Prize Night 2026

This award honors a student whose presence creates belonging, whose actions reflect care for the whole community, and whose leadership is expressed not through recognition or position but through the consistent way they treat others. This student strengthens The Frederick Gunn School community through humility, compassion, steadiness of character, and an instinctive commitment to making others feel seen, valued, and included. The Jonathan Tisch ’72 Award for Humanity was presented to Tucker B. Mears ’26.

“Tonight is a special moment for the community, when we take stock of the year through the celebration of particular accomplishments. We are a community that loves to celebrate, and we are a community that loves to see ourselves as one big team,” Emily Raudenbush Gum, D.Phil., the Bretter Family Head of School said in her opening remarks. However, she noted that Prize Night is a little different in that accolades are acknowledged one-by-one, allowing individual students to step forward and receive unique prizes for demonstrating excellence across the life of the school. 

Addressing the Class of 2026, Dr. Gum said: “The last four years have been an extraordinary transformation — for this school, for you, and for me, personally. In 2022, you entered a campus with a giant hole in the center, a Head of School announcing that he was transitioning out, and a world that was just getting back up to speed after the Covid pandemic. That spring, I was named Head of School, and you welcomed me, and carried me from one season of life to the next. I am deeply and forever grateful.”

“In January 2024, we opened The Lizzie, a space that has transformed our learning and gathering, and ennobled so much of what’s happening in our classrooms. Now in Spring 2026, we again have a campus under construction, as we build our wellness center and break ground on our first new dorm in a decade. Along the way, we have lost beloved community members, and welcomed the birth of others. Remember our first May Day together in the spring of 2024, when you learned how to pronounce the word cèilidh? Winning the football championship. Scottie. Learning to care about tartan,” Dr. Gum said, recalling some of the many highlights that marked their time at the school.

“The Frederick Gunn School stands firmly on the extraordinary potential of our teenagers – of you – not because you are perfect, but because you are capable and you are committed,” she continued. “We work hard at the school to listen to our students, to welcome parents as partners, and to lean into the reality that the future of education is going to be marked by adaptability. Whatever else comes our way, it is clear that education is becoming increasingly personalized, and as a small boarding school we have always seen individualization as a hallmark of the cultivation of excellence.”

Dr. Gum invited students to stand and thank their parents and the faculty, who have stood behind them and championed them. Prior to announcing this year’s Prize Night honorees, Dr. Gum acknowledged special award winners who were recognized at the annual athletic awards ceremony on May 20, 2026.

Congratulations to all of the students honored this year:

The Vreeland-Rogers Athletic Awards were established in 1998 by Gerrit Vreeland ’61 and Andrew Y. Rogers, Jr. ’61 and are awarded to the students who have contributed the most in spirit, discipline, responsibility and teamwork to the success of The Frederick Gunn School's athletic program. This year's awards were presented to Evan Victory Bailey ’26 and Pia Rose Maccione ’26.

The Athletic Cup Awards, presented to the students who have contributed most significantly to the success of athletics during the school year through consistent achievement and sportsmanship, were awarded to: Tucker B. Mears ’26 and Ashley Edmonds ’26.

The Excellence in Three-Dimensional Design Award was presented to Abigail Heather Gleason ’26 and Ava Lee Gleason ’26.

The Mary Ritter Prize for Excellence in Design, established by her children, Maria ’81 and Nina, to celebrate their mother's life and love of art, was presented to Maya Noelle Edwards ’26.

The Excellence in Art Award, established in memory of Elizabeth Kempton H’52, devoted art teacher from 1902-1952, was presented to Meadow Jean Drakeley ’26.

The Excellence in Dramatics Award was presented to Meghan Polly Ross ’26.

The Jerome F. MacCarthy Arts Award, a memorial to Jerry's dedication to artistic expression and in remembrance of his achievement in the arts, was presented to Anya Phoebe Zigmont ’26.

The Malcolm Willis Award for Music, established in memory of Malcolm Willis, teacher at The Frederick Gunn School from 1959 until his untimely death in 1965, was presented to Haoran "Gavin" Yin ’26.

The Robert B. Mortell Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts was established by Robert B. Mortell, Class of 1955, to celebrate the significance of the arts in The Frederick Gunn School educational experience. This prize is awarded to that student who, in the estimation of the Drama and Music Department faculty, has contributed the most to the performing arts at The Frederick Gunn School. This prize can be awarded for demonstrated excellence in drama, instrumental performance, vocal performance, or technical support. This year it was presented to Katherine Isabella Aguirre-Felipe ’26.

Students selected for induction into the Tri-M® Music Honor Society exemplify outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character. This year’s inductees are: Daniel Conlan ’26, Gavin Yin ’26, Anya Zigmont ’26, Samuell Blackwood ’27, Siena Castonguay ’27, Maeve Feene ’28, Jaeyi Lee ’27, Rachel Lin ’27, Poppy Mand ’27, Oliver Severino ’27, CiCi Shi ’28, Tessa Vuchic ’27, Gabrielle Wang ’28, and Xuena "Snow" Zhang ’27.

The Robert J. Benham Award for Effective Public Speaking was awarded to Ariane Ravanas ’27.

