Blue Ridge School celebrated the completion of an unusually difficult year with the graduation of 42 students from 11 states and 7 countries on May 29, 2021. Recently relaxed guidelines for outside gatherings allowed for a large crowd to assemble on the front lawn.
Headmaster Trip Darrin thanked both the students and their families for their perseverance, dedication, and patience during the past 15 months of pandemic-affected education. He then made a special point to recognize seven members of the graduating class who were not able to return to campus from their homes in China because of pandemic-related travel restrictions. Those students were especially missed on this occasion.
The featured speaker at the ceremony was English Teacher and Assistant Athletic Director Parker Kirwan. He told the graduates, “As you take this next step and dive into this exciting time of your life, find a balance. While you may want to enjoy everything around you, know that you yourself must be true. Take each day and live to the fullest. Keep an eye on your future but stay present in the moment. The truth is that goals give your future purpose and joy gives the present its meaning.”
Two members of the senior class shared memories and thanks with their classmates and families. Ben Faulconer of Culpepper, Virginia, spoke about two leadership philosophies he learned in class: “The first was “Encourage the Heart” – accomplishing extraordinary things in organizations to keep hope and determination alive. Even though during our last year of high school we were stuck on campus, every one of you guys helped each other out. Everyone encouraged others to reach May 29th and complete the school year together. When someone was having a bad day, someone else was there to pick him up. The second one is “Inspire a Shared Vision” – envision the future and create an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become. Everyone here, including faculty, inspires a shared vision. We wanted to finish the school year on campus and have a normal graduation. On the behalf of the senior class, we thank you for keeping us safe during a dark time in America. And the seniors – we all inspired a shared vision of graduating and jumping in that lake.”`
Senior Class President Ali Tejani of Midland, Texas, thanked his teachers and his parents and told his classmates: “We have reached our biggest milestone yet; a culmination of grit, hard work, and dedication in our young lives. With the education Blue Ridge has provided, along with the lessons we have learned both on our own and with our Baron Brothers, we are ready to embark on whatever journey we have ahead. Whether it be a promising career in business, medicine, law, the arts, or sports, everyone in the graduating class of 2021 is well prepared for the next chapter of their life.”
Leadership Awards
The Scholarship Award for the Senior who has the highest grade point average for the Senior Year – Viet Vu Hoang (Mark) Ngo of Vung Tau, Vietnam.
Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Citizenship Award for the Senior who exhibits the qualities of dependability, cooperation, leadership, and patriotism – Songgun Lee of Busan, Korea.
Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award for the Senior who represents the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism – Adam Bland of Victoria, British Columbia.
The John L Trimmer Citizenship Award for the Senior whose citizenship is exceptional and deserves recognition – Cole Kennedy of Oakton, Virginia.
The Edward M. McFarlane Award for the Senior who has quietly but steadily embraced the Blue Ridge School’s offerings and program – Viet Vu Hoang (Mark) Ngo of Vung Tau, Vietnam.
Headmaster’s Award to a Senior for outstanding contributions to the Blue Ridge School – Ryan Wills of Rochelle, Virginia.
The Roy Petty Award for the Senior who has distinguished himself by unselfish service to the Blue Ridge School – Jack Charboneau of Coquitlam, British Columbia.
The Thomas H. Wilcox, Jr. Award for the Prefect who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in the performance of his duties – Spencer Amacher of Blacksburg, Virginia.
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 – Hibiki Sakuri of Tokyo, Japan.
The St. George Award for the Senior who has responded best to the Blue Ridge School philosophy and has demonstrated outstanding leadership – Ali Tejani of Midland, Texas.
Senior Class Academic Awards
DeAngelis Drama Award – Davey Foresman
Achievement in English – Songgun Lee
Achievement in ELL – Hibiki Sakuri
Andrew Pochter Foreign Language Award – Preston Neumann
Achievement in History – Braden Schmidle
Achievement in Mathematics – Braden Schmidle
DeAngelis Music Award – Spencer Amacher
Achievement in Science – Braden Schmidle
Athletic Awards
The Bill Pace Award for the senior who has shown great enthusiasm for the sports he has played – Adam Bland of Victoria, British Columbia.
The Frank Pendleton Award for the senior who has excelled in athletics because of hard work – Jack Charboneau of Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Spencer Amacher of Blacksburg, Virginia.
The Eddie Ray Collier Sportsmanship Award – Hibiki Sakuri of Tokyo, Japan.
The Stimp Hawkins Award for the senior who has contributed the most to the athletic program – Michael Gray of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The Athletic Director’s Award for a senior who has contributed to an athletic program for four years – Ryan Wills of Rochelle, Virginia.
Citizenship Awards
Tristan Emmanuel
Michael Gray
William Huang
Brendan Palmer
Edwin Robinson
Braden Schmidle
Wentao (Peter) Sun
Alumni Award
Ali Tejani
Ben Faulconer
Braden Schmidle
