Commencement Week 2021
Senior School
Senior School Commencement exercises
Shady Side Academy celebrated the 117 members of the Class of 2021 during Commencement Exercises on Friday, June 4, 2021. The in-person ceremony was held outdoors at Michael J. Farrell Stadium for seniors and their guests. The ceremony began promptly at 9 a.m. with the Class of 2021 processing into the stadium as a bagpiper played The March of The King of Laois. The Chamber Choir sang You Are The New Day, and Rev. Thomas E. Johnson Jr. '73 gave the Invocation. Academy President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed families to the celebration, and Alumni Council President Mollie Hanna Lang '99 welcomed the Class of 2021 to the ranks of Shady Side alumni. Senior Annabel Everett presented the class gift, recognizing the SSA Facilities staff for their tireless work this year to make in-person learning possible for every student. Seniors Eve Mango and Raymond Zheng delivered senior speeches, and longtime Director of Athletics Gene Deal delivered the graduation address (see videos below). The Jazz Combo performed Groovin' High, and Senior School Head Trixie Sabundayo presented diplomas to the graduates. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater and benediction, before graduates and guests enjoyed a reception at the Farrell Stadium Entrance Plaza. Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
Commencement Photos
Seniors Say Thank You Video
Eve Mango Senior Speech
Raymond Zheng Senior Speech
Gene Deal Graduation Address
Legacy Family Photos
2021 Student Awards & Prizes
Students Recognized on Prize Day - May 21, 2021
Harvard Club Award (English)
Ava Kronman
Irvine Prize (English)
Georgia Horgan
Catherine Sparvero
Bill Avner Creative Writing Prize
Jasmine DeBruce
Emma Filchock
Caroline Green
Bridget Onest
Paige Shea
English Department Achievement Award
Selah Curran-Blakely
Publications Prize
Gabriela Jegasothy
German Award
Adelaide Schiller
Nicholas Brastins Barnes Memorial World Language Prize
Zhuoxin Ma
George Byron Waldrop Latin Prize
Braden Crow
Josiah L. Goldsmith Prize (French)
Dorthea Geroulakos
Peacock Chinese Award
Bing Bhakdibhumi
Spanish Award
Raymond Zheng
Peter John Gray Language Prize
Elaine Gombos
Joseph P. Pavlovich Mathematics Achievement Prize
Nancy Wang
Ted Leaman Prize in Mathematics
FORM IV: Dre'Onna Lewis
FORM V: Alexandra Demchak
Theodore R. Leaman/Anthony J. Botti Math/Science Improvement Prize
Charlotte Bump
Mathematics and Science Certificate
Steven Liu
David R. Weill III Science Award
Smrithi Shyam
Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award
Prayag Vemulapalli
Merle M. Alexander Science Prize
Jason Wu
Miller Award (Science)
Nancy Wang
Raymond Zheng
George Baton Scheetz History Prize
Brenna Fouser
Robert D. Abercrombie Prize in American History
Vanessa Han
Sauers Prize in History
Qingqing Zhao
M.A. Cancelliere Economics Prize
Luke Brennan
Visual Arts Instructors' Award
Crystal Ma
Thornton Oakley Memorial Award (Art)
Inyaa Ashok
Anya Hammer
William C. Nealon Award (Art)
Alyssa Colen
Music Prize
Jake Rohr
National School Orchestra Award
Nora Navid
National School Choral Award
Charlote McDaniel
Jake Rohr
John Philip Sousa Band Award
Bruce David
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Alexander Biglan
E. Bruce Hill Jr. Memorial Prize
Hannah Romoff
Gargoyle Club Award
Isabel Brunner
Riley Doyle
Gargoyle Society Award
Caroline Green
Special Gargoyle Award
Nathan Jyachosky
Roy Arthur Hunt Sr. Computer Science Prize
Ishika Arora
Andrew Liu
Twelve Season Varsity Letter Award (Athletics)
Emory Anderson
Adam Lauer
Charles Troutman
Dartmouth Award (Athletics)
Adam Lauer
All-Round Cup (Athletics)
Emory Anderson
Charlene G. Blair Service Learning Prize
Riley Doyle
McCollum Jones Boarder Prizes
Raymond Zheng (Croft House)
Riley Doyle (Morewood House)
U.S. Naval Academy Appointment
Porter Markel
Raphael M. Sotak Honors
FORM IV: Ishika Arora, Avery Benko, Caesar Curran-Blakely, Caroline Green, Tyler Hart, Jason Wu
FORM V: Vanessa Han, Georgia Horgan, Alex Kramer, Eli Naughton, Madison Zunder
FORM IV: Khiya Ellis, Zachary Kamenov, Neely Nicholson, Savita Thompson, Jillian Zana
