![Cannon Upper School Recognizes Students at Underclass Awards Ceremony]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778076358/o5s6wohkqw2tymkjutxo/underclassaward.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778076358/o5s6wohkqw2tymkjutxo/underclassaward.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778076358/o5s6wohkqw2tymkjutxo/underclassaward.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778076358/o5s6wohkqw2tymkjutxo/underclassaward.jpg","width":812}])
Cannon’s Upper School held its Underclass Awards ceremony on April 30 to recognize students for achievements across academics, arts, service, and core values. Congratulations to all the students earning honors and accolades for their hard work, dedication, and character.
NCAIS SERVICE LEARNING AWARD WINNERS
The NCAIS Service Learning Awards recognize students across North Carolina’s independent school system who demonstrate a sustained commitment to meaningful service within their communities.
Gold Award (250+ hours): Cayden Zukowski
Silver Award (175-249 hours): Lillian Bracksieck, Janani Karthik, Rylee Miller, Ella Sonnefeld
Bronze Award (100-174 hours): Kaylee Dobbins, Ragan Goodwine, Henry Hawkins, Disha Induru, Diya Induru, Yana Kramer, Abby Maples, Walker O’Brien, Jack Smith, Karina Thakkar, Kenzie Turner, Keenya Western, and Hannah Wittwer
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT AWARDS
The English Award is earned by the student who possesses the greatest skill with language and the greatest sensitivity to literature.
2026 English Award Recipients:
Thomas Isenhour ‘29
Kaylin Kenseth ‘28
Samuel Simon ‘28
Everett Wells ‘27
English Honors-in-Course
Honors-in-Course students are selected as the outstanding students in each course. These awards are not necessarily presented in every course in every year, but only when they are exceptional candidates.
Honors English I: Rani Century, Gil Shephard, Cayden Fox, Avery Wagner, Kaylee Subasic, Bella Dryden, Kaitlyn Safrit, and Rumaisa Syed
Honors English II: Carsyn Cavitt, Taylar Gordon, Finn Pralong, Issy Stephens, Amaiya Patel, McKenzie Allen, Keenya Western, Samuel Simon
Honors English III: Tripp Cooler, Sebastian Dally, Libby Swaney, Linden Sonnefeld
AT American Language & Literature: Nicholas Jones, Jackson Laws, Jacob Hartsell, Grace Ter Poorten, Brooke Busby, and Zach Dollar
ARTS DEPARTMENT AWARDS
The Art awards in Music, Theater Arts, and Visual Arts are awarded to students who demonstrate excellence and passion for their art form. They are actively engaged in the arts community and are leaders in their respective programs or ensembles. These students have a determined growth mindset and have shown a powerful journey of growth this year.
2026 Art Award Recipients:
Music - Zach Dollar ‘27
Theater - Dakotah Smith ‘27
Visual Arts - Abby Williams ‘28
Maker - Sam Gilligan ‘29
Arts Honors-in-Course
Honors Concert Band: Gabriel Sacks, Coco Ward
Honors Modern Ensemble: Neeva Gangopadhyay, Isaac Taylor
Honors Music Technology I: Ethan Lavoie, Trent Loggins, Will Petrosky
Honors Concert Chorus: Emily Kessel, Carissa Pollack
Varsity Chorus: Malcolm Musinguzi, Kaylee Subasic
Honors String Ensemble: Kennedy Laguerre, Jackson Laws, Kaitlyn Meadows
Varsity Orchestra: Tyler Donia, Claire Northrup
Honors Theater I: Kaitlyn Safrit, Kaylee Subasic
Honors Theater II: Nicolas Fernandez, Fiona Nagle
Honors Theater in Performance: Avery Fawcett, Callan Ruddy
Honors Visual Foundations: Cayden Fox, Bennett Grose, John Hasson, Harlowe Miller, Jayda Peterson
Honors Studio 2D: Melissa Kroll, Rylee Miller, Sebastian Zamora
Honors Studio 3D: Linden McAneny, Sydney Saxton, Liam Waite
AP Studio Art: Nicholas Jones
Honors Creative Design & Engineering I: Bella Dryden, Adam ElAssy, Christian Zamora
Honors Creative Design & Engineering II: Emmi Coppa, Sean Dalaban, Skyler Massengale
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT AWARDS
The students who receive the Mathematics Award demonstrate a passion for the subject and an intellectual curiosity beyond the normal scope of the curriculum. Strong candidates contribute to class discussions, regularly attempt bonus or challenge problems, and often participate in math-related activities outside the classroom.
2026 Mathematics Award Recipients:
Sam Gilligan ‘29
Danilo Zelaya ‘28
Emma Wang ‘27
Mathematics Honors-in-Course
Honors Algebra I: EJ Martinez, Jayda Peterson
Honors Geometry: John Hasson, Reid Kochiss, Aria Shinde, JJ Stoudmire
Honors Accelerated Geometry: Matthew Aldous, Elyse Donia, Tanner Green, Thomas Isenhour, Maddy Wisnosky
Honors Algebra II: Maddie Carlock, Ayden Flaherty, Parker Lineberry, Walker O’Brien
Honors Accelerated Algebra II: Lillian Bracksieck, Addie Hartz, Adriana Lopez, Rumaisa Syed, Charlie Zaccarelli
Honors Precalculus: Rhys Casey, Audrey Faile, Ian Mackall
Honors Accelerated Precalculus: Camauri Davis, Rylee Miller, Gabe Sacks, Hannah Wittwer, Cayden Zukowski
AP Calculus AB: Tripp Cooler, Jackson Laws, Sally Woolwine
Honors Statistics: Rhys Casey, Sabastian Dally
AP Statistics: Kaleb Davis, Hannah Wittwer
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARDS
The Science Award is presented to students that demonstrate leadership and initiative in science classes. Using evidence to support claims and taking academic risks to reach a deeper understanding of scientific principles drives these students to succeed. Curiosity about the nature of science often leads these students to study topics beyond course requirements.
