Newly minted Baron alumni are making their way out into the world following a lakeside commencement. Blue Ridge School graduated 45 students in the Class of 2022. Coming from 11 U.S. states and 8 foreign countries, the graduates celebrated the occasion with faculty, family, and friends on the front lawn of campus.
Keynote speaker Dr. Chrisantha Hermanson encouraged the graduates to “go towards” their goals. She said, “In going towards your goals rather than to your goals you leave room for the amazing possibilities and experiences that right now, sitting in this valley, you don’t have the vantage point to see or even dream of.”
Study Body President Derek Godwin of Durham, North Carolina, shared with the crowd and his classmates that he was reluctant at first to embrace Blue Ridge. He said, “Deciding to go away from home and do something nobody where I’m from has done was lonely at first. I first came to Blue Ridge with the mindset of putting my head down and quietly cruising through the four years. I didn’t want to make the most of this experience due to my guilt from leaving my friends and family behind. As I got settled at BRS, I slowly learned that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My mindset changed, I began to think about everything Blue Ridge had to offer. Precisely, the community it provides. The bonds I have built with this class, alumni, and underclassmen have really had an impact on my life and my time at Blue Ridge School.”
These graduating seniors have seen all sides of Blue Ridge School, many arriving four years ago to a boarding school routine and lifestyle familiar to many alumni. That changed in March 2020 when the pandemic forced the unexpected closure of campus and the beginning of distance learning. Upon the return to campus that fall, these students were met with masks, social distancing, and modified athletics. Thankfully, their senior year has seen the return to near normalcy – plus the opening of a brand new dining hall.
Their personal achievements are many, but their collective achievements and the strength of their brotherhood formed under adversity put the Class of 2022 in rare company.
Leadership Awards Presented During Commencement
Scholarship Award to the Senior who has the highest grade point average for the Senior Year — Ruiyang “Mike” Wang of Shanghai, China
Alumni Awards to the Seniors chosen to be the class representatives in the Alumni Association — Derek Godwin of Durham, North Carolina, and Ruiyang “Mike” Wang of Shanghai, China
Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Citizenship Award to the Senior who exhibits the qualities of dependability, cooperation, leadership, and patriotism — Maybank Burgdorf of Williamsburg, Virginia
Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award to the Senior who represents the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism — Nicholas Berger of West Lafayette, Indiana
The John L. Trimmer Citizenship Award to the Senior whose citizenship is exceptional and deserves recognition — Houston Emory of Devon, Pennsylvania
The Edward M. McFarlane Award to the Senior who has quietly but steadily embraced the Blue Ridge School’s offerings and program — Matthew Sawyer of Galena, Maryland
The Headmaster’s Award to a Senior for outstanding contributions to Blue Ridge School — John Hess of Potomac Falls, Virginia
The Roy Petty Award to the Senior who has distinguished himself by unselfish service to Blue Ridge School — Ruiyang “Mike” Wang of Shanghai, China
The Thomas H. Wilcox, Jr. Award to the Prefect who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in the performance of his duties — Miguel Robiou de la Noval of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Hongye “Allen” Li of Shanghai, China
The Clarke Worthington Award to the Senior who has had the most wholesome influence on the school community during his years as a student and a leader — Lucas Dudley of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia
The St. George Award to the Senior who has responded best to the Blue Ridge School philosophy and has demonstrated outstanding leadership — Derek Godwin, Jr, of Durham, North Carolina
Academic Awards
DeAngelis Drama Award – Matt Sawyer of Galena, Maryland
Excellence in English – Lucas Dudley of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia
Most Improved in ELL – Chiaki Inoue of Tokyo, Japan
Excellence in ELL – Tianlin “Tim” Wang of Jinan, China
Excellence Among Fishburne Learning Center Students – Matt Sawyer of Galena, Maryland
Andrew Pochter Award for Achievement in a Foreign Language – Ryan Neumann of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and Blake Koenning of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Excellence in History – Lucas Dudley of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, and Maybank Burgdorf of Williamsburg, Virginia
Excellence in Mathematics – Lucas Dudley of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia
Award in Music – Lucas Dudley of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia
Senior Science Award – Hui Buy of Hanoi, Viet Nam
Excellence in Science – Lucas Dudley of Hampden-Sydney, Virginia
Citizenship Award Recipients
Stuart Bladich of Oakton, Virginia
Robert Boyd of Prospect, Kentucky
Maliq Brown of Reva, Virginia
Hui Buy of Hanoi, Viet Nam
Fort Carden of Princeton, New Jersey
Gabe Dedu of Woodbridge, Virginia
Owen Faris of St. Catharines, Ontario
Nathaniel Jamarillo of Falls Church, Virginia
Collier Kinsey of Park City, Utah
Hongye “Allen” Li of Shanghai, China
Danton Molotky of Spring Lake, Michigan
Gray Owen of Louisville, Kentucky
Kaleb Schick of Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia
Lucas Shoebridge of St. Catharines, Ontario
Sam Smart of McLean, Virginia
Alfonso Vera Corona of Queretaro, Mexico
Devin Walker of Severn, Maryland
Tianlin “Tim” Wang of Jinan, China
Hongzhe “Zachary” Wen of Beijingh, China
Athletic Awards
The Billy Pace Award – Miguel Robiou de la Noval of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The Frank Pendleton Award – Fort Carden of Princeton, New Jersey
The Eddie Ray Collier Sportsmanship Award – Devin Walker of Severn, Maryland
The Stimp Hawkins Award – Maliq Brown of Reva, Virginia
The Athletic Director’s Award – Houston Emory of Devon, Pennsylvania
