Middle School Awards 2026

Middle School Awards 2026


Middle Schoolers are recognized for their hard work and accomplishments throughout the year in academic excellence, service, character, and personal growth.
 

Grade 8 LJCDS Awards

Balmer Award

Zora North

List of 2 items.

  • About The Balmer Award for Citizenship

    This award is named for Louise Balmer, founder of The Balmer School, which was later named La Jolla Country Day School. It is awarded to a Middle School student who has given generously of themselves to the improvement of the school community.

  • About Zora North

    Over the past four years, Zora North has made a profound impact on our Middle School community through her leadership, creativity, and commitment to others. As a dedicated member of the Torrey Leadership Council, an accomplished track athlete, editor of Discover with Me, and a gifted writer and speaker, she has consistently used her talents to enrich our school community.

    Most notably, Zora has been a thoughtful and influential voice on campus, leading the recognition of guest speakers, helping to guide student assemblies, and honoring the celebration of African American history with authenticity and purpose. Through her work in the Global Leadership elective over the past two years, collaborating with communities in Belize and Peru, she has demonstrated empathy, insight, and a perspective well beyond her years.

    As a leader in both the Torrey Leadership Council and the Black Student Union, Zora is a fierce advocate for inclusion and belonging, intentionally creating spaces where all students feel valued and heard. Her ability to uplift others, combined with her intellect, poise, and resilience, has inspired both faculty and peers alike. Zora leads with a tenacious spirit and confidence that encourages others to find their voice, and her impact on this community will be felt long after her time in Middle School.

Donald L. Leavenworth Award

Liam Thompson

List of 2 items.

  • The Donald L. Leavenworth Award

    This award recognizes inner drive and determination, as displayed by a student’s commitment to their goals and steadfastness and courage in seeking these goals. It is named for Mr. Leavenworth, who served as headmaster from 1967 to 1972.

  • About Liam Thompson

    Liam Thompson has shown a consistent effort not just to better himself, but also to better the LJCDS community wherever the opportunity arises. When challenges arise, he faces them with courage and persistence, seeking support when needed and offering it to his peers. His respectful nature, coupled with his strength of character and drive to grow, make him a deserving recipient of this award. 

Keith Heldman Music Award

Harper Stevens

List of 2 items.

  • The Keith Heldman Music Award

    The Keith Heldman Music Award, initiated in 1979, was dedicated by the Capen family to honor Mr. Heldman, who, through his music program, has influenced the lives of so many young people at LJCDS. It recognizes a student who has demonstrated acquired self-confidence, appreciation for hard work, and an ability to communicate with an audience.

  • About Harper Stevens

    Harper Stevens is a two-year member of the Middle School Choir program and an outstanding singer, musician, and leader in the MS Torrey Choir. She possesses a beautiful soprano voice that captures the attention of any audience, a talent strengthened through the hard work and dedication she consistently invests in improving her craft. As a leader, she inspires others through that same commitment and passion. Her ability to collaborate with her peers stands out especially, as her guidance always comes from a place of genuine care and kindness.

    Recently, Harper sang the lyrics, “This world, it’s cruel with troubles aplenty / You asked for a reason, I’ve got three and twenty; For why I trust you; You’re as pure as the driven snow.” Those words perfectly capture who Harper is, pure as the driven snow.

    The Middle School Choral program is incredibly proud of all that Harper has accomplished and looks forward to seeing her continue to grow and thrive in the Upper School over the next four years.

Harry L. Drogin Memorial Award

Maris Kibblewhite-Sanchez

List of 2 items.

  • The Harry L. Drogin Memorial Award

    The Harry L. Drogin Memorial Award for excellence in theater is awarded to a student who embodies the spirit of a true dramatic artist as described by former LJCDS teacher Harry Drogin. The winning student is creative, takes direction, and has a sense of responsibility and dedication toward the craft of theater. 

    One of Mr. Drogin’s favorite mantras was: “Be seen. Be heard. Be understood.” In the drama department at LJCDS, we understand that this is the essence of effective performance. This award is presented to a student with the spirit and drive necessary to be an actor.

