The Class of 2023

Every year, before Head of School Ben Williams confers diplomas upon graduating seniors, he speaks of their individual character and achievements, noting the unique ways they’ve enriched life on the Mesa. These “literary snapshots,” composed of observations, along with excerpts from teacher and advisor reports, speak to the depth and breadth of the Cate community.

Ellis’ greatness lies in her ability to maintain composure when everyone else is losing theirs. Peers and teachers alike have noted her “zenlike demeanor” and have chocked it up to a certain generosity of spirit which keeps Ellis perpetually on an even keel. Ellis is among the most supportive of classmates, engaging, warm, and a significant contributor to productive group dynamics. She became a Teaching Assistant this year for that very reason, helping her seminar students not simply to be attentive to each other but to meet their responsibilities, maintain their schedule (Ellis is meticulous in maintaining hers) and make life and community on the Mesa ever better. Said a teacher recently, “Ellis is influential here.” Wherever she chooses to contribute, the impact is noticeably positive, the gesture is kind and affirming, and the fortunate beneficiaries forever grateful.

EMILY MARLENE ALLISON WITH HIGHEST HONORS Dartmouth College

Nearly every afternoon during her first year at Cate, and sometimes early in the morning, Emily could be found on the track running laps, staying fit, readying herself for the return of competitive sports. Emily admitted later she loved the relative autonomy of that strange COVID constrained time, for it allowed her to focus on the things she loves. Emily is an unparalleled student, deeply insightful, and masterful at digesting and applying new concepts. She strives not simply for her own edification, but for everyone’s. A Teaching Assistant, one of the heads of our Public Service program, captain of two varsity teams, one of the senior leaders of our 9th grade outdoor trip, Emily is constantly finding ways to give to this community. Said one faculty member, noting Emily’s many contributions to this place, “Emily said ‘yes’ to everything in that first year, and has built on that generous momentum ever since.”

ASUAMAH Babson College

It is easy to wonder what is on Zaq’s mind. Engaging and friendly as he can be, there is an introspective quality to Zaq that is compelling and endearing. We know from his work in a classroom that Zaq is a thinker. He is always processing and considering his world, the concepts under study, perhaps far more. His contributions to dialogue are always thoughtful, concise, and artful in their clarity. There is something captivating about a student who shows glimpses of depth of thought that leave teachers and students eager to hear more. Zaq often obliges, but he has other things to do, too. A standout player in our football and lacrosse programs, Zaq leaves a mark in more than just the classroom. His power and speed and savvy on the athletic field complement the capacity we see everywhere else, and his willingness with each passing year at Cate to give more of himself to this community has made us all grateful.

BECHTEL Barnard College

Lylie has become one of our most conspicuous leaders. A visit to Assembly on virtually any day will reveal Lylie out front, reminding us of how to distinguish trash from recyclables, how to be better stewards of our environment, what to do with old clothes that might be useful to someone else, why community is about caring for more than ourselves.

This remarkably unselfish, unusually generous, courageous young woman has become one of our archetypes. We know what Servons looks like by watching Lylie. It is manifest in her scholarship, too, which is distinguished by relentless positivity and deep empathy. Said one teacher, “Lylie lives and learns easily with others.” Another observed, “As a Teaching Assistant, Lylie encourages her students to reach beyond the borders of our campus and invest in the world around us.” In so doing she assures members of this community take on so many of the virtues we see in Lylie.

CLAIBORNE VIRGINIA BEURLE University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

In a recent letter, a faculty member noted that Claiborne is likely to describe herself as “a novice or work in progress.” That’s not simply a reflection of Claiborne’s endearing humility but evidence of her brave inclination to join in, to try something new, to worry less about the outcome and more about the journey. Irish dancing? Sure. Playing a rather lascivious middle-aged lush on stage? Why not? Becoming one of our Head Prefects this year because her fellow prefects wanted her style of leadership? Are you sure? Claiborne’s expression of self comes from the most genuine and appreciative of places. She loves people. She loves causes that matter. She hopes we can always do and be better. And when we are with her or watch her or hear her, we always try to be. Said her advisor recently about Claiborne’s likely impact beyond Cate, “I’ll be proud to say ‘I knew her when …’” Won’t we all.

Syracuse University

Ava has one of the most important jobs on campus. She is the student who helps each of her classmates tell their story, render their unique perspective, and fill this campus with insight. It is no accident that our Servons speeches have been so thoughtful and so revelatory. Ava, a great believer in the power of words, has helped so many others fashion theirs. She has used hers, too, to similar effect. Blessed with what one teacher called “sanguine mature calmness,” Ava captures ideas with the deftness of a poet and renders them just as artfully. Said another teacher using the metaphor of Ava’s affection for sailing, “Ava welcomes the wind, the waves, and the turbulence and keeps on steady as she goes.” Her teammates on the volleyball court and the soccer pitch see the same, for no challenge keeps Ava from her purpose. And given that her intentions are always unselfish, we find ourselves, when all is said and done, with Ava to thank.

ELLA CHANG WITH HIGHEST HONORS Amherst College

“Ella Chang is a force for good,” said a faculty member this fall. A dance performance becomes reality because Ella imagines it, then choreographs it, and then performs it. Ninth graders looking to find a home at Cate do so because Ella is one of their prefects in '25 House and she tends to them, reminds them what they are capable of, and teaches them to trust themselves. As the world saw ever greater incidents of bias and brutality against people of Asian and Pacific Island heritage, Ella became involved in Stop AAPI Hate and brought one of the organization’s founders to speak at Cate. She wins awards for her photography because she can see and capture the world and the people in it in unique ways. She masters the life of her mind with equal nuance and vision, producing scholarship that is mature, meticulous, and wise. To all endeavors, Ella brings incredibly positive energy, faith in her many partners and the understanding that worthy work is its own reward.

ZIMO (ELLA) CHEN WITH HIGHEST HONORS Wellesley College

When this school year began, Ella would often stop by Long House to host Settlers of Catan games with students in her 9th grade Human Development class. The prior summer she spent in Beijing fulfilling a Mark Metherall '87 Memorial Service Project to support migrant high school students who might otherwise fall through the cracks. She joined our Active Minds club and became a peer counselor to enlarge services for students grappling with the many challenges of the last several years. And if there is an opportunity to galvanize the community with an incredible dance performance or a K-pop routine, Ella will be front and center. In such moments, her movement is as graceful, as energetic, and as inspiring as her citizenship. Said her advisor not too long ago, “Ella is a scholar, a writer, a servant-leader, a dancing queen, and a mama bear.” And one of her 9th grade charges admitted, “I know I want to be just like her when I’m a senior.”

CATHLEEN LINN CHOW WITH HIGH HONORS University of Chicago

When Rudyard Kipling wrote about filling “the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run,” he must have been imagining Cathleen Chow. She is relentless in her productive use of time, unfailing in her efforts to do something worthy, and remarkably successful in accomplishing all that she sets out to do. Whether the focus is neurobiology (one of Cathleen’s favorites), the latest music to perform in the chamber orchestra, a good stir-fry meal to prepare, or the week’s public service opportunities, Cathleen is all-in. It was she, after all, who led the effort to fold a thousand paper cranes in honor of Mr. Wood’s retirement last year. Netmaster, varsity athlete, Curriculum Committee rep, and to quote her advisor, “an early bird for running and a night owl for working,” Cathleen wastes not a moment of time, spending it in service to something or someone who needs her special kind of attention and care.