2026 Science Award Recipients:
Rumaisa Syed ‘29
Nodumo Tunyiswa-Ward ‘28
Emma Wang ‘27
Science Honors-in-Course
Honors Principles of Chemistry & Physics: Bella Dryden, Giselle Francis, Benjamin Jones, George Ratterman, Avery Wagner, and Madelyn Wisnosky
Honors Accelerated Principles of Chemistry & Physics: Penelope Conklin, Sam Gilligan, Thomas Isenhour, Jonas Jay
Honors Chemistry: Carson Brown, Fiona Nagle, Amaiya Patel, Keenya Western, Danilo Zelaya
Honors Accelerated Chemistry: Nicolas Fernandez, Finn Pralong, Samuel Simon, Mia Wheeldon
Honors Biology: Carissa Pollack, Linden Sonnefeld, Grace Ter Poorten, Sally Woolwine
AP Biology: Brooke Busby, Hannah Wittwer
AP Physics I: Thomas Smith
Marine Science: Isaiah Townsend
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT AWARDS
The students who receive the Social Studies Award display a growth mindset and intellectual curiosity that extends beyond the normal scope of the curriculum, an eagerness to learn and engage that includes social studies-related activities outside the classroom, and an interest in Advanced Topics social studies courses and social studies department electives.
2026 Social Studies Award Recipients:
Mia Wheeldon ‘28
Ryan Shue ‘27
Sally Woolwine ‘27
Social Studies Honors-in-Course
Honors World History I: Giselle Francis, Grace Kenseth, Millie Mattingly, Will Petrosky, Gil Shepherd, Aria Shinde
Honors Accelerated World History I: Thomas Isenhour, Kennedy Laguerre, Rumaisa Syed
Honors Civics: Laura Ann Bown, Carson Brown, Conger Chalfant, Fiona Nagle, Abigail Williams
AT World History II: Emmi Coppa, Finn Pralong, Nodumo Tunyiswa-Ward
Honors US History: Kircher Bracksieck, Brooke Busby, Emma Jones, Lily Waite
AT US History: Nicholas Jones, Ian Mackall, Skyler Masengale, Sylvia Romley
Honors Economics, Law & Politics: Helena Cons
Honors Psychology: Aniah Love, Ethan Safrit
AT Microeconomics: Tripp Cooler
National History Club History Students of the Year: Laila Dure, Edi Zywicki
WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT AWARDS
The World Languages Award is earned by students who display outstanding passion and achievement in Spanish, Chinese, or French. These students work with dedication to become linguistically and culturally equipped to communicate successfully in a pluralistic American society and abroad.
2026 World Language Award Recipients:
Spanish - Helena Cons ‘27
Chinese - Jackson Laws ‘27
French - Everett Wells ‘27
World Languages Honors-in-Course
Honors Chinese I: Scarlet Cruz-Zacahuate, Marcus Sales
Honors Chinese II: Aurora Tran
Honors Chinese IV: Jerica Newby, Gabriel Sacks, Makala Stavrakas, Isaac Taylor
Independent Study in Chinese: Emma Wang
Honors French I: Ethan Safrit, Christian Zamora
Honors French II: Andrew Garrison, Benjamin Jones, Kennedy Laguerre, Adriana Lopez
Honors French III: Finn Pralong, Lily Waite
Honors French IV: Daniel Harley, Hannah Wittwer
Honors Spanish I: Anneli Bernstein, Giselle Francis, EJ Martinez, Nate Wilson
Honors Spanish II: Gillian Ferris, Cayden Fox, John Hasson, Will Petrosky, Rumaisa Syed, Kaylee Subasic, Coco Ward
Honors Spanish III: Rhys Casey, Madeleine Carlock, Diya Induru, Nodumo Tunyiswa-Ward
Honors Spanish IV: Eleanor Avett, Henry Garrison, Carissa Pollack, Ryan Shue, Libby Swaney
CORE VALUES AWARDS
These awards recognize those students who work to live by Cannon’s core values of courage, teamwork, respect, integrity, passion, and kindness. In doing so, these students positively affect others and create a community of trust, caring, and character.
2026 Core Values Award Recipients:
Grace Kenseth ‘29
Cayden Fox ‘29
Isaac Taylor ‘28
Emily Kessel ‘28
Kircher Bracksieck ‘27
Lauren Schattner ‘27
JUNIOR MARSHALS
Cannon’s Junior Marshals are recognized for their remarkable achievements across four key areas: intellectual curiosity, community involvement, leadership abilities, and dedication to the school’s core values and mission. These areas embody the essence of excellence at Cannon. Being appointed a Junior Marshal is the most prestigious academic distinction given to underclassmen.
2026 Junior Marshals:
Ian Goff ‘27
Makala Stavrakas ‘27
Emma Wang ‘27
Hannah Wittwer ‘27