By Alex Hunter, Sara Johnson, Claire McDonald, Bennett Smith, and Jake Stavsky.

The Upper School recently inducted 11 students in to the Seven Hills chapter of the Cum Laude Society. Seniors Chris Baggott, Cullen Deimer, Federica Fernandez, Sara Johnson, John Larkin, Kyle Patel, John Rowe, Katie Shen and Rachel White and juniors Andrew Ligeralde  and Gregory Sun were honored at a dinner on April 10. The Cum Laude Honors Society is a national organization that “recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence (Areté), justice (Diké) and honor (Timé),” according to their website. At the event, faculty members on the Cum Laude Committee spoke about each new inductee. Read their remarks about each student below.

 

Christopher Baggott (12)

“You know you’re doing something right when your teachers are so pleased with your efforts, attitude, and presence that they don’t want to let you go at the end of the year! Your teachers describe you as a ‘gentle scholar’ but leave no doubt that behind that modest and reserved exterior lies a centered and focused dynamo that thrives on perserverance and challenge. Your teachers all comment about the enthusiasm and joy of learning that you exhibit.  They talk about your ability to reach beyond your own personal goals to bring goodwill, insight and camaraderie to the classroom and to help your classmates better understand the subject matter. There seems to be some disagreement, though, about where you most excel.  One says you are the true Latin scholar.  Another insists that your concepts in the art room transcend the typical high school solution.  Yet another describes you as an insightful and thorough scientist.  All of your teachers agree that you are an excellent example of the finest of Seven Hills students and that it is a joy to work with you.” Tina Groom

 

Cullen Deimer (12)

“Teaching Cullen is good fun. Though he’s deserving of the standard fare of teacher comments (punctual, hard working, timely with his assignments, enthusiastic, insightful, etc.), Cullen Deimer is more complex than any list of adjectives can describe.  Those who really know Cullen comment on his sense of humor and his quirky worldview.  His sharp wit and his clear-eyed observations provide insight into how his mind works and how the world around him operates.  Though his demeanor is quiet and unassuming, his presence is powerful.  His peers value the level of sophistication, humor, and kindness he brings to their shared time in the classroom, at the lunch table, in performance group, and on the academic team.  His steadfast love for learning even compelled him to return – as a junior – to sophomore history classes to serve as guest lecturer on Fridays last year.  According to Mr. Wabler, in Cullen’s typical way, he was ‘weirdly prepared’ to teach things like Medieval Islam and did a ‘strangly excellent job’ in the process.” Tricia Hoar

 

Federica Fernadez (12)

“Federica, your teachers and classmates know you as a soft-spoken, warm and generous student who brings a blanced perspective to all you do. You have been exposed to many countries and cultures all over the world, and it’s this exposure that has given you insight and understanding into the cultural, ethnic and linguistic dimensions that appear throughout our curriculum and throughout our lives.  Open-minded and inquisitive, you have proved yourself to be as strong in the lab sciences and math as you are in language and literature.  You always approach your studies in good faith, and we all have benefitted from your sharp intellect, your compassionate heart, and your commitment to understanding the threads that tie diverse and multicultural communities together.” Wynne Curry

 

Sara Johnson (12)

“Sara, you are a Renaissance scholar: you view the world as a laboratory and showcase, a place where exciting discoveries await at every turn. A joyful scholar to your very core, you are clear minded and intelligently mature, excelling in languages, mathematics, the lab sciences and writing. You have explored many areas of our community, bringing color, vitality and a strong sense of inquiry to many facets of school life. Having selected the most rigorous course curriculum while at Seven Hills, you have shown all your teachers and classmates your ability to think analytically and deeply. You have also shown independence and courage as you have investigated numerous school and community issues through your leadership in journalism. Self-directed and self-motivated, you represent the highest ideals of this school.” Wynne Curry

 

John Larkin (12)

