West Hartford’s Kingswood Oxford School held an awards ceremony on May 21, 2024.

Submitted by Jackie Pisani, Kingswood Oxford

Kingwood Oxford in West Hartford awarded the following local students at a prize assembly on May 21.

 THE ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD is given to a member of the Fifth Form who has demonstrated a significant commitment to community service.

• Sophie Chen 

THE TRINITY CLUB OF HARTFORD PRIZE is given to a member of the Fifth Form who has developed and practiced a true interest in the principles of good government.

•  Cary Duvall

THE YALE CLUB OF HARTFORD PRIZE is given to a member of the Fifth Form in recognition of scholastic achievement, leadership, effective teamwork, and organizational abilities. 

•  Christian Gingeleskie

THE TERWILLIGER PRIZE, given in the name of R. C. Terwilliger ’33, is given to a student in the Upper School for excellence in English prose.

THE ERNEST W. SMITH PRIZE FOR SPANISH, endowed by Ernest W. Smith, Jr., is given to a student in the Upper School who has excelled in the study of Spanish.

THE RICHARD C. BUCKLEY AWARD is given in memory of Richard C. Buckley, Class of 1980, to the senior who possesses qualities of loyalty, good humor, courage and the ability to accept both success and defeat gracefully.

•  Ava Cashman

THE HERMAN PAUL KOPPLEMANN AWARD is given in honor of Mr. Kopplemann who served five terms in Congress promoting social policy issues and was driven by a fundamental belief that politics is the proper avenue to promote the general welfare. The award goes to that member of the newspaper staff who has outstanding promise in the art of communication.

THE ROBERT A. FALK PRIZE, given in memory of Robert Falk ‘80, is awarded to the Sixth Form student who has excelled in journalism and has been an active participant in the competitive sports program at the school.

• Ashley Buckingham

THE GOOGINS AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE in FORENSIC UNION is named after KO faculty member and Forensic Union founder, Robert Googins who served Kingswood Oxford for over four decades as a teacher, coach and advisor. In his memory, it is awarded to a member of the Forensic Union officer team who has excelled in formal debate and who, like Mr. Googins, has served the Forensic Union with particular loyalty, enthusiasm, and dedication.

THE BISSELL PRIZE, endowed by Mr. Richard M. Bissell, Jr., is given to a student in the Upper School who has excelled in the study of French.

THE GOLD SEAL, one of the highest citizenship awards the school can bestow, is given to a student in the Sixth Form for outstanding qualities of character.

• Leo Zhang

THE WILLIAM AINSWORTH GREENE MEMORIAL PRIZE, given by his three sons, is given to that member of the Fifth or Sixth Form who has shown the greatest interest in international and current affairs.

• Allie Arcaro, for scholarship and excellence in the study of economics.

THE CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PRIZE is given to the Upper School student who, during their time at Kingswood Oxford, has excelled in the study of Chinese, both by demonstrating academic strength in the Chinese language and by embracing the culture of China.

The JEFFREY BITTNER PRIZE, presented by the Bittner-Conley family in memory of Jeffrey Bittner, a member of the Class of 1992, is dedicated to honoring his cherished role as a son, brother, and friend. This award is bestowed upon an exceptional student in the sophomore class who possesses a strong sense of self, determination, and selflessness.

• Jason Chen

THE KINGSWOOD OXFORD BAND AWARD is presented to the instrumentalist who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship, leadership, and dependability as a member of the concert band or wind ensemble.

• Ted Simons

THE JANE HAMILTON FISK AWARD is given to a student in the Upper School for their outstanding ability or interest in music or musical organizations.

• Audrey Karasik

THE SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD is awarded to a three-sport athlete who demonstrated a positive attitude, outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to team effort.  

• Georgia Louis

THE FIRST YEAR AWARD is given by Mr. Nathaniel Saltonstall II to that Upper School student who, during the first full year at Kingswood Oxford, has shown strong academic achievement and has displayed responsibility, maturity, cooperation and loyalty.

• Arthur Tittman

THE GRETCHEN BAUVER AWARD is given in honor of Gretchen Bauver, math teacher at Kingswood Oxford School from 1973-92, to the eighth-grade student who has shown the most growth in the field of math.

• Drew Doering

THE ANNUAL ALUMNI CHARACTER AWARDS are given by the Kingswood Oxford Alumni Association to two students in Middle School Form 2 for their leadership, maturity, citizenship and concern for the welfare of the school.

• Aaron Anstead

THE CLASS OF 1958 PRIZE, given in memory of Richard B. Bulkeley III, is awarded to that member of the Sixth Form who possesses qualities of modesty, reliability, and integrity.

• Chelsea O’Donnell

THE MERRITT PRIZE, founded by Mr. Joseph Merritt in the names of Robert P. Merritt ‘29 and Philip J. Merritt ‘33, is given to that member of the Sixth Form who best exemplifies the results of a Kingswood Oxford education.

• John Kumpa
• Alex Levin

THE JONATHAN DOWNS PRIZE, endowed by the friends of Jonathan Downs, is given to that member of the Fifth form who has contributed most to the class in helpfulness, good fellowship, and humor.

• Lily Temkin

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