From Lee Thomsen, Head of School A hallmark of the Country Day experience is the belief that there is no single path to success. Our talented faculty and staff create an atmosphere that nurtures each individual and allows all students to develop their passions and talents in widely different areas of school life. Country Day’s annual Awards Day ceremony is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of students in a panoply of academic disciplines as well as the many other areas of school life that embody what it means to be a citizen of the larger world. These awards, chosen by the faculty, celebrate students who shine in the traditional academic disciplines, creative writing, athletics, performing arts, and service to the community, as well as those who embody the qualities of character and the pursuit of equity and justice encapsulated in the mission and core values of Country Day. While this year we cannot hold this celebration in person, please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of the students of Country Day through the newsletter that follows.
Mission Statement
Country Day inspires intellectual discovery and engages a diverse community to think critically, live creatively, and act compassionately.
Country Day’s Core Values:
Intellectual Discovery
We challenge students to pursue academic and personal excellence as they develop and embrace their passion for learning. Our students thrive in a dynamic college preparatory program that fuels curiosity, instills confidence, and builds resilience.
Diversity
Our inclusive community promotes equity and understanding through meaningful conversation that welcomes a variety of voices and celebrates individuality.
Critical Thinking
Our students grapple with complex issues, engage with conflicting points of view, make connections, and collaborate. We empower students with the skills to thrive in an evolving world.
Creativity
Our students explore, improvise, and take risks as they discover and fully express themselves as individuals.
Compassion
We nurture empathy, integrity, and responsibility in a safe and supportive community that values kindness, respect, and civic engagement.
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2022 High School Awards Recipients
High School Awards 2022 4 Rachel Carson Award
11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15
4 Harvard Book Award 5 University of Rochester Award: Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award 5 University of Rochester Award: Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Humanities & Social Science Award
16 Alice and Herbert Matthews Scholarships Creative Writing Mathematics
6-7 Country Day Book Awards 8 Rensselaer Medal 8 J. Wesley Jamison Scholarships
16 The Red Cross High School Scholarship Award
8 Hlavaty Impact Award
17 National Merit Scholarship Program + National Recognition Program
9 The Barbara Lazar Excellence in Music Award 9 Kingman Tung, M.D., Award for Academic Excellence & Exceptional Character
17 Distinguished Scholar Awards 17 Summa Cum Laude Class of 2022
10 Justice and Equity Leadership Awards for Seniors 10 The James W. Weatherholt II Excellence in History Award
Awards of Excellence Art Communications Computer Science English History Mathematics Music Physical Education Science World Languages
18 Sophomore Symposium Awards 18 Creative Writing Contest 18-19 Country Day Scholar-Athletes of the Year and A. Dale Lacky Scholarship 19 Parents’ Association Amicus Award
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Sacramento Country Day School
Rachel Carson Award
The Rachel Carson Award is presented by Chatham University to a junior who, like Carson, demonstrates a fervent passion for the advancement of science and is a passionate steward of the earth. Rachel Carson graduated from Chatham University in 1929 and authored many books on the environment. She is best remembered for writing the book, Silent Spring, where she detailed the detrimental effects of indiscriminate use of pesticides on the environment and inspired the movement that led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Adam Akins by Kellie Whited It will come as no surprise to anyone that this year’s recipient of the Rachel Carson Award is Adam Akins. Adam has revitalized the Environmental Science Club and has rallied quite the following of budding environmentalists. If anyone can talk his fellow students into rummaging through trash cans to pick out recyclable items, it’s Adam. His passion for conservation is unrivaled at SCDS. He is sure to make his mark on the earth by helping remove the damage done by others to our fragile biosphere. As the recipient of the Rachel Carson award, Adam will receive a special edition of Silent Spring, an invitation to Chatham’s Summer Sustainable Leadership Academy, a $5,000 scholarship and preferred consideration for a competitive full-tuition scholarship if he is accepted and chooses to attend Chatham University. It is my pleasure to present the 2022 Rachel Carson Award to Adam Akins.
Harvard Book Award
The Harvard Prize Book Program was established by Harvard alumni in 1910 as part of an effort to attract the attention of talented students to Harvard College. The Prize Book is awarded to an outstanding student in the junior class who displays excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields. This year, the winner of this award, through her intelligence, strength of character, and variety of achievements, exemplifies Harvard’s commitment to excellence.
Samhita Kumar
by Patricia Jacobsen Samhita shines in a broad array of extracurricular challenges including Mock Trial, Journalism, Science Bowl, Quiz Bowl, SMUD Solar Regatta, and even the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She earns high praise from teachers across disciplines. Ms. Bauman applauds Samhita, noting that “She excels in English, writing essays that advance clear yet profound arguments, using beautifully crafted sentences. Furthermore, she is a prolific reader, always with a book in hand, and not just the one assigned for class.” Mr. Millsback and I agree that we could easily take a week— maybe a year—off and ask Samhita to teach our math classes—anything from Geometry through AP Calculus BC. Samhita, on behalf of the Sacramento Harvard Alumni Association, I am proud to present you the Harvard Book.
