Awards began by recognizing nineteen students who successfully completed the year with no absences, and two members of the current fourth grade, Christopher Maynor and Alex DiMaggio, who had gone all the way through the Lower School, joining the elite six-year club.
Fourth graders took part in the National Science Olympiad and competed against 371 schools from across the nation. The team scored 274 points of a possible 350, beating 314 of the 371 schools and finishing in the top 15 percent in the nation. Members of this team included Alex Zhang, Dana Parziale, Danielle Bradshaw, Chris Maynor, Blake Schrein, Meri Liz Faulkner, Zach Auman, Chris Webster, Avery Gant, Paton Davis and Shannon Butler. Scoring 31 points of a possible 35, the gold medal went to Alex Zhang.
Second and third graders compete in the National Geography Olympiad. Second graders this year scored 218 of a possible 250 points and beat over half of the 65 teams involved. Members of this team included Ally Parziale, Maeve Bartiss, Antoinette Huey, Julia Rickard, James Hazzard, Anna Williford, Claire Russell, Will Youngclaus, Nick Allen, Laura Van de Woestyne, Duke Capel, Abby Fuller and Kayla Arnold. Gold medals were presented to Ally Parziale and Maeve Bartiss for scoring 24 of a possible 25 points.
Third graders followed this act by scoring 338 of a possible 350 points, beating 97 of 98 schools, and finishing second in the nation. This team was composed of Alex Nieves, Dylan Gehle, Todd Hudson, Alex Averbook, Alex Abell, Stephen Coppola, Thomas Griffin, Chandler Connor, Sutton Bailey, Samantha Parkes, Jason Wolonick and Charlie Johnson. Miles announced that one of the reasons this team placed second in the nation is that out of only 11 National Student Leaders, O’Neal had three of them. Gold medals for perfect scores and larger gold medals for being recognized as National Student Leaders went to Alex Nieves, Dylan Gehle, and Todd Hudson.
This was O’Neal’s fifth year with the Continental Math League, in which second and third graders participate with students in the same grade level from schools all over the United States. Three meets were held with six questions per meet. The top six scores from each meet were registered, with the final team composed of the best scores for all three Meets. The second grade team consisted of Antoinette Huey, Joseph Thompson, Will Youngclaus, Ashlyn Canino, Katie Dyer, Kylie Graves, Rebecca Wolonick, Laura Van de Woestyne, Maeve Bartiss and Christopher Szabo. Gold medals for the second grade team were awarded to Antoinette Huey, Joseph Thompson and Will Youngclaus.
Third grade team members included Jan Ansley, Bryce Baldelli, Stephen Baldelli, Matthew Friesen, Alex Averbook and Charlie Johnson. Gold medals were awarded to Jan Ansley, Bryce Baldelli and Stephen Coppola.
Athletic Director, Steve Dahl and PE instructor, Don Woodfield presented certificates, patches ad cups to 10 students who reached the Presidential Physical Fitness level from 2nd to 4th grades.
Band Director, Judy Menendez, recognized her outstanding band students for the year in the areas of percussion, brass and woodwinds: Alex Zhang, Paton Davis, Blake Schrein, Avery Gant, Meri Liz Faulkner, Katie Jenkins, Mac Hamilton, Jide Lawal and Mark Pracht. The Quick Starter awards went to Brittany Szabo and Katherine Kelly, while Most Improved was presented to Zach Auman and Whitney Cutler.
Maria Guido came forward to recognize those students who have shown consistent excellence and given exceptional contributions in the area of Spanish throughout the year. Those recognized for excellence included Grey Hamilton, Eugene Zhang, Garrett Klumpar, John David Magnus-Sharpe, Antoinette Huey, Julie Rickard, Will Youngclaus, Chandler Conner, Alex Abell, Paton Davis, Meri Liz Faulkner, Danielle Bradshaw, Alex Zhang, Maeve Bartiss, Claire Russell and Mulloy Manning. Most Improved recognition went to Austin Rosenberger, Cayla Seder, Julia Lattarulo, Hannah Bradshaw, Rebecca Wolonick, Kayla Arnold, Samantha Parkes, Jan Ansley, Whitney Cutler, Katie Jenkins and Samantha Pugh.
Art teacher Susan Baer came forward for two very important presentations. Her first presentation and recognition went to fourth grader Paton Davis, whose unique and colorful representation of a medieval castle was chose as the new addition to the Headmaster’s Gallery.
Fourth grader Alex Zhang was then awarded the 2001-2002 Fine Arts Award in recognition of outstanding performance in all areas of the arts.
Students were brought forward to be recognized for their literary accomplishments including Moore County Young Authors, Moore County Writer’s Competition, and inclusion in O’Neal’s own literary publication, the Blackbird’s Eye.
The Presidential Award for Educational Excellence was created by the Department of Education for the exit level of each school division, and is awarded to those students who are recognized by the faculty for high academic achievement and motivation, showing initiative and integrity, intellectual growth, good judgment, and leadership qualities. After reading a letter from President Bush, Lower School Head Jim Miles and Headmaster Jay St. John presented a copy of the letter, a gold lapel pin, and a framed gold embossed certificate to Paton Davis, Bryan Stewart, Meri Liz Faulkner, Chris Maynor, Danielle Bradshaw, Avery Gant, Corbin O’Donnell and Alex Zhang.
The Presidential Award for Educational Achievement was presented to those who have shown outstanding growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in academics despite obstacles that they must contend with. Miles stated that the selection was an easy process this year. O’Neal has a young lady who had to climb a mountain of medical obstacles, work on her academics both in and out of school, and continue to be friendly, courteous, helpful and always had a smile for everyone. The award was presented to Brittany Szabo who immediately received a standing ovation.
The O’Neal Effort Award is presented each year to the student, regardless of ability, who best exemplifies the qualities of hard work and determination in the pursuit of classroom excellence. Award winners this year included Whitney Cutler and Andy Jackson.
The Faculty Improvement Award is presented in recognition of the importance of a positive attitude and a strong progression in academics. This year’s award went to Maria Walker and Blair Puleo.
The Cleveland D. Rea, Jr. Spirit Award is presented each year to the student in the Lower School who best shows qualities of a positive attitude, spirit and joy in his/her participation in and contributions to daily school life. The unanimous choices for the 2001-2002 award were Zach Auman and Ross Leonard.
Director of Development, Mary Ann Salemme, came forward to recognize first grader Ian Maynor, with a framed certificate and copy of his 2001 O’Neal Christmas Card which was sent out to more than 700 people.
The opportunity was then taken to thank several “behind the scenes” parents for their enthusiasm, dedication and hard work in making this a special and successful year for everyone.
Special recognition was given to Parents’ Association liaison Brooke Cutler and an O’Neal mom who volunteered her time up and down the hallway throughout the year, including the operation of a wonderful grades first and second Art Cub, Jean Bradshaw.
Miles closed the ceremony by passing along a few philosophical quips for the graduating fourth grade, thanking faculty, parents and students for the fast-paced, involved and successful year, and by sharing great anticipation and expectations for continued growth of the school in the months ahead.