OLIVER DWORSKY University of Chicago

Oliver loves a good discussion, thrives on complex arguments, finds ways to make clear the most complicated thoughts and concepts. Said one of his teachers, “He is the kind of student every teacher enjoys teaching.” Another lauded Oliver’s sense of humor and love of wordplay and language.” He has become a leader in our Model United Nations program where such skills are especially important, and a cornerstone of our public speaking and debate clubs. But Oliver is far more than a verbal gymnast. He is an actual one, a member of the Santa Barbara Gymnastics Club, and a competitive diver, capable physically of the same grace and control he so clearly manifests intellectually. Artistry of all sorts seems to be Oliver’s bailiwick, and he has all the tools to render his ideas or express his unique vision. Even service, which he expresses every Wednesday evening, is part of the collage that encapsulates Oliver’s commitments at Cate.

JENGUS CARLISLE ERCIL WITH HONORS University of Pennsylvania

“Jengus,” wrote his advisor, “lives up to the weight of his historic name.” He is powerful everywhere: a truly deep thinker and nuanced scholar, a forceful athlete, and a dedicated and energetic public servant. Jengus says we need to show up for our moments, the opportunities we have to be our best, but he is quick to point out the times when he hasn’t been. That may be what drives Jengus, the desire to be ever better, but he carries that aspiration casually, not overweighting any one moment and always believing in the next. That is why he has been able to carry teams – basketball and tennis in particular –win a CIF title, drive discussion in classes, or improve the lives of children separated from their parents in Tibet, because he is not afraid of the responsibility. He wants the opportunity to be helpful, to make the shot, to win the match, not for himself but for his teammates, his classmates, his communities at Cate and elsewhere, and his own laudable conviction.

MARY REBECCA FOSTER Indiana University

Mary Foster will take the road less traveled every time. She’d probably prefer to try the road never traveled. Mary likes to push herself to see what she can do, likes to discover things in the world that maybe others never get to see or experience. And she is calm and unflappable, whether the adventure finds her on unfamiliar ground, tearing down a rebound on the basketball court, sorting out a vexing math problem or mentoring the girls she serves as prefect in Schoolhouse. Intrepid and undaunted, Mary soldiers on whatever the challenge, learning what she needs to learn, applying the many skills that have made her a truly impactful student and senior, and meeting the needs of the moment even when most of us could not. Small wonder she has gone through more training tape at the Athletic Training Center than any other. Tape it up, she’s fond of saying, and I’m right back in the game.

CADEN FREDERICK FUCHS WITH HONORS Colorado College

“Caden is a true wordsmith,” said one of his teachers this fall, capable of marvelous “narrative fluidity,” and exquisite “character renderings.” Smiths are craftsmen, and language is far from Caden’s only medium. We see his art on canvas, and it is breathtaking. We hear it in his music. Find it all over his scholarship. “Our academic philosopher” said one of his teachers. Caden admits that his muse in all of these endeavors is the outdoors and the contemplation inspired by the wild places on our planet. But he is just as comfortable in the company of people and often finds himself leading – like in Sophomore Seminar or our Young Men’s Forum. We gravitate to Caden because he seems to have a certain peace and perspective that we value and might like to acquire ourselves. His opponents on the lacrosse field don’t necessarily see that from this fierce defender, but we do, and we trust that this lover of wisdom will always share some with us.

ANDREW LUCA GANSA The American University of Paris

Luca began his high school journey in Florence, Italy, but saw it upended by a pandemic that brought him ultimately to Cate. But thankfully, he has not lost in the least that worldly, international focus that has long distinguished his education. He has continued his work with the Model United Nations and has pursued a passion for filmmaking. His most recent focus is the many connections between Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and those working in Italy. Among the questions he is asking, what can Florence teach us about fostering a culture of innovation? Head of the Finance Club, an entrepreneur himself, a diligent student and a great and loyal friend, Luca has made his own mark on our community. Said one of his teachers not long ago, “Luca’s warmth, flexibility, and quiet strength stand out in every interaction, every gesture, every aspiration.”

GRACE (GIGI) FRANCES GEYER

Tufts University

Gigi is an artist, so she sees and feels the art in everything. Her “love list” that Gigi shared in a Servons speech contains sensory experiences like “the smell of the fog,” “the taste of the surf,” “the warmth of a friendship.” She steps behind a camera and suddenly she captures images that the rest of us can only see with Gigi’s help. She strides onto a soccer pitch or a lacrosse field or a volleyball court and her skills and her energy and her drive to compete are overwhelming and powerful. She walks into a classroom and suddenly the dialogue is richer, the insights are more frequent, and the subtleties of the text or the concept or the formula are revealed. Wherever Gigi is, the experience for any present is invigorated, a truth that inspired a faculty member to note, “In my decades of working with young people, I’m not sure I have encountered any one in whom I believe more than I believe in Gigi. She is remarkable.”

Alexander Goncharenko

Claremont McKenna College

Sasha has learned discipline at Cate, has found a way to channel all that energy and ability in productive purposeful ways. You see it in the classroom, where his keen analytical insight is on full display. You see it on the lacrosse field and in the Harcourt Fitness Center, where he has honed his fitness and built himself into an impactful player. You see it in Model United Nations where Sasha is a frequent delegate, in the Eastern European Culture Club, which Sasha leads, but mostly in those daily interactions and rituals that reveal a person’s true character. A lover of history and political science and global affairs, Sasha seems headed for broad impact in the world, and as a child of Russian and Ukrainian heritage, he understands the complexity of the challenges. A standard setter for growth and learning, Sasha has all the potential and the maturity to do all the world needs him to do.

ESWYN KHUYEN GRAY WITH HONORS University of St Andrews

Eswyn is all heart. Every gesture it seems has some generous intent. She is an avid participant in our Public Service Nights and notes among her favorite Cate memories singing with friends at Cornerstone and playing with the kids of displaced families at Transition House. Eswyn even helped create the Cate Performing Arts Outreach Group to visit local retirement homes. Such expressions of self go hand-in-hand with Eswyn’s passion for dance and movement. She is forever compelled to bring beauty into the world and leads a host of fellow artists in our Dance program. And like every truly great dancer, Eswyn has the dedication and the commitment necessary to do the unprecedented. As one faculty member noted, “Eswyn continues to dazzle.” And in so doing, she brings people together, gives them reason to be hopeful, and reminds them of the wonder we each bring to the world.