FORM III: Abril Linares, Caroline Liptak, Nathan Mallory, Greg Rushnock
Stephen Michael Shenkan Memorial Award
Chrystal Zheng
Yale Award
Thompson Lau
Centennial Class Award
Annabel Everett
Aurelian Award
Zhuoxin Ma
Walter Martin Lester Memorial Award
Selah Curran-Blakely
Joseph Bole Hare Steffey Memorial Award
Charlotte McDaniel
Edward Ernest Ebbert Memorial Award
Raymond Zheng
Lowell Innes Prize
Brenna Fouser
Todd Drelles Memorial Prize
Eve Mango
President’s Prize
Adam Lauer
Middle School
Middle School Closing Exercises
The 70 members of the Middle School's Form II class were officially promoted to the Senior School on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at the Middle School Closing Exercises. The ceremony was held in the Richard E. Rauh Theater of the Hillman Center for Performing Arts for eighth graders and their families. The graduates processed into the theater as the Concert Band performed Pomp and Circumstance, followed by The Star Spangled Banner. Academy President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed eighth graders and their families to the celebration, and Head of Middle School Amy Nixon presented several Form II student awards as well as the Kenneth M. Raymond Vasko Memorial Award to faculty member Andrea Cespedes. The String Ensemble performed A Million Dreams, and Sophia Gombos was the Form II student speaker, as voted by her classmates. Nixon and Senior School Head Trixie Sabundayo delivered remarks to the graduates before Assistant Head of School Brian Johnston and Nixon presented their certificates. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater and the Concert Band performing Jupiter. Afterwards, the Class of 2025 and their families enjoyed a reception on the Mary Hillman Jennings Plaza.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and their families!
Closing Exercises Photos
2021 Form II Student Awards
Students Recognized at Closing Exercises - June 9, 2021
E. Bruce Hill Memorial Award
Jeffrey Brunner
David A. Mancosh Award
Ava Terezis
Betsy H. Watkins Form II Improvement Award
Michael McCarroll
Form II Art Award
Reese Martens
Anna Apeteri-Pandrea
Form II Computer Literacy Award
Jeffrey Brunner
Willard E. Mead English Award
Peter Heintzleman
Form II Socratic Seminar Award
Jonas Hong
Form II Latin Award
Shaurya Gulati
Form II Latin Improvement Award
Annabel O'Brien
Form II Mathematics Achievement Award
Algebra I – Sophia Gombos
Geometry – Shaurya Gulati
Charles P. Shriver Mathematics Award
Samantha Recchi Form II Music Awards
Chorus – Cameron Capel and Jonas Hong
String Ensemble – Jasper Chapman
Band – Amy Xing
Jazz Band – Jeffrey Brunner
Cameron Capel
Form II Physics 1 Science Award
Kexin Zhao
Form II Social Studies "Outstanding Historian" Award
Michael McCarroll
Form II Spanish Award
Thomas Kann
Form II Spanish Improvement Award
Neyla Hinedi
Form II Chinese Award
Ava Terezis
Form II Chinese Improvement Award
Nina Onest
Form II Library Award
Jordan Roupe
Robert B. Stiffler Athletic Award
Girls – Cameron Capel
Boys – Benjamin Michels
Form II Fall Drama Awards
Actress – Ava Jankowski
Actor – Andrew Li
Form II Winter Musical Awards
Actress – Sophia Gombos
Actor – Jonas Hong
Form II Dramatics Club Achievement Award
Navaya Arora
Junior School
Junior School Closing Exercises
The 35 members of the Junior School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. The ceremony was held in Withers Gymnasium for fifth graders and their families. The fifth graders processed into the gym as music teacher Joe Molinaro performed Pomp & Circumstance. Academy President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed the graduates and their families to the ceremony, and presented PE teacher Karen DiFiore with the Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance. A fifth grade slideshow was shown, and the fifth graders presented precepts inspired by the book Wonder. Head of Junior School Brad Davies delivered remarks to the graduates, the Ukulele Ensemble played Count on Me, and Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2028 to the Middle School. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater, and graduates and their families enjoyed a reception afterward.
