WHEELING - The Linsly School held its 206th Commencement on Saturday at Lockhart Stadium, graduating 78 seniors from the Class of 2020.
During the commencement ceremony, several graduates were presented awards in recognition of their outstanding qualities in leadership, citizenship, and character.
Ziyi "Sophie" Yang of Harbin, China, was named valedictorian, for having the highest upper school cumulative grade point average in the senior class. She will attend Boston University in the fall.
Kylie Pell of Wheeling, was named salutatorian for having the second highest upper school cumulative grade point average in the senior class. She will attend West Virginia University in the fall.
The Headmaster Award, given to that member of the senior class who, in the opinion of the faculty and headmaster, through her display of leadership, academic excellence, and willingness to serve, acted as a model for all Linsly students, was also presented to Pell.
The Guenther Award, given to those members of the senior class who, in the opinion of the faculty and headmaster, exhibit outstanding leadership, citizenship and character, given in memory of former Linsly student David Guenther, was awarded to Madison Campsey of Claysville and Marshall Taylor of Wheeling. Taylor will attend Centre College in the fall.
The Hofreuter Award, given to that member of the senior class who has been exemplary in her service to her school and community, in the tradition of Dr. Donald H. Hofreuter, Linsly Cadet Major, community leader and long time Chairman of Linsly's Board of Trustees, was also awarded to Campsey, who will attend Pennsylvania State University in the fall.
The Theodore Scott Owens Award, given to those members of the senior class who, in the opinion of the faculty and Headmaster, exhibit the qualities of determination, seriousness, and persistence respected by all, given in memory of former Linsly student Theodore Scott Owens, was awarded to Alexandria Behm of Glen Dale, and Michael Borkoski of Wheeling. Behm will attend Allegheny College and Borkoski will attend West Virginia University in the fall.
The Buncher Award, given to those resident students, who in the opinion of the dormitory masters, resident faculty, and headmaster, exemplify that which is looked for in every boarding student, given in memory of the late Albert Buncher, father of Martin Buncher, former Linsly student, was awarded to Audrey Gwiza of Rwanda, and Carl Nyh of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Gwiza will attend Trent University and Nyh will attend ESCP Europe University in the fall.
A program continued by President Donald Trump known as the "President's Education Awards" is intended to recognize students who have attained a high level of academic achievement while pursuing a solid core of academic courses. Receiving this award were members of Linsly's National Honor Society: Alexandria Behm, Matthew Borkoski, Michael Borkoski, Brynleigh Buff, Madison Campsey, Alexandria Carson, Lee Cartwright, Sriharsha Doupaty, Mu Du, Kamryn Hastings, Carissa Hennen, Jiaxuan Hu, Yan Kang, Arella Kluvitse, Chance Knight, Kunyang Li, Athena Mariano, Erin McChesney, Joel Nau, Faith Paull, Kylie Pell, Mingwei Qian, Eve Ridenhour, John Rose, Joshua Schultz, Hunter Smith, Ziang Song, Marshall Taylor, Tara Theaker, Amanda Thomas, Tim Wang, Zijun Wei, Zhixuan Xia, Jiaxin Yang, Ziyi Yang, William Yuan, Saige Zervos, Ruochen Zhao, Jinyi Zhu and Luke Zwicker.
The Linsly Social Studies Award is given to that member of the Senior Class who has achieved an outstanding perception of Social Studies, and has attained the highest cumulative average in that discipline during her four year Upper School career at Linsly. This year's recipient was Lydia Hu.
The Robert W. Schramm Physics Award, given in memory of Henry Brown, former Linsly Military Institute Mathematics department head, was awarded to Michael Borkoski.
Alexandria Behm was named the recipient of The Gilleland Award, established in memory of Professor Brady Gilleland, recognizing a graduating senior who studied Latin and succeeded in her study.
Selena Zhu was named the recipient of The Linsly Mathematics Award, given to that member of the Senior Class who, determined by the Mathematics Department has attained the highest cumulative average in that discipline during her four-year Upper School career at Linsly.
Peter Kang was named the recipient of The Linsly Science Award given to that member of the Senior Class who has attained the highest cumulative average in that discipline during his four year Upper School career at Linsly.
The recipients of The Max W. Laborde Award, given to those Senior English students who, in the opinion of the English Department, best met the standards set forth in the department were Alexandria Behm, Michael Borkoski, Carissa Hennen and Luke Zwicker. The John Anwar Spanish Award is given in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Anwar's eldest son, John, who passed away in 1991 when he was a senior at Linsly. This award recognizes the graduating senior who, through consistent dedication and hard work, has distinguished herself in the study of Spanish. Receiving the John Anwar Spanish Award was Zoe Zhao.