2026 Academic Honors & Awards
2026 Academic Honors & Awards
![Three smiling individuals, two young women and one adult woman, stand in the foreground holding certificates, with a brick wall forming the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780596664/waylandorg/iw3d3wuq8vg9jbrunogv/DeanofStudentsCommunityService.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780596664/waylandorg/iw3d3wuq8vg9jbrunogv/DeanofStudentsCommunityService.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780596664/waylandorg/iw3d3wuq8vg9jbrunogv/DeanofStudentsCommunityService.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780596664/waylandorg/iw3d3wuq8vg9jbrunogv/DeanofStudentsCommunityService.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1780596664/waylandorg/iw3d3wuq8vg9jbrunogv/DeanofStudentsCommunityService.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1780596664/waylandorg/iw3d3wuq8vg9jbrunogv/DeanofStudentsCommunityService.jpg","width":2200}])
We honor and celebrate the exceptional work and accomplishments of our students across all areas and grades, as well as our faculty and staff for their service to the Academy.
Academic honors and awards were recognized at the annual Honors Convocation ceremony on Friday, May 22, and during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 23.
Awards Presented During Commencement 2026
Weimer K. Hicks Achievement Award
Jacqueline Fogarty `26
Alumni Memorial Service Award
Luca Roetter Gresback `26
Ella Kikkert `26
Board of Trustees Awards
Katie Joohye Hwang `26
Glen and Ella Dye Award
Harry Dohyun Yeo `26
James P. Freeman President’s Award
Shaoxiong Xue `26
Head of School’s Award
TJ Allemand `26
Sadaf Rezaei `26
Fereshta Qasemi `26
Mario Padilla `26
Kit Mayer Sports Cup
Griyan Hughland `26
Wiseheart Cup
Easton Keil `26
Laura A. MacDonald Award
Jacqueline Fogarty `26
Edwin Putnam Brown Award
Easton Keil `26
High Academic Honors
Class of 2026
Valedictorian
Lilith Reusch `26
Salutatorian
Mandukhai Ritman `26
Junior Marshals—Class of 2026
Daniel Brunstad `26
Mary Whittier `26
Liana Zabolotna `26
Four-Year Seniors
Ne’kyle Alfred `26
TJ Allemand* `26
Ava Barudin* `26
Emily Bislew `26
Tavondre Bruns `26
Nolan Cargen `26
Liam Cleary `26
Lucas Cristea-Rist* `26
Jacqueline Fogarty* `26
Genesis Garcia Ruiz* `26
Griyan Hughland* `26
Katie Joohye Hwang* `26
Easton Keil* `26
Ella Kikkert* `26
Clayton Kroschel `26
Le Gia Huy* `26
Liam Menning* `26
Sierra Mietzel* `26
Odin Nico* `26
Kennedy Norris `26
Leonel Osorio `26
Anton Piuneu `26
Lilith Reusch* `26
Luca Roetter Gresback* `26
Dalena Westenmeyer* `26
Lillian Westergaard* `26
Harry Dohyun Yeo* `26
*Four-Year Honor Roll Students
Trailways Conference Academic All-Conference
(Presented during Assembly)
| CLASS OF 2025 | CLASS OF 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Eldar Ali | Annica Blanc | |
| Afia Khanom Ava | Daniel Brunstad | |
| Ava Barudin | Hyundeok Choi | |
| Ariel Battey | Bryson Dang | |
| José Fabián Calvo Guevara | Shalom Irasubiza | |
| Daumantas Dauksevicius | Khushi Jhamb | |
| Katie Joohye Hwang | Chaewon Kim | |
| Easton Keil | Tristan Kittel | |
| Le Gia Huy | Chiyuen Lin | |
| Jimin Lee | Yiqing Mu | |
| Nurzhan Murat | Tran Mai Khoi Nguyen | |
| Dang Nhat Nguyen | Luciana Nieto | |
