Commencement Week 2022
Senior School
Senior School Commencement exercises
Shady Side Academy celebrated the 127 members of the Class of 2022 at Commencement Exercises on Friday, June 3, 2022 at Michael J. Farrell Stadium. The ceremony began at 9 a.m. with the Class of 2022 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 Jim Ambrose '05 welcomed the Class of 2022 to the ranks of Shady Side alumni. Senior Sydney Demchak presented the class gift, recognizing the hard work of Metz Culinary staff. Seniors Georgia "Gigi" Horgan and Steven Liu delivered the senior speeches, and Bentley Weiner '92, Vice President of HBO Sports, delivered the commencement address (see videos below). The Jazz Combo performed This Will Be (An Everlasting Love), and then Griffith, Senior School Head Trixie Sabundayo, Board of Trustees Chair Jonathan Kamin '91 and Dean of Studies Claire Logsdon presented diplomas to the graduates. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater and the benediction, before graduates and guests enjoyed a reception at the Farrell Stadium Entrance Plaza. Congratulations to the Class of 2022 and their families!
Commencement Photos
Seniors Say Thank You
Full Ceremony Video
Bentley Weiner '92 Address
Gigi Horgan Senior Speech
Steven Liu Senior Speech
Class of 2022 Slideshow
Legacy Family Photos
2022 Student Awards & Prizes
Students Recognized on Prize Day - May 20, 2022
Harvard Club Award (English)
Henry Fried
Irvine Prize (English)
Savita Thompson
Braden Crow
Bill Avner Creative Writing Prize
Rian Fitzgerald
Ava Kronman
Hector Lampert-Bates
Hannah Song
English Department Achievement Award
Alexandra Jaffe
Publications Prize
Melody Yuan
German Award
Lachlan McGinnis
Nicholas Brastins Barnes Memorial World Language Prize
Megan Dollard
George Byron Waldrop Latin Prize
Krishna Lakkimsetty
Josiah L. Goldsmith French Prize
Isabella Brunner
Peacock Chinese Prize
Jenny Mai
Spanish Award
Ben Rohr
Peter John Gray Language Prize
Abril Linares Mendoza
Joseph P. Pavlovich Mathematics Achievement Prize
Lachlan McGinnis
The Ted Leaman Prize in Mathematics
FORM IV: Jermaine Taylor
FORM V: Kathryn Wolfe
Leaman/Botti Math & Science Prize
Molly Walsh
Mathematics and Science Award
Ian Zachary Kamenov
David R. Weill III Science Award
Jinyi Guo
Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award
Elaine Gombos
Merle M. Alexander Science Prize
Stephen Liu
Miller Award (Science)
Megan Dollard
George Baton Scheetz History Prize
Zion Jackson
Robert D. Abercrombie American History Prize
Maya Leyzarovich
Sauers Prize in History
Laniyah Young
M.A. Cancelliere Economics Prize
Joseph Anania
Visual Arts Instructors' Award
Ella Gardner
Thornton Oakley Memorial Award (Art)
Sophia Sandholm
William C. Nealon Award (Art)
Ericson Kimbel
Music Prize
Ben Bischoff
National School Orchestra Award
Hector Lampert-Bates
Katy Appleman
National School Choral Award
Wilson Todd
Sydney Demchak
John Philip Sousa Band Award
Alex Kramer
Eli Naughton
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Karen Linares Mendoza
Andrew Marous
E. Bruce Hill Jr. Memorial Prize
Georgia Horgan
Gargoyle Club Award
Zach Kamenov
Gargoyle Society Award
Riley Doyle
Special Gargoyle Award
Braden Crow
Roy Arthur Hunt Sr. Computer Science Prize
Riley Doyle
Anker Zhao
Twelve Season Varsity Letter Award (Athletics)
Cecelia Messner
William Badeer
Alexandra Demchak
Dartmouth Award (Athletics)
Eli Naughton
Cecelia Messner
Raphael M. Sotak Honors
FORM IV: Katy Appleton, Breonna Greene, Lachlan McGinnis, Ganesh Pennathur, Philip Pollice, Angela Xue
FORM V: Aidan Adams, Maila Davis, Zoey Miller, Ben Rohr, Smrithi Shyam, Dani Strauss
FORM IV: Zora Burroughs, Sara Laman, Mathew Long, Jonah Sackrowitz, Elliot Scheri, Patrick Sippel
FORM III: Jeffrey Brunner, Audrey Jiang, Avery Litwin, Maggie Marquette, Ava Terezis, Tessie Wong
Charlene G. Blair Service Learning Prize
Maya Leyzarovich
McCollum Jones Boarder Prizes
Philip Pollice (Croft House)
Angela Xue (Morewood House)
Service Academy Appointment