DESIRÉE ALEJANDRA FLORES GRIMALDI Gettysburg College

When Desi stepped to the podium this year to deliver her Servons speech, she talked about the challenge of coming to Cate from her home in El Salvador and adjusting to speaking English almost exclusively. It prompted one faculty member to reference a line about Ginger Rogers who “did everything Fred Astaire did except backwards and in heels.” For Desi has indeed danced her way through Cate and into the very heart of this community. As generous and well-meaning a student as we have known, bright, determined, and wholly attentive to needs that transcend her own, Desi has become part of the center that holds us together. She does that literally in '25 House, where she is one of four senior prefects; on the trail for those trying to become comfortable in the outdoors; even on the basketball court as one of our starting guards. “The best of who we are at Cate,” said one of her teachers, in any language.

JAELEN EMMANUEL HALL-COLLINS

University of California, Los Angeles

It has gotten to the point that people start cheering before Jae even begins a performance. They simply can’t contain their excitement about what they are about to see. Some memorable character renderings in dramatic roles over the years have laid the groundwork for Jae’s celebrity. But it is his dancing that has taken him to Cate stardom. He moves with a thrilling combination of power and grace, articulating sensations, emotions, and feelings with uncanny precision and force. His prefectship flows from the same well of feeling and is rendered with similar art. Jae wants to be helpful, wants his students to understand their possibilities and know how to realize them. Said one student, “He’s like a great big brother,” always calm and composed. And a teacher observed, “Jae brings humility and honesty to every dialogue.” A show-stealer in every endeavor that matters, that’s Jae.

There are few things as inspiring as watching Phebe compete. Pick the sport – soccer or lacrosse – and we’ll see the same impressive skill, unyielding tenacity, and a certain fierceness that makes you happy Phebe is on our side. Her complete commitment in such moments – to her team, to her sport, to her school –speak volumes about Phebe. Regardless of how much she gives or how she does, Phebe asks for more from herself. Her vocal performances show the same artful expression and the same power. Phebe can sing like few others, offering mesmerizing performances that only Phebe can find flaws in. Phebe’s greatness comes from such selfscrutiny perhaps, for the rest of us see and hear only the magic of resonant sounds, and a unique voice full of impact and energy. Like she did as Velma Kelly in Chicago, Phebe leads every cast or chorus or community she joins.

ELIZABETH HENDRICKS George Washington University

Kaity has made a point of caring for this community. Generous, kind, warm, and inviting, Kaity has, in the words of one faculty member, “always made others feel welcome and at ease.” She leads our Black Student Union and Women of Color at Cate. She is one of the leaders of our Activities Committee, and she is always eager to head into the backcountry on an outdoor trip. Her every thought focuses, it seems, on what might be done to improve experiences beyond her own. And Kaity is successful in large part because she is not afraid of hard work. In fact, she likes it. In the classroom, she is known to consistently test and refine her ideas. Her written work reveals a propensity to produce several drafts, each building on the last. In such ways, Kaity has become a model of service and scholarship, balancing generous thought with intentional action and accomplishment.

Jack tries everything. An avid reader, he is as captivated with J.R.R. Tolkien as he is with Sun Tzu or Amor Towles. A brilliant athlete, he has represented Cate at different times in cross country, football, basketball, track, and swimming. Regardless of the area of endeavor, Jack gives himself over fully to it and to the people who pursue it with him. And he is brilliant company anywhere, a student of uncommon insight, and a genuine and loyal friend. That ever-present smile comes with a wry sense of humor, a sincere interest in others and exquisite timing. Indeed, it is the combination of all those qualities –adaptability, curiosity, compassion, and a keen interest in what is happening in the world – as well as a generous capacity for ethical, principled leadership that will propel Jack’s life from here. Born into a family of servant leaders, Jack is poised to lead the next generation in worthy work.

ALEXANDER HE HUFFER Tulane University

There is a certain magnetism to Sage. People gravitate to him and once they find him, they stay and hang out. He is as comfortable as his ubiquitous flannel pajama pants, earnest in wanting to get to know folks, perpetually well-intended and unfailingly easy-going. Asked about his future not long ago, Sage was typically candid, “I know I want to change the world but heck, every kid does these days. If going to a good college helps … I’ll take it. I just want to make a positive difference in people’s lives.” That comes strangely naturally to Sage. He is a prefect for that very reason, a leader in the winds section of our orchestra, and one of the folks we looked to this year when we needed energy or spirit or another goal on the soccer field. Said one faculty member, “Sage is well named, for his worldly wisdom and captivating charisma are rare indeed.”

Alex Huffer knows what’s required to truly master something. He has been playing the violin since he was quite young, and his devotion to that craft has taken him to Carnegie Hall, to Juilliard in Beijing, and to a host of other venues. He has even done some sidewalk busking to raise money for causes that are meaningful to him. No doubt the pedestrians walking by were as transfixed as we have been at Alex’s ability to make music. But the odyssey is not simply about the violin for Alex. He is equally captivated by the sciences and the possibility of a career in medicine. He is compelled by the outdoors – a fitting avocation for a young man from Alaska – and is the first to take to the trail or hop in a canoe. At Cate, Alex has joined the lacrosse team, exercising the same penchant for practice and preparation that has distinguished his music to contribute to the success of the team. A concertmaster and a defenseman … quite a combo!

ZOFIA HELENA ORANJE INGRAM Scripps College

There is a certain jubilation that radiates from Zosia, the kind that forces any who interact with her to smile a bit, find some energy in our step, feel better. We admire her genuine clarity of purpose, her interest in contributing, and her uncanny good humor. For Zosia, scholarship is a way to scale her own helpfulness. She has become an expert in nutrition and a key member of our Food Committee, precursors in all likelihood to a career in medicine or health. She became a Teaching Assistant this year in response to an intrinsic motivation to help guide and support students who need Zosia’s kind of attention and compassion. Said one teacher, “Zosia is brilliant at determining what is best to do and then determining a course of action to see it accomplished.” “She combines personal agency with a genuine fascination and drive to do good work,” said another. Zosia’s kind of light is rare indeed.

ADELAIDE VAUPEL JAMES University of California, Los Angeles

Said a faculty member recently, “Ada is a relentless, self-aware creator.” Her every expression is artful, from articulate renderings of mathematical thinking to a suite of handmade kites derived from poems she wrote. That is Ada’s genius, to be able to communicate meaning in so many different ways. Perhaps that is why Ada also gravitates to and excels at the study of languages. Having come to Cate already fluent in French, Ada has now mastered Japanese, taking home the Modern Languages Award usually reserved for seniors as a junior and still attending French classes during free periods just to reconnect with the language. She even saw to the publication of Cate’s Literary and Arts Magazine when COVID forced distance learning on the School in the Spring of 2020. Said Ada at the time, “So much good work had been done. It needed to be seen.” Thanks to her, it was.

MARLEY JOSEPH American University

Marley Joseph provides the momentum to just about everything that energizes this community. A lover of music and a great performer, Marley is a driving force behind many of our Coffee Houses. He is a writer, too, and an editor of our yearbook. Friends and fans call him “Mojo” and he brings it, regardless of the circumstance or the venue. Watch him on the basketball court, where that long frame makes him a formidable threat in the paint, or on the baseball field where he has become a remarkably skilled player. In such endeavors – as in all others – you see not simply Marley’s skills but his inexhaustible personality, his drive, and the manner in which he invigorates his teammates. This deep-thinking, charismatic, sincere young man has stories to tell in the world – he fancies a career in journalism, media studies, or communications – and any tale that Marley tells is one we want to listen to.

