Tuesday, June 10, 2025

 

As the school year came to a close, Buckley Country Day celebrated with Upper School Students, faculty, and families at the annual end-of-year assembly where students were honored for their outstanding achievements during the 2024-25 school year.

 

 

Outgoing Student Council President Alyssa Sugiyama opened her last assembly before graduation by leading the group gathered in The Muran Theatre in reciting the pledge of allegiance. Dr. Dean Schlanger, Buckley’s Head of Upper School, noted that “These talents are drawn from performances displayed within the classroom, on stage, the playing fields, the best plaque, to those dedicating their service to Buckley, while others have displayed incredible sportsmanship and enthusiasm. The list is expansive!”

 

 

Capping an astounding 50-year tenure at Buckley, Mr. Roby Young—soccer star and living Buckley legend—presented the Plaque Award to Naiyah Otero ’25. Each Buckley graduate carves a wooden plaque displaying their name, graduation year, and a depiction of their interests, that will hang in the halls of Buckley indefinitely. Naiyah’s plaque design showed creativity and expert craftsmanship, depicting a gymnast atop a globe sprouting wings, and a soccer ball taking the place of the final letter in her name, highlighting many of Naiyah’s passions.

 

 

Dr. Elizabeth Glennon, Buckley’s Music Program and String Ensemble Director presented the Performing Arts award to Alyssa Sugiyama ’25. Alyssa is an accomplished cellist and brought the crowd to their feet during a rousing senior performance that included both a duet and trio with her younger siblings Emma and Cody.

 

 

33-year veteran teacher and local thespian Mrs. Jennifer Demopoulos presented the Musical Theatre Award named in her honor to Laila Guirguis ’25 who stole the show during the annual 8^th grade play, High School Musical in May with her energetic depiction of Mrs. Darbus, the eccentric drama teacher.

 

 

“Mrs. D” as she is affectionately known by students and alumni, also presented the Art Award to Rina Wu ’25, whose imagination, creativity, and appreciation for art is expressed both through her hands and her mind.

 

 

Ms. Stephanie Long, Director of Communications and Scripta Yearbook Advisor presented the Una Van Vliet Scripta Award to Rina Wu ’25, who designed the cover of the 2025 scripta yearbook and made significant, unique contributions to the yearbook class throughout the school year.

 

 

English teacher Mrs. Maria Newman took the podium to present the A. Gordon Grove English Award to the student who displays the greatest passion for literature: Paige Schoen ’25, a third-generation Buckley grad. Mrs. Newman noted, “I have chosen a student who not only demonstrated consistent excellence of English language arts but also exhibited a genuine love of learning beyond the classroom.”

 

 

Mrs. Newman also presented the Barbara Cooney Writer of the Year Award for excellence in writing to Laila Guirguis ’25. “This student has a rare gift,” she said. “She creates worlds that are rich with imagination, while remaining grounded in empathy and justice. […] Her work shows a sophisticated understanding of complex narrative structures and social issues, and her creative vision consistently challenges others to think deeper and dream bigger.”

 

 

Athletic Director Brian Boyle presented the Ethel Allman-Roby Young Outstanding Athlete Award to two students who, in the eyes of the coaches, best exemplified the qualities of leadership, attitude, and athletic skills. The 2024-25 recipients are Enzo Fischetti ’25 and Naiyah Otero ’25.

Mr. Boyle also presented the Joan Betts Spirit Award to the students whose spirit, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm most enriched Buckley’s teams. The awards were presented to Buckley sixth graders Mark Sabbatino ’27 and Emma Sugiyama ’27.

 

 

History teacher, Dr. Herbert Toler, presented the Will and Ariel Durant History Award to the student who has shown a unique interest and appreciation for American History. Dr. Toler said, “their intellectual prowess is encouraging in the classroom, and comes from time spent beyond class paying attention to current events and making a connection to the past.” The award was presented to Rowan Subbaiah ’25.

 

 

Mandarin teacher, Ms. Sumeng Guo, presented the Mandarin Award named in her honor to Rina Wu ’25, whose passion for the Chinese language has shone brightly throughout her academic journey.

 

 

Latin teacher Mrs. Katy Collins presented the Ruth Farnham Latin Award to Jaina Vithlani ’25, who earned the highest marks in Latin throughout the school year, and “displayed an outstanding work ethic and acute interest in Roman history and culture.”

 

 

Senora Elba Lugo presented the Spanish Award to Alyssa Sugiyama ’25. Sra. Lugo noted that “this year’s Spanish award is given to the student who not only exemplifies excellence but also an enduring curiosity, relentless work ethic, and innovative spirit.”

 

 

Math teacher, Mrs. Sue Rodriguez-McLean, presented the Mathematics Award to Rowan Subbaiah ’25, who earned the highest marks in mathematics.

 

 

Mr. Roger Persaud, Buckley’s science teacher who just completed his 27^th year at the school, presented the Science Award named in his honor to Rowan Subbaiah ’25, who earned the highest marks in science this year. Mr. Persaud said, “through careful observation, strong pattern recognition, and a desire to bring clarity to complexity, Rowan embodies the ideal of scientific inquiry.”

 

 

Head of School Dr. Jean-Marc Juhel had the honor of announcing the Scholarship Awards in grades 5 through 7, presented to the students who earned the highest cumulative GPAs in their grade for the 2024-25 school year.

 

 

Certificate of Merit (second-highest GPA)
Aaron Chinapen ’28
Mark Sabbatino ’27
Rui-Xing Li ’26

 

Scholarship Medal (highest GPA)
William Boulukos ’28
Emma Sugiyama ’27
Emma Wang ’26

 

 

Dr. Juhel also presented the four Headmaster’s Awards to one student in each grade who exhibited strength of character, leadership, and service to the Buckley community. Students are nominated by their classmates and chosen by a vote of the Upper School faculty. The winners of the Headmaster’s Award were:

Valentina Balchand ’28
Emma Sugiyama ’27
Sophie Lee ’26
Alyssa Sugiyama ’25

 

 

Congratulations to all of Buckley’s outstanding award winners in academics, athletics, and service to the Buckley community!

 

 

Check out the video of Buckley’s End-Of-Year Assembly here on Buckley’s YouTube page, and see all the photos of Buckley’s faculty presenters and award winners here.