Congratulations to the Class of 2028 and their families!
Closing Exercises Photos
Year-End Slideshow
Country Day School
COUNTRY DAY School Closing Exercises
The 17 members of Country Day School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Monday, June 7, 2021. The outdoor ceremony began with the fifth grade processional, a welcome by Academy President Bart Griffith and the pledge of allegiance. Griffith presented the Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance to librarian and STEEM teacher Courtney Anderson, the first CDS teacher ever to receive the honor. Each fifth grader gave a three-word reflection, followed by the singing of the alma mater. Head of Country Day School Dr. Jennifer Asmonga introduced 2021 SSA graduate and CDS lifer Jake Rohr, who gave the graduation address. Fifth graders sangThe Country Day School Song before Griffith, Asmonga, Director of Admission Josh Frechette and fifth grade teacher Raquel Kramer presented the graduates with their certificates. Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2028 to the Middle School, and fifth graders read class poems by Joyce Sidman, Riding a Bike at Night and I Find Peace. The ceremony closed with the singing of The Garden Song, the recessional and a reception.
Congratulations to the Class of 2028 and their families!
Closing Exercises Photos
Year in Review Slideshow
Faculty & Staff
Faculty & Staff Awards and Honors
A number of awards are presented annually during Closing Days to recognize excellence, dedication and service by SSA faculty and staff.
The Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance
Thanks to the generosity of the late Henry Posner Jr. ’37 and the Posner family, the Academy has extended the Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance to 34 faculty members since 2004. The purpose of the Posner Award is “to recognize, inspire and reward those faculty members at Shady Side Academy who, through their special ‘gift of teaching’ and mentoring, have affected, in a highly special way, the learning, development and lives of one or more individual students. This award, presuming as it does a high quality of teaching in all Shady Side faculty, recognizes and honors a teacher of transcendent influence, one whose impact on a particular student or group of students has been uniquely beneficial and enduring.”
Courtney Anderson, Country Day School Librarian and STEEM Teacher
Courtney Anderson joined Country Day School as a librarian and information specialist in 2008. She is known for her creativity, patience and genuine interest in learning each student’s unique personality. Prior to becoming a school librarian, she spent seven years working with youth in social service organizations and two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal.
“She takes such a creative approach to teaching and utilizes the entire beautiful campus,” one parent wrote. “My son brought home a ‘bear habitat’ made of pieces of cardboard, leaves, sticks, acorns and cotton for snow. My son explained all about how bears hibernate to me and we played with the habitat for weeks.”
“One day during virtual learning, my son was the first to sign on,” she continued, “When she saw my son online, Mrs. Anderson exclaimed, ‘I got a new book in the library about fire trucks and we’ll check it out next week when you come back!’ I know a lot of children love books about fire trucks, but at the time, fire trucks were the only thing my son wanted to talk about, play with or see. I could tell that Mrs. Anderson knew that. It’s something special for a mother to be able to see a teacher know and care for her child. I’m so pleased that she is one of my son’s first teachers and that she’ll be helping him navigate his way through elementary school for the next few years.”
