Middle School Awards 2024

Middle School Awards 2024


Middle Schoolers are recognized for their hard work and accomplishments throughout the year in academic excellence, service, character and personal growth.
 

Grade 8 LJCDS Awards

Balmer Award

Asha Patel

List of 2 items.

  • About The Balmer Award for Citizenship

    This award is named for Louise Balmer, founder of The Balmer School, which was later named La Jolla Country Day School. It is awarded to a Middle School student who has given generously of themselves to the improvement of the school community.

  • About Asha Patel

    The Balmer Award recognizes a student exceptionally dedicated to improving our school community. Asha Patel demonstrates the core values of LJCDS and is an outstanding student, leader and classmate.

    Asha is an exemplary leader on campus and has made remarkable contributions as a member of the Torrey Leadership Council. Throughout the year, she has represented our school at admission events and collaborated with fellow students to plan spirit days.

    In the classroom, Asha puts 100% effort into everything she does. She is a dedicated student with a strong love of learning and always strives to do her best. Not only does Asha hold herself to the highest standard of academic excellence, but she also inspires her peers to excel. She is always looking for ways to help others, whether proofreading her peers’ work or sharing her excellent study tools. Asha’s consistent kindness and inclusivity create a welcoming environment and make LJCDS a better place. 

Donald L. Leavenworth Award

Alexander Rechel

List of 2 items.

  • The Donald L. Leavenworth Award

    This award recognizes inner drive and determination, as displayed by a student’s commitment to their goals and steadfastness and courage in seeking these goals. It is named for Mr. Leavenworth, who served as headmaster from 1967–1972.

  • About Alexander Rechel

    Inner drive, determination and commitment make Alex Rechel a beacon of inspiration and the receiver of the Donald L. Leavenworth Award. As we reflect on his remarkable journey, we’ve watched Alex develop a profound self-awareness of how he learns best. With this self-knowledge, Alex confidently ensures his voice is heard. He asks clarifying questions, challenges assumptions, and seeks out teachers to review concepts. What truly sets Alex apart is an intellectual curiosity and an unflappable determination to understand. He independently looks for ways to improve and works hard toward his goals, often taking time to meet with teachers beyond class hours. His positive mindset and humble approach to learning ensure he remains in a healthy and productive state. Alex’s positivity is infectious. His genuine warmth and support lift those around him. Congratulations, Alex, on all that you have accomplished, and may your future be as bright as your spirit.

Keith Heldman Music Award

Sedona Springer

List of 2 items.

  • The Keith Heldman Music Award

    The Keith Heldman Music Award, initiated in 1979, was dedicated by the Capen family to honor Keith Heldman who, through his music program, has influenced the lives of so many young people at LJCDS. It recognizes that student who has demonstrated acquired self-confidence, appreciation for hard work and an ability to communicate with an audience.

  • About Sedona Springer

    Sedona Springer has been a member of the Middle School Choir program for two years. She is a soprano with a big, beautiful voice who can communicate with her audience.

    Whether it’s musical theater, classical, pop, jazz or Disney, Sedona isn’t afraid to sing any genre and takes it on with a drive to succeed. She loves a challenge and loves what she can learn vocally from each style. And she does it with a big smile on her face. When people talk about a quiet leader, that describes Sedona perfectly; she does not necessarily want to stand in front of others and direct them but instead leads by example and models the behavior she wants to see in others. 

Harry L. Drogin Memorial Award

Sienna Springer

List of 2 items.

  • The Harry L. Drogin Memorial Award

    The Harry L. Drogin Memorial Award for excellence in theater is awarded to a student who embodies the spirit of a true dramatic artist as described by former LJCDS teacher Harry Drogin. The winning student is creative, takes direction, and has a sense of responsibility and dedication toward the craft of theater. 

    One of Mr. Drogin’s favorite mantras was: “Be seen. Be heard. Be understood.” In the drama department at LJCDS, we understand that this is the essence of effective performance. This award is presented to a student with the spirit and drive necessary to be an actor.

  • About Sienna Springer

    The Harry L. Drogin Memorial Award goes to Sienna Springer, a student who embodies the spirit of a true dramatic artist. In addition to demonstrating a strong presence on stage, she stands apart due to her willingness to tackle challenging roles. As a seventh grader, Sienna sprinted across the stage as she told the story of Cinderella single-handedly, playing all the roles at once. As an eighth grader, she never left the stage as she worked to orchestrate entrances and exits and kept the narrative moving forward. Sienna rose to both challenges, establishing herself as a young leader in our program. 

