“Green and White Awards is the final time I can share words of wisdom with graduating classes, but this year, the wisdom comes in the form of one piece of advice and one simple statement of affirmation. In terms of advice, it is my hope that at Gunston we have taught you to think deeply, and for yourself, and to pursue the value of truth. Unfortunately for you, now that you have this skill, there will be many times in your life when you’ll realize that you’re rowing upstream against popular sentiment and the beliefs of those around you, but to quote Booker T. Washington, “A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right, and evil doesn't become good, just because it's accepted by a majority. As for the affirmation: Class of 2025, you are a talented, hardworking, strong, and resilient group, and you will take these qualities with you to college and beyond into a complex world, and I hope you know that Gunston will always be a place you can call home.”

After offering brief, personalized remarks about each graduating senior, Mr. Lewis  announced the Samuel A. Middleton Award—named in honor of one of the school’s two founders—Gunston's valedictorian award. 

“It goes without saying that this student’s academic record is exceptional, having earned perfect grade 4.0 point average across perhaps the most rigorous course load ever taken at Gunston, including 12 AP courses ranging from Computer Science, to Spanish, to English Literature, to several histories. Without question, we expect to learn in July that he will earn a National AP Scholar distinction. He is also a person of exceptional attitude and character. Outside of the classroom, he is the beating heart of the Math Club and the Rowing Team, and he has volunteered his time in activities ranging from Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s to the Delaware Aerospace Academy. As you will hear in his speech, he is a deeply intellectual, philosophical, studious, kind, and ethical person.” 

The 2025 winner of the Middleton award is Brayden Hamm. He had this parting wisdom for classmates:

“We are comprised of talented designers and engineers, of dedicated environmental advocates, of prospective medical practitioners, of creative writers and essayists, of stunning artists, of gifted musicians, of skillful athletes, of distinguished coders, and of incredibly knowledgeable trivia junkies – all just to name a few. We have spent countless hours of hardship in charting our way forward with commendable course rigor, while also finding sufficient time to enjoy the company of one another and keep our experience tangible and enjoyable. But, of course, not much of this would have ever been possible if it weren't for the greater community at Gunston.”

The next award presented was the Paul M. Long award given to the school’s most outstanding 11th grader as voted upon by the faculty and is named after Mr. Paul Long, who served as the Head of Gunston for 19 years. 

“This year’s winner is a superior student, athlete, and human being. He is a dedicated community servant and volunteer, a rower, engineer, creative writer, and academic team member, and one of the school’s most dedicated leaders, having served as a 9th grade Class Representative, SGA Secretary, and SGA Vice President. While I can’t officially announce that he’ll be our SGA President next year, he did run unopposed, so he should feel pretty good about his chances. There are 206 bones in the human body, and I can say this: In the three years I’ve known this year’s winner, I’ve never heard him utter an unkind or impolite word, and he is held in total respect by his friends, classmates, and teachers–there’s not a mean bone in his body. Gunston is very proud to present the Paul Long award—the most outstanding 11th grader—to Mr. Eamon Schopfer.” 

Former Athletic Director Anita Gruss presented the Anita Gruss Athletic Award to Kazys Morris, Grace Shepherd, and Zach Steinberg.

Presented by Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis, the prestigious Gunston Award, which began in 1969, is unique in that it’s chosen by the vote of the entire school community, including students, faculty and staff and is given to the senior who embodies Gunston’s core values on a daily basis:  respect, responsibility, appreciation of differences, honesty, and camaraderie. “Their actions reflect a genuine commitment to connection and have helped build lasting relationships that strengthen the fabric of our school. Being chosen by a vote of the entire community affirms this student’s lived example of true camaraderie. It is my honor to present the 2025 Gunston Award to Mia Walker.”

2025 G&W AWARDS

All recipients are seniors unless otherwise noted.

• Valedictorian (Middleton) Award: Brayden Hamm

• The Gunston Award: Mia Walker

• Community Service Award: Maggie Porciello

• Leadership Award: Benta Owino

• Diversity Leader Award: Sydney Dare

• Moore Award for Improvement: Wylie Keegan

• Paul M. Long Award: Eamon Schopfer ’26

• The Marie Whittico Award: Kate Andrews ’26

• Megan Virginia Batdorf Award: Aidan Marketto’26

• Clare Poussard Award: Luca Tyler ’26

• Environmental Stewardship Award: Vee McCluskey

• The Faculty Award: Allison Davis & Victoria MacGlashan

• The Anita Gruss Athletics Awards: Kazys Morris, Grace Shepherd, and Zach Steinberg.

• 12 Star Awards: Alex Elfenbein, Lennox Franks, Jackson Frederick, Trevor Janssen, Tommy McGeady, Kazys Morris, Alivia Runz, Zach Steinberg, and Bennett Wirts.