| Khanh Nguyen | Colter Westenmeyer | |
| Odin Nico | Mary Whittier | |
| Kennedy Norris | Uliana Zabolotna | |
| Zehra Polat | Isabella Zheng | |
| Lilith Reusch | ||
| Mandukhai Ritman | ||
| Dalena Westenmeyer | ||
| Lillian Westergaard | ||
| Shaobo Xue | ||
| Harry Dohyun Yeo |
Awards Presented at Honors Convocation
Special Awards in Academics
The Wayland Writing Award
Lilith Reusch `26
S. Walter "Abe" Lincoln Memorial Award in American History
Reina Schroekenthaler `28
Fine and Performing Arts Awards
Senior Art Purchase Award
Griyan Hughland `26
John Philip Sousa Band Award
Tristan Kittel `27
National School Choral Award
Lillian Westergaard `26
Chopin Piano Award
Jom Paoprasert `29
Four-Year Fine Arts Students
Emily Bislew `26
Nolan Cargen `26
Jacqueline Fogarty `26
Griyan Hughland `26
Katie Joohye Hwang `26
Easton Keil `26
Le Gia Huy `26
Liam Menning `26
Kennedy Norris `26
Luca Roetter Gresback `26
Dalena Westenmeyer `26
Lillian Westergaard `26
Harry Dohyun Yeo `26
Athletic Awards
Wirtz Family Athletic Award
Clayton Kroschel `26
Ann Nelson `89 Champion of Character Award
Ava Barudin `26
ASSIST International Students
Carl Nolden `27 (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)
Amily Cho `28 (Dornbirn, Austria)
Annica Blanc `27 (Bern, Switzerland)
Community Service Awards
Dean of Students Certificate—50 to 100 hours of Community Service
Ariel Battey `26
Bevin Schessow `27
Head of School's Certificate—Over 100 hours of Community Service
Ella Kikkert `26 Siyun Sung `28
Academic Book Awards
The Wayland Academy Book Awards recognize outstanding work in academic subject areas. There are separate awards for seniors and undergraduates.
HUMANITIES
Caden Farrell `29
ENGLISH
Senior Book Awards
Ava Barudin `26
Genesis Garcia Ruiz `26
Griyan Hughland `26
Sierra Mietzel `26
Lillian Westergaard `26
Catherine Hatcher Memorial Sophomore Book Award
Madyson DeWitt `28
Grace Ta `28
Brown University Book Award
Bevin Schessow `27*
English Junior Book Award
Tran Mai Khoi Nguyen `27
DRAMA
Ellie Sinclair `28
Greg Boulanger Memorial Award—Senior Book Award
Kennedy Norris `26
MUSIC
Dalena Westenmeyer `26
Adas Bareikis `27
VISUAL ART
Elizabeth Strut `26
Keeley Schultz `27
GERMAN
Dalena Westenmeyer `26
Liana Zabolotna `27
SPANISH
Alexa Arguello `26
Regan Richardson `26
Khushi Jhamb `27
U.S. HISTORY
Madyson DeWitt `28
EUROPEAN HISTORY
Guranant Singh `27
HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES
Zehra Polat `26
MATHEMATICS
Mandukhai Ritman `26
Colter Westenmeyer `27
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
Caden Farrell `29
Aizere Malikova `29
CHEMISTRY
Hyundeok Douglas Choi `27
PHYSICS
Hyundeok Douglas Choi `27
BIOLOGY
Fernando Esteves `28
SCIENCE
Shaobo Xue `26
STEAM
Dang Nhat Nguyen `26 Siyun Park `27
MEDIA STUDIES
Sadaf Rezaei `26
Adas Bareikis `27
Faculty and staff celebrating milestone years of service to the Academy were also recognized at the Honors Convocation ceremony.
25 Years of Service
Kurt Walters H`11 and P.J. Osvald H`11
10 Years of Service
Abbe Grebel H`26 and Tyler J. Ratajczak H`26, P`25, `29
Five Years of Service
Carrie Ahlborn
Seth Ahlborn
Marissa Hansen
Karyn Kroschel
Triscia Ladron
Bryanna Michaletz
Igor Proleiko
Crystal Verran
Congratulations to all!
