News & Events

Many members of Norfolk Academy's Class of 2025 received honors at the Royster 9th Grade Awards Night on May 12.

In a welcome change from the past two years, this year's event was held in Johnson Theater, with parents invited to attend. Covid prevented that traditional format in 2021 and 2020, and Academy held the ceremony virtually.

This year's honorees:

Tunstall Honor Council 2022-23 Sophomore Class Representatives: Xander Dukas, Peter Galiotos

Tunstall Student Council: 2022-2023 Executive Board

• 2022-23 Executive Board Treasurer: Jude Carroll
• Sophomore Class President: CJ Murray
• Sophomore Class Secretary: Brooke DiGeronimo
• Sophomore Class Treasurer: Jacob Gonzales

High Honor Report, First semester: Zachary Armentrout, Anna Lise Barton, Jude Carroll, Travis Carroll, Alexander Dusa, Peter Galiotos, Lincoln Hatch, Gabriel Hosu, Alexis Huelsberg, Anna Iacobucci, Silver Lerner, Aya Musselmani, Simone Nied, Aashi Patel, Addie Peterson, Jack Poynter, Taylor Purcell, Olivia Reid, Anne Randolph Staub, Lucy Staub, Genevieve Stone, Leo Tang, Spencer Thompson, Shuchi Vachhani, Ray Wang, Amanda Wong, Emily Xu

Honor Report, First semester: Annie Avery, Amanda Avila, Claire Baum, Lia Burr, Bela Cancado, Iro Catravas, Jessica Cheng, Nora Clingenpeel, Parker Codington, Fletch Creech, Cooper Cutchins, Charlie Dailey, Brooke DiGeronimo, Griffin Dobbs, Joe Dodd, Xander Dukas, Sophie Dupre, Carol Earp, Megan Evans, Adam Fairchilds, Ellie Fickenscher, Kaleb Gibson, Sarah Glassman, Jacob Gonzales, Graham Gunn, Grant Higgins, Joseph Hobbs, Will Howerton, Sydney Huddleston, Pete Januchowski, Ayla Eden Kell, Lane Kilduff, Sofia Kohler, Becca Kyler, Aidan Marilley, Natalie Martin, Alana McElligott, Kevin Park, Jack Payne, Joji Purdy, Ruby Reis, Sallie Clarke Roberts, Josie Saffold, David Salter, Aanya Shah, Austin Sorrell, Owen Speers, Chance Stuart, Carmella Tabin, Claudia Tillar, Lucas Varverud, Dominic Villafranca, Haylee Wilson, Lucy Wilson, Zach Wood, Eraj Zaidi, Jing Jing Zhao, Ying Ying Zhao

The Elie Wiesel Writing & Visual Arts Competition: One of the primary goals of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission is to encourage young people to apply the lessons of history to the decisions they make today. Through studying the Holocaust, students explore issues of moral courage as well as the dangers of prejudice, peer pressure, unthinking obedience to authority, and indifference. This competition provides students an opportunity to express themselves creatively about what they have learned. Congratulations to this year’s finalists in the Senior Poetry category, for students in grades 9-12. Anne Randolph Staub, Kaelin Sutton. Their entries reached the top 15 in their division.

TEAMS - Test of Engineering, Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science: The Technology Student Association (TSA), a national, non-profit association dedicated to students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, sponsors an annual national test. Team A (Third Place in Virginia and Outstanding Achievement) – Alexander Dusa, Lincoln Hatch, Leo Tang, Ray Wang. Team B (Outstanding Achievement) – Anna Iacobucci, Aya Musselmani, Aashi Patel, Taylor Purcell

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. Zachary Armentrout, Anna Lise Barton, Jude Carroll, Luke Dobrin, Joe Dodd, Lincoln Hatch, Gabriel Hosu, Simone Nied, Aashi Patel, Taylor Purcell, Chance Stuart, Leo Tang, Eraj Zaidi

Batten Reader Award: Given to the 9th grade student who has read the most books from the Batten Library collection in the 2021-22 school year. Eraj Zaidi. She has read 26 books this year.

