On Friday, Dec. 17, 14 Shady Side Academy seniors were honored by their peers as "unsung heroes" of the school community with Fides Awards. An annual Senior School tradition, Fides Awards honor seniors who exemplify responsible citizenship and who, through their quiet, unassuming actions and positive attitudes, have a significant impact on those around them and inspire others to do the same.

Seniors may nominate classmates for Fides Awards, and winners' names are kept secret until the Fides Awards assembly each winter. Each presenting student gives a speech to the community as to why his or her "Fides" is deserving of the award, eventually revealing the winner's name. Tears of joy and friendship are often shed at this moving community event.

The 2021-2022 Fides Awards recipients are Isabel Brunner, Joshua Chu, Alexandra Demchak (in abstentia), Riley Doyle, Grace Greeno, Georgia Horgan, Hector Lampert-Bates, Gloria Mancilla-Balog, Owen Martens, Lochlan McGinnis, Eli Naughton, SriGanesh Pennathur, Yifei "Tiffany" Wu and Jiayue "Angela" Xue.

Junior Henry Fried served as the emcee of the ceremony and gave the keynote address.

Congratulations to all of the 2021-2022 Fides Award recipients!