Honoring Leadership and Service

As the 2025-26 school year wrapped up, the MHS community took time to look back on the past year and look ahead to 2026-27. The Underclass Awards Ceremony in Centennial Hall honored student leadership and service to the School during the past year and provided an opportunity to announce all-school leadership for the coming year.

“At Miss Hall’s, students have many opportunities to learn about and participate in leadership and, through this leadership, provide service that is essential to the wellbeing of the School,” remarked Dean of Equity and Inclusion Paula Lima Jones, who convened the event. “As we end this school year, it is important for us to pause and recognize all that you have accomplished and all that you have contributed as members of the MHS community.”

Among the highlights, incoming school Vice President Marianna Bartz ’27 was recognized as the recipient of the Andrea Becker ’79 Prize, awarded by a vote of the faculty to an outstanding underclasswoman. “In the words of the faculty, this student is a formidable scholar and a totally original thinker,” said Head of School Julia Heaton, who presented the honor. “She is engaged, curious, and seeks to understand for understanding’s sake. She is always willing to help and to admit when she needs help. She always seeks out challenges and opportunities to grow.”

All-school leaders for 2026-27 were also announced. Congratulations to:

• School President Indigo Travis ’27, Vice President Marianna Bartz ’27, Secretary Dasha Cruz ’27, and Treasurer Romee He ’27

• Diversity Coalition co-Heads Kiki Feng ’28 and Myles Patton ’27

• Essential Coalition co-Heads Heilys Checo ’29 and Camilla Diaz Vidal ’29 (Essence); Aastha Rai ’28 and Kaja Knezevic ’27 (Intercultural Student Alliance); and Althea Schneider ’29 and Charlie Stokes ’27 (Spectrum)

• Social Committee co-Heads Natasha German ’28 and Sasha Komen ’27

• Athletic Association co-Heads Maddie Minkler ’28 and Siri Polk ’28

Eighteen Proctors from the Class of 2027 were also introduced — Natalia Boneo, Avah DeBenedetto, Sydney Delma, Rose Garrison, Inez Garzon, Juliet Hopkins, Nell Jacobsen, Ivy Ji, London Jones, Yun Jung, Linnea Keiser-Clark, Aisha Khan, Lena Mugridge Neilson, Sophie O’Brien, Maia Roberts, Charlie Stokes, Nguyen Vo, and Yoyo Xu.

New Grace Notes were announced. Congratulations to Jolly Chen ’28, Maddie Davis ’29, Eleanor Novobaczky ’29, and Alex Smith ’29. Next year’s co-Heads will be Matilda Heaton Wellenstein ’27 and Kaja Knezevic ’27.

Next year’s Admissions Ambassador co-Heads were also announced. Natalia Boneo ’27, Shea Davidson ’27, Avah DeBenedetto ’27, Romee He ’27, and Aurora Mills ’27 will lead the 43-member group.

The event’s recognitions kicked off with seniors announcing the dedication of the 2025-26 Yearbook to longtime Culinary Services Team member Sue Wojcik, a friendly face in the MHS Dining Room for three decades.

“Every morning and afternoon, students and staffulty are greeted by her warm smile and positive attitude,” said Senior Class Vice President Fabi Romero ’26. “No matter how busy the Dining Room is, she always takes the time to make everyone feel appreciated. Whether she’s serving breakfast or lunch and asking how someone’s day has been, she brings kindness into everyone's lives!”

Continuing the 9th grade May Day tradition, Class President Kennedy Minkler ’29, Vice President Leia Attuquayefio ’29, and Class Archivist Camilla Diaz Vidal ’29 named Khloe Amankwah ’28 as May Royalty, citing Khloe for exemplifying the MHS values and core competencies and for being a leader, mentor, and peer toward 9th graders.

While looking back on 2025-26, leadership and service to the School during the year were recognized. Among those honored were leaders and members of the Student Council, Essential Coalitions, Affinity Groups, Bigs/Littles, the Admissions Ambassadors, Social Committee, Judicial Committee, Athletics Association, and student clubs.

It was a wonderful way to recognize amazing student leaders for their hard work!