With graduation rapidly approaching, the seniors’ excitement is buzzing; throughout the next two weeks, events like Senior Splash Day and commencement rehearsal will be celebrating the class of 2018’s accomplishments.
On Monday, April 30, a special Senior Honors Assembly was held to acknowledge seniors for their achievements in scholarship and citizenship, as well as to honor staff members.
Senior Elizabeth Guo , who won awards in journalism, biology, history and spanish commented on the assembly’s importance.
“I think it’s important to recognize the seniors because all of us have worked super hard throughout the years, ” she said, “It’s great to honor our peers and to celebrate each other. It’s amazing to cheer on my classmates and for everyone to get recognition.
Upper School English Teacher Dr. Sarah Traphagen also shared why these awards are so important.
“Every student works so hard here, and I think that honoring kids who have gone above and beyond in different areas really reinforces their talents. {This assembly is a reason] to all celebrate each other and our accomplishments,” Traphagen said, “ From a faculty member perspective, I absolutely love watching them win awards and the girls cheer on each other.It’s so important to support one another.”
The rest of the senior class seemed to also incorporate their excitement into the assembly. The auditorium roared with supportive cheers after each awardee was announced. Senior Emily Fuller, who was awarded with the Sudie Duncan citizenship award and the Lombardi Magellan history award, also felt the tangible encouragement from her classmates.
“Whenever we’re in the auditorium and there’s something to celebrate, we hit this new gear and are so excited for each other. I think that’s one of my favorite memories from senior year —just how loud and encouraging everybody is. ” Fuller said.
Besides the seniors, only staff members receive honors at this Assembly. Typically, two different staff members receive prizes. One of the awards, the Rogers Higginbotham award for Faculty Excellence selected by the alumni association gives a financial grant to a teacher who has shown excellence in and out of the classroom. This was awarded to Dr. Sarah Traphagen.
Traphagen, fondly known as Dr. T by her students, reflected on how the awards affected her.
“I was overwhelmed, so excited, so honored, so surprised. It felt so great to be selected for the awards. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and I’m so thankful for the faculty who nominated me for this.”
Beloved by her students, the entire Upper School gave Traphagen a standing ovation. As soon as the crowd settled down, it was announced that Traphagen also received the John Killian Teaching award.
To receive this award, Traphagen was nominated by the Senior class for being impactful on their lives.
Fuller also reflected on Traphagen’s influence on the life of the senior class.
“We all decided to vote for Dr. T as a class because she we love her so much and she’s done so much for every student. These awards show us how much we can care about and celebrate both students and teachers,” she said.
Story and photo by Eliana Goodman