YIFENG (ATHENA) KE WITH HIGH HONORS Scripps College

Athena has never met a challenge she wouldn’t or couldn’t overcome, never met a problem she won’t ultimately solve, never conceded in battles full of difficulty. She is one of our most distinctive students, so facile in mathematics and science that she has become one of our most effective teachers, leading the Peer Tutoring program in math. Task-oriented and a brilliant collaborator, Athena shines not simply because of her own gifts but because she is so good at bringing out the aptitudes of others. A squash player for many years, Athena decided this year to pick up a tennis racket and became a contributor to our varsity team. Serene and friendly always, Athena’s aspirations are expressed in the manner of her being, in her thoughtfulness, in her insight, and in her conviction. Named for the offspring of Zeus, Athena has all the wisdom of her namesake and the fortitude to share it with our wanting world.

WILLIAM BREWSTER KELLOGG WITH HONORS Dartmouth College

Willie Kellogg grew up on this campus and, in a bit of prescient costuming, came to a Halloween parade when he was three years old dressed as Einstein. He looked the part. And he has lived up to it. Willie is brilliant and passionate about the study of the world around him. Geology, ecology, plants, animals, insects: you name it and Willie can tell you something important about it. He leads students and faculty who share his interests in the outdoors, he models in his every interaction the kindness and humility that distinguish truly generous citizens, he climbs mountains, rocks, and boulders with the agility of squirrels or cats or mountain goats. His inquiry is just as agile and graceful, for knowing more is always Willie’s intention. In a picture taken not long ago, Willie is playing his banjo while sitting on a rock in the middle of a robustly flowing Carpinteria Creek, the sound of the moving water mixing harmoniously with Willie’s strumming. Quite a concert he and nature make together.

SHELBY GERMAINE KERNISANT Occidental College

“All the world’s a stage,” Shakespeare wrote, “and all the men and women merely players.” But some players stand above others. We have been transfixed by the character of Shelby’s persona since she arrived on this Mesa, been entranced by her voice, appreciate the power of her every rendering. In theater performances, Shelby becomes the character she embodies. In musical venues, Shelby gives herself over completely to the song. “You be good to Mama,” Shelby sang in Chicago, “and Mama will be good to you!” But Shelby’s more than “good.” Her work in the classroom is distinctive for its resonance with Shelby’s values and interests. She is a lover of people, a student of the human experience, a hopeful and optimistic learner. A faculty member once compared her to the great James Brown who wrote famously, “I got something that makes me want to shout.” Shelby does, too.

ARHUM KHAN University of California, Santa Cruz

In the thick of COVID, Arhum was marooned at his home in Saudi Arabia, unable for a time to reach Cate. Yet he never missed an advisory, Zooming in from the other side of the world, kept up with his work, and finally seamlessly made his way back to the Mesa. There is nothing overly demonstrative about Arhum. He simply works himself through even the most challenging circumstances with gentle persistence and singular grace. On campus, he is broadly involved, serving as tour guide or a big sib and helping out as a peer tutor. Said one faculty member, “Arhum has a lovely way of explaining complicated concepts simply.” He has also said “yes” to new experiences like surfing, kayaking, hiking, and the like. Arhum has found a home in the outdoors which meshes nicely with his contemplative nature. And he can make others feel at home, too, a quality that is immensely valuable in communities like ours.

BENJAMIN KIM WITH HONORS Boston University

Ben Kim waited until his senior year in his Servons speech to fully introduce himself to this community. A private young man with keen interests – many of them technological – Ben confessed to the assembled faculty and students, “This is who I am.” The applause was so thunderous that afterwards a quizzical Ben noted, “My speech wasn’t that good.” Ben simply underestimated how badly we all want to know him. He spends his days immersed in programming and technical theater. He is fascinated by lightboards and keyboards and worlds beyond this one, worlds of imagination and creation. He loves sci-fi movies and video games and tutoring local students. And he is kind and friendly, insightful, and generous. Ben will make the difference he wants to make in the world, even if it means creating a new one folks can escape to in a video game. But he is great company in this one, too.

CARLO KIM WITH HONORS Brown Univeristy

Carlo is an uncommon intellectual, a remarkable student, a passionate citizen, and a likely world-shaper. He arrived at Cate having read more broadly in history and philosophy and political science than any student we have ever encountered. He is compelled by the character of the world we live in and by the manner in which humans can make it better or worse. His scholarship flows from a desire to use his learning to effect change and growth. And his stentorian voice gives him the means to educate and inform those of us who need badly to know what Carlo knows. A co-leader of the Black Student Union, the author of countless podcasts and essays, an activist and a leader, Carlo Kim has already made a formidable impression on communities far beyond ours. And we sense this is still just the beginning for this insightful architect of truth and art and meaning.

KENNEDY JULIA KIRKLAND Bowdoin College

Kennedy is fast. She set school records as a sophomore, blazing a trail of unprecedented success on the track. The only other Cate graduate to accomplish similar feats became an Olympian. Best watch Kennedy, because she may well do the same. But Kennedy is just as impactful off the track. She is one of our most conscientious and gracious prefects. Her patience and even keel make her the ideal mentor, captain, big sib, friend, partner, leader. Her questions in class often guide everyone else’s learning. Her generosity of spirit is matched only by her resolve, for you don’t reach the level Kennedy has reached – as a student or a citizen or an athlete – without acquiring the discipline and the fortitude to push beyond limits. Kennedy just loves to test herself, to learn from trying, and to use that knowledge to be better, faster, stronger, and smarter. Our Superman without the cape.

DEVON CAROLINE LACK Barnard College

Devon’s nature is revealed in the things she loves: Mandarin Chinese, for instance, a language Devon came to know while living in Asia as a child and one she now helps to teach to her fellow Cate students; the art studio, where Devon can often be found working on her latest piece or imagining the next one; a good cup of coffee, for Devon never arrives on campus without one; a cause worth committing to, her teammates on the lacrosse team, some fine choreography, leading well crafted seminar classes. All of these things and more compel Devon, inspire her in some way, and enable her to express her generous and creative soul. Said one teacher, “Devon has an unusual capacity to meet the moment, whatever the moment demands.” In her journey through Cate, she has met them all with energy, humility, individuality, and poise.

LINDSEY CAMILLE LAURENCE Northwestern University

“I have never met another student,” said a teacher this fall, “so brilliantly able to use laughter to help, to connect, and to heal.” That is one of Lindsey’s unique gifts, and it speaks to her desire to impact positively lives other than her own. In the midst of the pandemic while others remained in solitude she earned a Metherell Grant to build a play structure at the Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home. Lindsey prefers to be busy helping. She is happy to be busy studying too. Lindsey is an outstanding student, a truly distinctive writer, and a talented artist. Her facility with technology led to her appointment as a CateNet Master, which is like a Jedi around here. Most important, though, is Lindsey’s expression of her own laudable priorities: thoughtful scholarship, caring advocacy, and compassionate community citizenship.