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2022 High School Awards Recipients
University of Rochester Award: Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award
This award is presented to a student based both on high achievement and rigor in science and math classes and on the positive contributions that the student makes to their school and the larger community.
Savanna Karmue by Kellie Whited
Savanna is someone who wonders at every single scientific advancement and sees the innumerable questions yet to be answered as a challenge rather than an obstacle. She has had a passion for cardiovascular health education since she was a little girl. Through her organization, Happy Hearts, she has worked to help children understand not only the physiology of their cardiovascular system, but the way they can help to prevent heart disease through a nutritious diet and exercise.
Savanna has inspired her classmates to get involved and created the Happy Hearts Club. She and her club members spent a week this year teaching our 3rd grade students all about heart health. It was such a success that, through the internship program, Savanna will be working to refine her curriculum to meet the academic needs of different grade levels. Her goal is to provide this curriculum for free to educators around the world so that they can spread the word on how to promote heart health in children. Savanna is particularly interested in reaching people of color who are often disproportionately affected by heart disease and plans to bring her Happy Hearts program to underresourced schools in Sacramento next year to help do her part to reverse this trend. Savanna has a servant’s heart and is an inspiration to both her classmates and teachers. I am pleased to present this year’s University of Rochester award in science to Savanna Karmue.
University of Rochester Award: Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Humanities & Social Science Award
This award is presented to a student who demonstrates commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues through leadership and dedication to community action.
Jiayu Tang
by Jane Bauman Jiayu Tang has been asking complex ethical questions since middle school. He reads widely and deeply in philosophy and social thought. He is passionate about the study of the humanities and social sciences. A highly motivated, independent thinker, he is deeply curious about history, philosophy, literature, both ancient and modern. Great Books teacher Glenn Mangold wrote, “The insights and the connections Jiayu makes elevate the academic level of the class for all students.” His history teacher made a similar comment, noting that his work “highlights his ability to think deeply about complex historical topics and connect the topics with his prior knowledge and experiences.” In English class, his writing often offers a fresh perspective and showcases his excellent critical thinking skills. Jiayu is heading off this summer to pursue additional courses in the humanities and social sciences.
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Sacramento Country Day School
Country Day Book Awards
Country Day Book Awards are earned by juniors who best embody our mission to think critically, live creatively, and act compassionately. Honorees demonstrate exceptional work within Country Day’s core values of intellectual discovery, diversity, critical thinking, creativity, and compassion
Amaya Anguiano by Liz Leavy
Amaya Anguiano is a study in contrasts. She possesses the joie de vivre of a caffeinated toddler, yet is wise beyond her years. Over the course of her junior year Amaya has truly found her voice. She has confidence in her judgment and speaks her mind with power and eloquence. I know Amaya best through her work on the Medallion yearbook. She joined as a 9th grader, and next year will be one of the editors-in-chief. It is in her Medallion work that I have observed Amaya exemplify time and time again the characteristics represented by this award: critically assessing drafts, devising creative solutions to stumbling blocks, and compassionately mentoring younger staff members. Optimistic and unflappable, Amaya leads by example and gets the job done. When she senses a need in the yearbook room, she addresses it, whether that means presenting a spontaneous lesson in caption-writing or throwing an impromptu karaoke party to pump up the staff. It is a pleasure to know Amaya, and a privilege to present her with the Country Day Book Award.
Emily Cook by Liz Leavy
Emily Cook is everywhere. You can find her shelving books in the library, giving her all on the volleyball court, or ever-so-politely hounding you for a quote for her latest Octagon story. In class she can be counted on for insightful observations and probing questions, which she will doggedly pursue until she is satisfied with the answer. Emily’s teachers all remark on her eagerness to explore new material and to improve her skills, regardless of the subject area. Outside the classroom Emily participates in student groups such as the Korean Culture Club and Gay/ Straight Alliance. The Country Day Book Award honors students who exemplify our ideals of academic enterprise and community engagement; Emily Cook is such a student. I am delighted to celebrate her with this award.
Simone DeBerry by Jane Bauman
Simone’s academic passion begins with the study of crime. This has led her in many new and interesting directions. She took a summer class in Law and Neuroscience, an online class in sociology, and a college class on prisons. As a journalist, she has pursued the difficult topic of sex trafficking. This summer, she will pursue an internship at Duke University with professor Sarah Gaither (SCDS 2003) on race and identity. Simone’s pursuit of her intellectual interests embodies Country Day’s core values in a fascinating and unique way.
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2022 High School Awards Recipients Ryan Paul by Jo Melinson I’m pretty sure that Ryan Paul read the Country Day Mission before he came here from Singapore because he lives it every day. Let’s go through the list. Intellectual Discovery - When Ryan found out about the Leadership Lunch Series where high school students share leadership experiences, he was quite interested, and he joined Craig Bolman in interviewing students in the library each month. His curiosity makes him a natural to take over the interviews next year. In addition, Ryan wants to be an investment banker so before he moved to the US, he set up an internship with the US Department of Treasury, which he participates in virtually.