Karen DiFiore, Junior School Health and PE Teacher
Karen DiFiore has taught physical education at the Junior School since 2008. She exudes warmth, care and concern for her students and creates amazing opportunities for them both in and outside of the classroom. She also coaches SSA’s elementary coed cross country team and serves as director of th East End Explorers summer day camp.
A parent wrote, “Karen has gone above and beyond creating the SSA Cross Country team that has won numerous medals and trophies, she sponsored an obstacle course to receive a grant to supply additional gym equipment, has assisted in the organization of the annual back to school picnic (including volunteering to be in the dunk tank for an hour) and so much more.”
“On a personal note for our family,” she continued, “when our youngest returned to school after being out for two months with a broken leg, Karen was an amazing resource to him and our family. When he was at home he was too nervous to walk but with the help of his Pre-K teachers and Mrs. DiFiore, they had him walking in no time. Even his physical therapist noted the drastic improvement. Karen adapted PE activities to make sure he could be included and encouraged him in such a kind, positive way.”
Inaugural Dr. Craig T. Kerins '63 Chair of English
This endowed chair is funded by Ms. Kristi Kerins in honor of her brother, Dr. Craig T. Kerins' 63 with the intent of assuring exceptional instruction in English through ongoing recruitment and retention of superior English faculty. The Chair will serve a five-year term beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. The new Dr. Craig T. Kerins '63 Chair of English is Jeff Miller.
Michael J. Farrell Chair for Support of Faculty Compensation and Professional Growth
This endowed chair funds seven annual awards for outstanding faculty. This year’s Exceptional Interactions With Students Awards went to Middle School English Teacher Pamela Onest and Senior School Mathematics Teacher Amy Yam.. Going Above and Beyond Awards went to Senior School English Teacher Mary Lynch, Country Day School Counselor Claudine Runnette and Junior School Science Teacher Melanie Smith. The Innovative Educator Award went to Junior School Music Teacher Christopher Donato and Middle School Art Teacher Stefanie Vorrasi.
Class of ’61 Faculty Award for Excellence
This award, established in 2011 in honor of the Class of 1961’s 50th reunion, recognizes an exemplary and dedicated Senior School teacher in his or her first or second year who shows the promise of an extended career and has made significant contributions to students and colleagues. This year's winner was Senior School Mathematics Teacher Justin Jackson-Strong.
Kenneth M. Raymond Vasko Memorial Award
This award is presented annually to a Middle School teacher who has made a lasting impression upon his or her students by helping to develop their characters as well as their minds. This year's winner was Middle School Spanish Teacher Andrea Cespedes.
Ruth and F. Walter Jones Service Prize
This prize is awarded to a member of the SSA community who, by willing and selfless service, has contributed to the quality of the Academy and enriched it by example. This year's winner was Athletics Director Gene Deal.
President’s Award for Distinguished Staff Service
This is awarded to an individual who has exemplified the heights of excellence on a day-to-day basis through their actions, job performance, work ethic and positive relationships with colleagues. This year’s winner was Academy Mail Courier Mark Medina.
25 Years of Service
Two employees were recognized for reaching 25 years of service to the Academy:
Bonnie Maxwell
Middle School Science Teacher
Erin Tarasi
Technology Dept. Help Desk Coordinator
Retiring Faculty/Staff
Eight faculty/staff members retired in 2021 after a combined 263 years of service to the Academy:
Amy E. Katz
Middle School Learning Specialist, 2012-2021 (9 years)
John T. Landreth
Senior School Science Teacher, 1992-2021 (29 years)
Bruce J. Lowry
Athletic Facilities & Operations Manager, 1972-2021 (49 years)
Dr. Carol-Jean McGreevy-Morales
Senior School French & Spanish Teacher, 1974-2021 (47 years)
Teresa A. McPherson
Administrative Assistant, Athletics, 1987-2021 (34 years)
Mark C. Medina
Mail Courier, 1980-2021 (41 years)
Katherine Hoopes Mihm '83
Director of Enrollment Management, 1994-2021 (27 years)
Susan E. Short
Middle School Math Teacher & Learning Area Coordinator, 1994-2021 (27 years)