Daniel’s genius lies in his capacity to hold seemingly antagonistic traits and interests in unusual harmony. He is a musician, for instance, so skilled on the violin that he was invited last year to perform at Carnegie Hall. He is also, as of this fall, a powerful linebacker on the football field, as deft with opposing players (though slightly less gentle) as he is with the bow of his violin. He is kind, too, and caring, one of the best and most supportive friends any of us could have. After dinners with his advisor and fellow advisees, Daniel will be the guy who slips away to do the dishes. He is also the most likely to lift the most weight or show the most discipline in the fitness center, the one to solve the most challenging problem in his advanced math class, or master a particularly challenging writing assignment. “Grace,” says author Norman Maclean, “comes by art.” Daniel’s life on this Mesa is full of both.

JAEHAN LIM WITH HIGH HONORS Washington University in St. Louis

A letter about Jae written this fall referenced his “limitless craftsmanship.” One faculty member concurred and saw proof in Jae’s mathematics. “He is a fearless problem solver, fluent in all manner of derivative and integral manipulation.” “Yes,” said another teacher, “but have you seen him on the soccer pitch?” That’s where his genius is most evident. He is magic with the ball at his feet and somehow manages to see just where it should go next. “Then again,” said another, “his service in Nepal speaks to a different kind of craftsmanship, the inclination to work on behalf of others.” How like Jae to bring the sport he loves to the kids who need it most. Jae plays the french horn, too, serves as a tutor, works in the library, leads clubs and teams, and still manages to do exemplary work in every area of academic endeavor. Limitless is the right descriptor not simply because of the scale of Jae’s talent but because of the number of people whose lives he touches.

Oscar Sydney Livingston

Oscar is our faceoff man on the lacrosse field, the one we rely on to give us an edge and get us started well. He is an easy guy to trust with that kind of responsibility not simply because he is a great athlete, quick, and strong, but because he is a great teammate, loyal, determined, and resilient. Said one teacher, “Whenever Oscar comes up against an obstacle, he becomes even more focused and tenacious.” Oscar grew up in Scouting, ultimately earning his Eagle Scout designation, so he understands the importance of commitment and service. He is a Teaching Assistant this year as a result of such convictions and because he has grown to be such a facile learner himself. Said another faculty member, “Oscar is as effective at learning as he is at teaching others.” He has a growing interest in neuroscience, too. Nothing is beyond Oscar’s curiosity or his capacity. And we never doubt – at the beginning or the end –that he’ll be the one with the ball.

Emmett Francis Mack

Catholic University of America

Emmett grew up just beyond the right field fence of the baseball field. His goal –among others – was to break one of the windows of his house one day with a home run. He might have done it, too, but he hit the ball too far more often than not – over his house or his neighbors’. A prodigious talent on the baseball field, or really any field of athletic endeavor, Emmett has proven that he is exceptional time and time again. That is as true, thankfully, off the field as it is on. A curious, engaging, wonderfully charismatic young man, Emmett is easily fascinated by concepts or ideas, friendships, and responsibilities. He is a Teaching Assistant because he is inclined to share that curious spirit with students, he shapes surfboards because he loves working with his hands, and he relishes the give and take of an energetic debate. Just ask Emmett about the snowball he made and the Free Day that was slow in being awarded and you’ll see how he keeps us all on our toes.

HARRISON LAWRENCE MCADAM Northwestern

University

Harry is a scholar at heart. He is, said one teacher, “the kind of student who asks for supplemental reading to buttress his knowledge and then follows up and does the work.” His booming voice is filled with insight and curiosity, and it expresses an intellect that will push the boundaries of what we currently know and understand. But Harry’s is not simply a life of the mind. He is pretty facile with a lacrosse stick, too, leading our team for years with his precise attack and unyielding drive. He is an artist out there on the field, just as he is when he picks up his cello, or fashions an argument for a class or debate. A captain in lacrosse and cross country and a member of a committee of the Board of Trustees, Harry holds key positions. But his most impactful leadership is exercised through authority that Harry naturally assumes and uses to advance change or improve experiences and serve better the people he cares deeply about.

CARLY MIKEL MEDINA California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Carly is a giver. She is most focused on the needs of those with whom she shares her time: cast members of the play or musical or dance company; students in her Sophomore Seminar class; folks she befriends around campus who need someone to brighten their day. And Carly is a great teacher and counselor and confidante, the very kind of unselfish companion that gives communities their generous character. We aren’t ever disappointed when Carly turns that big heart towards her art. For Carly is a performer without parallel, an actor who can embody any role, a vocalist who makes us lean forward in our seats so that we can enjoy every word, a dancer adept at conveying meaning through movement. And she has crafted her work diligently, refining copious natural talent with discipline and practice and poise. We expect to see her on ever bigger stages in the years to come, bringing her generous soul to all manner of new characters.

STELLA ZENANI MEISTER WITH HONORS Colorado College

Stella just wants to know things, all kinds of things. Her curiosity takes the most productive of forms, largely because Stella follows it wherever it leads, regardless if the material is relevant to a course or an assignment or anything else. Her unending good humor means, too, that the journey will be full of laughter and light, hope and possibility. Asked about her ideal course of study, Stella said emphatically, “I want to learn Swedish and Latin, anatomy, constitutional law, ethics, how to play the drums, etymology, microbiology, astronomy, and current events.” Any free time might be spent in the pool, where Stella shines as captain of our water polo team, or holding down a job, which Stella has done for the last several summers. Faculty call Stella humble and genuine, permanently perceptive and unfailingly honest, someone who loves to learn and grow. A wonderful example is Stella of how to give yourself fully to your scholarship.

AMELIA ANN MONTSINGER Northeastern University

Amelia noted in her Servons speech that if it weren’t for bad luck … she wouldn’t have any luck at all. It is certainly true that misfortune seems to find Amelia with some regularity and often at the most inopportune times. But there is another side to that coin, one that explains Amelia’s fortitude, her patience and resolve, her endurance and her success.

For Amelia pushes back against the forces in the universe that might obstruct her progress. She is diligent and resourceful. She synthesizes all sorts of complex inputs and consolidates them into clear, understandable truths. That facile mind of hers infuses her scholarship with creativity and insight. Languages in particular, like French where Amelia is doing independent work beyond our course of study, compel Amelia and speak to her interest in communication and expression. For as we saw from the podium during her speech, Amelia has stories to tell, and bad luck is a thing of the past.

A family looking for directions on campus ran into Justin recently, so he escorted them to their destination. Said one of the group afterward, “Are all of your students as kind and gracious as Justin?” Teachers who have the opportunity to work with Justin have similar praise for him. He is enthusiastic, interested, and energetic, full, said one, “of charitable spirit.” And anyone who has seen Justin compete on the track likely struggles to find words to capture his speed or his skill. Justin just operates on another level, one most us can’t reach. Thankfully, though, he slows down when he is around us. In fact, his demeanor and pace in the world is steady and contemplative. He is a brilliant photographer who captures images of the world as only he sees it, a leader and social activist, and one of the most peaceful people with which to converse. Said a faculty member, “Our Mesa thrives because Justin lives among us.”