“Scatter joy!’ This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson seems deceptively simple in premise, but the practice of spreading joy daily, and without fail, and finding enthusiasm for every task is indeed a rare quality.  Teachers of John Larkin often comment that his optimistic voice and creative approach make their class more interesting and enjoyable and that his open mind and open heart are contagious to the rest of the class.  Not only does John strive to get the ‘right’ answer, but he knows what it means to appreciate the process, and he understands the merits of deep thought.  From Multivariable Calculus to AP English to Visual Arts, he is patient and careful, and he takes all assignments seriously, completing them thoroughly and thoughtfully.  John displays confidence and determination in the application of his considerable intellect, all the while handling himself with great dignity and treating those around him with generosity and kindness.  Indeed, John Larkin ‘scatters joy’ and reflects optimism while striving to challenge himself and his classmates” Tina Groom

 

Andrew Ligeralde (11)

“Your teachers describe you as amazing, insightful, naturally gifted, tireless, and sensational. I could go on and on. In the classroom you are an energy source, raising the level of discussions and probing for a greater compression of the material being studied. You personally do not shy away from intellectual challenges and at the same time you also encourage others to move beyond their comfort zone. In fact,  the term class leader is consistently used to describe you. For your consistency and willingness to go beyond what is required, we welcome you into Cum Laude.” Barbara Scarr

 

Kyle Patel  (12)

“You take your learning seriously because, after all, there are important questions to ponder in history and English, problems to solve in science and math, and knowledge to pursue in everything. You do this eagerly, often with an impish smile, which displays your wonderful gift of finding humor and joy throughout the learning process. I am not the only person who notices. Your other teachers write about the same dedication to learning, enthusiasm, natural curiosity, and healthy skepticism you bring to your work in literature, mathematics, history, science, and journalism. You enjoy tackling a difficult problem, and trying to find a viable solution. Of equal importance, you willingly share the knowledge, the solutions, and the joy with the class. In short, you help make the classroom a good place and a fun place for learning.” Lowell Wenger

 

John Rowe (12)

“Whatever the subject, whatever the task or level of difficulty, your approach is consistent, serious and thorough. You do not let obstacles get in your way. In fact you relish a challenge. You have been described by your teachers as having a sharp mind that probes, absorbs and implements new material. While you are on your personal path of discovery, you also help your peers to comprehend and tackle tougher concepts. You do not just want the answers and the grades, you relish the journey and approach it cheerfully.” Barbara Scarr

 

Katie Shen (12)

“Flannery O’Conner gave this advice to young writers: ‘In most good stories, it is the character’s personality that creates the action of the story. If you start with a real personality, a real character, then some-thing is bound to happen.’ Katie, you are a real character. You make things happen. In the classroom your enthusiasm and prior knowledge about a variety of topics enrich the learning experience. What’s the most extraordinary about the extent of your knowledge is that it spans topics as wide and diverse as the philosophies of Hobbes and Locke to the the strengths and weaknesses of Manchester United’s roster. You are known and admired – not simply for your academic prowess but for your unwavering goodwill and optimism. Your most important and enduring achievement is that in light of all you have accomplished , you remain a study in humility and grace. You are a dynamic character in our shared story.” Tricia Hoar

 

Gregory Sun (11)

“More than just a number cruncher, Gregory, you are a savvy mathematical thinker. It is fun to see you ponder how numbers work in the world around us, be they in the stock market or in the local casino. Your teachers appreciate how you carry into all of your studies a similar level of curiosity and enthusiasm, as you delve into complicated science problems and ponder different topics in history and French. That you cherish having ‘free time’ to explore the topics you encounter in different courses as much as you want says a lot about your love of learning. You are a respected member of whatever class you are in, sharing the workload fairly in group projects and providing good insights during class discussions that elevate the thinking of the class.” Anne Ramsay

 

Rachel White (12)

“The kindness and gentleness of your spirit that you exude are just two of the many wonderful aspects of who you are as a person. As a student, you invest yourself fully in the learning process here and do much more to contribute to the intellectual tone of the classroom. You are the master at perceiving what a group of students needs and then filling a role that helps the group to be successful, be it as an effective collaborator, a community builder, an encouraging classmate, or an organizer of ideas.  We’ve seen you fill those roles in different ways here at Seven Hills, by working with classmates on group history projects and by sharing your environmental science knowledge with Lotspeich students, for instance. You are well respected by both your peers and by the Seven Hills faculty.” Anne Ramsay