• English Award: Mia Walker

• Literature Award: Lily Brantner

• Senior Paradigm: Margaret Randolph

• Junior Symposium: Annabelle Baker

• Immersion Award: Luis Ortiz Fernandez

• Spanish Award: Brayden Hamm

• History Award: Margaret Randolph

• Math Award: Brayden Hamm

• Sciences Award: Trevor Janssen

• Engineering Award: Eli Moore

• Computer Science Award: Justin McCubbin

• Fine Art Award: Aidan Watson

• Theater Award: Ezra Lillie

• Music Award: Ben Gilbert

Green & White Captains for 2025-2026

Green Captains: Ethan Harper and Layla Kent
       Green Rising 11th Grade Deputy: Dylan Kroncke
       Green Rising 10th Grade Deputy: Brinley Leech
White Captains: Lia Schut and Amir Williams
       White Rising 11th Grade Deputy: Preston Allen
       White Rising 10th Grade Deputy: Reagan Johnson

Athletic Director Josh Breto congratulated this year’s captains: White Team Captains Victoria MacGlashan and Riley Walker and Green Team Captains Grace Shepherd and Zach Steinberg before announcing that the Green Team won this year’s cup.

Winners of the 2024-2025 G&W Cup: GREEN TEAM!

Senior Paradigm:

• WINNER: Margaret Randolph

• High Honors: Lily Brantner, Brayden Hamm, Grace Hanlon, Vee McCluskey, Isla McCollum, Elizabeth Pupke, Margaret Randolph, Alivia Runz, Jackson Showalter, Mia Walker, and Aidan Watson.

• Honors: Alex Bent, Allison Davis, Lennox Franks, Elena Fraser, Ben Gilbert, Adit Gupta, RP Johnson, Nina Johnston, Alli Lutz, Victoria MacGlashan, Caroline Mirando, Eli Moore, Kaz Morris, Louise Mulock, Benta Owino, Maggie Porciello, Evelyn Russ, Katherine Sadler, Kate Seybert, Emma Sharp, Grace Shepherd, and Zach Steinberg.

Junior Symposium:

• WINNER: Annabelle Baker

• High Honors: Kate Andrews, Arlo Badger, Annabelle Baker, Susannah Clark, Hannah Mae Conner, Eleonor Hubbert, Sydney Kim, Eamon Schopfer, Siroon Topjian, Lily Weny, and Livia Widmer.

• Honors: Ava Augustus, Aurora Baughman, Genevieve Baughman, Leo Denecke, Riley Faff, Ethan Harper, Layla Kent, Olivia Mandell, Emma Morris, Liv Murray, Emma Nkanza, Caden Quirion, Bertin Romann, Lia Schut, Emily Steele, Lucas Watkins, Hanna Weinans, Wren Weingaertner and Lilah Wharton.

SGA Executive Officers for 2025-2026

• President: Eamon Schopfer ’26

• Vice President: Siroon Topjian ’27

• Secretary: Sydney Cummings ’28

Class of 2026:

• President: Kate Andrews

• Vice President: Emma Morris

• Secretary: (vacant)

• Treasurer: Nevin Porter

• Representatives: Gianni Figliozzi & (vacant)

Class of 2027:

• President: Marley Farmer

• Vice President: Maria Boone

• Secretary: Natalie Edelen

• Treasurer: Evelyn Regenhardt

• Representatives: Austin Koterwas & Camilla Nonemaker

Class of 2028:

• President: Jessalyn Tavenner

• Vice President: Kellen Fitzgerald

• Secretary: Phoebe Fritz

• Treasurer: Iris Lillie

• Representatives: (vacant)

Greater Community & College Awards:

Seniors:

• 2024 National Merit Recognition, National Merit Commended Scholars: Justin McCubbin and Elijah Moore

• Maryland Scholastic Merit Award: Lily Brantner, Brayden Hamm, and Vee McCluskey

• Senator Van Hollen Public Service Award: Maggie Porciello

• QAC Drug Free Student Ambassador Program: Logan Kille, Maggie Porciello, and Emma Sharp

• Delegate Thomas Hutchinson Scholarship: Olivia Arthur

• Senator Stephen Hershey Scholarship: Alli Lutz

• Senator Dawn Gile Scholarship: Thomas McGeady

• Mid-Shore Community Foundation Healthcare Scholarship: Trevor Janssen

• Mid-Shore Community Foundation Beverly A. Patterson Scholarship: Trevor Janssen

• Mid-Shore Community Foundation Artistic Insights Scholarship: Pearl Kontarinis

• Sam Scalzo Music Scholarship: Ben Gilbert

• Dorchester Chamber Foundation Gerry Boyle Scholarship: Evelyn Russ

Juniors:

• University of Vermont Citizen Scholar Book Award: Annabelle Baker

• Chatham University Rachel Carson Health Planet Award: Eleonor Hubbert

• Saint Michael's College Book Award: Annabelle Baker and Eleonor Hubbert

• Clarkson University Achievement Award: Jed Cohen and Sydney Kim

• Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) - Women in STEM: Kate Andrews

• RIT - Humanities and Social Sciences: Ava Augustus

• RIT - Art & Design: Annabelle Baker

• RIT - Business & Leadership: Connor Joyce

• RIT - Science & Math: Eamon Schopfer

• RIT - Computing Award: Lucas Watkins

• St. Bonaventure University Scholarship: Ava Augustus, Aiden Filer, Connor Joyce, Emily Steele, and Lilah Wharton

• University of Rochester - George Eastman Young Leaders Award: Eamon Schopfer

• University of Rochester - Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award: Kate Andrews

• University of Rochester - Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award: Lucas Watkins

• Centre College Centre Fellows Program: Emery Day, Emma Nkanza, and Alayna Thompson

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal: Lucas Watkins

• Alfred University Scholars Award: Emery Day

• Wilkes University Colonel Emerging Leader Award: Aiden Filer

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute Innovation Award: Connor Joyce