The Awards Ceremony is a way for Clairbourn School to honor its students who show special commitment to their studies, excelling in academics, athletics, and character. They are true scholars and leaders with heart. The Awards Ceremony featured a number of awards which consisted of the following:
Faculty Awards: The 7th and 8th Grade Faculty Awards, are awarded by nomination and approval of the Middle School Faculty and Administration to recognize the participation, contribution, attitude, and spirit recipients bring to the school. This year’s recipients are Marcel Z. and Evan B..
Drama Book Award: The Drama Book Award is awarded by Mr. and Mrs. Barker. This year’s Drama Book Award goes to Vanessa H.. In this year’s Winnie the Pooh production, Vanessa portrayed Piglet with a perfect, quiet sense of trepidation. In her lead role of Prospero in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, she went above and beyond the responsibilities of her own character – offering to and successfully editing an entire scene herself via the use of three different apps.
Richard and Eric Dong Scholarship for Music and The Arts: This scholarship was established in 2014 through a generous gift by former Clairbourn students Richard and Eric Dong. It is designed to provide additional incentives for high student achievement in all areas of music and the arts. This year’s recipients are Quinne F., Zachary Z., Wesley C., and John D..
Lola Wallden Memorial Scholarship: Lola Wallden worked at Clairbourn School for 36 years, and held every position in this school from bus driver to Head of School. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher award from Mae Carden, founder of the Carden Method of Instruction. This year’s recipient, Bella R., is a student who has a strong work ethic and is determined to improve in areas of challenge.
Ann Wakefield Pearson Humanitarian Award: The Ann Wakefield Pearson Humanitarian Award is named in honor of Ann Pearson, who worked for many years as the Middle School English teacher, as well as the Middle School Latin teacher, and the 6th Grade Dean. We honor her memory by recognizing the qualities she cherished in this year’s recipient, Louie L..
Niijar Sportsmanship Scholarship: Mike and Patty Nijjar’s three sons, Sanjeet, Sabraj, and Michael, attended and graduated from Clairbourn. In appreciation for what Clairbourn meant to their family, and in recognition of the difference our sports program made in their lives, a $25,000 gift was made to establish this fund. The Nijjar Sportsmanship Award is designed to recognize the 5-7th grade student who has demonstrated dedication, persistence, team spirit, and outstanding good sportsmanship while supporting Clairbourn School on sports teams. This year’s Niijar Sportsmanship Scholarship recipient is Presley W.
Scott Studenmund Award for Leadership, Commitment, and Service: This award is given in recognition of exemplary achievement in the areas of leadership, commitment, and service as a tribute to the memory of Clairbourn alumnus and Green Beret Staff Sergeant Scott Richard Studenmund, who died in the service of his country while unselfishly putting the needs of others ahead of his own. This year’s recipient is William B., a student who stands out with a strong commitment to the school and his community.
John Eric Beckstrom Scholarship: John Eric Beckstrom was a man of energy and vision who worked hard for what he believed. As a husband, a father, and a successful businessman, Mr. Beckstrom was a fine example of living a values-based life. This year’s recipient is Hannah B., a student who has demonstrated consistent efforts in academics, kindness, joy in friendship, and sportsmanship as well as skill in her athletics.
Nafie Endowment Award: In 2005, Clairbourn School’s Board of Trustees established the Robert W. Nafie Endowment Fund to honor Dr. Nafie’s many years of vision and leadership as Head of School. This year’s endowment gift of $10,000 will go toward Board education to support the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. This education will ensure the Board is able to make informed, strategic decisions with this lens in mind.
Honors at Entrance: Students received Honors at Entrance from area high schools based on their performance on entrance exams or their record entering high school. This year St. Francis awarded their President’s Merit Scholarship to Jake J.
The President’s Award: This award is earned by students with a record of academic excellence who have maintained an “A” grade status (4.0 grade point average) in every class for all three years of middle school. Students who received President’s Awards were Natalie A., Parisa B., Anthony C., Vanessa H., Sarah I., Jake J., Kelly Z., Ashby Z.
Alex J. Robertson Memorial Award: Mr. Robertson was a highly successful and well-respected businessman who was responsible for some of the most important construction projects in Southern California. He loved young people and wanted to give them the chance to succeed in both academics and athletics. This year’s recipients are Belen C., and Ashby Z., who both reflect excellence in academics as well as athletics.
Outstanding Graduate: Outstanding Graduate is Clairbourn School’s highest honor. To be named Clairbourn’s Outstanding Graduate is a distinction of significant value because it says, not only did you excel, you stood out in a class of peers who also cared, worked hard, and succeeded at a school recognized throughout the area for its high standards in education. This year’s recipient is Sarah I., a student who demonstrated diligence, consistently exceeded expectations, and excelled in all classes.