In a ceremony in the auditorium on Monday, May 12, Ms. Jill Walker, the chairperson of Northwood’s Cum Laude Society recognized students inducted last year and announced new members. The Cum Laude Society is an honor society which recognizes Northwood’s top juniors and seniors. “The Cum Laude society is the highest honor society available for students in private schools,” Walker said. “To be inducted, students not only have to be top of their class, but we also consider what courses students are taking and how their effort grades are. This year is one of the biggest classes we have had and as always, the kids inducted are incredible students and people,” Walker added.
| Inducted in 2024: | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Inducted in 2025: | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACADEMIC PRIZES
At the same ceremony, Dean of Academic Affairs and Faculty Noel Carmichael announced the following department awards for academic excellence.
ENGLISH PRIZE
The Language Prize is awarded to the student who passionately pursues skill in the speaking, reading, and writing of a foreign language. The winner this year is: THIAGO CESAR ‘26
The Mathematics Prize is given to a student who combines talent with hard work, and whose curiosity and creative thinking provide a lively model for maximizing learning in mathematics. The winner this year is: KATHERINE “KATE” ELBRECHT ‘26
The Science prize is given to a student who has demonstrated both interest and achievement in the field of science. This student has a strong desire to understand scientific concepts and has an inquisitive mind. In addition, this student thinks about topics beyond the scope of the classroom and completes every assignment with diligence and effort. The winner this year is: WILLIAM GERMAN ‘26
The Social Science prize is presented for excellence in the appreciation and understanding of issues in the Social Sciences. The winner is: CLARA BOUTELLE ‘26
PERFORMING ARTS PRIZE
Creativity, passion, energy, and a zest for artistic excellence are qualities that describe the recipients of these awards.
|
|
|
ENGLISH LEARNER PRIZE
The English Learner Prize is given to a junior who has, through engagement in the Northwood Community, demonstrated an increased mastery of the English language. The winner is: OCEANNE THIFFAULT MICHEL ‘26
The IEE Prize is given to a student for whose curiosity, creative problem solving, and teamwork helped advance the development and growth of the Innovation, Engineering and Entrepreneurial Studies program. The winner is: JINGXI “WILLOW” ZHAO ‘26
COLLEGE BOOK AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP NOMINATIONS
At the same ceremony, Director of College Guidance Mr. David McCauley announced the following Book Awards and College Scholarship nominations.
The Dartmouth Alumni Book Award Program has two goals: to recognize and reward high school juniors who have excelled both academically and in their extracurricular activities; and to encourage these talented students to consider attending Dartmouth. The winner is: DEVIN SMITH ’26
The Williams College Book Award encourages intellectual excellence and recognizes student achievement. A book is awarded to the student who has demonstrated intellectual leadership and made significant contribution to the extracurricular life of their school. The winner is: LILY PRATT ’26
Brown University honors the junior who best combines academic excellence with clarity in written and spoken expression. Language is the highest expression of our humanity; it defines what we are and what we aspire to be. Those who use words effectively will be the leaders in the generation. In them we invest our hope; to them we accord our respect. With this award, we salute their potential. The winner is: JAMES MARTIN ’26
The Hobart and William Smith Book Award recognizes rising seniors who personifies qualities that align with HWS’s dedication to community service and Leadership. The recipient of this award will receive a $6,000 scholarship, $1500 annually, over four years: FLORENCE RICHARD ’26
St. Lawrence University honors the achievement of a high school junior who has displayed a significant commitment to community service. The winner of this award will receive a $4,000 merit scholarship over four years: JACOB SLAGEL ’26
The Saint Michael’s Book Award recognizes a pair of juniors who exhibit the characteristics of an ideal Saint Michael’s student, including a sincere commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, and concern for others. Nominees should also demonstrate a degree of academic excellence and rigor. This year’s nominees, who are eligible to receive a scholarship to Saint Michael’s College for full tuition, are: GAVIN KRUGER ’26 and ANNA MONETTE ’26
This award recognizes a high school junior who has demonstrated extraordinary service to the common good and an unusual passion for inquiry, discovery, and innovative thinking. The winner is: WILLIAM GERMAN ’26
The Notre Dame Book Award recognizes a junior who is a creative, compassionate individual; who is curious, excels academically; and who seeks social justice and a way to make a difference. The recipient is: NOAH MOODEY ’26
This award is presented annually by the Alumni Association of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to a nominated student in the Junior Class who ranks highest in math & science and has the greatest interest in a science-related career. This merit scholarship is for up to $160,000 over four years / $40,00 per year. The recipient this year is: KATHERINE “KATE” ELBRECHT ’26
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER AWARDS
The University of Rochester’s High School Awards Program recognizes current juniors who demonstrate exceptional promise. This year, Northwood School has nominated four outstanding students.