  • About Maris Kibblewhite-Sanchez

    In addition to demonstrating a strong presence on stage, Maris Kibblewhite-Sanchez stands out for her willingness to explore many different facets of theater and to strive for more than simply being “goofy” on stage. As a seventh grader, she pushed herself both physically and vocally while portraying a wide range of characters in the mainstage play, from the effortlessly cool Juliet to a deadly, sword-wielding Shakespearean actor. As an eighth grader, she took on a leading role in the Middle School play and helped set the tone for the entire production through her focus, commitment, and example.

    In class, Maris consistently challenged both herself and her peers to pursue more thoughtful and ambitious theater projects. Her script for the Play-in-a-Day event aimed to create a tragic romance that contrasted with the many lighthearted and comedic scenes written by others. She continually encourages those around her to create work that is meaningful, polished, and innovative. At the same time, she is always among the first to offer thoughtful guidance and encouragement to her peers while remaining highly receptive to constructive feedback herself.

    In all of these ways, Maris exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated theater practitioner, demonstrating how hard work, creativity, and determination can lead to excellence. Her teachers look forward to Maris’ continued growth as an artist, her engagement within the arts community, and her ongoing leadership among her peers.

Donald Pringle Memorial Award

Parker Rab and Sa’Mari Ward

List of 3 items.

  • About The Donald Pringle Memorial Award

    The Donald Pringle Memorial Award is named after a student attending LJCDS in the mid-70s who tragically died in a surfing accident around graduation. This award recognizes Mr. Pringle’s outstanding athletic skills and exemplary sportsmanship. Certificates and book awards are given to two eighth-grade students who best combine ability, desire, determination, and sacrifice in athletics.

  • About Parker Rab

    Parker Rab is an exceptional multi-sport athlete who has excelled in flag football, basketball, soccer, track & field, and tennis. A dedicated competitor and positive leader, Parker helped lead his teams to championships in soccer and track & field while earning South Coast Middle School League titles in the 800m run and 4x100 relay. Known for his daily preparation, coachability, and team-first attitude, Parker consistently inspires his teammates to perform at their highest level.

  • About Sa’Mari Ward

    Sa’Mari Ward is an outstanding multi-sport athlete excelling in soccer, basketball, and track & field. A tenacious competitor who elevates those around her, she has helped lead teams to championships in all three sports. Sa’Mari captured South Coast Middle School League titles in the 80m hurdles and 4x100 relay, while consistently demonstrating elite preparation, toughness, and leadership in every workout and competition.

Design and Innovation Award

Wyatt Kozloff

List of 2 items.

  • Design and Innovation Award

    The Design & Innovation Department Award is given to the student who best demonstrates the perseverance, creativity, and problem-solving necessary to be an innovator. The student will have shown excellence in entrepreneurship, engineering, or computer science during Middle School.

  • About Wyatt Kozloff

    Wyatt Kozloff has been an ever-present member of the Design & Innovation program, taking classes with all Middle School faculty members. He is a collaborator and leader among his classmates, always ready to help them when they encounter challenges, whether that is laser cutting, 3D printing, soldering circuits, designing marketing materials, or building carnival business booths. Wyatt stays relentlessly on task, producing high-quality work across every domain of D&I. He has built a staggering portfolio of work, ranging from molds for fidget toys to a 3D-printed ring-toss game. He is always thrilled when a community member challenges him. Wyatt is currently developing an app for Middle School students to help them prioritize assignments.
 

Middle School Recognition

SIGMA Math League

The national SIGMA competition consists of five tests given throughout the school year to Grades 6–8. SIGMA tests promote problem-solving through competition. They provide opportunities for students to apply their mathematical knowledge in new and different ways by solving non-routine problems. In addition, the tests allow students to compete nationally, as an individual, as a team and as a school.

SIGMA recognizes students with the highest cumulative scores by awarding gold, silver, and bronze pins.

Read how rethinking the math program is helping students become more confident.