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. This year’s exam was administered to more than 100,000 students.

• Latin IV Gold Medal - Summa Cum Laude: Alexander Dusa 
• Latin IV Silver Medal - Maxima Cum Laude: Jessica Cheng, Jack Poynter, Olivia Reid, Lucy Staub, Spencer Thompson
• Latin IV Magna Cum Laude: Anna Lise Barton, Parker Codington, Lincoln Hatch, Anne Randolph Staub, Genevieve Stone, Claudia Tillar
• Latin IV Cum Laude: Xander Dukas, Aya Musselmani, Scarlet Schoenfeld
• Latin III Gold Medal - Summa Cum Laude: Cana Fass, Gabriel Hosu

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. Nora Clingenpeel

• Finalists: Anna Lise Barton, Nora Clingenpeel, Leo Tang 
• Distinguished Speakers: Zachary Armentrout, Lincoln Hatch, Addie Peterson, Taylor Purcell, Anne Randolph Staub, Lucy Staub, Genevieve Stone

The LTC Michael L. Horstman, USA (Ret.) History Award: Given  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. Leo Tang

Spanish Language Award: Given to the student in Spanish who has demonstrated the greatest interest and achievement. Dominic Villafranca

French Award: An award for excellence in both the oral and written language and for leadership and enthusiasm in class. Natalie Martin

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. Alexis Huelsberg

Science Award: Given to the Middle School student who has demonstrated the greatest interest and participation in all areas of the sciences. Aashi Patel

English Award: Given to the Middle School student who has displayed the greatest enthusiasm in the study of English. Spencer Thompson

Wendall L. Winn Writing Award: Given to the student in the Middle School who has shown the greatest potential in creative writing. Kaelin Sutton

Mildred Lohnaas Schneider Award: Annual award to a Middle School student for excellence in the study of English. Genevieve Stone

Howard R. Prince Geometry Award: Given 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. Sydney Huddleston

Charles Mantel Mathematics Award: Given to the student who has achieved proficiency in mathematical skills through hard work, determination, and classroom citizenship. Ray Wang

The Victor and Joyce Ratnavale Latin Award: Given 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. Alexander Dusa

Athletic Award for Girls: Presented to the 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. Addy Hennessy

Athletic Award for Boys: Presented to the 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. Peter Galiotos

Visual Art Award: Given to a Middle School student who has consistently exhibited originality, creativity, and an understanding of the elements and principles of design. Olivia Reid

Theater Arts Award: Given for outstanding achievement on stage and overall commitment to Norfolk Academy’s Theater program. Addie Peterson

Musical Theater Award: Given to a student who consistently demonstrated the highest caliber of creativity and artistic performance in the Winter Musical. Austin Sorrell

The Behind-The-Scenes Award: Given 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. Anna Iacobucci

Dance Award: Given for the highest caliber of performance and participation in dance. Taylor Purcell

Orchestra Award: Given for outstanding achievement in the orchestra program and overall commitment to the Norfolk Academy music program. Alana McElligott

Band Award: Given for outstanding achievement in the band program and overall commitment to the Norfolk Academy music program. Amanda Wong

Choral Award: Given for outstanding achievement in the choral program and overall commitment to the Norfolk Academy music program. Olivia Crocker

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. Abigail Littlejohn

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. Travis Carroll

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. Anna Lise Barton

Matthew Thornton Austin Award: Given 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. Addie Peterson

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. Nora Clingenpeel  

Peer Counselors: Each spring a select few rising sophomores are chosen through a rigorous process to become peer counselors for the next school year. As peer counselors, these students support and encourage their peers in situations involving a wide variety of issues. The five 9th graders selected to be peer counselors for next year are Nora Clingenpeel, Sarah Glassman, Graham Gunn, Sydney Huddleston, Haylee Wilson.

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. Mr. Jeff Boyd, Middle School Director, English Teacher, Boys JV Tennis Assistant Coach