Will Badeer (U.S. Merchant Marines)
The Stephen Michael Shenkan Memorial Award
Tyler Marotta
The Yale Award
Ben Rohr
Centennial Class Award
Jasmine DeBruce
Aurelian Award
Jaidan Fahrny
Walter Martin Lester Memorial Award
Chris Sullivan
Joseph Bole Hare Steffey Memorial Award
Jasmine DeBruce
Edward Ernest Ebbert Memorial Award
Braden Crow
Riley Doyle
All-Round Cup (Athletics)
Thompson Lau
Lowell Innes Prize
Karen Linares Mendoza
Todd Drelles Memorial Prize
Jack Hathaway
President’s Prize
Jenny Woodings
Middle School
Middle School Closing Exercises
The 67 members of the Middle School's Form II class were officially promoted to the Senior School on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Middle School Closing Exercises. The graduation ceremony was held in the Richard E. Rauh Theater of the Hillman Center for Performing Arts on the Senior School campus. The graduates processed into the theater as the Concert Band played Pomp and Circumstance, then the The Star Spangled Banner. President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed students and families, and Head of Middle School Amy Nixon presented several student awards as well as the Kenneth M. Raymond Vasko Memorial Award to faculty member Lauren Cannon. The Eighth Grade Chorus performed Seasons of Love, and Ethan Chen was the Form II student speaker. Nixon and Senior School Head Trixie Sabundayo delivered remarks to the graduates, and 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 The Freedom March, followed by a reception on the Mary Hillman Jennings Plaza. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and their families!
Closing Exercises Photos
2022 Form II Student Awards
Students Recognized at Closing Exercises - June 8, 2022
E. Bruce Hill Memorial Award
Cayah Leavy
David A. Mancosh Award
Ethan Chen
Betsy H. Watkins Form II Improvement Award
Madison Davies
Form II Art Award
Tristan Xiao
Form II Computer Literacy Award
Ethan Chen
Willard E. Mead English Award
Rhyley Bendel
Form II Socratic Seminar Award
Rosemary Kutz-Flamenbaum
Form II Latin Award
Yaseen Hamda
Form II Latin Improvement Award
Samuel Davidheiser
Form II Mathematics Achievement Award
Algebra I – Luke David
Geometry – Samraj Delfyett
Charles P. Shriver Mathematics Award
Ahmeena Anthony
Form II Music Awards
Chorus – Mia Bugarija and William Nury
String Ensemble – Thomas Wang
Band – Jacob Johnson
Jazz Band – Samraj Delfyett
Luke David
Form II Physics 1 Science Award
Diya Shrishrimal
Form II Social Studies "Outstanding Historian" Award
Alex Mai
Form II Spanish Award
Diya Shrishrimal
Form II Spanish Improvement Award
Sophia Vrcic
Form II Chinese Award
Ariya Nahata
Form II Chinese Improvement Award
Akshay Lath
Robert B. Stiffler Athletic Award
Girls – Rhyley Bendel
Boys – Nicholas Grzymkowski
Form II Fall Drama Awards
Actress – Sophia Vrcic
Actor – Ethan Chen
Form II Winter Musical Awards
Actress – Charlotte Barker
Actor – Noah Thompson-Jones
Junior School
Junior School Closing Exercises
The 39 members of the Junior School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Monday, June 6, 2022. The ceremony was held in Withers Gymnasium for fifth graders and their families. The fifth graders processed into the gym as the fifth grade band performed We Are Young. President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed the graduates and their families to the ceremony. A fifth grade slideshow was shown, and Head of Lower Schools Dr. Jennifer Asmonga introduced recent graduate Jasmine DeBruce '22, who gave the graduation address. The fifth grade chorus performed Memories , Assistant Heads of School Dr. Peter Mathis and Melanie Smith presented the graduates with their certificates, and Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2029 to the Middle School. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater, and graduates and their families enjoyed a reception afterward on the primary playground. Congratulations to the Class of 2029 and their families!