    Furthermore, her love of theater extends beyond the classroom. She devoted extra time to the Middle School musical and worked after class to help with smaller projects. In all these endeavors, she remains receptive to constructive feedback and is a model that hard work and determination reap excellence! 

    We look forward to Sienna’s continued growth as an artist, her engagement in the arts community, and her leadership amongst her peers.

Donald Pringle Memorial Award

Porter Brunson and Skylar Socol

List of 3 items.

  • The Donald Pringle Memorial Award

    The Donald Pringle Memorial Award is named after a student attending LJCDS in the mid-70s who tragically died in a surfing accident around graduation. This award is given in recognition of the outstanding athletic skills and exemplary sportsmanship demonstrated by Donald Pringle. Certificates and book awards are given to two eighth-grade students who best combine ability, desire, determination and sacrifice in athletics.

  • About Porter Brunson

    Porter is an outstanding football, soccer, and track and field athlete, but his leadership qualities shine brightest. His coaches and teammates appreciate his can-do and team-first attitude and his willingness to do whatever is needed for team success. A great leader makes those around him better, which perfectly describes Porter. He leads by example, bringing out the best in those around him and driving his teams to success.

  • About Skylar Socol

    A volleyball, soccer, and track and field athlete, Skylar Socol is a leader on and off the field and court. Physically talented, Skylar pairs her physical gifts with a level of effort, determination and grit that makes her an unstoppable force. Her leadership helped our volleyball and soccer teams to championship seasons, and she is one of the best sprinters in the South Coast Middle School League.
 

Middle School Recognition

SIGMA Math League

The national SIGMA competition consists of five tests given throughout the school year to Grades 6–8. SIGMA tests promote problem-solving through competition. They provide opportunities for students to apply their mathematical knowledge in new and different ways by solving non-routine problems. In addition, the tests allow students to compete nationally, as an individual, as a team and as a school.

SIGMA recognizes students with the highest cumulative scores by awarding gold, silver and bronze pins.

Grade 8
1st Place: Owen Murphy and Nicholas Ong
2nd Place: Felix Dittmar   
3rd Place: Sydney Hersman 

Grade 7
1st Place: Manu Chourasia, Aleksander Djuric, Yurou Wang and Ryan Zhuang
2nd Place: Oliver Storment   
3rd Place: Jasper Chen, Ray Gao and Mia Sherman

Grade 6
1st Place: Callan Mischler
2nd Place: Kaylyn Witt  
3rd Place: Noam Gilmer

Middle School Students Taking Upper School Classes

Integrated Math I
Hayden Fox
Kavin Lingham
Maia Poch

Integrated Math I Honors
Anthony Casey
Manu Chourasia
Simon Garrity
Nico Gilmer
Andrew Hamson
Mason Lee
Emma Li
Gavin Li
Matthew Onaitis
Harper Tilley
Lilandra Witt
Izabela Zabrocki

Integrated Math II Honors
Andrei Cross
Sophia Zhou

Precalculus BC Honors
Kiran She

Spanish I
Ruth Garrity
Simon Garrity
Ellie Melroy
Maia Poch

Spanish III
Sarah DuBois
Samantha Rianhard
Mariana Tovar
Isabella Tucker
Raine Vines

French I
Lilandra Witt

Upper School French Heritage Honors
Mika Grossman
Janae McDaniel
Anya Rosen-Ahmed

Mandarin III Honors
Mason Lee
 
Mandarin II
Brandon Tong

Grade 8 Musicians

We recognize the following students for their effort, dedication and commitment to learning an instrument in our Middle School music program. We are so proud of our musicians and hope music will always be an important part of their lives.


Bassoon
Emma Li 

Percussion
Jacqui Bose
Max Frey
Travis Lee
Allegra Levisetti
Kathryn McGowan

Saxophone
Henry Alexander
Kiran She

Trumpet
Isa Tucker

Violin
Faith Cartmel
Gavin Li
Sedona Lineback
Raine Vines
Caitlin Wang
Dora Zhong

The Design & Innovation Department Award

The Design & Innovation Department Award is given to the student who best demonstrates the perseverance, creativity, and problem-solving necessary to be an innovator. The student will have shown excellence in entrepreneurship, engineering or computer science over their time in Middle School.

Anya Roy

Grade 8 Play Production

We recognize the following students for their passion, bravery and perseverance in producing plays as part of the Middle School theater program. It is truly their collaborative effort that makes theater alive. We hope all these students become lifelong supporters of the theater in a way that best matches their interests.
 