The first award is a merit scholarship for a minimum of $5,000 per year to the University of Rochester given to one junior with outstanding academic achievement in the field of science and math. This year’s nominee is: ANDREW SHERLAND ’26
The second award is a merit scholarship for a minimum of $5,000 per year to the University of Rochester given to one junior with a demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues as well as leadership and dedication to community action. This year’s nominee for this award is: CLARA BOUTELLE ’26
The third award is a merit scholarship for a minimum of $5,000 per year to the University of Rochester given to one junior with strong leadership experience at school and in the community as well as extensive involvement in extra-curricular activities. Northwood’s nominee this year is: OWEN MacLEAN ’26
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARDS
By recognizing potential and fostering dreams, RIT is defining a future where innovation and creativity converge at the intersection of education and opportunity. RIT’s High School Awards program recognizes outstanding students in their junior year for their leadership, service, and achievements.
CLARKSON AWARDS
ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIE SCHOLARSHIPS
At St. Bonaventure, Franciscan values of community and service are cornerstones of their identity, mission, and culture. The Bonnie Scholarships, $88,000 over 4 years of study, reward students based on qualities that reflect the core values of the university, including academic excellence, community, integrity, wisdom, leadership, social responsibility, compassion, and an appreciation for diversity. This year’s recipients from Northwood are:
|
|
 NATHANIEL BENJAMIN ‘26 |
|
|
|
Sponsored by the Elmira College Alumni Association, the Elmira Key has been awarded since 1935. This merit award is bestowed upon an outstanding student in their junior year of high school. The Elmira Key holds a monetary scholarship of $88,000 over four years upon enrolling at Elmira. This year’s winner is: AUTUMN KELLY ’26
Alfred University offers a wide variety of scholarships to acknowledge the special abilities of new first year, transfer and international students. One current junior from each high school will be eligible for this award. Based on the chosen major, the nominated recipient will receive up to $30,000 per year / $120,000 over four years until graduating from Alfred University. This year’s nominee for this award goes to: JOACHIM NEVERDAL ’26
AUGSBURY/NORTH COUNTRY SCHOLARSHIP AT ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY
The Augsbury/North Country Scholarship was established in 1974 and serves to recognize academic and co-curricular leadership among designated North Country and Canadian high school students. The four-year scholarship, worth up to $140,000, is awarded to three nominated students. Northwood School’s nominees are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
ENTREPRENEURSHIP PRIZES
Finally, Mr. Thomas Broderick, Associate Head of School and Entrepreneurship teacher, presented the Brian Lilly Entrepreneurial Studies Prizes.
Brian Lilly, a Northwood graduate of the Class of 1985 and current member of the Northwood School Board of Trustees, is the CEO of Lilly Broadcasting, which boasts multiple television and radio stations, a cable network, and digital platforms in the U.S. and the Caribbean. His passion for entrepreneurship helped to bring the Innovation Hub at Northwood School to fruition, and he has sponsored a series of prizes for 10 years to encourage and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs at his alma mater.
The Entrepreneurship Prize Committee is made up of several Northwood School faculty and Northwood School Alumni: including namesake Mr. Brian Lilly ’85, Mr. Gregg Heinemann CEO/Owner of Conway Importing Inc, Mr. George Kontogiannis ’83 Program Manager at United Launch Alliance, Mark Wright ’83 UPS Small Business Startup Strategy and Katie Brennan Lake Placid Trustee and Experienced Economist and Co-Founder of ThriveNinety.