The Frederick Gunn School News Award for Excellence in Journalism was presented to Martha Rose Ewing ’26 and Charles Hutchison ’29.

The School Poetry Prize was awarded to Daniel Conlan ’26.

The Stray Shot Award for Excellence in Prose was presented to Maya Noelle Edwards ’26.

The Pamela C. Taylor Award is given to the English IV student who demonstrates courage in the classroom by sharing their passion for the subject. Willing to take a large bite of literature, this student feasts on the power of narrative, recognizing its ability to nourish our lives, change beliefs, and move social views. This year’s award was presented to Izabella Chang Blake ’26.

The Michael Post Award for Excellence in English was presented to Martha Rose Ewing ’26.

The Excellence in Mandarin Award was presented to Izabella Chang Blake ’26.

The Excellence in French Award was presented to Emmett Panzer ’27.

The W. Russ Elgin Award for Excellence in Spanish was presented to Emma Grace Golden ’26.

The Katherine Kyes Leab History Prize for Moral Leadership is awarded to a 9th or 10th grade student who demonstrates ability in the areas of research, writing and the recognition of strong moral character. This prize was established by Mr. Daniel Leab in honor of his wife's 65th birthday. This year’s prize was awarded to Briel Monroe ’29.

The Fenning Prize for Excellence in Debate was awarded to Daniel Conlan ’26.

The Hillman Award in American History, established in 1946 by Mr. and Mrs. Hillman upon the graduation of their son, William Hillman ’46, was presented to Emmett Panzer ’27.

The School History Prize was awarded to Angela Catherine Chase ’26.

The Excellence in Economics Award was presented to Junsoo Lin ’27.

The Frederick W. Gunn Scholars are rising seniors who have been selected based on aptitude, interest, and character, to pursue original research into some aspect of the life and times of Abigail and Frederick Gunn. The Gunn Scholars for the 2026-27 school year are: Wylie Straten ’27, Samara Kinyanjui ’27, Mohammed Al-Alawi ’27, Kenya Clark ’27, and Alyssa DeSousa ’27.

The Ed Small Award for First-Year Mathematics is presented to a first-year student who shows exceptional talent, diligence, and academic achievement in foundational mathematics. This year's award was presented to Haoda Li ’29.

The Sophomore Mathematics Department Award was presented to Zun Huang ’28.

The Junior Mathematics Department Award was presented to Muyu Yuan ’27.

The Senior Mathematics Department Award was presented to Catherine Michal Schroeder ’26.

The Anthony Golembeske Award for Excellence in Mathematics was presented to Haoran "Gavin" Yin ’26.

The Excellence in Biology Award was presented to Izabella Chang Blake ’26.

The Excellence in Chemistry Award was presented to Tamaki Nakane ’27.

The Excellence in Environmental Studies Award was presented to Emmett Panzer ’27.

The Raymond W. Reich Award for Excellence in Physics was presented to Michael Copen ’26.

The Russell Sturgis Bartlett Memorial Prize for Excellence in Science is presented to the student who has had the most success in meeting the challenges of the Science Department's most demanding courses. This year’s prize was awarded to Isla Beckstrom ’26.

The First-Year Student-of-the-Year Award was presented to Ethan Lazdowsky ’29.

The Patrick M. Dorton ’86 Prize for Quiet Leadership, established by Patrick M. Dorton, Class of 1986, celebrates the importance of individuals who lead by example rather than title at The Frederick Gunn School. The prize is awarded to a rising sophomore or junior, who in the estimation of the Dean of Students Office, has demonstrated perseverance and good citizenship in everything that they do. In their time at The Frederick Gunn School, this student has enhanced the entire community by exerting a positive influence on their peers and serving as a role model. This year’s prize was awarded to CiCi Shi ’28.

The Teddy Award is given in loving memory of Edward "Teddy" Bright Ebersol, beloved member of the Class of 2008, who died tragically on November 28, 2004, at the age of 14 in a private plane crash near Telluride, Colorado. Teddy was a loving, enthusiastic and generous young man, “an all-round good person” with a quirky sense of humor and a self-awareness beyond his years. He was a caring friend and a responsible academic citizen. Teddy's two passions were politics and the Boston Red Sox and he could argue anyone to their knees on either subject. Teddy Ebersol's life on this earth ended all too soon, but his wonderful spirit will live on forever in all who knew and loved him. The “Teddy Award” is given to two members of the Freshman Class who embody Teddy's finest qualities: generosity, enthusiasm, respect, responsibility, perseverance, optimism and loyalty. It is awarded to a young woman and a young man of great hope and great promise. This year’s awards were presented to Anders Hildebrand ’29 and Ella Hutchison ’29.

The Frederick William Gunn Award is named and awarded in honor of Frederick William Gunn, founder of The Frederick Gunn School and of organized summer camping in America. Awarded to the student who by their interest, enthusiasm, leadership and knowledge has contributed most during the school year to the camping and outdoor program at The Frederick Gunn School. This year’s award was presented to Daniel Conlan ’26.