- academics
Humanities Book Award Winner
Caden Farrell `29
pictured with James Cleary H`20, English Department Chair and Humanities Teacher
Catherine Hatcher Memorial Sophomore Book Award
Madyson DeWitt `28 and Grace Ta `28
pictured with Ms. Kesler, H`08, English Teacher
Brown University Book Award
Bevin Schessow `26
pictured with Mr. Cleary H`20, English Department Chair
English Book Award Winner
Kai Nguyen `27
pictured with James Cleary H`20, English Department Chair
Senior English Book Award Winners
Ava Barudin `26, Genesis Garcia Ruiz `26, Griyan Hughland `26, Sierra Mietzel `26, and Lillian Westergaard `26
pictured with Ms. Kesler H`08, English Teacher
Music Book Award Winner
Adas Bareikis `27
pictured with Mr. Estervig, Fine and Performing Arts Chair
Senior Music Book Award Winner
Dalena Westenmeyer `26
pictured with Mr. Estervig, Fine and Performing Arts Chair
Drama Book Award Winner
Ellie Sinclair `27
pictured with Ms. Kesler H`08, English Teacher
Senior Drama Book Award Winner
Kennedy Norris `26
pictured with Ms. Kesler H`08, English Teacher
Visual Arts Book Award
Keeley Schultz `27
pictured with Mr. Behm, Director of Visual Arts
Visual Arts Senior Book Award
Elizabeth Strut `26
pictured with Mr. Justin Behm, Director of Visual Arts
German Book Award Winner
Liana Zabolotna `27
pictured with Mr. Heimerl `13, German Teacher
Senior German Book Award Winner
Dalena Westenmeyer `26
pictured with Mr. Heimerl `13, German Teacher
Spanish Book Award Winner
Khushi Jhamb `27
pictured with Ms. Conde, Modern Languages Department Chai
Senior Spanish Book Award Winner
Regan Richardson `26
pictured with Ms. Conde, Modern Languages Department Chair
Spanish Literature Book Award Winner
Alexa Arguello `26
pictured with Mrs. Ganske, Spanish Teacher
U.S. History Book Award Winner
Madyson DeWitt `28
pictured with Mr. Osvald H`11, History/Social Studies Co-chair
European History Book Award Winner
Guranant Singh `27
pictured with Mr. Walters H`11, History/Social Studies Co-chair
Senior History/Social Studies Book Award Winner
Zehra Polat `26
pictured with Mr. Walters H`11, History/Social Studies Co-chair
Junior Mathematics Book Award Winner
Colter Westenmeyer `27
pictured with Mrs. Johnson, Mathematics Department Chair
Senior Mathematics Book Award Winner
Mandukhai Ritman `26
pictured with Mrs. Johnson, Mathematics Department Chair
Chemistry Book Award Winner
Hyundeok Douglas Choi `27
pictured with Mrs. Hansen, Chemistry Teacher
Environmental Biology Book Award Winner
Aizere Malikova `29
pictured with Mrs. Ladron, Science Department Chair
Environmental Biology Book Award Winner
Caden Farrell `29
pictured with Mrs. Ladron, Science Department Chair
Physics Book Award Winners
Hyundeok Douglas Choi `27
pictured with Mr. Proleiko, Physics Teacher
Senior Science Book Award Winner
Shaobo Xue `26
pictured with Mrs. Ladron, Science Department Chair
Biology Book Award Winner
Fernando Esteves `28
pictured with Mrs. Ladron, Science Department Chair
Senior STEAM Book Award Winner
Dang Nhat Nguyen `26
pictured with Mr. Donovan, STEAM Program Director
STEAM Book Award Winner
Siyun Park `27
pictured with Mr. Donovan, STEAM Program Director
Media Studies Book Award Winner
Adas Bareikis `27
pictured with Ms. Steuer, Media Studies Program Director
Senior Media Studies Book Award Winner
Sadaf Rezaei `26
pictured with Ms. Steuer, Media Studies Program Director
John Philip Sousa Band Award
Tristan Kittel `27
pictured with Mrs. Throndsen H`14, Instrumental Music Teacher
Senior Art Purchase Award
Griyan Hughland `26
pictured with Mr. Behm, Director of Visual Arts
National School Choral Award
Lillian Westergaard `26