Diversity - Ryan has expressed interest in Diversity Leadership to me, and Mr. Wells says that Ryan brings his own cultural background of living internationally to history class providing, his classmates with views beyond their own experience. Critical Thinking - Ryan participates in Science Bowl, Mock Trial, Economics Club, Leadership Lunch, and probably a whole bunch more that I don’t know about. Creativity - In order to stay in touch with friends from Singapore where he previously attended school, Ryan created an economics website (as students do when they want to stay in touch). Such a Country Day kid kind of thing. Compassion - Ryan has been described as “very competitive, and also very kind,” which I think requires compassion. His terrific sense of humor also helps to ground him. Nice job, Ryan. Your diabolical plan to embody the mission of Country Day has been a success!
Garman Xu
by Jane Bauman Garman is not only a high-achieving student excelling in six academic classes, he is also headed for a leadership position on The Octagon next year. It’s a good thing Mock Trial meets on Sunday, so he can fit it into his schedule. Garman is an accomplished concert pianist! I particularly enjoy our chats about classical music. Also an athlete, Garman is on the track team. He always seems happy and engaged and passionate about everything he does.
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Sacramento Country Day School
Rensselaer Medal
The Rensselaer Medal is awarded to a high school junior who excels in advanced math and science with significant extracurricular activities. Callister Misquitta by Victoria Conner It is not the fact that Callister has excelled in AP Chemistry this year that is the most impressive thing about him. What is most impressive is the fact that he achieved this feat while maintaining a consistently positive attitude and excelling at numerous athletic activities. Callister is a generous student who never hesitates to lend a hand to others in class when help is needed. He has a wonderful sense of humor and curiosity. He has even already begun his engineering explorations by building a box – we will work more on that next year. Callister’s curiosity and desire to learn will serve him well into the future. Callister is a high-achieving, thoughtful, friendly, and deeply engaged student who embodies compassionate pursuit of excellence in all that he does.
J. Wesley Jamison Scholarships
The Jamison Awards in Science and Drama were established in 1990 by alumni parent Mrs. Joanne Easter in memory of her father. The scholarships honor the achievements of seniors in two fields of special interest to Mr. Jamison.
Nihal Gulati
is likely to be his best. He enjoys reading scientific books, even those that are not popular among other students. He reads everywhere and always has a book in hand.
by Malak Abou Faour Today, I am honored to present Nihal. Nihal ... the brilliant, the extraordinary, the genius. Nihal ... the exceptional student whose attributes are endless.
Nihal is an example of a smart, hardworking, caring, dedicated, independent, passionate, polite, and respectful student. He was always present whenever I needed his help in preparing labs, typing physics sheets, and even substituting for me in teaching the APs.
He is known for his intelligence and good reputation among his colleagues and teachers. A lover of knowledge in all of its specializations, although I know that science
In short, he is talented, and he deserves this award. Today, I congratulate Nihal and all his teachers. We are so proud of you.
Hlavaty Impact Award
The Hlavaty Impact Award honors two students that have earned this recognition by showing exceptional character and resilience in overcoming significant challenges. The award was initiated by the Hoddick Family in 2020 and is in honor of Brooke Wells, Glenn Mangold, and Sue Nellis for the highly impactful education they imparted at Country Day.
The award committee is proud to honor Jesus Aispuro and Elliot Crowder with this year’s Hlavaty Impact Award.
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2022 High School Awards Recipients
The Barbara Lazar Excellence in Music Award
From 1980 to 2006, Barbara Lazar brought light to the Lower School through her rich and vibrant music program. She nurtured young children to have a love of music and to share their joyfulness for music with others. The award is presented to a student who demonstrates a passion for music and learning, tenacity in practice, performance and growth; who demonstrates musical leadership, shares knowledge and inspires others; and who is cooperative and always willing to help. Brynne Barnard-Bahn by Kurt Pearsall Giving awards is a most treasured occasion for this teacher. It is an opportunity to reflect on preceding years while addressing the community as a whole as well as the student’s parents, an opportunity to share the achievements of our outstanding students. Country Day school provides the opportunity for balanced education that includes academics, arts, and athletics. Barbara Lazar was a beloved music teacher at this school who helped instill the need for a child’s balanced education including the fine arts daily. The Barbara Lazar award for outstanding junior musician is awarded this year to a student who has participated in Concert Band and Jazz Band for seven years, a student who has participated in contests and honor bands, a softspoken reserved personality who is not afraid to try new things or stand before an audience to belt out an improvised solo and share the joy of music, a musician who has played very little of her beloved bass clarinet this year, but has utilized the tenor saxophone to round out the sound of the band to great success. Brynne BarnardBahn clearly deserves the Barbara Lazar Excellence in Music award. Congratulations, Brynne!
Kingman Tung, M.D., Award for Academic Excellence and Exceptional Character
Dr. Kingman Tung’s family—his wife Judy, and their children Alecia ’10 and Manson ’16, established this award in memory and honor of the values that Dr. Tung held dear—academic excellence and exemplary character.