EMILIA NAM WITH HONORS University of Michigan

Emie Nam leaves it all on the field. One of our most accomplished soccer players, she controls the midfield of every game with the pace of a hummingbird. She is everywhere, somehow, always with the ball at her feet, always one step (or more) ahead of everyone else. And when the game ends, Emie is spent. Every bit of herself, her fire and her resolve, her affection for her teammates and her commitment to the contest itself she pours into her performance. It is rare to find students who push so hard toward their limits. Emie’s scholarship is similarly infused with conviction and commitment. But in academic settings, Emie is more inclined to slow down. She has to. Just ask the countless students she introduces to problem-based learning. Joyas Voladores hummingbirds were once called. Flying jewels is the loose translation. It’s a fitting allusion to Emie’s trajectory and to the rareness of her inspiring intellect and humanity.

Nikita is undaunted. “She sees the most pressing dilemmas facing our world as a personal to–do list,” wrote one faculty member. She has been a driving force behind work at Cate to build better community by making us more inclusive. She was invited to join the Discipline Committee because her wisdom makes our decisions more just. Her participation in our orchestra, where she serves as first violin creates similar harmony. And as a student, Nikita expresses all of the virtues and qualities that distinguish her citizenship. Said one teacher, “Nikita moves gracefully between subjects, combining the analytic capabilities of a true scientific thinker with all the fluidity and composure of a musician.” If there was ever a citizen of the world whose generous aspirations towards community building mesh perfectly with her array of skills, aptitudes, insights, and instincts, it is Nikita. She just makes people and places better.

Everyone has a distinctive Wade Nieman story, a memory of a moment when Wade did something that captivated them, or amazed them, or entertained them. Maybe it was during an art show where they came upon one of Wade’s ceramic pieces that took their breath away. He is a master potter, innovative and bold. Or maybe it’s on the lacrosse field or in the pool, where Wade’s combination of strength and grace make him truly formidable. It could have been on stage, too. His seductive dancing as a libidinous would-be suitor in Mamma Mia last year was unforgettable. But most of Wade’s genius is expressed more privately, in affirming interactions throughout the day and night. An attentive prefect, he is perpetually sought out by his young charges, who see in him a man worth emulating. In class, he is the student who can propel the dialogue, give it character and energy, and the best possible spirit of inquiry. Memorable, truly.

CHARLES NEIL PATEL Tulane University

Charlie will tell you he is a bit of an adrenaline junkie. He lives to ski the steepest and most challenging slopes, prefers to kayak in truly raging rivers and likes to surf big and mean-looking waves. But the Charlie we know on the Mesa has learned the value of slowing everything down, of thinking deliberately and intentionally, of maintaining calm and keeping perspective. Charlie has become a paradigm for leadership and citizenship at Cate. He just seems older and more capable of facing the most difficult dilemmas. He was named Head Prefect by his peers for that reason. He chose to become a coach this year when his athletic eligibility ran out. And he threw himself into new areas of study – computer science in particular –because he understands the need to broaden one’s knowledge and perspective. One faculty member called Charlie “one of our most admired seniors,” a triple black diamond level accomplishment for this master of all things difficult.

BRIAN EDWARD PAYNE WITH HIGH HONORS California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

At a reception for new day students in August, Brian, the day student prefect, held forth on the manner in which those newest to Cate might get the most out of the experience. “Engage, work hard, say yes to new things, stay late and arrive early,” the very things that Brian has done throughout his tenure. One faculty member called him “a paragon of consistent excellence,” for Brian doesn’t ever give less than his full self to anything he does. That dedication to a craft or an enterprise or a course of study has made him a brilliant student, capable of excelling in any discipline, a talented swimmer whose commitment sets an example for the team, and this year in particular a demonstrative leader and community builder. In all of these endeavors, Brian’s generous nature and kind bearing are just as distinctive as his impressive outputs. Even his trademark response when asked how he is doing is telling. “Just fine,” Brian always says. Indeed, he is.

THALIA CHLOE RUXIN University of Virginia

Babacar’s life journey is already impressive in scale. Born in Senegal, he came to the States as a youngster (kneecap height if you can imagine it). And while he has thrived here, Babacar has stayed connected to his ancestral home, to his faith and culture, a decision that has given him a certain peace and a unique perspective on the world. He is curious, increasingly confident, and ever more inclined to use his distinctive and resonant voice. He knows, too, what is required to become truly great at something, what discipline is necessary, and what sacrifices are involved. Babacar built himself into one of the most dominant basketball players ever to don the blue and white. His thunderous dunks brought the crowd to its feet as he led the team this year to a deep CIF run and earned a host of personal honors. Yet, Babacar will talk just as fondly about the students he works with as a Teaching Assistant or the 9th graders he worked with at Pyles. A gentle giant he is, and not merely in stature.

Thalia will always choose the work that asks the most of her, especially if it will return something worthy for others. That’s conspicuous in her involvement in our Public Service program, where Thalia’s generous example is consistent and captivating. She seems to derive energy from the people she meets, folks who need Thalia’s unselfish attention. She finds similar exhilaration training with the track team, where she has become an impactful hurdler. How like Thalia to become great at getting past obstacles. And this year, Thalia has taken on the leadership of our yearbook, The Mesan, which is among the most complicated and time-consuming jobs on campus. Thalia manages it without concern or duress. She knows what real difficulty is, sharing in her Servons speech the bravery of her disabled brother, and so she confronts challenge with poise, grace, and an appreciation for the opportunity simply to try.

Smith College

The opening line in a letter about Daisy this fall read simply, “Details matter.” Daisy knows this better than most. And she lives it, from her work in our Theater program, to her incisive scholarship, to her leadership in our inclusion efforts. Daisy is not only out front, guiding us to be better people or a more welcoming community, she is also behind the scenes organizing a cookie fundraiser to celebrate trans awareness day, or creating costumes for the play, or making sure the Big Sib program is keeping those newest to Cate connected and supported. Daisy is not simply generous or caring or wise –though she is all of those things – but she manages to translate every laudable intention into a thoughtful action. And every time she asks a new question, we sense she is constructing a new plan to enrich the experience of someone who needs Daisy’s kind of care. We all need it, actually, which is why Daisy has been so busy these past three years.

ELIZABETH TREXLER SUTTER Middlebury College

In her Servons speech, delivered at the very beginning of the year, Liz encouraged the community not to forget the lessons of youth. “No matter how old we get,” she said, “childhood can and sometimes should guide us.” Perhaps that is why Liz’s leadership this year – she is our Student Body President and the captain of two varsity teams – is expressed so naturally and comfortably. It has been in her since the beginning, the byproduct of her perceptive nature and lessons well-learned. She is entirely authentic, profoundly self-aware, and a thoughtful listener. If a game doesn’t go well, she calls it a learning experience. If she takes a shot off the helmet in lacrosse – she’s been our goalie for four years – she chuckles. And even though she shares in Assembly each day acts of kindness from the community, Liz was a very convincing murderess in Chicago. Now that’s range.

