On May 15, the Asheville School community gathered in Graham Theater to celebrate the achievements of our Third, Fourth, and Fifth Formers at the 2024–2025 Underclass Awards Ceremony. Framed by the school’s 125th academic year, this meaningful occasion honored not just academic excellence but also the character, growth, and dedication that students have shown throughout the year. The ceremony began with a reflection on the school’s historic legacy, acknowledging that every student plays a vital role in shaping our community and its future.
Each Book Award recipient received a thoughtfully chosen book, selected by teachers and department chairs to reflect the spirit of the award. Each book includes an Asheville School bookplate and dedication, offering a meaningful keepsake for students to enjoy and add to the libraries they build over time.
View the full Underclass Awards Photo Gallery here.
English Department Book Awards
Excellence in World Literature: Juniper Winnecour ’28
Excellence in European Literature: Nicole Marmann ’27
Excellence in American Literature: Roen Riddle ’26
History Department Book Awards
Award for Excellence in World Cultures: Hank Lambert ’28
Award for Excellence in Western Civilization: Aileen Wu ’27
Award for Excellence in American History 11: Yoga Wang ’26
Award for Economics: Yoga Wang ’26
Math Department Book Awards
George S. Stearns Award for Excellence in Quantitative Reasoning I: Nesya Klausner ’28
Award for Excellence in Quantitative Reasoning II: Sheeta Chen ’28
Award for Excellence in Precalculus: Rain Li ’27
Award for Excellence in Calculus AB: Ellie Shores ’26
Award for Excellence in Calculus BC: Vincent Lin ’27
Award for Excellence in Statistics: Jason Wang ’26
Award for Excellence in Computer Science Programming: Evelyn Lee ’27
Science Department Book Awards
Award for Excellence in First Year Biology: Nesya Klausner ’28
Award for Excellence in Second Year Biology: Aileen Wu ’26
Award for Excellence in First Year Chemistry: Vincent Lin ’27
Award for Excellence in Second Year Chemistry: Jason Wang ’26
Award for Excellence in Second Year Physics: Wonjun Choi ’26
Award for Excellence in Environmental Science: Sam Schenker ’26
World Language Department Book Awards
Award for Excellence in French I: Bel Witten ’28
Award for Excellence in French II: Asyn Su ’27
Award for Excellence in French IV: Philip Stewart ’26
Award for Excellence in Spanish I: Tyrell Wallace ’26
Award for Excellence in Spanish II: Maddie Franch ’28
Award for Excellence in Spanish III: Wonjun Choi ’26
Award for Excellence in Spanish IV: Kennedi Bell ’27
Visual & Performing Arts Department Book Award
Award for Excellence in Advanced Studio Art (Portfolio Development): Thomas He ’26
Additional non-Book Award Visual & Performing Arts Department awards and acknowledgements can be viewed here.
Athletics Department Awards
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:
Caroline Carmack ’26: 2nd Team (Field Hockey and Lacrosse)
Eloise Durham ’26: 1st Team (Swimming)
Hannah Fendler ’26: 1st Team (Cross Country, Swimming, and Track & Field)
Brock Schofield ’27: 1st Team (Swimming)
Gene M. Hamilton Sportsmanship Award: Caroline Carmack ’26
Gene Hamilton was a vital part of Asheville School for twenty-eight years. He taught history and coached soccer, basketball, and tennis. While his teams were regularly among the best in the state, they also invariably displayed respect for their opponents and the spirit of the game. Therefore, for his ability to imbue the highest standards of sportsmanship in both the athletes who played on his teams, as well as his fellow coaches, this award is given on behalf of Gene M. Hamilton.
Mountaineering Program Award
James G. Pop Hollandsworth Award: Sophie Lankarani ’26
This award is given annually to honor the legacy of Asheville School’s Mountaineering Program. Outdoor adventure has been an integral part of Asheville School since its inception in 1900; However it was Pop Hollandsworth who created and ran the mountaineering program as we know it from the 1960s until he retired in 1985, sharing his love of the outdoors and mountains of western North Carolina with the students of Asheville School. The recipient of this award must share Pop’s love of the outdoors, have a strong skill set in one of mountaineering’s core areas, and most importantly, have a desire to share those skills with others.
The Harvard Book Prize Award
The Harvard Book Prize is an achievement award from the Harvard Alumni Association. It is awarded to the outstanding high school student in the next-to-graduating class (Fifth Form Year) who “displays excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievements in other fields.” This year’s recipient is an exceptional student who consistently excels across all areas of academic and extracurricular life. He manages his rigorous courses with remarkable discipline and grace, and his depth of his thoughtfulness and his sincere commitment to making our community stronger and more inclusive are attributes that will serve him well as our next student body president.
The 2024-2025 Harvard Book Prize is awarded to Wonjun Choi ’26.