Grade 8
1st Place: Lucas Chen
2nd Place: Angelina Liu ’31 and Tony Meng
3rd Place: Amanda Bi ’31, Brian Cheng, Alexander Fullerton, and Liam Thompson
 
Grade 7
1st Place: Leyan Qi
2nd Place: Reina Kamdar
3rd Place: Audrey Kim

Grade 6
1st Place: Alex Greenfield, Edwin Padgett, and Emma Piven
2nd Place: Phillip Do and Timmy Feng
3rd Place: Noah McDooling and Huamei Zhang

Grade 8 Short Story Awards

We celebrate the following students for their exceptional short stories. It is a notable achievement to be selected by one’s peers and recognized for the quality and impact of one’s work. We are proud of their achievements. 
1st Place: Julian Londono
2nd Place: Clare Burgess and Rylie Freitas
3rd Place: Lucas Chen
4th Place: Laila Clark, Reya Waran, and Kayla Shi
5th Place: Chelan Okano and Lachlan Brooks

Discover with Me

The Middle School digital literary magazine showcases the creativity of Grades 5–8 writers, poets, and artists. Discover With Me owes its success to the tireless efforts of its editors, who dedicated their free time to designing, editing, and contributing their own stellar contributions. We’re grateful to all the students who shared their talents through submissions.

Editors
Grade 7
Oliver Cheung
Elizabeth Copeland
Reina Kamdar
Bella Vicente

Grade 8
Johnny Brough
Lucas Chen
Rylie Freitas
Savva Holyas
Aubrey Kellinger
Julian Londono
Callan Mischler
Aryana Nasiri
Zora North
Alex Pidgeon Mandel
Reese Roosevelt
Liam Thompson
Sareena Toor
Evan Trauth
Reya Waran

Torrey Leadership Council (TLC)

TLC is a group of students elected to a leadership position by their peers to help make LJCDS an inclusive, fun, and empowering environment. These student leaders encourage classmates to become involved in service, school spirit, advocacy, and activism subcommittees. TLC members represent their peers and uplift student voices.
Grade 5
Arthur Amaral
Zoe Brooker
Delaney Hales*
Sequoia Jain-Hong
Adela Kullens
Hazel McDooling
Ziva Nair
Hailee Patterson
Lainey Ramos
Anishka Reddy
Avery Roosevelt*
Beatrix Rosenberg
Walden Tanaka
Ollie Thompson

Grade 6
Cameron Czaja*
Alex Han
Sienna Murray*
Arman Nasiri
Spencer Parekh
 
Grade 7
Jaxy Anderson
Amanda Bi*
Jacob Blumenthal
Talia Chehab
Jaxson Greene
Coleman Hales*
Halifax Hedgecock
Reina Kamdar
Anna Kim
Angelina Liu
Tyce Merrill
Kristina Serenkova
Jeremy Shi
Everett Tanaka*
Skye Wegner
Ruby Zenoff*
 
Grade 8
Grant Alexander
Ava Breen
Clare Burgess
Alexa Charalambous
Falco Corcoran
Griffein Feinman
Rylie Freitas
Divinika Jella
Julian Londono
Aryan Nasiri
Olivia Murphy*
Zora North*
Chelan Okano
Sarah Palermo
Eva Patgaonkar
Alex Pigeon Mandel
Reese Roosevelt*
Liam Thompson*
Sareena Toor
Faith Williams*
Kaylyn Witt
Reya Waran

*Executive Cabinet

Grade 8 Play Production

We recognize these eighth-grade students for their passion, bravery, and perseverance in producing plays as part of the Middle School theater program. It is truly their collaborative effort that brings the theater alive. We hope they become lifelong theater supporters in a way that best matches their interests.
 
Grant Alexander
Laila Clark
Oliver Cottrell
Savva Holyas
Divinaka Jella
Mila Jodat
Maris Kibblewhite-Sanchez
Callan Mischler
Aryana Nasiri
Astrid Nova
Chelan Okano
Sarah Palermo
Eva Patgaonkar
Lex Perloff
Justin Pidgeon Mandel
Sean Spence
Liam Thompson
Spencer Wallace
Sa’Mari Ward
Abigail Yang
Clara Ye

Grade 8 Choir

We recognize these eighth-grade students for their passion for singing, dedication to the choral program, and commitment to the Middle School Torrey Choir. We’re proud of their accomplishments and hope music remains a meaningful part of their lives. 

Van Allen
Max Bianco-Acosta
Falco Corcoran 
Nico Ortiz-Coletti
Harper Stevens

AMC8

The AMC8 is a math competition provided by The Mathematical Association of America. It is intended to strengthen the mathematical capabilities of the next generation of problem solvers. Through friendly competition, the MAA AMC program helps identify talent and foster a love of mathematics. The goal is to develop problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge in Middle School students.