CYRUS KENT SYMINGTON WITH HONORS Harvard University

Cyrus is genuine, brilliant, and full of purpose. His scholarship, which is marvelous, is distinguished by the wonderful economy of his questions, the patience of his listening, and the character of his processing. Teachers call Cyrus’ curiosity “contagious” and his presence in any venue impactful and welcome. He has been a leader in our water polo and swimming programs since his 9th grade year. To watch Cyrus in the pool and to observe the power of his stroke is to appreciate the intentionality and the hard work that makes his pace possible. Cyrus bemoaned recently his failure to take advantage of the present moment, and yet we have never seen him do anything but make the most of every minute or opportunity or engagement. His standards of productivity are just higher than most, and because of that – through his own good works and the quality of his example – Cyrus has shown the difference that one student can make at Cate.

Alex Tang

University of Southern California

Alex is a student of uncommon diligence, a truly skilled communicator, and this year a conscientious and attentive teacher in our Human Development program. Work of any sort seems to appeal to Alex, but he is especially motivated when someone else is the beneficiary of his efforts. His good intentions shine through his every gesture, making Cate warmer, wiser, and more fun. He has turned this small community into his family, has become content in the wide open spaces he loves to explore, and has found great passions and interests to pursue. Said his advisor, in attempting to capture the breadth of Alex’s activities, “He is a volunteer hand on a deep sea fishing boat, a recreational chef whose tastes lean towards brisket, a citizen of the world with global interests, an ultimate frisbee captain and MVP, and a frequent visitor to the CIA World Factbook.” This helpful young man will bring flavor and focus to any community he joins.

TAMSYN TAPTICH WITH HIGH HONORS Middlebury College

There is nothing more reassuring or confidence inspiring than knowing that Tamsyn is on our side. That is especially conspicuous on the soccer field, where Tamsyn is impossible to get past. The center of our defense, fast, smart, agile and relentless, she thwarts opposing players with uncanny consistency and ruthless precision. But Tamsyn’s leadership and agility is just as evident in academic pursuits. She is a remarkable student, resourceful, detail-oriented, and dedicated. Much like on the pitch, Tamsyn is interested in depth of experience, in practice that takes her beyond the immediate answers to the understanding necessary for real substantive knowing. A head peer tutor, she is equally focused on what and how others might learn. “One of our most reliable seniors,” one faculty member called her, a leader who contributes by holding the line and pushing herself and us towards our very best efforts.

NICOLE TEH WITH HONORS Scripps College

Said a teacher recently, “If Cate had an award for the most contagious spirit, Nicole would win it.” She is relentlessly positive, endearingly hopeful, and incredibly tough. She does not pretend that life is without huge challenges and setbacks. Nicole acknowledged just that in her wonderful Servons speech, but she also noted that we have a choice in how we face anything – good or bad. Hard to imagine better guidance for anyone, but especially for the students Nicole serves, or the athletes Nicole leads as captain of the swim team, or even the pop music aficionados who share Nicole’s belief that Taylor Swift may well be the best recording artist of all time. Wherever she goes, Nicole brings a certain lightness of being that not only invigorates the journey but guarantees its value and the endurance of its memory. One teacher even admitted asking herself after an inspiring class discussion, “What would I do without Nicole?” Remember all she has taught us.

KENDALL REESE THORNE WITH HIGH HONORS University of Chicago

Beatrice must have been born wise, or acquired her wisdom as a toddler or perhaps in middle school, because she has been older than her years for as long as we have known her at Cate. Calm, confident, comfortable in any setting, endearingly kind, and surprisingly candid, Beatrice brings maturity and insight to every interaction or endeavor. She has become a leader at Cate and not coincidentally one of the first to try something new or step out of the familiar. A backstage fixture in our Theater program, Beatrice has risen to the level of student director. But she is just as likely of late to be out front as a dancer and a performer. If there is an adventure to be had in the wilderness, Beatrice will serve as guide and invite others to join. And if there is a class discussion to be joined, Beatrice will bring “bold and unique observations.” Said one teacher, “Hers is the voice that draws people in and pulls disparate ideas together.”

Kendall’s brow furrows slightly when she notices something in class: a concept others can’t grasp, a detail most would overlook, a possible explanation no one else can formulate. Then almost dispassionately she explains what she sees, concisely, directly, matter of factly. Her extraordinary mind is relentless in its problem solving, making Kendall’s among the most productive and almost prescient scholarship. Kendall doesn’t have time to be inefficient. After class she’ll head for the cross country course, or the gym, or the track. She might have a tour to give – Kendall is a former head tour guide after all – or a friend who needs help with something. Kendall is always the first to offer assistance, prompting her advisor to note that “much of Kendall’s leadership comes when no one is watching.” But she still won an Ethics in Sports Award and a host of other accolades, because contribution on Kendall’s level gets everyone’s attention.

Talia Tom

The American University of Paris

Talia builds communities wherever she goes. Watch her with her basketball team, and her spirit is as impactful as her skill, always positive, never ebbing in the least. Her Human Development classroom has a similar balance, full of humor, good teaching, and productive expectations. And her broad friendships speak to Talia’s lovely, affirming way with people. It helps, of course, that Talia is facile with three languages and that she values the diversity of people and cultures in the world. She is a great lover of art and fashion, too, and the way in which culture is reflected in our various forms of expression. An artist herself, Talia seems to be building her own voice through her craft. There is a certain artfulness even to Talia’s scholarship, for she values feedback and is thoughtful in using what she hears to improve and inform her academic work. Either by example or engagement, Talia sets a standard and invites all to follow along.

ELOISE EVANS TUNNELL WITH HIGH HONORS Harvard University

If we really need something done well and quickly and thoughtfully, we ask Ellie to do it. It doesn’t matter that she already has more on her plate than anyone else, because it seems Ellie can handle more than anyone else. She leads efforts that everyone relies on: like the newsletter that goes out explaining the weekly goings-on, or the Food Committee which sees that student input guides our menuing, Round Square, Teaching Assistant. She captains teams that thrive because of the quality of her play and the character of her commitment. Ellie never stops on the field or the tennis court – not once – and when she goes, it’s at a pace none can match. Her scholarship is similarly powerful, filled with commitment to do better for the world or its populations. Said a friend, “Ellie’s passion projects begin when she notices a need in her community.” Like the irrepressible Eloise of children’s book fame, Ellie makes life and work on the Mesa poignant, profound, and full of good purpose.

MYLA MARGARET VAN LYNDE WITH HONORS University of Vermont

Myla loves the outdoors and seems most content and most at home in places where she is closest to the vastness of the world. A certified lifeguard, Wilderness First Responder, and Leave No Trace trainer, Myla has honed the skills needed to be safe in the backcountry and even served as a leader in this year’s sophomore Yosemite trip. Her time in such settings, while immediately welcome to those fortunate to be in her company, may well serve as the inspiration for her truly exceptional, lyrical prose. One teacher called Myla “an artist with the written word.” Others use words like bold, elegant, and unprecedented as they struggle for descriptors to capture the scale of Myla’s talent. It is rare to be able to evoke such awe among Cate teachers, but Myla seems unfazed by her own exceptionalism. She is too busy competing in aquatics or leading El Batidor or imagining the next iconic piece of writing to share with friends.

