Friends Academy Highlights Academic Achievements at Fourth Day Honors Ceremony

At the Fourth Day Honors ceremony held at Friends Academy on Wednesday, June 5th, the Upper School departments announced this year’s academic and special recognition awards.  At the same time, the Friends Cum Laude Society inducted new members from the senior class. Senior Sienna Smith of Upper Brookville (Wake Forest University) opened the ceremony with a religious reading and a moment of silence. Seniors Clementine Constantino of Sea Cliff (Carnegie Mellon University) and Jakob Rechtweg (Texas A&M University) played a rendition of La Source on the harp and the bass respectively. Lois Juliber '67 received the Distinguished Alumni award and spoke to the community about her time at Friends Academy including the leadership opportunities she was allotted during a time when the world beyond the Friends Academy campus did not see women in such positions.

2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Lois Juliber' 67 poses with Head of School Paul J. Stellato

The students recognized and the colleges the graduating seniors will be attending are:

The James E. Gardner Headmaster’s Commendation Award is presented to students in the graduating class who have demonstrated the qualities of kindness, integrity, cooperation, effort, cheerfulness, participation in school activities, and unselfishness, all irrespective of athletic or scholastic aptitude and achievement.  This year’s recipients are Kate Juhel (University of Pennsylvania) of Roslyn and John O'Sullivan (Kenyon College) of Old Brookville.

The Roger Erickson Humanities Scholarship enables a deserving student to pursue his/her interest in the humanities (philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, history, language, and more) during the summer months and ensures, that a love and appreciation of literature, fine and performing arts within the Friends Community continues in the memory of former English teacher Roger Erickson. This year’s recipient is junior Charli Zahtila ‘26 of Cove Neck.

Roger Erickson Humanities Scholarship recipient Charli Zahtila '26 receives the award from Upper School Principal Mark Schoeffel

The Martin Jacobson Scholarship Award is presented in honor of Marty Jacobson, a devoted teacher, coach, mentor, and Athletic Director for 38 years. This scholarship goes to the student who exemplifies those leadership qualities that Marty sought to instill:  integrity, commitment, inner strength, resiliency, vision, intensity, empathy, and caring service. This year’s recipient is junior Teah Login ’25 of Huntington.

Former Athletic Director Marty Jacobson poses with award recipient Teah Login

The Brian James Hom Scholarship Award is presented in honor of Brian Hom ’11, who passed away in 2011 and left a lasting impact on all who knew him through his passion for social equity and justice, innate generosity and personal warmth, wonderful sense of humor and smile, and unparalleled commitment to excellence as a runner and scholar. He genuinely respected all people and sought to restore dignity and hope to the world. The scholarship honors a student who embodies Brian’s qualities and lives according to his motto, “I am the me I choose to be.” This year’s recipient is junior Henry Koelmel ’25 of Huntington.

Henry Koelmel accepts the Brian Hom Scholarship Award from Head of School Paul J. Stellato

The Elizabeth Young Durante Community Service Award is presented in honor of Elizabeth Durante ’06, who passed away in 2009. This Community Service Award is given to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to serving those in need. This year’s recipient is senior Adriana Lloves (University of St. Andrews-Scotland) of Manhasset.

Elizabeth Young Durante Community Service Award winner Adriana Lloves (middle right) poses with her family 

Roger Erickson English Award

   Diya Basra (Barnard College)
   Senuli Peiris (Yale University)

French Award

   Henry Davison (Brown University)

Spanish Award

   Diya Basra (Barnard College)
   Ashley Reyes (Colgate University)

Latin Award

  Austin Notaris (Cornell University)

Chinese Award

   Jerry Wang ‘26

 Elizabeth Roosevelt History Award

   M. William Green (University of Virginia)
   Mia Kamensky (Barnard College)

Mathematics Award

   Theresa Yu (Columbia University)

Four-year participants in Arts Programs

   Logan Alvarez (Pennsylvania State University)
   Diya Basra (Barnard College)
   Dakota Bruderman (University of Pennsylvania)
   Kathleen Byrne (Boston College)
   Clementine Constantino (Carnegie Mellon University)
   Ryan Deremer (Northeastern University)
   Cassian Gerasimenko (Northeastern University)
   Mary Grahn (Mount Holyoke College)
   M. William Green (University of Virginia)
   Olivia Ippolito (University of Miami)
   Mia Kamensky (Barnard College)
   Sarabeth Levin (University of Miami)
   Julia Lubliner (Boston University)
   Gabriella Minuto (Lehigh University)
   Isaiah Popoola (Boston College)
   Ariana Quan-Soon-Victor (Boston University)
   Jakob Rechtweg (Texas A&M University)
   Sara Rahr (The George Washington University)
   Ashley Reyes (Colgate University)
   Elle Russell (Georgetown University)
   Sarah Sukoff (Syracuse University)
   Rebecca Veronese (Northeastern University)
   Laila Walker (Spelman College)
   Delia Zhong (Northeastern University)
   Angela Zhu (The New School - Parsons School of Design)

Science Award

   Theresa Yu (Columbia University)

Technology Award

   Jakob Rechtweg (Texas A&M University)

Outstanding Female Athlete

   Skylar Cohen (Yale University)

Outstanding Male Athlete

   Jake Bock (Syracuse University)
   Sean Shallat (Gap Year)

Members of the Class of 2024 inducted into the Cum Laude Society are:

Diya Basra (Barnard College)
Kathleen Byrne (Boston College)
Skylar Cohen (Yale University)
Daniel Duke (University of Virginia)
Julia Garfin (University of Michigan)
William Gokey (Columbia University)
M. William Green (University of Virginia)
Kate Juhel (University of Pennsylvania)
Mia Kamensky (Barnard College)
Annika Lobo (Georgetown University)
Julia Lubliner (Boston University)
Austin Notaris (Cornell University)
Russell Notaris (Boston College)
Senuli Peiris (Yale University)
Melanie Schwab (University of Richmond)
Dylan Shore (Tufts University)
Eva Sun (Bowdoin College)
Alec Wachsman (University of Virginia)
Theresa Yu (Columbia University)

2024 National Merit Scholarship Commended Students: 

Zachary Cohen (Duke University)
Russell Notaris (Boston College)
 Senuli Peiris (Yale University)

2024 National Merit Scholarship Finalists: 

Daniel Duke (University of Virginia)
Annika Lobo (Georgetown University)
Austin Notaris (Cornell University)

2024 National Merit Scholarship Program Candidate In Special Scholarship Competition: 

Senuli Peiris (Yale University)

Class of 2024 College Matriculations

Photos by Alvin Caal/Friends Academy

View more photos from Fourth Day Honors on our Flickr

Enrolling 680 students from age 3 through Grade 12, Friends Academy is guided by its Quaker heritage and the principles of integrity, simplicity, patience, moderation, and a peaceful resolution of conflict. The school is located on 65 acres at the intersection of Piping Rock and Duck Pond roads in Locust Valley/Glen Cove.