1st Place: Tony Meng and Jeremy Shi
2nd Place: Griffin Ni
3rd Place: Spencer Wallace

Math Olympiad

Grade 5:
1st: Annabel Chen (perfect score 25/25)
1st: Evelyn Chen (perfect score 25/25)
3rd: Adela Kullens (24/25 top 2% nationally)

Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair

As the highest-level STEM competition in the region, the fair challenges students to go beyond classroom studies by conducting independent research, asking compelling questions, designing and implementing innovative solutions, and presenting and defending their results to judges who are professionals in their fields. Read more about their projects. 

Elizaveta Avdienko ’31 | First Award
Physics and Astronomy Project: Static Electricity and Dust

Amanda Bi ’31 | First Award
Engineering: Energy, Materials, and Transport Project: Balancing Visual Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Solar Panel Configuration

-American Society of Civil Engineers
-Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA)
-General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation
Rylie Freitas ’30 | Second Award
Biomedical/Health Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering Project: Analyzing BRBNS Cases to Identify Patterns in Lesions

-San Diego Section, American Chemical Society

Anchen Huang ’32 | Second Award
Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics Project: Robot dirt rakers

Olivia “Ollie” Liu ’31 | First Award
Microbiology Project: Soap, a Friend or Foe of Skin Bacteria?

-Grand Award Runner-Up, Junior Division Life Sciences
-Association for Women in Science
-CaSEF Qualified
-Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC)

Emma Piven ’32 | Second Award
Behavioral and Social Sciences Project: The Effect of Light Exercise on Math Scores for 6th Graders

Sareena Toor ’30 | Second Award
Engineering: Energy, Materials, and Transport Project: Removable Cleats

Middle School Students Taking Upper School Classes

These students took on the challenge of at least one Upper School course this year, with courses ranging from French Literature to Integrated Math II Honors. They successfully navigated schedules across two divisions, demonstrating exceptional time management, organization, and independence in their learning journey.

Grade 8
Van Allen
Leonardo Bigoni
Lucas Chen
Haoyuan "Jayden" Gao
Baltazar Martin
Asher Mays
Alexis Owalla
Michael Pena
Parker Rab
Hantian "Tim" Shen
Kaylyn Witt
Baofan "Marcs" Zhang
Zhirou "Judy" Zhu

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Presented by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running scholarship and recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12. Congratulations to the regional winners below (West Region-At-Large). 

Writing 
Johnny Brough, personal essay
Savva Hoyas, poetry
Aditi Katragadda, personal essay
Zora North, personal essay
 
Art
Kayla Shi

Grade 8 Musicians

We recognize the following students’ effort, dedication, and commitment to learning an instrument in the Middle School music program. We are so proud of these musicians and hope music will always be an important part of their lives.

Bass
Julian Londono
Faith Williams

Cello
Lachlan Brooks
Matteo Mascola
Kayla Shi

Clarinet
Elsa Froelich

Euphonium
Callan Mischler 

French Horn
Grant Alexander
Sean Spence

Percussion
Nancy Antelo Espinoza
Asher Mays
 
Piano
Leonardo Bigoni
Chelan Okano
 
Saxophone
Tommy Zahalan

Trombone
James Johnson

Trumpet
Liam Thompson
 
Tuba/Electric Bass:
Evan Trauth
 
Viola
Marcs Zhang

Violin
Brian Cheng
Rylie Freitas
Aditi Katragadda
Suzie Newman
Tim Shen
Sareena Toor
Reya Waran

5th Grade English Exploros Extension

These students went above and beyond by completing the optional Wordly Wise extension, Exploros. Each of them successfully completed 5–10+ lessons, improving their vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Grade 5
Arthur Amaral de Oliveira
Jake Bralower
Annabel Chen
Evelyn Chen
Logan DeLillo
Wyatt Hodder
Sequoia Jain-Hong
Elsa Mei
Ziva Nair
Alessandra Patterson
Nicholas Petschek
Avery Roosevelt
Xavier Stotts
Walden Tanaka
Sophia Yoneda

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