Blue Ridge School in St. George, Virginia, graduated 56 students on May 25, 2019. The graduating class included students from thirteen states, one U.S. territory, and eight foreign countries. Eight members of the Class of 2019 are members of the National Honor Society.
Myles Ham of Loganville, Georgia, was selected by the graduating seniors to speak on their behalf. He told the assembled faculty, families, and guests that Blue Ridge School gave him the opportunity and encouragement to try new things, the perserverance to overcome obstacles, and the faculty and staff to help him achieve his dreams.
Dr. Kevin Miller, associate headmaster for student outcomes, also addressed the crowd. He told the graduating seniors that they have the capacity to be agents of change within themselves and in the greater world. “The one central thing that you need to remember is that you are loved. Look around you right now. I guarantee you that around here there is someone who loves you very, very much. Just know—and always know—that you are loved and you take that love, you use that love to get your brain to that point where it can say, ‘Okay. Now that I know I’m loved, what’s my next task?’ We adults who love you don’t want much from that gift except this one thing: pass that love on.”
Watch highlights from the day here!
Athletic Awards
The Billy Pace Award was presented to Joseph E. Szabo.
The Frank Pendleton Award was presented to Dhruv Mehrotra and Christopher L. Rogers.
The Eddie Ray Collier Award was presented to Pablo Cavestany.
The Stimp Hawkins Award was presented to Jaden A. Frazier.
The Athletics Director Award was presented to Myles J. Ham.
Academic Awards
The Visual Art Award was presented to Colby L. H. Boyd.
The DeAngelis Drama Award, named in memory of former faculty member Frank DeAngelis, was presented to R. Keane Emmans-McGill.
The English Award was presented to Caleb Werner.
The English Language Learner Award was presented to Xinyang “Paul” Du.
The Andrew Pochter Foreign Language Award was presented to William K. Lowry.
The History Award was presented to Khaled M. Aburamadan.
The Mathematics Award was presented to Xinyang “Paul” Du.
The DeAngelis Music Award was presented to Xinyang “Paul” Du.
The Outdoor Award was presented to Wai Kwan Ng.
The Science Award was presented to Dhruv Mehrotra.
The Scholarship Award, given to the senior who has the highest grade-point average for the senior year, was presented to Xulin “Justin” Hu.
Special Awards
The Alumni Awards for the seniors who have been chosen to be the class representatives in the Alumni Association were presented to Zain Bankwalla and Logan P. Marshall.
The Citizenship Awards for the seniors who have demonstrated outstanding citizenship at Blue Ridge School were presented to Tristan A. Adams, Abdullah Al Saud, JaShaun H. Anderson, Colby L. H. Boyd, Xinyang “Paul” Du, Jaden E. Frazier, Logan P. Marshall, Dhruv Mehrotra, Selby S. Morgan, Joseph E. Szabo.
The Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Citizenship Award for the senior who exhibits the qualities of dependability, cooperation, leadership, and patriotism was presented to Myles J. Ham.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award for the senior who represents the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism was presented to Alexander J. Dillard.
The John L. Trimmer Citizenship Award for the senior whose citizenship is exceptional and deserves recognition was presented to Christopher L. Rogers.
The Edward M. McFarlane Award, named in honor of former BRS Headmaster Ed McFarlane, for the senior who has quietly but steadily embraced the Blur ridge School’s offerings and program was presented to Wai Kwan Ng.
The Headmaster’s Award, for the senior who has made outstanding contributions to the Blue Ridge School, was presented to Ernesto Torres.
The Roy Petty Award for the senior who has distinguished himself by unselfish service to the Blue Ridge School was presented to R. Keane Emmans-McGill.
The Thomas H. Wilcox, Jr., Award for the prefect who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in the performance of his duties was presented to Caleb Werner.
The Clarke Worthington Award for the senior who has had the most wholesome influence on the school community during his years as a student and a leader was presented to Khaled M. Aburamadan.
The St. George Award for the senior who has responded best to the Blue Ridge School philosophy and has demonstrated outstanding leadership was presented to Bryce E. Aylor.