Arjin Claire
by Jane Bauman Arjin Claire is driven to make the world a better place. In every endeavor, Arjin’s modus operandi is the same: he starts with native intelligence and curiosity and adds an incredible work ethic. A first-rate academic, he is also an athlete and activist. Arjin is an outspoken advocate for people with food allergies, and you can follow him on Instagram @foodallergstories, an account
dedicated to “raising awareness and understanding of the stories of the 32+ million Americans who have food allergies.” Arjin has interviewed scientists, lobbied for legislation, and testified in court cases. In another example of his activism, last summer while working in agriculture, Arjin built connections with farm workers, used his design thinking skills to find ways to counter COVID misinformation, and finally held vaccine clinics with and for farm workers. One of his classmates told me that Arjin “is able to make a huge difference without making a big deal out of it.” Arjin couples his power of empathy with design thinking to innovate solutions for himself and others. He is deeply motivated to improve the world and the lives of its people. His core of empathy, hope, and humility drives him in all his endeavors.
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Sacramento Country Day School
Justice and Equity Leadership Awards for Seniors
The Justice and Equity Award for Seniors honors students who dedicated their intellect, creativity, and compassion towards making our campus a place of safety, understanding, and inclusion.
Elliot Crowder and Masai Dumisani
Elliot did his Sophomore Project on Redlining. It takes a certain kind of sophistication of thought to understand the nuances of the discriminatory housing practices and policies that led to and continue to perpetuate poverty and then to explain them to others. Not surprisingly he won the Sophomore Symposium that year. In his junior year, Elliot attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (aka SDLC). In December, he helped me develop well-considered questions for discussion with this year’s group of SDLC students and participated in conversations between this year’s group and last year’s. Elliot is not afraid to initiate and engage in discussion of questions with complex answers. Mr. Charles says, “Throughout the year, Elliot has asked many profound questions and has led a lot of difficult conversations around violence in the media. He has led with contagious compassion and designs and develops software stories that promote kindness.”
by Jo Melinson
The two winners of this year’s Justice & Equity Leadership Award are both quiet students, and yet, I know I will always remember Masai Dumisani and Elliot Crowder for their powerful support of issues of equity and justice and their sophisticated depth of thought. Masai’s Sophomore Project was on Sustainable Fashion and the way we can produce and purchase clothing more ethically. Masai’s path has led her to creating her own upcycled clothing. In addition to caring about the earth, Masai supports social justice on campus through her participation and leadership of BSU and JEDI Council. Her creativity is on display in the library’s glass case that she fills with information about great achievements from diverse groups for each history month. Masai attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference this year. After the conference, she shared her voice and activism with the Country Day Families of Color (FOCs) group advocating for change at the school and collaborating on ways to enhance experiences for students of color and build community. Parents afterwards commented that she was “a force.”
Both Masai and Elliot are deep thinkers, and there are many ways to lead. They both use their own creativity, skills, and intellect to educate others and live lives informed by justice and equity. When they put that thought and creativity into spreading awareness of and facilitating discussion of issues of inequity, they give me great hope for our future.
The James W. Weatherholt II Excellence in History Award
The James W. Weatherholt II Excellence in History Award was established in 2010 by family and friends to celebrate the memory of James, a graduate in the Class of 2006. This award also acknowledges Country Day’s contribution in developing James’s great love of history.
Shakhzoda Khodjakhonova by Chelsie Beck
I had the wonderful opportunity this year to teach AP US History to the most fantastic group of students. Throughout my time teaching them, I witnessed each of them grow intellectually and personally. While they are all deserving of an award, one student’s efforts and enthusiasm for history stood out. This year’s recipient of the James W. Weatherholt II Excellent in History Award is Shakhzoda Khodjakhonova. Shak’s enthusiasm for history was evident in the energy and inquisitiveness she brought to class each day and to the detailed projects she created. Shak, I wish I could present this to you in person. Congratulations!
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2022 High School Awards Recipients
Awards of Excellence
Country Day celebrates the academic achievements of our seniors by giving Awards of Excellence.
Art—Lilah Shorey
by Andy Cunningham, a poem Orville Peck may have sung it better But I’ll try to write something less like a letter A Rock and Roll star in the making always got something in your sketchbook baking furry vests, bell bottoms
and patent leather retro vibes a visual trend setter Since 6th grade you’ve been in my classes it was never hard to give you those Honors Passes Cuz you worked super hard
on everything i sent your way and harder on our own stuff exploring every day your dedication to the arts has wow’d many and swelled hearts you take a strong stance this is not a chance call There is power in your conviction on love and understanding to all no matter their predilection race, belief or creed Stand up for them all this is the blood you bleed so on this day of awards this one comes to you from the arts keep creating you will and filling our hearts keep looking and seeing and finding a way Lilah gets the art award from Country Day.
