News & Events

Many members of Norfolk Academy's Class of 2026 received honors at the Royster 9th Grade Awards Night on May 10, 2023.

The celebration began with recognition of students who have served on the Royster Honor Council: Vivi Deans, Alex Lawson, and Nethan Liyanage. Their faculty sponsors also received thanks: Mrs. Trish Hopkins, Chairperson; Mr. Evan Mitchell, 9th Grade; Mr. Mike Duquette, 8th Grade; Mrs. Blair Monaco, 7th Grade. 

Vivi and Nethan were recently elected to the Tunstall Honor Council for the 2023-24 school year. 

Next, students who have served on the Royster Student Council received thanks for their service: Kiran Folck, Aarush Desai, Lane Britt, Sam Light, and Lila Ware. Faculty sponsors Mr. Duquette and Mrs. Virginia Scofield also received recognition.

After that, 9th grade students who were recently elected to serve on the Tunstall Student Council for the 2023-24 school year were recognized.

• Executive Board Treasurer: Isaac Zito 
• Sophomore Class President: Kiran Folck 
• Class Vice President: Aarush Desai 
• Class Secretary: Luke Buchanan 
• Class Treasurer: Davis Steadman 

Next, students who were elected to be a peer counselor for the 2023-24 school year were recognized. In this role, students support and counsel their classmates in situations involving a wide variety of issues. Meredith Avery, Kiran Folck, Vera Hartz, David Martin

This year, students participated in a PAWS For A Cause Day, when the Middle School community served together off campus. Upon arrival, each organization educated students about their work and the role they play in the community. Then, students engaged in various forms of service work. This Community Engagement and Service Learning Program has met with resounding success owing to the various commitments of students, teachers, and leaders within the community. PAWS partner organizations included the following agencies: The Brock Environmental Center; The Chrysler Museum; CROP Foundation; EQUI-KIDS; Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore; ForKids; Museum of Contemporary Art; Navy Seal Foundation; Norfolk Botanical Gardens; Norfolk Public Library; Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore; Norfolk Botanical Gardens; Operation Smile; Virginia Zoo

Other awardees:

RENAISSANCE READER AWARD: To achieve a Renaissance Reader Award, a student must read, in addition to required classroom reading, a minimum of five works from a list submitted by teachers from the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. The student, in a discussion with the sponsoring faculty member, must demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of each work. Julia Dodd; Jay Fernando; Kiran Folck; Vera Hartz; Aditya Jain; Amanda Johnson; Stella Johnson; Alex Lawson; Addie Lesley; Alex Long; Davis McNulty; Sam Light; Quinn Parvin; Siya Patel; Grace Robertson; Aubrey Rowland; Charlotte Shumadine. 

FRIENDS OF THE NORFOLK PUBLIC LIBRARY: More than 1,400 entries were submitted to the 2023 Friends of the Norfolk Public Library Annual Book Review Contest, which emphasizes critical thinking and creative writing skills. The contest, which ended in March, was open to all Norfolk public, private, and homeschool students in grades 4 through 12. The Awards Ceremony will be held on May 18 at the Mary D. Pretlow Library. Davis McNulty (9th Grade Second Place Winner); Aarush Desai (9th Grade Third Place Winner).

BATTEN READER AWARD: Given to the 9th grade student who has read the most books from the Batten Library collection in the 2022-23 school year. Siya Patel (39 books).

ROYSTER TEACHER OF THE YEAR: The Royster Student Council elects a teacher to recognize the dedication and commitment that our faculty provides throughout the school year. The recipient of this award is chosen based on character, integrity, and service to the school and community. Cheney Doane 

NATIONAL LATIN EXAMINATION: Sponsored by the American Classical League and the National Junior Classical League, the National Latin Exam tests students in all levels of Latin on their knowledge of grammar, reading comprehension, mythology, derivatives, literature, Roman life, history, geography, oral Latin, and Latin in use in the modern world. The 2023 National Latin Exam was administered to more than 100,000 students in the United States and in 21 countries around the world. 

Latin IV 

Intermediate Reading Comprehension Exam 

Gold Medal – Summa Cum Laude 

• Alex Lawson 
• David Martin 

Silver Medal – Maxima Cum Laude 

• Siya Patel 

Magna Cum Laude 

• Milla Avery 
• Julia Dodd 

ROYSTER 9th GRADE SPEECH AWARD: Norfolk Academy requires each 9th grade student to deliver a persuasive speech before the faculty and students of the Middle School. Each spring, finalists compete for the 9th Grade Speech Award before a panel of judges who select the recipient. The award is presented annually to the 9th grade boy or girl who, in the opinion of the judges, is the most powerful and effective speaker. Vivi Deans

Finalists

• Vivi Deans - Teens with Toddlers: In No One’s Best Interest 
• Alex Lawson – Re-Opening DACA: Let’s Keep the Dream Alive 
• Aubrey Rowland – Arts in the Classroom: Painting a Picture of a Successful Student  

