The 2024–2025 Senior Awards Convocation marked the beginning of a meaningful series of celebrations for the Class of 2025. In this special gathering, we recognized excellence in athletics, the arts, and academics through the presentation of Book Awards. As the first of several events culminating in their graduation ceremony, this ceremony served as a moment to reflect on the many dimensions of talent, growth, and leadership that define this extraordinary class. Whether on the field, on stage, in the studio, or in the classroom, our seniors have left a lasting mark, and we are proud to honor all that they have achieved.
View the full Senior Awards Convocation Photo Gallery here.
Athletics Awards
Recognition of Three-Sport Varsity Letter Recipients
The following seniors earned three varsity letters this school year:
Zander Baptiste ’25, Lila Beck ’25, Sarah Cutshaw ’25, Thomas Daughdril ’25, Van Davis ’25, Joseph Hood ’25, Lilly Hubbard ’25, JoJo Ikeme ’25, Kate Jeon ’25, Daniel Jung ’25, Peter Owolabi ’25, Etu Rantala ’25, Daniel Rendon ’25, Justin Rowe ’25, Léo Sfez-Zhao ’25, Annie Shores ’25, Iva Simms ’25, Hayezon Tobe ’25, Ricky Tolbert ’25, and Grace Winstead ’25
Special Varsity Letter Recognition
In addition to earning three varsity letters this school year, Annie Shores ’25 , Hayezon Tobe ’25 and Grace Winstead ’25 have each earned a total of 12 varsity letters throughout their four-year career at Asheville School.
Scholar Athlete Awards
Thomas Daughdril ’25 and Van Davis ’25 are three-season varsity letter winners who maintained an unweighted GPA above 3.50 (Honors) for the 2024-2025 school year. To honor their achievement, they received Silver Pins.
Lilly Hubbard ’25, Kate Jeon ’25, Justin Rowe ’25, and Annie Shores ’25 are three-season varsity letter winners who maintained an unweighted GPA above 3.75 (High Honors) for the 2024-2025 school year and received Gold Pins in honor of their achievement.
National High School Coaches Association Academic All-Americans
The National High School Coaches Association honors the nation’s finest student athletes as High School Academic All-Americans. The following Asheville School Students were recognized for their academic and athletic excellence:
Peter Owolobi: Honorable Mention (Football)
Justin Rowe ’25: First Team (Football and Track & Field)
Madeleine Stark ’25: First Team (Swimming and Lacrosse)
Annie Shores ’25 First Team (Lacrosse, Track & Field, and Volleyball)
Visual & Performing Arts Awards
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama: Chloe Butler ’25 & Shelby Hippen ’25
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Technical Theater: Tianlu Qiao ’25
Award for Outstanding Musicianship in Handbell Ringing: Chloe Butler ’25
Award for Outstanding Musicianship in Vocal Music: Mia Alvarez ’25
Award for Outstanding Four-Year Achievement and Dedication in Dance: Lilly Andrews-Edwards ’25
The Purchase Prize
The Purchase Prize is awarded to the student who has created an outstanding piece of artwork. This work was chosen by the school to enter its permanent collection.
The 2025 Purchase Prize was awarded to Anna Yu ’25 for the painting, Mitchell Hall.
Senior Academic Book Awards
These awards recognize one student in each yearlong course for their excellence in that course. While grades and scholarship are significant to these awards, they are not the sole factors. Other considerations include intellectual curiosity, positive class engagement, range of improvement or growth, and a willingness to go beyond what is required for more than simply the grade.
The Book Award for Excellence in Sixth Form American History: Chloe Butler ’25
The Book Award for Excellence in Sixth Form American Literature: Annie Shores ’25
The Book Award for Excellence in French III: Kate Jeon ’25
The Book Award for Excellence in French V: Chloe Butler ’25
The Book Award for Excellence in Spanish V: Tianlu Qiao ’25
The Book Award for Excellence in Spanish VI: Graci Shi ’25
The Book Award for Anatomy & Physiology: Tinalu Qiao ’25
The Book Award for First Year Physics: Grace Shi ’25
The Book Award for Excellence in Advanced Topics in Mathematics: Molly Green ’25
Senior Demonstration Prizes
The Senior Demonstration, a Sixth Form tradition for nearly forty years now, involves choosing and then reading books from outside the curriculum, writing a long-form essay, and sitting for an oral defense. This assignment challenges students to work independently, to use their time wisely, and to consult with an adult they have chosen from the community who serves as sponsor. The senior demonstration grade is comprised of the essay and oral defense.
Commendation
The following seniors received commendation on their senior demonstrations:
Belle Brown ’25, Mattia Ghezzi ’25, Molly Green ’25, Nina Hager ’25, Ariya Jensen ’25, Christopher Li ’25, Renna Miller ’25, Justin Rowe ’25, Emma Sands ’25, and Iva Simms ’25.
High Commendation
Mr. Bonner was a faculty member at Asheville School from 1987 until his retirement this year. In 2000, a number of Mr. Bonner’s former students and their parents endowed the Jack W. Bonner senior demonstration prizes. These prizes honor Mr. Bonner for his extraordinary commitment to his students and to the senior demonstration program and are awarded to those sixth formers who earn high commendation on their senior demonstrations.
The following seniors received high commendation on their senior demonstrations:
Chloe Butler ’25, Thomas Daughdril ’25, Hipolito Gonzalez Gerard ’25, Lilly Hubbard ’25, Jeanie Keller ’25, Emma Nicolini ’25, Tianlu Qiao ’25, Grace Shi ’25, Annie Shores ’25, Madeleine Stark ’25, and Jenn Xu ’25.
The Cum Laude Society
The Cum Laude Society is a fellowship of scholars whose purpose is to recognize academic excellence as well as good character, honor, and integrity in all aspects of school life. As you pursue your education, it is our hope that you will accept the honor of membership in this Society as a responsibility to make some contribution to the ongoing search for a greater understanding of humanity and of society.
The following members of the senior class were inducted into the Cum Laude Society this school year:
Fall Induction
Belle Brown ’25, Chloe Butler ’25, Thomas Daughdril ’25, Tianlu Qiao ’25, Grace Shi ’25, Annie Shores ’25, Madeleine Stark ’25, Jennifer Xu ’25
Spring Induction
Lilly Andrews-Edwards ’25, Jenkins Cowan ’25, Hipolito Gonzalez Gerard ’25, Molly Green ’25, Angelina Hager ’25, Lillian Hubbard ’25, Kate Jeon ’25, and Emma Nicolini ’25
Blue & White Yearbook Dedication
At the closing of every school year, the editor-in-chief of the yearbook extends an invitation for the senior class to dedicate the Blue and White to a faculty member who has made a lasting impact on their time here at Asheville School.
This year’s faculty member has spent over two decades shaping not only the music program but the hearts of the students who have been lucky enough to learn from him. He has been the backbone to the arts here at Asheville School for many years. He has touched so many through conducting orchestras, leading chorus and handbells, playing preludes, and overall sharing his deep love for the arts with all of us. From musicals and plays to chapel services and concerts, he has poured his heart into everything he’s done here at Asheville School. This year’s seniors have rightfully described him as supportive and patient. Loving, passionate, and encouraging. The many students and faculty that have come through Asheville School throughout the years have had the utmost privilege of witnessing his incredible talent. A talent that has inspired so many.
Though he leaves Asheville school alongside the class of 2025, he leaves behind a legacy of sweet music, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Whether you knew him as a conductor, a teacher, or simply as the kind soul who always greeted you with a warm smile. This faculty member has left an indelible mark on Asheville School. While we are saddened that future classes won’t get to experience his humor, fun spirit and unwavering support, Asheville School will forever cherish the precious years we’ve had with him full of beautiful music. The Asheville School community will forever be grateful for the years we’ve had with him.
The 2024-2025 edition of the Blue & White has been dedicated to Mr. John Crawley.
Named Awards
Joseph A. Riggs Jr. Award for Best Female Athlete
Established in 1987 the Joseph A. Riggs, Jr. award was given by Joseph Andy Riggs (Class of 1952) who served as President of the Board of Trustees at Asheville School from 1985-1993. Mr. Riggs was a strong supporter of girls being full members of the Asheville School community. He worked with Headmaster Jack Tyrer to create the boarding program for girls at the school. This award recognizes the best all-around female athlete in the school community, and the winner’s name will be engraved on the cup with past award recipients and displayed in the Athletic Center.
This year’s 2024-2025 Joseph A. Riggs, Jr. award for best female athlete was awarded to Annie Shores ’25.
David Ralph Millard Award for Best Male Athlete
Established in 1960 by his classmates, this award is given annually to the best overall male athlete in the school community in honor of David Millard, class of 1938. In addition to having their name engraved on the cup that sits on display in the trophy case, winners of this award will have their names engraved on the gym wall with all previous award winners dating back to 1960.
This year’s 2024-2025 David Ralph Millard, Jr. Award for best male athlete was awarded to Justin Rowe ’25.
The Donna B. Lewis Chaplain’s Award
The Donna B. Lewis Chaplain’s Award memorializes Mrs. Donna Lewis who served the school as a teacher, director, archivist, and advisor. She was the “Alter Guild of the Chapel” for many decades. Mrs. Lewis quietly took care of helping to serve the spiritual needs of the school during her career. This award, named in her honor, goes to a student who has been engaged in leadership related to the spiritual life of the school.
This year’s 2024-2025 Donna B. Lewis Chaplain’s Award was awarded to Emma Rogers ’25.
The Michalove Award in Drama
The Michalove award in drama is given in memory of Ronald Steven Michalove, class of 1965. The award celebrates outstanding theatrical achievement and is bestowed in the form of a prize book, one copy of which is placed in the permanent collection of the library.
This year’s 2024-2025 Michalove Award in Drama was awarded to Tianlu Qiao ’25.
The W. Bryant Wellons III Award for Excellence in Performing Arts
The W. Bryant Wellons III Award for Excellence in Performing Arts is awarded to one whose contribution to the school through the performing arts echoes the talent, enthusiasm, and character of William Bryant Wellons III, Class of 1990.
This year’s 2024-2025 W. Bryant Wellons III Award for Excellence in Performing Arts was awarded to Lilly Andrews-Edwards ’25.