Upper School End of Year Award Recipients 2024

Upper School Awards 2023-2024

We were excited to recognize several Upper School students' accomplishments this year. Students were acknowledged for their dedication to their academic, artistic, and athletic pursuits. Each recipient was recognized for their passion in a specific area. As always, our students’ talents and achievements are phenomenal and continue to exemplify what a Sandy Spring Friends student is at their core. Please join us as we congratulate and celebrate their contributions and continued excellence. (See photos in Vidigami)

Dick Schauffler Award

Given to a graduating senior who embodies a positive enthusiasm for the arts, demonstrating real growth and commitment to one or more disciplines in the arts at Sandy Spring as envisioned by former faculty member and friend of the Arts, Dick Schauffler. Established by the Class of 1997, this honor is given by the Arts Department annually.

• Eva Derryberry
• Julia May

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Performing Arts Award

The SSFS Performing Arts Award is given annually to a Sandy Spring Friends School senior who, in the judgment of the Performing Arts Department faculty, excelled in and most enthusiastically embraced SSFS performance opportunities during their tenure at SSFS. During those experiences, the student demonstrated exceptional talent, skill, and discipline, with a real passion for the performing arts. Their leadership role in the arts had been a positive example and inspiration to all of us in the Sandy Spring community.

• Kairava Buchwald
• Nayima Fangou
• Suutumee Negash

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Visual Arts Award

The SSFS Visual Arts Award is given annually to a senior who, in the judgment of the Visual Arts faculty, excelled in and most enthusiastically embraced (SSFS) artistic opportunities during their tenure at SSFS. The student also demonstrated exceptional talent, skill, and discipline, with a real passion for the visual arts.  Their role in the arts has been a positive example and inspiration in the Sandy Spring community.  

• Zoe Burgess
• Anderson Iskowitz

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Ari Preuss Award
Ari Preuss was a history teacher at SSFS for more than 40 years, and was instrumental in establishing many of our school traditions. The Ari Preuss Award is presented to a senior who embodies Ari’s spirit and enthusiasm for the study of culture and history. Consideration is given to students who demonstrate creativity, energy and passion in their daily class presence and in a variety of activities and assignments in and out of the classroom.

• Aryeh Simon

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English Department Award

The English Department Award recognizes students who have demonstrated superb critical reading, thinking, and writing skills.  In addition to possessing a firm grasp of how to construct arguments through writing, winners also display their love of language and literature, willingness to lead class discussions with passion and insight, and stellar completion of assignments.

• Jamie Albertine
• Greta Garretson-Taylor

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Julie Granum Award 

This endowed annual award was created in honor of alumna Julie Granum upon her passing in 2008. In addition to possessing a firm grasp of how to construct arguments through writing, winners of the Julie Granum Award display their commitment to writing, love of language, and artistic flair through consistently producing superb pieces of creative writing or journalism. 

• Isabella Dumenigo
• Ella Gilbert

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Global Languages Department Award

In celebration of passion and promise in language study and its application beyond the classroom, the Global Languages Department Award recognizes three outstanding Sandy Spring Friends School language learners, whose respective studies in French, Spanish, and Linguistics have been distinguishing and exemplary this year.

• Nayima Fangou (French) 
• Theo Kaster (Spanish)
• Eva Derryberry (Linguistics)

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Math Department Pi(e) Award

This award celebrates a graduating senior(s) who has an exceptional aptitude for problem-solving, outstanding achievement, and a genuine appreciation of the beauty and challenge in mathematics. 

• Jason Malik

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Budding Scientist Award

The Science Department presents an annual award to a Budding Scientist who most demonstrates scientific interests beyond the classroom and the desire to develop the practices and habits of mind of a scientist.

• Simon Menschik
• Natasha Villa Bass

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Young Scientist Award

The Science Department presents an annual award to the scholar who most embodies and demonstrates the philosophy of science at Sandy Spring Friends School.  We look for the best example of one who has the habits of mind, the curiosity, and the willingness to develop the skills of a scientist. They have displayed excellence across the disciplines, explored scientific interests beyond the classroom, contributed to the visibility of the science program at SSFS, and embraced the idea of a lifelong dedication to the process of science as a way to explore our world and universe.

• Tobias Daney
• Kaydin Knappenberger

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Community Service Recognitions (>200 Hours)

• Jj Cuneo (>200)
• Aden Menschik (>300)
• Tobias Daney (>400)
• Suutumee Negash (>400)
• Abigail Bobrow (>700)
• William Mollenauer (>700)

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Sue Moody Memorial Community Service Award
The Sue Moody Memorial Community Service Award - Awarded annually to a student who exemplifies the ideal of a person who selflessly devotes themselves to service to others.

• Abigail Bobrow

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Senator Van Hollen Public Service Award

• Suutumee Negash

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Horning Family Leadership Award

The Horning Family Leadership Award recognizes senior athletes who demonstrate leadership and excellence in the areas of athletics and academics. These students exemplify the values of Sandy Spring Friends School through their contributions and commitment to the broader school community as well as to the field of competition. 

• Taye Bradford
• Zoey Burgess