Faith Cartmel
Geneva Choi
Sarah DuBois
Vivienne Fullerton
Nico Gilmer
Layla Graham
Piper Hansen
Maren Johnson
Taya Jorgenson
Layne King
Sedona Lineback
Janae McDaniel
Kathryn McGowan
Averie McInerney
Anya Rosen-Ahmed
Sienna Springer
Abby Lyne Sullivan
Harper Tilley
Annie Verkh-Kent
Iza Zabrocki
Dora Zhong
Audrey Zhu

AMC8

The AMC8 is a math competition provided by The Mathematical Association of America. It is intended to strengthen the mathematical capabilities of the next generation of problem solvers. Through friendly competition, the MAA AMC program helps identify talent and foster a love of mathematics. The goal is to develop problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge in Middle School students.

1st Place: Kiran She  
2nd Place: Michael Shi
3rd Place: Gavin Li

Torrey Leadership Council (TLC)

TLC is a group of students who are elected to a leadership position by their peers to help make LJCDS an inclusive, fun and empowering environment. TLC is an opportunity for students to be leaders in the community and get all students involved in subcommittees related to service, school spirit, and advocacy and activism. TLC members represent their peers and uplift student voices.

Grade 8
Faith Cartmel    
Harper Goff    
Gavin Li    
Anna Lynn    
Asha Patel    
Alex Rechel    
Isabella Tucker    
Annie Verkh-Kent    
Audrey Zhu

Grade 7
Pancho Burkett    
Isaac Chen    
Alexandria Conrad    
Peyton Felker    
Kenzie Horton    
Sonia Melvin    
Fallon Parker    
Francie Toth    
Kevin Zheng

Grade 6
Zane Cohen    
Griffin Feinman    
Aditi Katragadda    
Dylan Mackin    
Justin Mandel    
Callan Mischler    
Olivia Murphy    
Aryana Nasiri    
Zora North    
Ayelet Ron    
Reese Roosevelt    
Matthew Stuart-Chaffoo    
Mary Grace Stuart-Chaffoo    
Sareena Toor    
Faith Williams
 
Grade 5
Anirudda Abhilash Pillai    
Coleman Hales    
Sammi Iancovici    
Celeste Lind    
Eden Liuget    
Olivia Oversmith    
Kristina Serenkova    
Cora Smith    
Everett Tanaka    
Jessica Yang

Newbery Awards

The Newbery Reader’s Award program began in 1994 by librarian Susan Middleton. The award celebrates the reading prowess of our students as they commit to reading Newbery-Medal-winning books across the entire spectrum of literature.
 
Grade 6 (over 50)
Matteo Mascola

Grade 6 Reading Competition

This award recognizes students who demonstrate excellence and dedication to independent reading and have participated in the book challenge this school year. Students read 20–50 books from different genres, authors and topics. 

Lachlan Brooks
Noam Gilmer
Callan Mischler
Suzie Newman
Zora North
Reese Roosevelt
Luke Shimkin
Lynna Tokuyasu
Sareena Toor
Thomas Zahalan

Grade 8 Short Story Awards

We celebrate the following students for their exceptional short stories. It is a notable achievement to be selected by one’s peers and recognized for the quality and impact of one’s work. We are proud of their achievements. 

Grade 8
Simon David
Kate Fay
Travis Lee
Averie McInerney
Asha Patel
Kiran She
Harper Tilley
Isa Tucker

Promising Young Writer Competition

The Promising Young Writers Program represents the National Council of Teachers of English’s commitment to early and continuing work in the development of writing. The school-based writing program was established in 1985 to stimulate and recognize writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students. Schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, Canada and American schools abroad are eligible to nominate students.

Two to three independent judges evaluated each submission holistically on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development and style.

First Class: Gavin Li
Superior: Anya Rosen-Ahmed

Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair

Grand Award: Oliver Cottrell
Oliver also received 2nd place in the CA State Science & Engineering Fair

1st Place: Grant Alexander, Johnny Brough and Jun Huh    
2nd place: Mia Bi, Lachlan Brooks, Ryan Zhuang and Ayelet Ron    
3rd Place: Nicholas Ong and Sophia Zhou

Discover with Me

We celebrate the following students for their effort, dedication and talents as editors of our Middle School literary magazine, Discover with Me. We’re proud of their achievements and look forward to their ongoing growth as writers and artists.

Grade 7
Mia Bi    
Ella Hersman

Grade 8
Sedona Lineback    
Maren Johnson

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