The Hill School's Junior Prize Day ceremony was held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. Students were recognized for their achievements in academics and the arts for the 2021-22 school year. View a full list of the prize winners and the awards they received.

We were fortunate to welcome special guests, Dr. Robert Wesley '67 and his daughter, Dr. Naissan Wesley, who were in attendance to present their family's award (The Wesley Family Sixth Form Prize for Democratic Values and Ideals) to this year's recipient, John Ju '23. 

During the ceremony, The Rev. Anne Confer Martens '02 also was introduced as this year's recipient of The Brody Family Fellowship.

View a recording of the ceremony and continue reading to learn more about the Special Prize recipients and The Rev. Confer Martens '02, and view photos of some of our recipients. 

Special Prizes

The Award Presented by the Alumni for the Best General Record is given to a student in each form: Yueyi (Yvonne) Bao '25, Nicholas Bressi '24, and Anna Carroll '23

The Head of Form Honors the Student with the Highest GPA in Each Form:  Yueshui (Helen) Zhang '25, Akhil Kagithapu '24, and Jifan (Jerry) Zhu '23

The Medals awarded by The Hill School for the late Oscar Cox in memory of his father Jacob Cox, for the greatest improvement in scholarship at The Hill School: Dante Donaldson '25, Damien Giannikas '24, and Ziyue (Helen) Ling '23

The Thomas S. Roberts ’53 Prize for Resiliency is awarded to a rising sixth form student who has overcome adversity at the School. This gift is in honor and memory of the late Thomas S. Roberts '53 who overcame significant personal challenges at the School - only to go on to be a success and high achiever in life - personally and professionally. This Prize is intended to honor Mr. Roberts' spirit, heart, and soul: Olivia Cimorelli '23 and Artem Kyselov '24 

The Bryn Mawr College President's Book Award to a young woman in the fifth form who exhibits a true love of learning and intellectual curiosity about the world around her: Wai Ting (Stefanie) Li '23

The Princeton Book Award Presented by the Princeton Club of Philadelphia in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and exemplary community service: Cecile Wegman '23

The Prize Presented by The Harvard Club of Philadelphia to a member of the Fifth Form who has shown personal integrity, excellence of scholarship and noteworthy achievement in other areas of school life: Luke Gerdeman '23

The Isaac Thomas Prize is presented each year to that student whose qualities of optimism, loyalty, and service best represent The Hill’s loving memory of Mr. Isaac Thomas, a member of The Hill School Faculty for many years (1884-1952): Oluwadamilola Odubona '23 

The Bevan B. Alvey '66 P'95 '96 '13 '14 Prize for Character Development in Students. This award was created by his family to honor Mr. Bevan B. Alvey who served the School as an alumnus, parent, and benefactor. The fund supports an annual prize to be awarded to one deserving Hill student who is a rising sixth former. The prize funds a summer experience that focuses on developing the student’s character, values, grit, tenacity, persistence, leadership skills, and competitive spirit. The student’s summer experience may include focused academic, artistic, or religious study; a vigorous athletics experience; an outdoor expeditionary experience; international study; or volunteer work: Wai Ting (Stefanie) Li '23

The Wesley Family Sixth Form Prize for Democratic Values and Ideals. This prize is to be awarded annually to a member of the (rising) Sixth Form who demonstrates by word and deed, through completion of the Fifth Form, the highest commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, inclusivity, diversity, charity, and democratic values and ideals. The timing of the prize's announcement and awarding is to promote such ideals to the entire School student body. Thus, the prize would also be a notable distinction on the recipient student's college application. Reception of the award is not related in any way to race, religion, creed, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or identifiable characteristic of the recipient: John Ju '23

Cum Laude: Khoa Cao '23, Luke Gerdeman '23, Aman Gupta '23, Carolyn McNay '23, Jifan (Jerry) Zhu '23

Presentation of The Brody Family Fellowship

During the ceremony, The Rev. Anne Confer Martens, was introduced as this year's recipient of The Brody Family Fellowship, an award established by Daniel M. Brody '69 and his wife, Nancy, parents of Trustee Douglas R. Brody '02. This generous fund supports the professional growth of Hill's talented faculty.

Head of School Zack Lehman said the following about The Rev. Confer Martens when she was honored with The Brody Family Fellowship:

"Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” This Corinthians verse, noted her Sixth Form Dial entry in 2002, is so fitting to describe the Reverend Anne Confer Martens ’02 and her contributions to Hill as both a student and as faculty member.

When she first arrived to the School as a fourth former in 1999 (the second year of coeducation), she was part of a brave, pioneering group of young women who would go on to pave the way for all of you who sit here today. She was a prefect and varsity captain and was involved in community service and Bible Study, which is not surprising, considering her current role at Hill as our Associate Chaplain and Chair of the Religious Studies and Philosophy department, and dorm parent in Dutch Village’s Johnson House.

When Reverend Confer Martens speaks in our Alumni Chapel, she speaks with conviction, fortitude, and compassion. You will find these same virtues fostered within the walls of her classroom as she facilitates discussions and lessons in her Worldviews and Good vs. Evil classes and in her relationships with her dorm charges and with her advisees.

It is my great pleasure to announce the Reverend Anne Confer Martens, Hill School class of 2002, Warner Associate Chaplain, Chair of the Religious Studies and Philosophy Department, and Dr. W.K. Runyeon Instructor of Religious Studies and Philosophy, as the 2022-23 recipient of the Brody Fellowship.