” of Samora Elam ’26 and the “marvelous bass voice” and “natural confidence and leadership skills” of John Puyleart ’26.

The Outstanding Achievement in Visual Art Award, for the first time, went to two students — both drawn to portraiture, said Visual Arts Department Chair Richard Fletcher. “They represent two very different, yet equally compelling ways of seeing and making, each rooted in dedication, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to their craft,” he said: Isabel Yang ’26 and Sophia Oh ’26.

The Outstanding Competitor in Speech Award was described by Director of Speech and Debate Bilal Butt as “an incredibly gifted writer” with the ability “to think quickly and critically”: Isabel Yang ’26.

He cited the recipient of the Most Outstanding Competitor in Debate Award for her “exceptional coachability and receptiveness to feedback,” calling her an “invaluable leader and mentor”: Divija Rao ’26.

The Coaches’ Award, the highest honor of the speech and debate program, went to a student who “thrives in the clash of ideas, embracing each round as both a challenge and an opportunity to grow,” Nicholas Willett ’26.

The Victor Hugo Award, for excellence in French, was awarded by World Languages Department Chair Gretchan Frederick to “the ideal student”: Luca Bravo ’26.

The Homer Award, for excellence in Greek, went to “a scholar of remarkable caliber”: Connor Cruz ’26.

The Petrarch Award, for excellence in Latin, went to a student with “a rare linguistic dexterity that combines scholarly rigor and an intuitive feel”: Peter DiSciullo ’26.

The Cervantes Award, for excellence in Spanish, was received by “an extraordinary linguist” with “curiosity, cultural compassion, and a truly global mindset”: Isabel Yang ’26.

Two students received recognition for their extraordinary success in the American Mathematics Competitions, aka the AMC 10 and AMC 12. Dr. Rebecca Courter, Upper School Mathematics Teacher, lauded the “curious and enthusiastic” Grace Chiu ’28 and the Math Club leadership of Connor Cruz ’26.

The Bausch + Lomb Award honors an exceptional student of the natural sciences in the junior class. Upper School Science Department Chair Jessie Sellner said that “this year’s recipient leaves no scientific detail unexplored or unquestioned”: Arshia Jalali ’27.

The Rensselaer Medal, for excellence in both science and mathematics, was awarded to a student whose “engagement and perception transcend the requirements of any course”: Sia Gullapalli ’27.

As a result of excelling on the PSAT exam in the fall of their junior years, Charlotte Latin School had 18 Commended Students and 12 National Merit Finalists, five of whom were awarded a National Merit Scholarship: Luca Bravo ’26, June Budzichowski ’26, Connor Cruz ’26, Kelsey Sciacca ’26, and Isabel Yang ’26.

The College Board also cited the academic achievements of fourteen Latin students through its School Recognition Award, which celebrates students who excel both in their classwork and on College Board exams. 

The AP Scholar Award went to 21 students who had scored 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams; the AP Scholar with Honor Award went to 11 students who had an average score of 3.25 on all AP Exams and 3 or higher on four or more exams; the AP Scholar with Distinction Award went to 12 students who had an average score of 3.5 on all AP Exams and 3 or higher on five or more exams.

Three individual teachers also received high honors. The Jane Bratton Spratt Award went to an Upper School History Teacher compared to an “accomplished conductor,” Brittany Mercado. Amy Fennebresque Burleson ’92 P ’19 ’22 ’29 ’29 of the Alumni Governing Board lauded Tim Kelly for his work as a state championship golf coach and his expertise with the “complex logistics of coordinating hundreds of athletic contests”; he received the Cross-Divisional Inlustrate Orbem Award. The Upper School Inlustrate Orbem Award went to “an extraordinary educator” who “gives tirelessly to the school community”: Math Teacher Liz Matrejek.