As the school year came to a close, Buckley Country Day celebrated with Upper School Students, faculty, and families at the annual end-of-year assembly, where students were honored for their outstanding achievements during the 2024-25 school year.
Dean Schlanger, Buckley’s head of upper school, said, “These talents are drawn from performances displayed within the classroom, on stage, on the playing fields. The best plaque goes to those dedicating their service to Buckley, while others have displayed incredible sportsmanship and enthusiasm. The list is expansive!”
Capping a 50-year tenure at Buckley, Roby Young presented the Plaque Award to Naiyah Otero ’25. Each Buckley graduate carves a wooden plaque displaying their name, graduation year, and a depiction of their interests, that will hang in the halls of Buckley indefinitely.
Naiyah’s plaque design showed creativity and expert craftsmanship, depicting a gymnast atop a globe sprouting wings, and a soccer ball taking the place of the final letter in her name, highlighting many of Naiyah’s passions.
Elizabeth Glennon, Buckley’s music program and string ensemble director, presented the Performing Arts award to Alyssa Sugiyama ’25. Alyssa is an accomplished cellist and brought the crowd to their feet during a rousing senior performance that included both a duet and trio with her younger siblings Emma and Cody.
33-year veteran teacher and local thespian Jennifer Demopoulos presented the Musical Theatre Award named in her honor to Laila Guirguis ’25, who stole the show during the annual eighth-grade play, “High School Musical” in May with her energetic depiction of Mrs. Darbus, the eccentric drama teacher.
Demopoulos also presented the Art Award to Rina Wu ’25, whose imagination, creativity, and appreciation for art is expressed both through her hands and her mind.
Stephanie Long, director of communications and Scripta Yearbook advisor, presented the Una Van Vliet Scripta Award to Rina Wu ’25, who designed the cover of the 2025 Scripta yearbook and made significant contributions to the yearbook class throughout the school year.
English teacher Maria Newman took the podium to present the A. Gordon Grove English Award to the student who displays the greatest passion for literature: Paige Schoen ’25, a third-generation Buckley graduate.
Newman said, “I have chosen a student who not only demonstrated consistent excellence of English language arts but also exhibited a genuine love of learning beyond the classroom.”
Newman also presented the Barbara Cooney Writer of the Year Award for excellence in writing to Laila Guirguis ’25.
“This student has a rare gift,” she said. “She creates worlds that are rich with imagination, while remaining grounded in empathy and justice. […] Her work shows a sophisticated understanding of complex narrative structures and social issues, and her creative vision consistently challenges others to think deeper and dream bigger.”
Athletic director Brian Boyle presented the Ethel Allman-Roby Young Outstanding Athlete Award to two students who, in the eyes of the coaches, best exemplified the qualities of leadership, attitude, and athletic skills. The 2024-25 recipients are Enzo Fischetti ’25 and Naiyah Otero ’25.
Boyle also presented the Joan Betts Spirit Award to the students whose spirit, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm most enriched Buckley’s teams. The awards were presented to Buckley sixth-graders Mark Sabbatino ’27 and Emma Sugiyama ’27.
History teacher Herbert Toler presented the Will and Ariel Durant History Award to the student who has shown a unique interest in and appreciation for American History.
Toler said, “Their intellectual prowess is encouraging in the classroom, and comes from time spent beyond class, paying attention to current events and making a connection to the past.” The award was presented to Rowan Subbaiah ’25.
Mandarin teacher Sumeng Guo presented the Mandarin Award named in her honor to Rina Wu ’25, whose passion for the Chinese language has shone brightly throughout her academic journey.
Latin teacher Katy Collins presented the Ruth Farnham Latin Award to Jaina Vithlani ’25, who earned the highest marks in Latin throughout the school year, and “displayed an outstanding work ethic and acute interest in Roman history and culture.”
Elba Lugo presented the Spanish Award to Alyssa Sugiyama ’25. Lugo noted that “this year’s Spanish award is given to the student who not only exemplifies excellence but also an enduring curiosity, relentless work ethic, and innovative spirit.”
Math teacher, Mrs. Sue Rodriguez-McLean, presented the Mathematics Award to Rowan Subbaiah ’25, who earned the highest marks in mathematics.
Roger Persaud, Buckley’s science teacher who just completed 27 years at the school, presented the Science Award named in his honor to Rowan Subbaiah ’25, who earned the highest marks in science this year.
Persaud said, “Through careful observation, strong pattern recognition, and a desire to bring clarity to complexity, Rowan embodies the ideal of scientific inquiry.”
Head of school Jean-Marc Juhel had the honor of announcing the Scholarship Awards in grades 5 through 7, presented to the students who earned the highest cumulative GPAs in their grade for the 2024-25 school year.
Head of school Jean-Marc Juhel announced the Scholarship Awards for students in grades 5 through 7 based on cumulative GPA. Scholarship Medals for the highest GPA were awarded to William Boulukos ’28, Emma Sugiyama ’27 and Emma Wang ’26. Certificates of Merit for the second-highest GPA were awarded to Aaron Chinapen ’28, Mark Sabbatino ’27 and Rui-Xing Li ’26.
The prestigious Headmaster’s Awards, given to one student in each grade for leadership, character and service, were awarded to Valentina Balchand ’28, Emma Sugiyama ’27, Sophie Lee ’26 and Alyssa Sugiyama ’25.
As Buckley concluded another school year, faculty, students and families came together to celebrate a community rich in talent, tradition and achievement.
