After a night of celebration at prom and with Commencement just around the corner, the Class of 2026 gathered in the DuBois Theatre for a memorable event. The Senior Prize Assembly offered one of their final moments together as a class to reflect on and recognize the extraordinary achievements of their peers. In the presence of classmates, faculty and family, students were honored for their dedication, perseverance and lasting impact on the Blair community.

The evening began with the presentation of awards for academic excellence, with department chairs expressing pride in acknowledging the outstanding work of several students. Science teacher Dr. Nadia Abascal revealed the seniors who had attained membership in Blair’s Cum Laude Society, while Paul Clavel ’88, Director of Athletics, commended the Buccaneers for their remarkable achievements as part of Blair’s athletic teams. In addition to the senior awards, The Apgar Award for Teaching Excellence, which honors a faculty member who has had a demonstrable impact on their students, was presented to English teacher Annie Gardner by Dean of Faculty Life Leucretia Shaw. In a presentation earlier in the week, history teacher and boys’ golf coach Andrew Sykes was honored with this year’s ACTA yearbook dedication, selected by the senior class.

“It’s hard to believe we’re celebrating the eve of your graduation after a productive and meaningful year filled with special moments across areas of campus life,” Head of School Peter G. Curran P’27 ’27 shared on behalf of faculty and staff. “You’ve chosen where to place your time and attention, never forgetting to see opportunities alongside challenges...and now you follow the example of many illustrious Blair alumni who have shown us the power of positivity and resilience.”

Congratulations to all those recognized at the 2026 Senior Prize Assembly:
 
THE DURLAND PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, awarded to the student who has demonstrated extraordinary ability and interest in computer programming or computer applications while at Blair: Ella Eldridge

THE DUMONT ENGLISH PRIZE, awarded to the member/s of the senior class who ranked highest in English and presented in memory of the late Senator Wayne Dumont and his father, Wayne Dumont Sr., by Mrs. Helen Dumont: Val Rosario & Khang Nguyen

THE ROBERT F. HARRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY, awarded to members of the senior class for special interest and outstanding achievement in the study of English literature: Cat Zhang & Rita Meng

THE EDYTH JEFFREY SHAKESPEARE ESSAY PRIZE, awarded to a Blair Academy student to recognize excellence in the study of William Shakespeare: Michael Lynch

ART DEPARTMENT PRIZES, recognizing outstanding work in these areas:

TWO-DIMENSIONAL ART: Sabira Hussaini

THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART: Val Rosario

PHOTOGRAPHY: Margaret Swift

THE PAUL R. WHITE HISTORY PRIZE, awarded to the students considered to be the most proficient in history in the senior class: Jess Neary & Jackson Cooper

THE CHARLES H. BREED LATIN PRIZE, awarded to a senior who excelled in Latin: Rita Meng

THE WINSON D. EWING PRIZE, awarded to the senior considered to be the most outstanding mathematics student in their class: Khang Nguyen

KATHERINE JOHNSON PRIZE, awarded to the senior considered to be the most curious and creative mathematician in the class: Tyler Mo & Carolina O’Malley

THE DALE ROSENSON DRAMATICS PRIZE, awarded to the senior who demonstrated excellence in lighting, sound, special effects and set management for theatrical productions at Blair: Jailin James

THE HARDING MEMORIAL PRIZE, awarded to the students who contributed most to musical organizations: Jimmy Gibbons

THE JOSEPH F. EBERLE MEMORIAL PRIZE, awarded to the students who exhibit outstanding achievement in music: Khang Nguyen

THE ROBERT F. HARRIS DRAMATICS AWARD, presented to the members of the student body who have shown the highest standard of excellence in dramatics: Jimmy Gibbons & Ev Rutt

THE PETER L. AMERMAN RELIGION PRIZE, presented to the student of religion who has been most challenged by the material encountered and who has demonstrated an effort to re-evaluate the philosophy of life accordingly: CC Kirkwood

SELF & SOCIETY PRIZE, awarded to the student of self & society who has been most challenged by the material encountered and who has demonstrated an effort to re-evaluate the philosophy of life accordingly: Simon Davis

THE SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, presented to that student who exhibits an overwhelming passion and commitment toward science and who has written a superior academic record in multiple science courses: Khang Nguyen & Eugenie Kwon

THE DONALD E. LAWSHE PRIZE, presented in memory of former Blair physics teacher Donald E. Lawshe to students who have consistently demonstrated a passion for science and a dedication to interests beyond the classroom: Tessa Koehler & Ryan Donlon

CUM LAUDE INDUCTEES: 
Edwin Asencio
Connor Bercume
Bella Biondo
Mary Da
Ella Eldridge
Olivia Gore
Ansel Hamlin
Rachel Kim
Tessa Koehler
Tyler Mo
Ava Momsen
Jess Neary
Carolina O’Malley
Val Rosario

SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARD:
Faye Allen
Mikey Antonelli
Jaiveer Chauhan
Jackson Cooper
Ella Eldridge
Layton Glover
Shane Hadden
Ansel Hamlin
Ashley Hur
Parker Lesley
Naomi Limann
Michael Lynch
Ava Momsen
Mayan Muchugia
Jess Neary
Dash Neville
Guy Phisuthikul
Lena Rodriguez
Val Rosario
Naomi Sansone
Chloe Valentine
Hannah Wilson
Brandon Wood
Andrew Zhang

WILLIAM ZESTER MEMORIAL AWARD: Hannah Wilson

ROBERT DALLING PRIZE: Deron Rippey

HERBERT J. SIEGEL ’46 PRIZE: Faye Allen & Mikey Antonelli

LEE ROSE MEMORIAL TROPHY: Jess Neary

FRANKLIN PRIZE: Jailin James

ELAINE & JAMES KELLEY PRIZE: Maxwell Bowers

SELENA & JAMES HOWARD PRIZE: Priyanka Ponnam & Brandon Powers Wells

HAROLD F. WALKER MEMORIAL PRIZE: Alice Xu & Mikey Antonelli