Communications—Sanjana Anand, Ethan Monasa, Arikta Trivedi, Arijit Trivedi by Bonnie Stewart
The Communication Award this year is shared by the editors-in-chief of The Octagon, the student newspaper for Sacramento Country Day School. Sanjana Anand and Arikta Trivedi have held the top positions for the print edition, and Arijit Trivedi and Ethan Monasa have overseen the online edition, though they all weigh in on stories published on both platforms. These four students have successfully led a team of 20 staffers who served as editors, reporters, photographers, videographers, designers, graphic artists, and business managers. This team has won numerous awards at the state and national level, including Best in Show for the print edition at the 2022 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention and 21 awards from the California News Publishers Association in 2021, including First Place for General Excellence. This kind of recognition doesn’t happen unless the top editors are excellent communicators with each other and with their entire team. They have led the summer boot camp and most of the newsroom/classroom meetings. They are leaders and deserving of this award. Wishing them a wonderful adventure as they rocket off to universities around the country.
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Sacramento Country Day School Computer Science—Nihal Gulati
competed in coding competitions, and he built a solar-powered boat that raced in the 2022 SMUD Solar Regatta. In classic engineer form, his genius is demonstrated by his encoded words. Thank you, Nihal, for your work. The school is a better place because of your time here.
by Charles Farris
Thankfulness and recognition are in order for Nihal Gulati and his excellence in shared intellect, dedication, and grace in representing, building, and guiding the Sacramento Country Day School Computer Science Program. Excellence can be defined as standing out or displaying extremely good qualities. From any lens and clearly visible from the computer science one, Nihal stands out by embodying academic excellence. During his time at our school, he tactfully traversed a diverse field of studies involving computer science. From theory to practice, Nihal designed and developed programs in an array of languages including Java, C#, and Python, he wrote labs, he
A similar mind to his once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” (Isaac Newton). As a leading scientist in the SCDS community, Nihal takes after great scientists in the way that he organizes and builds up people. From organizing events to debugging peer work, he exudes a multi-talented patience that is on the leading edge of technology and innovation. As a “Nihal of all trades,” his algorithmic thinking skills show a prowess that will lead him to be a valuable team member at any organization. Nihal Gulati has substantially advanced the practical application of knowledge at Sacramento Country Day School. We, as a school, thank you for your time, kindness, and work. Thank you, Nihal.
English—Tarika Brar, Arijit Trivedi by Jason Hinojosa
Tarika Brar is an exemplary student of literature. She has a profound capacity to understand what is at the heart of a complex text, and she likewise has the ability to articulate that understanding in her own brilliant words. Indeed, Tarika chooses her words with precision and care. Her writing is original, astute, and deeply insightful. Tarika has demonstrated tremendous courage as a speaker, reader, and writer, and she has resoundingly earned the distinction of the Country Day English Department Award of Excellence. Charismatic and joyful, Arijit Trivedi gets it. He understands literature on a sophisticated level; he reads and writes with superlative skill. He also knows how to alchemize a comment that initially seems like a joke into a profound analysis of a text. Arijit is willing and able to engage in literary discussion in order to keep a conversation active and interesting, and he seems to have a lot of fun doing it. He has shown authentic passion for literature, and he has earned the distinction of the Country Day English Department Award of Excellence with both acuity and style.
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2022 High School Awards Recipients History—Craig Bolman by Chris Kuipers
Craig Bolman is a natural historian. His academic work—even going back to his middle school years—has consistently showcased his impressive ability to read and write critically with skill and precision. But even more importantly, Craig is an innately curious and passionate learner. He has a mind alive to the complexities of his world, showcasing nuanced, sophisticated analysis and a strong appreciation for historical narrative. In the classroom, his insightful, probing questions pushed discussions deeper, and he frequently lingered after class, eager to grapple a bit more with some challenging concept or just to share something interesting he had heard or read. In short, Craig simply epitomizes that essential quality of scholarship: an intrinsic motivation to learn for one’s own enlightenment and satisfaction. It is an honor to present Craig with the Senior Award for Excellence in History.
Mathematics—Arjin Claire, Nihal Gulati, Ethan Monasa, Arijit Trivedi by Patricia Jacobsen
Each of the four students in Advanced Topics in Calculus has a strong foundation and interest in applied advanced mathematics, physics, multiple veins of engineering, and/or computer programming. Most days, our class was like a Choose Your Own Adventure book. We started each lesson with a goal, but how we arrived at each goal was hardly predictable. No matter the path, they wandered around the maze of advanced calculus, sometimes having to try again and again, recalling simple concepts from reducing fractions to more advanced math they had learned in AP Calculus. But they always seemed to find their way to a successful result. This meant they were often late to their next class, but how could I make them leave when all four of them were at the board, glued to a problem, cooperating, asking and answering, guessing, proving, incorporating what they knew from AP Physics C, and using creativity to find their answers. With so much brain power, curiosity, talent, variety, and strength of skills, this group was often the
highlight of my day. Yes, there were goofy times, such as when the Home Depot theme song would just start playing from one of their phones as if it were our class theme song. And then there was the time when they suddenly simultaneously turned their desks over sideways, remained in the desks while lying on the floor, trying their best to convince me that multivariable calculus made more sense when looking at the board from that angle on the floor—something they coined as “perpendicular learning.” When they were more serious, oftentimes two would be at the board trying to work out a problem the old-fashioned way, while the others would be writing computer code to test their hypothesis. What an adventure it was to work with this extraordinary group. Regardless of how serious or silly the mood, their excellence in math was just the cupcake that they frosted with their genuine kindness, respectful honesty, and authentic compassion. Congratulations, Arjin, Nihal, Ethan, and Arijit.
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Sacramento Country Day School Music—Craig Bolman by Kurt Pearsall
The SCDS Award for Excellence in Music recognizes a musician at Country Day who has demonstrated the qualities and abilities that define excellence in music. This year the award goes to a musician who has participated in Jazz Band and Concert Band for eight years; participated in performances, contests, rehearsals and helped the bands achieve a higher level of success that would not have been possible without his contributions; a musician who was most likely to be the first person to show up in the classroom, almost always about ten minutes early, living up to the ideal that early is on time; a person that doesn’t have to be asked to help set up chairs or stands to get the rehearsal started. He is one of the few musicians who utilized flex time to work on their music by coming into the MP room and filling the room with the joyful sounds of a saxophone or clarinet, and a person who practiced regularly at home and obviously enjoys making music, either with others or by himself. Congratulations. This year’s award goes to Craig Bolman!
Physical Education—Evan Grijinsztein
opponents tried to score on him, and while he could be quiet during game play, he was stealthy when defending his goal!
by Michelle Myers
The Physical Education Award of Excellence is given to a student who goes above and beyond the required class expectations and exemplifies the courage to grow as a person, set goals independently, and enjoy movement with a healthy lifestyle.
During COVID, Evan kept meticulous records of his daily activities and workout sessions as well as documenting his workouts with video recordings or photos. He even let me use his spreadsheets as examples for others. Evan’s goal setting was realistic and attainable, something that made me incredibly happy to see. During the Special Olympics, Evan finished track and field where he competed in three events: the 200-meter run, turbo-javelin and shot put, winning gold in both javelin and shot put. Soon Evan will continue pursuing sports with softball and maybe soccer in the fall. Pre-pandemic, Evan also competed in basketball and has hopes to return to that sport again.
This year’s award goes to Evan Grijinsztein, who not only participated in physical education, but enrolled in Independent PE when his requirements were fulfilled. In addition, Evan participates in Special Olympics, which further shows his dedication to fitness and physical education.
I cannot say enough about Evan and his accomplishments in physical education. He truly shows the best characteristics of a student-athlete.
Evan always came to class early, offered to help set up, and talked strategies with his teammates while warming up. During games, Evan would laugh as
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2022 High School Awards Recipients Science—Jesus Aispuro by Victoria Conner
I remember the day we were discussing simple machines and mechanical advantage in class and Jesus raised his hand and asked: “Hey, could we build a go kart?” Of course I said yes. Over the next several months, we sourced parts and made plans. Or I should say, Jesus made plans. He took control of the project, drawing blue prints, delegating tasks, and getting supplies. This year alone I have had the opportunity to see Jesus grow not only as a person, but also as a scientist and engineer. He developed invaluable project management skills. He remained unflappable as each new problem arose, problem solving and trouble shooting with the team. He welcomed input from all sources, taking each
person’s suggestions and integrating them into a solution. He worked to develop a steering mechanism from scratch (which is no small feat), and he developed the drive and wired the controller. But most importantly, he recognized the strengths of each member of his team and used those strengths effectively to move the team toward the goal. Jesus has demonstrated that he possesses many of the traits of a scientist. He values accuracy and precision, simplicity of concepts, reliability, and testability. He also has demonstrated a scientific attitude through his display of curiosity, skepticism, and humility. Jesus has the ability to take what he has learned and apply it in real life. Finally, he embodies one of the most important values of science—teach others what you know. Because of your demonstrated leadership, your scientific knowledge and practice, and your contributions to your classes and the school, it is my honor to award Jesus Aispuro the Award of Excellence in Science.
Science—Sanjana Anand by Kellie Whited
Sanjana is someone who demonstrates maturity in her academic endeavors and encourages her classmates to think critically in class. She does not see setbacks as a failure, but rather as an opportunity to learn and grow. Quiet and focused one minute and passionately debating the next, Sanjana keeps her teachers on their toes in the best possible way. Never one to rest on her laurels, she has taken all three of our challenging AP science courses and done well in all of them. She was an intern this year at California State University, Sacramento, in Dr. Johannes Bauer’s aging research lab. She was the boat pilot of the SMUD Solar Regatta team. She was also the president of the Pre-Med club and will no doubt one day be a skilled and caring physician. Whew! It’s obvious that Sanajana will never let a chance to broaden her scientific horizons pass her by. For this and many other reasons, I am pleased to present her with the SCDS Award of Excellence in Science.
World Language Award—Vanessa Escobar by Patricia Portillo
Vanessa Escobar took Spanish from 9th through 11th grade and was my TA for the first part of her senior year. Since 9th grade Vanessa has been accurate and thorough, came to class ready to participate, and paid attention to the directions the first time around. When I recommended that she study a little more, say the preterite and imperfect or a cultural topic in AP, she did it right away! Vanessa always did her work with determination and enthusiasm, paying attention to details as she focused on spelling and grammar, which led to convincing persuasive essays in AP. Vanessa was always a sophisticated student in Spanish, carefully assessing her level of participation, and allowing others the opportunity to speak in class. She always had the highest scores in class and was humble about it. Her positive energy in my classes was contagious! Even when we had a lot of work to do, she helped us laugh at silly things. For your dedication, your constant commitment to accuracy, and your willingness to help others as you advanced, Vanessa, you deserve this World Language Award! Congratulations!
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Sacramento Country Day School
Alice and Herbert Matthews Scholarships
The Matthews Scholarships, created in 1985 and named in memory of two of the founders of Country Day, are given to students who excel in and show a “true appreciation” for Creative Writing and Mathematics.
Mathematics—Jesus Aispuro
ever seen a student work harder in my 25 years of teaching. To be honest, I wish I had the opportunity to get to know Jesus prior to this class. I say that, not only because he is an outstanding student, but because he is an amazing listener, problem solver and communicator. Jesus loves to talk about math, and he loves to ask questions.
by Chris Millsback
I first had the opportunity to get to know Jesus during our Pre-calc Honors summer class. This class is one of the toughest math courses we offer at Country Day, and it is all done in only five weeks. Not only did Jesus complete this intense and rigorous class, but in typical Jesus fashion, he did so with exemplary scores. In only a short amount of time, I was impressed by Jesus’ brilliant nature, wit, determination, and drive. I don’t think I have
Jesus has accomplished so much at Country Day throughout these past four years. Whether it was completing AP Calculus AB and BC, or being a major contributor in the Solar Regatta, Jesus has demonstrated how bright and talented he truly is. Stanford should be honored to have him as an incoming freshman. There is no doubt that his talent, creativity, and work ethic will allow him to do great things in the future.
Creative Writing—Ethan Monasa by Jason Hinojosa
As a writer of fiction, Ethan Monasa has demonstrated extraordinary determination, focus, and talent. He has accomplished an incredible amount already, and yet he remains humbly dedicated to his craft. In the classroom, Ethan isn’t simply focused on his own endeavors; he is generous with his attention to as well as his praise for the work of his peers. He is willing to do the hard work of articulating fairly and precisely what he sees as strengths or weaknesses in his classmates’ writing, and he is willing to do the even harder work of applying those same criteria to his own fiction. Ethan’s stories are polished, vivid, and fun to read. He is decidedly deserving of the Alice and Herbert Matthews Award for Creative Writing.
The Red Cross High School Scholarship Award Jonah David
or medicine, he knew he could find a role, help his community, and meet new people. And with that, he did.
by Michelle Myers The American Red Cross youth motto “to serve” is exactly what Jonah wanted to do when two things happened. One, he got an email from the school’s outgoing blood drive coordinator who was graduating and looking for a replacement, and second, he was given the task of writing an interview piece on the very same topic. When Jonah learned that every two seconds someone in the US requires a blood transfusion, he was shocked and unaware of the importance of blood donations. Because of Jonah’s interest in pursuing a career in healthcare
Here is an excerpt from Kristen Merrill, American Red Cross Account Manager: “I would like to thank you for hosting blood drives during the 2021-22 school year. You will be pleased to know that Sacramento Country Day School collected 94 productive units that are now available for patient care, and which have the potential to save up to 282 lives!” Jonah is in line to receive $750 or more in scholarships upon his senior year. I appreciate Jonah’s dedication through the blood drives especially during this crazy year. It has been a pleasure working with Jonah as his advisor, and I wish to express my sincere gratitude to him for his care and dedication to helping others.
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2022 High School Awards Recipients
National Merit Scholarship Program
In October of each year, high school sophomores and juniors across the country take the PSAT, also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, to help prepare for the SAT. After the junior year, results are tabulated and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation selects 50,000 top-scoring students for recognition. A little more than two-thirds of those students are recognized as commended.
Finalists
This award is based on scores in the top 1% statewide on the PSAT taken junior year, confirmed by subsequent SAT scores, and an additional application and essay.
Tarika Brar Nihal Gulati
Commended
This award is based on junior-year PSAT scores in the top 3-4% nationally.
Arjin Claire Ethan Monasa Clara Reynen
National Hispanic Recognition
These awards from the College Board recognize underrepresented students based on GPA, PSAT scores in the top 10% statewide, or two passing AP scores in sophomore year.
Jesus Aispuro Vanessa Escobar
Distinguished Scholar Awards
Congratulations to the following students, who have made the Honor Roll each year they have attended Country Day. Every day, these students came to every class prepared and ready to make our classrooms soar with creative insights and critical thought. Thank you for making Country Day such a magical learning environment.
Jesus Aispuro Sanjana Anand Edward “Craig” Bolman Tarika Brar Arjin Claire Elliot Crowder
Evan Grijnsztein Nihal Gulati Dylan Margolis Ethan Monasa Arijit Trivedi Sitong “Daisy” Zhou
Summa Cum Laude
Summa Cum Laude recognizes seniors who have demonstrated superior scholarship. Membership is based on outstanding academic performance, demonstrated by maintaining a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of 3.9 or higher. The following students were honored at an event in the Edwards Plaza on May 16.