WILLIAM CHADWICK VANICA Georgetown University

We have heard Will often over the last four years, early in the mornings or late in the day, working out on the tennis courts, hitting balls against the backboard, making himself into a formidable player, a CIF champion as it turns out. His dedication and discipline are conspicuous and unusual, and they don’t simply apply to racquet sports. Will works hard at everything, and he has become an outstanding student – a standout in computational thinking, and French in particular. Entrepreneurial as well, Will works closely with the management of the Blue Ewe to see that stocking options are evolving with student interest and need. Aspiring to a career in international business and perhaps the business of sports, Will is uniquely positioned to construct the future he imagines for himself. Certainly his commitments at Cate – he also serves as a Residential Life Representative – reveal a young man interested in having impact on lives beyond his own.

TATIANA SIERRA VON BOTHMER Brown University

Tatiana seems to have known long before most the character of service that will distinguish her life. She will teach. And she will be great at it. Tatiana’s afternoons she spends at the Cate Early Learning Center, and her arrival is always cause for celebration among her students. Gentle, thoughtful, peaceful, and purposeful, Tatiana is the ideal person to lead learning. She does here on the top of campus, too, not simply through her own scholarship – though that is remarkable in its depth and precision – but in her efforts to guide the full community.

Tatiana is compelled by a host of environmental issues. She has set up a clothing swap designed to keep items out of the landfills and ensure even apparel has a happy home. She is an editor of El Batidor and a phenomenal tutor, always investing herself to ensure the well-being of this community. Said her advisor, “Tatiana’s dedication to her work, to people, and to the earth is formidable.”

MAESA VONGKUSOLKIT Bard College

Different cultures have names for journeys of discovery: walkabout, spirit trail, pilgrimage, etc. Maesa is on one. She is overflowing with curiosity and wonder, with questions on the largest scale and insights to match them. When the pandemic made it impossible for Maesa to reach Cate, she stayed in Thailand and studied traditional Thai medicine with Buddhist monks and nuns. She studied weaving and dyeing techniques for textiles, and then when circumstances allowed her to return to Carpinteria, Maesa became fascinated by the Chumash, a Native American tribe indigenous to the Central Coast. Said one faculty member, “Maesa has been on a quest to probe the true nature of community and connection.” Those efforts have revealed Maesa’s inclination to savor learning, to take in all its flavor and nourishment, so that she can travel ever farther down the road to knowing and understanding.

TUE ANH (AVERY) MINH VU Gap Year

Avery is deeply committed to her scholarship and seems especially compelled by the study of languages. She is a strong speaker of Mandarin Chinese and has worked hard to expand her already impressive vocabulary. And in English she has a capacity her teacher notes for “engaging philosophical questions.” Indeed, Avery has demonstrated an inclination to think deeply and to press ever further on the possibilities of her own cognition. In so doing, Avery is showing a greater inclination to use her voice, to contribute to discussions, and to test her perspective against other vantage points. She has also committed herself to our after school tutoring program for students in Carpinteria, where Avery supports others’ learning with the same diligence with which she pursues her own. Said her advisor last year, “Avery understands what is required to learn and grow,” and she is passing that on to those she teaches.

CHAU ANH MINH VU WITH HONORS Brown University

In an attempt to capture Chau Anh’s introspective scholarship, a faculty member invoked writer Susan Cain, noting that many brilliant ideas and inventions have come from “cerebral people who knew how to tune in to their inner worlds and the treasures to be found there.” Chau Anh has lots of intellectual horsepower that she has applied to every area of endeavor but with particular effectiveness in the Humanities, where teachers have noted written work that is “just dazzling, without exception.” Chau Anh was also involved in the creation of the Ethics Bowl and has shown a keen interest in mental health issues afflicting young people. She has written about the issue for publication and aspires to focus on the area of well being in her professional life. In the meantime, Chau Anh is busy answering the biggest questions and putting that powerful mind of hers to work.

CARLY JORDAN WEINBERGER WITH HONORS Wellesley College

Carly began the year by participating in the Round Square Conference in London, evidence of her increasingly intrepid nature. She took on the prefectship in Cook House East, as well, eager to support her fellow dorm-mates. And she continued to apply herself to those areas of endeavor that have distinguished her work throughout her tenure: like writing brilliant prose or choreographing and performing compelling dance performances, or casually eliminating the Head of School in day one of the Elimination Game. Carly’s capabilities in every area of life or study give her a growing sense of confidence and the inclination to try new things just for the sake of the experience. She was part of the junior varsity lacrosse juggernaut that overwhelmed opponents this spring, a fitting gesture from a senior who understands that the value of any experience depends in part on our willingness to commit fully to it. And Carly is always all-in.

TATIANA ARIELLE YOUNG Scripps College

Tatiana joked in her Servons speech about always looking up at people. Measured in aptitude or resolve, though, she is a giant. Few students have internalized Malcolm Gladwell’s standard of 10,000 hours of practice like Tatiana has. She takes initiative always, actively builds her skills, responds quickly and generously to feedback, and is in the words of one of her teachers “perpetually brimming with positive intent.” She loves sports, too, and has been an important contributor to our tennis program over the years. And when she is not on the courts, Tatiana is studying Shaolin Kempo Karate and is approaching her black belt. Martial artist that she is Tatiana also gravitates to other art forms, in the studio or with the written word. In becoming great in such diverse areas of endeavor, Tatiana has shown the impact discipline and a gracious attitude can have on growth and learning. It is we who look up to her.

JACK PETTIGREW WHELAN Middlebury College

Jack has left so many impressions on this community. We hear his voice in our heads because we have heard him sing so many times and are always mesmerized by the sound. We are accustomed to seeing him on stage, either performing as he did last year in Mamma Mia, or this year as a prefect leading Assembly. And we relish watching him compete on the football and lacrosse field. He is an overwhelming talent in any venue, as powerful and daunting to opponents in sport as he is artful and resonant in song. Beauty and the Beast all in one. But Jack is even more than that. His scholarship is adventurous and full of initiative. Mathematics and music theory captivate him equally, such that he took up conducting Camerata, our elite choir, so he could guide his peers in the expression of a musical text. The fact that he did so with stitches in his chin left over from a collision in a recent lacrosse game made it all the more fitting.

ZHIYUAN (RORY) ZHANG WITH HONORS Amherst College

Rory inspires affection and connection. He is soft-spoken and easy-going; goodhumored and patient; humble and brilliant. His advisor called him “quietly beloved by his dorm, his advisory, and his classmates.” Rory’s selection as a prefect this year, and his great success in the role speak to the manner in which he lives up to even our most aspirational expectations.

Then again, Rory is used to doing exceptional work. He is a fabulous musician, dazzling on the keyboards. He is also an unparalleled math student, and this year he took on an inquiry project exploring the intersection of mathematics and music. Born and raised among different cultures in Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean, Rory doesn’t seem inclined to rush toward conclusions or judgments or answers. He is too thoughtful for that. We are happy to wait for whatever Rory chooses to share, because we know his insights will be generous and profound.