pictured with Mr. Estervig, Fine and Performing Arts Chair
S. Walter “Abe” Lincoln Memorial Award in History
Reina Schroekenthaler `28
pictured with Mr. Osvald H`11, Social Studies/History Department Co-Chair
Wirtz Family Athletic Award
Clayton Kroschel `26
pictured with Coach West, Interim Athletic Director
Ann Nelson `89 Champion of Character Award
Ava Barudin `26
pictured with Coach West, Interim Athletic Director
Four-Year Seniors: Ne’kyle Alfred, TJ Allemand, Ava Barudin, Emily Bislew, Tavondre Bruns, Nolan Cargen, Liam Cleary, Lucas Cristea-Rist, Jacqueline Fogarty, Genesis Garcia Ruiz, Griyan Hughland, Katie Joohye Hwang, Easton Keil, Ella Kikkert, Clayton Kroschel, Le Gia Huy, Liam Menning, Sierra Mietzel, Odin Nico, Kennedy Norris, Leonel Osorio, Anton Piuneu, Lilith Reusch, Luca Roetter Gresback, Dalena Westenmeyer, Lillian Westergaard, Harry Dohyun Yeo*
Four-Year Honor Roll Awards: TJ Allemand, Ava Barudin, Lucas Cristea-Rist, Jacqueline Fogarty, Genesis Garcia Ruiz, Griyan Hughland, Katie Joohye Hwang, Easton Keil, Ella Kikkert, Le Gia Huy, Liam Menning, Sierra Mietzel, Odin Nico, Lilith Reusch, Luca Roetter Gresback, Dalena Westenmeyer, Lillian Westergaard, Harry Dohyun Yeo
Head of School's Certificate for Community Service
for Completing Over 100 Hours of Community Service
Ella Kikkert `26 and Siyun Sung `28, pictured with Ms. Slusher, Dean of Students
Dean of Students Community Service Certificate
for 50 to 100 Hours of Community Service: Ariel Battey `26 and Bevin Schessow `27, pictured with Ms. Slusher, Dean of Students
ASSIST International Students
Carl Nolden `27 (Frankfurt am Main, Germany) and Annica Blanc `27 (Bern, Switzerland) pictured with Andrea Chesley, Dean of Enrollment and Financial Aid
Not pictured: Amily Cho `28 (Dornbirn, Austria)
Five Years of Service to the Academy
Karyn Kroschel, Marissa Hansen, Triscia Ladron, and Igor Proleiko pictured with Head of School Jason Warnick
Not Pictured: Carrie Ahlborn, Seth Ahlborn, Bryanna Michaletz, and Crystal Verran
10 Years of Service to the Academy
Tyler Ratajczak H`26, P`25, `29
pictured with Head of School Jason Warnick
Not Pictured: Abbe Grebel H`26
25 Years of Service to the Academy
Kurt Walters H`11 and P.J. Osvald H`11
pictured with Head of School Jason Warnick
![Wayland Academy Commencement to be held Saturday, May 23]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780333506/y3p63xwapu3z55ws1vhl/ValSal2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780333506/y3p63xwapu3z55ws1vhl/ValSal2026.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780333506/y3p63xwapu3z55ws1vhl/ValSal2026.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780333506/y3p63xwapu3z55ws1vhl/ValSal2026.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1780333506/y3p63xwapu3z55ws1vhl/ValSal2026.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1780333506/y3p63xwapu3z55ws1vhl/ValSal2026.jpg","width":2200}])
![Wayland Academy Announces New Cum Laude Society Inductees]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1776370544/waylandorg/ye47obyx4yrxtyp0w3g0/CumLaude2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1776370544/waylandorg/ye47obyx4yrxtyp0w3g0/CumLaude2026.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1776370544/waylandorg/ye47obyx4yrxtyp0w3g0/CumLaude2026.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1776370544/waylandorg/ye47obyx4yrxtyp0w3g0/CumLaude2026.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1776370544/waylandorg/ye47obyx4yrxtyp0w3g0/CumLaude2026.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1776370544/waylandorg/ye47obyx4yrxtyp0w3g0/CumLaude2026.jpg","width":2200}])