The Pennington School graduated 112 seniors during commencement exercises June 7. This is the largest graduating class in school history.
Tess O. McGuinness of West Trenton and Julia K. Weeder of Doylestown, Pa., were valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Head of School Penny Townsend granted the diplomas, and Marilyn Carlson Nelson, whose granddaughter Jennifer is a member of the Class of 2014, gave the Commencement address.
At Commencement, McGuinness was presented the Head of School’s Award for Scholarship. McGuinness, a National Merit Commended Student, also received awards for excellence in English, French, and vocal performance. In addition, she won the School’s Stephen Crane Writing Contest Award for Personal Essay.
McGuinness plans to attend Dartmouth College in the fall.
As salutatorian, Weeder was presented the Associate Head of School’s Award for Scholarship. She also received awards for excellence in Latin, instrumental performance, and peer leadership. Weeder plans to attend Purdue University.
Hong Joon Ahn of Seoul, South Korea, received a signal honor, the Head of School’s Award to the Best All-Around Student, recognizing a “member of the senior class whose distinguished scholarship and dedication to a variety of extracurricular activities has set a memorable example.”
The Charles G. Bennett ’59 Memorial Award for School Spirit was shared by Andrew Gordon of Yardley, Pa., and Kathryn Martinides of Newtown, Pa.
Pennington resident Charles Paige and Melissa Paragamian of Yardley, Pa., shared the School Award for Outstanding Citizenship.
One faculty prize was announced during Commencement. Peter Chase, who teaches German and a senior elective on financial planning, was given the Henry and Selma Otte Distinguished Teacher Award. Chase joined the residential faculty in 2000; during his time at the school he has also taught classes in history and economics.
Commencement speaker Marilyn Carlson Nelson is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Carlson Companies. In her address Nelson spoke about making the most of one’s life, and she gave every senior a personally inscribed copy of her book, How We Lead Matters: Reflections on a Life of Leadership.
Graduates represent five states and four countries outside the United States.
Mercer County graduates include Madeline E. Gordon, Derek R. Hullings, Tess O. McGuinness, Alessandra N. Psomaras (Ewing Township); Avalon M. Bastecki (Hamilton Township); Felix A. Almentero, Alexandra C. Barch, Kristen E. Emmerson, John R. Faherty, Gregory M. Gravalis, Nicole L. Green, Anne C. Horsley, Jessica R. Landis, Benton W. Ludgin, Katherine E. V. S. Manning, Paul J. McWhirter, Daniel J. Osterman, Charles S. Paige, Matthew R. Pearl, Jack C. Plimpton, James J. Puzio II, Kyle M. Richardson, Charles F. Sproul (Hopewell Township); Michael S. Clancy, Courtney D. King, Lauren M. Klei, Alexandra A. Y. Rego (Lawrence Township); Julia L. Barbuscio, Aidan J. Belfiore, Jessica S. Bush, Corrie E. Gray, Patrick D. Nelson, Richard R. Payne, Abigail R. Pitarresi, Henry B. Sheeran, Lauren K. Toscano, Sicheng Zhu, Devon E Zimmer (Princeton); Anthony K. Hannani, Nina L. Milizzo (Robbinsville Township); Kaison I. Randolph, Bryce I. Sistrunk-Lewis (Trenton); Benjamin J. Kramer, Nicholas S. Kuharsky, Daniel Presutto (West Windsor Township).
More information is online at pennington.org.