Distinguished speakers

• Aarush Desai 
• Jay Fernando 
• Carson Gaddy 
• Taylor McDonald 
• Cameron Read 
• Emily Salib 
• Caroline Wainger 

THE LTC MICHAEL L. HORSTMAN, USA (RET.) HISTORY AWARD: Awarded annually by the Royster History Department in honor of LTC Mike Horstman, USA (Ret.), history teacher at Norfolk Academy until his retirement in 2016, to the outstanding student in the study of History. Aubrey Rowland 

SPANISH LANGUAGE AWARD: Awarded to the student in Spanish who has demonstrated the greatest interest and achievement. Uzair Jawad

FRENCH AWARD: An award for excellence in both the oral and written language and for leadership and enthusiasm in class. Vivi Deans

GERMAN AWARD: Presented by the Norfolk Academy German Club in memory of Maria Luebken, an exchange student from Copernicus-Gymnasium Löningen in 1976, for outstanding achievement in German. Alex Long

SCIENCE AWARD: Given to the Middle School student who has demonstrated the greatest interest and participation in all areas of the sciences. Milla Avery 

ENGLISH AWARD: Awarded to the Middle School student who has displayed the greatest enthusiasm in the study of English. Ella Stufflebeem

WENDALL L. WINN WRITING AWARD: Given to the student in the Middle School who has shown the greatest potential in creative writing. Jay Fernando

MILDRED LOHNAAS SCHNEIDER AWARD: Annual award to a Middle School student for excellence in the study of English. Cameron Read

HOWARD R. PRINCE GEOMETRY AWARD: Awarded annually by a friend of Norfolk Academy in honor of Captain Howard R. Prince, mathematics teacher at The Country Day School and Norfolk Academy until his retirement in June 1974, to the student who has shown the greatest improvement in plane geometry through hard work and determination. Rashi Patel

CHARLES MANTEL MATHEMATICS AWARD: Awarded to the student who has achieved proficiency in mathematical skills through hard work, determination, and classroom citizenship. Taylor McDonald 

THE VICTOR AND JOYCE RATNAVALE LATIN AWARD: Awarded annually by the family and friends of the Ratnavales, in memory of Victor and Joyce Ratnavale, to the student who has achieved proficiency in Latin through hard work, determination, and classroom citizenship. Siya Patel 

ATHLETIC AWARD FOR GIRLS: Presented to the 9th grade girl who is the best athlete in the Middle School and who, through actions on and off the field, exemplifies the fine aspect of athletics. Maria Delyannis 

ATHLETIC AWARD FOR BOYS: Presented to the 9th grade boy who is the best athlete in the Middle School and who, through actions on and off the field, exemplifies the fine aspect of athletics. Reed Fox 

VISUAL ART AWARD: Awarded to a Middle School student who has consistently exhibited originality, creativity, and an understanding of the elements and principles of design. Anna Pang

THEATER ARTS AWARD: Awarded for outstanding achievement on stage and overall commitment to Norfolk Academy’s Theater program. Leo Jones 

MUSICAL THEATER AWARD: Awarded to a student who consistently demonstrated the highest caliber of creativity and artistic performance in the Winter Musical. Julia Dodd 

THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES AWARD: Awarded to a student who has shown outstanding support of the many technical, physical, scenic, or organization elements and skills that go into creating a production. Quinn Parvin 

DANCE AWARD: Awarded for the highest caliber of performance and participation in dance. Eliana Mopper 

CHORAL AWARD: Awarded to a singer who displays outstanding leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm. Jackson Henry

BAND AWARD: Awarded to the 9th grade band member who show outstanding leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm. Michael Long

ORCHESTRA AWARD: Awarded for outstanding achievement in the orchestra program and overall commitment to the Norfolk Academy music program. Yaoyao Wang 

FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT AWARD: In recognition of talent, merit, and achievement of outstanding contributions, and of an unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation, and high qualities of conduct and performance in the Fine Arts. Maryne Alexander 

COLONEL ANTHONY LAWSON I AWARD: Annual award to the boy in Form III who has made the wisest use of his time during the school year. Alex Lawson 

MARY CALVERT LAWSON CHANDLER AWARD: Annual award to the girl in Form III who has made the wisest use of her time during the school year. Adeline Scott 

MATTHEW THORNTON AUSTIN AWARD: Awarded annually in memory of Matthew Thornton Austin to the Middle School boy or girl who makes the best use of his or her natural endowments and who quietly but consistently exhibits good sportsmanship, loyalty, friendliness, determination, perseverance, and exemplary strength of character. Carson Gaddy 

JAMES B. MASSEY AWARD: Presented to the Middle School student who, through character and integrity, has contributed most significantly to the student body in the areas of academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. David Martin