The Hamilton Gibson Memorial Award is awarded to the student who demonstrates the comprehensive and real interest in and love of nature, which so greatly characterized Hamilton Gibson, Class of 1902 and third Headmaster of The Frederick Gunn School. This year’s award was presented to Alan Zhang ’28.

Honors in Outdoor Leadership is a distinction awarded to seniors who have taken special seminars in outdoor leadership, earned certifications in outdoor skills, taken courses that emphasize environmental philosophy and ecological awareness, participated in at least two significant outdoor leadership expeditions, and completed a capstone project. This year, the Honors in Outdoor Leadership distinction was awarded to: Kelsey Ketchum ’26, Meghan Polly Ross ’26, Daniel Conlan ’26, and Curry Louise Nye ’26.

The John Warner Moore Award was established by Orrin Sage Wightman, M.D., as a tribute to his friend, the Rev. John Warner Moore, Chaplain at The Frederick Gunn School from 1949-54 and again in 1959 for concern in things of the spirit during the school year. This year’s award was presented to Luciana Elizabeth Oneglia ’26.

The Percy B. Wightman Prize for outstanding leadership in “things of the spirit” was presented to Alexandra Honor Levin ’26.

The Civic Changemakers Award is awarded to that member of the Senior Class who best utilized their service project as an opportunity to enthusiastically, creatively, and thoughtfully assist others. It is awarded for both their exemplary project as well as their leadership in being a responsible citizen. This year’s award was presented to Olympia James ’26.

The Red and Gray Tour Guides Award was presented to Sarah Low ’28.

The Edward Fuller Barnes Memorial Award is for the sophomore who, in the estimation of the Faculty, best exemplifies those qualities of cheerfulness, courtesy, and friendliness, which were characteristic of the boy in whose memory this award is made. This year’s award was presented to Sarah Low ’28.

The Yale University Book Award is presented to a junior with outstanding personal character and intellectual promise. This year’s award was presented to Taeyun Kwon ’27.

The University of Virginia Jefferson Book Award is awarded to that junior who best represents the Jeffersonian ideals of scholarship, leadership and citizenship. A well-rounded student, rather than the student with the highest GPA, should be chosen for this award. This year’s award was presented to Ella Jumps ’27.

The Trinity College Book Award is presented to a student in the Junior Class for high scholastic standing and service to the school. This year’s award was presented to Samara Kinyanjui ’27.

The Harvard Club of Southern Connecticut Book Award is presented to that student in the Junior Class whom the Faculty shall deem most worthy by reason of high scholarship and character. This year’s award was presented to Emmett Panzer ’27.

The Harold A. Anson Memorial Award is presented to that senior, who in the judgment of the Faculty, demonstrates an acute ethical awareness, sensitivity to the affairs of their community and a sense of service to their fellow citizens. This year’s award was presented to Meghan Polly Ross ’26.

The Bourne Advisory Council Leadership Award recognizes a student who embodies distinguished leadership qualities and who has demonstrated such qualities throughout their years at The Frederick Gunn School. We know they will carry this leadership experience with them as they compose a life of principled engagement with the world. This award, chosen by the Head of School in consultation with the Dean of Students and the Academic Dean, was presented to David P. Low ’26 and Blake Elizabeth Baumgartner ’26.

The Chace Award for Excellence in Leadership is awarded to that senior, who in the estimation of the Head of School and Faculty, has developed in a significant way their leadership potential during their years at The Frederick Gunn School; this year’s award was presented to Catherine Michal Schroeder ’26.

The McClellan Citizenship Prize is awarded to the senior who, in the estimation of the Head of School and Faculty, has shown the greatest progress while at The Frederick Gunn School in relating today's studies and experiences to tomorrow's responsibilities as an adult citizen and parent. This year’s prize was awarded to Zhanibek Bekov ’26.

The Thomas Alexander Langford Memorial Prize is awarded to two members of the graduating class who are "always mindful of others." This year’s prizes were awarded to Ava Carlena Mason ’26 and Thomas Michael Misukanis Jr. ’26.

The Michael Neal Eanes Award for Greatest Scholastic Improvement was established in 1991 to honor Michael Eanes's 26 years at The Gunnery. This award, for consistency, persistence, improvement, was presented to Yilin "David" An ’26.

The Dean’s Prize is presented in memory of Norman R. Lemke, Jr., Gunn master and Dean from 1964-1975, by the Dean of Students in consultation with the Faculty; It goes to the Senior who, throughout their years at The Frederick Gunn School, has been most responsive to the guidance of the Faculty. This year’s prize was awarded to Pia Rose Maccione ’26.

The following students were inducted into the Cum Laude Society, which is one of the highest academic honors at the school: Zhanibek Bekov ’26, Izabella Blake ’26, Angela Catherine Chase ’26, Daniel Conlan ’26, Maya Noelle Edwards ’26, Jaime Zafra Gutierrez ’26, Ezekiel Hatcher ’26, David P. Low ’26, Catherine Michal Schroeder ’26, Emmett Panzer ’27, and Tamaki Nakane ’27.

To view photos from Prize Night 2026, please visit our SmugMug Gallery. To view the live stream recording of Prize Night, click here.

Photos by Phil Dutton ’81 P’23