Jesus Aispuro Sanjana Anand Craig Bolman Tarika Brar Arjin Claire
Elliot Crowder Nihal Gulati Ethan Monasa Arijit Trivedi
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Sacramento Country Day School
Sophomore Symposium Awards
Since 2009, the Sophomore Project has celebrated academic creativity, careful research, and public speaking. Challenging, interesting, and inspiring, this project shows us how our students can perform real, scholarly research and present original ideas of strength. This year, our sophomore class explored a wide range of local Sacramento issues, engaging in primary research and presenting some of their most interesting talks at our Sophomore Symposium. We now honor the top three presentations as determined by our panel of judges of past winners.
Winners:
First—Mia Crowder: To Bee or Not to Bee Second—Grace Zhao: Chinese-American Conservatives Third—Imani Cochran: The Math and Science behind 2D Character Animation Commended—Katie Espinoza: Changes in the Vietnamese Language Over Time Honorable Mentions: Kaitlyn Dias: The Benefits of the Mental Health Court William Holz: Artificial Intelligence and Its Uses in Healthcare E Robinson: Mental Health in Transgender Youth Aarushi Rohati Multi-Cancer Detection Blood Test Galleri Luke Scripps: The Effects of Climate Change on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Gulzar Sohal: Farm to Fork
Creative Writing Contest
The following students earned recognition in the High School division of our second annual Creative Writing Contest:
First Place: Samhita Kumar “Now Museum, Now You Don’t” Second Place: Ishaan Sekhon “Royal Decree”
Country Day Scholar-Athlete of the Year and A. Dale Lacky Scholarship
The A. Dale Lacky Scholarship was first awarded in 1993 and in honor of Mr. Lackey, longtime principal at Woodland High School who served as the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section President from 1966-78 and the CIF State President from 1978-80.
Ninth Grade Andrew Burr
Andrew had a remarkable freshman year, winning the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D5 cross country championship, after helping the soccer team to a CIF Section Championship. Andrew was also on the ski team, basketball team, and tennis team. Andrew was league champion in track and field for the 3200 and 1600 meters. He made the CIF Masters meet in the 3200m.
London Hoffart
London competed on the JV volleyball team, earning the Most Improved Player of the Year award. She was pulled up to varsity for the playoffs. London also played on the varsity girls basketball team.
Tenth Grade
Annalucia King
Annalucia was a starter on the playoff volleyball team as well as the starting point guard for the girls basketball team and the captain of the girls soccer team. Annalucia was given the Coach’s Award from both her volleyball and basketball coaches. Annalucia received the Captain’s Award from her soccer coach.
Luke Scripps
Luke was a key member of both the league champion tennis team and the section champion soccer team. Luke played both defense and midfield for the soccer team. In tennis, and in tennis he played boys doubles, going undefeated in league play.
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2022 High School Awards Recipients Eleventh Grade Adam Akins
Adam was the center back for the CIF Section Champion Cavaliers soccer team in the fall. He helped lead the defense with his positive leadership and athletic tenaciousness. Adam also played catcher on the baseball team.
Samhita Kumar
Samhita was on the tennis team that won our first ever league title in the sport. Samhita was a doubles player, playing both girls and mixed doubles.
Twelfth Grade
Sanjana Anand
Sanjana was team captain and the number one girls singles player on the league champion tennis team. She went undefeated in league competition this spring. Sanjana helped organize the team and was an integral part of our first league title.
Arjin Claire
Arjin was one of the captains on this fall’s section championship soccer team. He was the leading scorer for the season and second leading score of all time for Country Day. Arjin was named the Sacramento Bee’s Most Valuable Player for high school boys soccer. He also played baseball. Arjin was named the Sacramento Athletic League’s scholar-athlete of the year and won the A. Dale Lacky Scholarship.
Parents’ Association Amicus Award
The Amicus Award, named for the Latin word for friendship, was established by the Parents’ Association in 1985. It is presented to a graduating senior selected by their classmates who best demonstrates the qualities of a good friend.
Arijit Trivedi This year’s honoree is Arijit Trivedi, and here is what some of his classmates say about him: “Arijit never fails to help everyone around him whether it’s welcoming new students or staying up late to answer all of his friends’ questions on homework. He sees the best in everyone.” “Arijit is the kind of person who you can always rely on. He’s always been a really kind and caring person who’s sense of humor can infinitely entertain a group of people. I truly love the guy, and he’s one of the best people that I know.” “He is always willing to give his time, knowledge, and support to others.” “He always goes above and beyond to help his friends. Whether it’s reading essays, giving rides, or helping with homework, you can always count on Arijit to be there for you.” “I don’t have a specific example because there’s so many little ones. Arijit’s all around a kind, funny, downto-earth person. He’s great to work with. He’s incredibly hardworking (Octagon attests to that), will help others with anything at the drop of a dime, and is on good terms with pretty much everyone in our class. A great friend.”
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Sacramento Country Day School 2636 Latham Drive Sacramento, CA 95864 916.481.8811 saccds.org