Kate Howard
News Editor
On Friday, June 3, over 100 awards were given to seniors, juniors and a few sophomores at the annual Recognition Assembly held in the auditorium. The hour and a half event presented awards to students for their independent achievements while their peers, teachers and parents watched in the packed audience.
The list of 2011 Recognition Assembly award recipients.
Since the Recognition Assembly first began, the number of awards offered has expanded as more alumni, businesses and families sponsor them. Assistant Principal Ari Rothman, who helped coordinate and organize the event, thinks highly of this growing tradition to recognize not just the “AP student”. “What’s most special about the assembly is it recognizes kids for all types of different accomplishments that include academic, athletic, creative, community service, leadership and many other awards,” Mr. Rothman said. He said that selection process is a collaborative effort of the departments and programs offered at NCHS.
English Department Head Heidi D’Acosta said the recipient of an English related award is decided by the collaboration of the entire department and based on qualities that distinguish a student. “Teachers usually nominate students they have that year or have had in past years, and advocates them for a specific award,” Ms. D’Acosta said. “Then we consider: is this person a risk taker, someone who thinks critically, and really has passion for the subject?” She further said that the award reflects a students growth over their high school career, not just their junior and senior year.
In late May, students were informed by mail they will be receiving an award at the assembly, having the option to accept or reject the invitation. However, they are unaware of the specific honor they are awarded until they actually receive it. “We want there to be some added drama. The kids are invited to the ceremony without knowing what award they’ll receive and we also hand out programs without names on them to tell the order they will be given out,” said Mr. Rothman. He said that a list of award recipients will be made available by email after the assembly.
Just weeks away from graduating, senior Kimmy Glerum, winner of four awards (Departmental Award in Mathematics, The Harold S. Kenney Award, League of Women Voters of New Canaan Award and Pennyweights Award for the Outstanding Student in Science), said she appreciates not knowing the award she received ahead of time because it kept her on her toes during the ceremony. “Had we known which award we were receiving several weeks in advance, the ceremony would be pretty boring and uneventful,” Kimmy said.
According to senior Amanda Milunovich, who also collected a total of four awards (AAUW Award for Distinguished Academic Performance, The Mary R. Smith Award for Literary Exploration, National Merit Finalist, and The Robert Gardner Award), agrees that the most unique part of the assembly is that the awards are distributed to many unsung heroes. It also made her realize how many different talents and passions her peers have at NCHS. “It’s an opportunity for classmates to recognize each other for accomplishments in areas as diverse as athletics, community service, drama, music and academics,” she said. “It’s cool to see how talented the students at our high school are.”
Kimmy, who also won an award last year, said receiving an award this year was even more special. “I feel that being recognized after four full years of hard work is such a great way to leave the school,” she said.
Senior Nicola Scandiffio, recipient of the Steven Mueller Architects, LLC Award, agrees that his work has paid off, but he already feels appreciated by his classmates without this honor. “It’s nice to know I am getting an award, but I feel recognized by my peers already.”
Though the number of seating has always been a problem, Mr. Rothman said that the assembly has always been held during school hours. “We consider it worth having during the school day to honor students in front of their peers,” he said. “Also, if we do it during the school day people feel it has a purer showing honor, respect and appreciation for kids’ accomplishments by coming together and celebrating as a community.”