Closing Exercises Photos
End of Year Slideshow
Country Day School
COUNTRY DAY School Closing Exercises
The 19 members of Country Day School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in the Great Hall. The ceremony began with the fifth grade processional, a welcome by Academy President Bart Griffith, the Pledge of Allegiance and a performance of America the Beautiful. 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 recent SSA graduate and CDS lifer Charlie Karet '22, who gave the graduation address. Fifth graders sangThe Garden Song before Griffith, Asmonga, Assistant Heads of School Josh Frechette and Katie Nestor, and fifth grade teachers Raquel Kramer and Lesley Smith presented the graduates with their certificates. Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2029 to the Middle School. The ceremony closed with the singing of Remember You and Wonderful Friends, and the recessional and reception. Congratulations to the Class of 2029 and their families!
Closing Exercises Photos
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.”
David Szlachetka, Senior School Computer Science Teacher
David Szlachetka has been at SSA since 1994, having served as computer science teacher and department chair, director of academic technology, dean of students and dean of academic affairs. "Mr. S" has also has been a member of the Residential Life program, served on the Admissions Committee and coached several boys and girls varsity sports. He was a systems engineer at Westinghouse Electric Co. before joining SSA.
One student said, “Mr. S. has taken the time to understand my long-term goals and ambitions of playing Division I college hockey and earning a business degree from an Ivy League university. Although these goals are surely lofty, Mr. S. believes in me and all of his students to help them reach any goal that they have dreamed up.”
A parent wrote, “All three of our children are better students and citizens due to Dave’s guidance as their freshman advisor as well as ongoing support and encouragement throughout their high school years. One of our children was quiet and thoughtful throughout his time at Shady Side but Dave didn’t let him hide, and instead drew out his strengths as a quiet leader academically, athletically and socially. Dave took the time to understand the gifts he had and helped him share those gifts with others on the field and in the classroom. He encouraged him to bring out the best in fellow students with his positive attitude and leading by example.”
Daniel Brill, Senior School Music Teacher
Dr. Dan Brill has been teaching music at the Senior School since 1986, directing the choral and strings groups and previously serving as chair of the Arts Department. He also has taught secondary music in Kansas, Nebraska and Pennsylvania and has taken advantage of numerous professional development opportunities to study, sing and perform under master conductors.
A student wrote, "Beyond his personal achievements, he has a real passion for music. It is apparent in the way he teaches his classes and immerses us in the works of the Beatles, Mozart, and Leonard Bernstein."
A parent wrote, “We have been amazed by the energy of Dr. Brill and the countless hours he spends with his students outside of the classroom to prepare them in the best way possible. He gives his best and expects the best effort from his students, which they give him day in and day out. Dr. Brill is a tremendous role model for his students, with his hard work and dedication, and wise and calm demeanor. Dr. Brill embodies the school’s mission to build complete individuals and prepare them to live meaningful, vibrant and gratifying lives.”
Michael J. Farrell Chair for Support of Faculty Compensation and Professional Growth
This endowed chair funds several annual awards for outstanding faculty. This year’s Exceptional Interactions With Students Awards went to Middle School Science Teacher Paul Waked and Junior School Kindergarten Teacher Nick Hammon.. Going Above and Beyond Awards went to Country Day School Science Teacher Margie Heintzleman, Senior School World Languages Teacher Carol Schneider. The Innovative Educator Award went to Middle School Art Teacher Natalie Potts and Junior School First Grade Teacher Jillian Velotta.
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 World Languages Teacher Alicia Segura-Pinto.
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 Senior School Nurse Maria Thieman.
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 Grounds Superintendent Jeremy Schreckengost.
25 Years of Service
Two employees were recognized for reaching 25 years of service to the Academy:
Paul Ejzak '89
Senior School English Teacher
Tim Flanders
Facilities Custodian
Retiring Faculty/Staff
Four faculty/staff members retired in 2022 after a combined 82 years of service to the Academy:
Dr. Dan Brill
Senior School Choir & Strings Teacher, 1987-2022 (35 years)
Diane Curry
Transportation Coordinator, Senior School, 1999-2022 (23 years)
Sandra Lashway
Senior School Learning Specialist, 2016-2022 (6 years)
John Wizzard
Senior School Computer Science Teacher, 2004-2022 (18 years)