Worcester Prep graduates largest class in school's history

The Athletic & Performing Arts Center at Worcester Preparatory School was packed for the Worcester Preparatory School 40th Commencement Exercises held May 25. The school awarded diplomas to fifty-seven graduates - the most in the history of the school.

The class of 2012, with members from three states and six counties, was treated to a commencement address by alumnus Brett Martin, class of  2000. Twelve years ago, Martin stood on the same stage and was named salutatorian of his graduating class. Today he is an entrepreneur, the CEO of Sonar, and a young man who has been recognized by the computer industry and the media for his work.

Also addressing the graduates were Hannah Beauchamp, class president; Charles R. Jenkins, board of trustees president; and Dr. Barry W. Tull, headmaster. The Rev. Michael Moyer, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, delivered the invocation and benediction. Awards were presented by Assistant Headmaster Matt O'Hare, Head of Upper School Nancy Decker, Director of College Counseling Anthony D'Antonio, and dignitaries from many service clubs and organizations.

The members of the class of 2012, all of whom plan to attend college, were offered 123 academic and merit scholarships totaling more than $3 million. The new alumni will attend 36 different colleges in 16 different states.

Awards presented at the commencement exercises included the following: Patricia Twilley, Greenbackville, Va., a National Merit Scholarship winner, was named valedictorian, and was also honored as the recipient of the Raven’s Roost Scholarship, the William E. Kelley Memorial Mathematics Award, and the State of Maryland Merit Scholastic Award, and recognized as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

The salutatorian was Ashley Foreman of Frankford, who also received the Erin Brooks Mullin Drama Award, the Robert Lee Edwards Scholarship for Excellence in English, the State of Maryland Merit Scholastic Award, and recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

The Best All-Round Senior selected by a written vote of faculty and staff was Olivia Massey, Greenbackville. Massey's other honors included the Raven's Roost Scholarship, the George Miles Memorial Award for Engineering, and recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

Other graduates receiving outstanding recognition were as follows:   Christopher Potvin, Snow Hill, Md., Student Government President Gavel and recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction; Katelin Talbert, Eden, Md., American Legion Citizenship Award, Raven's Roost Scholarship, the Holowach-Memorial Trust Scholarship, and recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor; James Engel, Salisbury, American Legion Citizenship Award and recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar; Lynde Pepper, Lewes, Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award.

Also honored were Ryan McGuire, Bishopville, Md., Sons of the American Revolution Citizenship Award, WGMD Scholar-Athlete Award and recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar; Hannah Lee Gaskill, Ocean City, Md., Geoffrey C. Derrickson Memorial Art Award, Worcester County Arts Council Scholarship, and recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar; Michael Dayton-Jones, Salisbury, Md., Decker Theater & Music Award; Catherine Reilly, Selbyville, Ocean City Elks Scholarship and recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar.

Other honored students include Jake Emche, Ocean Pines, Md., Ocean City Marlin Club Auxiliary Scholarship and Delmarva Irish American Club Scholarship; Halie Murray-Davis, Lewes, Lohmeyer Memorial Journalism Scholarship, Holowach-Memorial Trust Scholarship, and recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction; Sebal Tekmen, Rehoboth Beach, Libby Vach Memorial Scholarship; Michelle Stickler, Lewes, State of Maryland Merit Scholastic Award and recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

Rounding out the honors were Erin Royal, Rehoboth Beach, recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction; Alyssa Alicea, Seaford, recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar; William Simons, Seaford, recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar; Elinor Brown, Bethany Beach, recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor; and Riddhi Sanwal, Lewes, recognition as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor.