Upper School Awards and Navigator Awards Recognize Excellence in Academics, Arts, and Athletics at HRA

On the afternoon of Tuesday, May 19, Hampton Roads Academy honored the outstanding achievements of ninth through twelfth graders in academics, leadership, research, and the arts at the annual Upper School Awards Assembly, held in the Svein J. Lassen Auditorium.  The much-anticipated Navigator Awards Night, recognizing excellence in varsity athletics, followed that evening.

For the graduating Class of 2026, the two ceremonies represented a celebration of hard work, dedication, and a wealth of accomplishments, not only during the current academic year, but throughout their Upper School careers. The HRA community will gather once more to salute this exceptional group of students at Commencement on Saturday, May 30.

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees!

Upper School Awards

Virginia Governor’s School

HRA is proud to be represented by six highly qualified Upper Schoolers at selective residential Virginia Governor’s Schools in summer 2026.

• Agriculture: Simón Molina Alarcon ’27
• Humanities: Merritt Jones ’27 and Ryan Wartell ’27
• Jefferson Lab/Engineering: Lily Doan ’28
• Math, Science, & Technology: Caroline Short ’27
• Visual & Performing Arts (Visual Art): Jaya Amin ’27

Learn more about these talented students and the Virginia Governor’s School Program here.

Leadership Recognitions

These awards reflect HRA’s commitment to cultivating not only outstanding scholars, athletes, and artists, but also ethical, compassionate, and thoughtful leaders.

• American Legion Girls State of Virginia Award: Addie Loos ’27 and Ellie Richardson ’27
• American Legion Boys State of Virginia Award: Mitchell Lugar ’27 and Luke Sablan ’27
• DAR Good Citizen Award, Chapter Winner: Audrey Elmes ’26
• Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar Award: Peyton Ashe ’28 and Jadain Wojciechowski ’28

Book Awards

Sponsored by colleges, universities, and corporate partners, these prizes recognize students’ unique achievements in the classroom and beyond.

• Princeton Book Award (conferred upon a high school junior for academic excellence and exemplary community service or civic engagement): Indira Hartke ’27
• William & Mary Leadership Award (recognizes a student who demonstrates leadership in and outside the classroom by taking risks, making responsible decisions, and standing out among their peers as opinion leaders, go-getters, bridge-builders, and catalysts for change): Graham Hutchens ’27
• University of Vermont Citizen Scholar Book Award (celebrates a high school student who demonstrates the spirit of citizenship and scholarship): Caroline Short ’27
• Rensselaer Medal Award (recognizes a promising secondary school student who has distinguished him- or herself in mathematics and science with superlative academic achievement): Grant Dignan ’27
• Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award (honors high achievement and rigor in science and math classes and positive contributions to one’s school and the larger community): Luke Sablan ’27
• Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award (conferred upon a student who demonstrates a commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, leadership and dedication to community action, strong grades, and rigorous coursework in the humanities and social sciences): Ellie Richardson ’27
• George Eastman Young Leaders Award (recognizes strong leadership experience at school and in the community, high grades, challenging courses, and extensive involvement in extracurricular activities): Aaron Carlson ’27
• Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology (awarded to a student who exhibits a strong interest in innovation and/or information technology and a high level of achievement in this area, has gained exposure to new technologies outside of school, such as pursuing serious work opportunities in local laboratories or industry, and has led other students to new approaches to old problems): Mitchell Lugar ’27
• Hollins Mary Beth Hatten Award for Science and Scholarship (honors a student who has demonstrated interest and talents in the field of science and in scientific research): Claire Grzybowski ’27

Performing Arts

• Director’s Award (Band): Joseph Buxton ’26
• Director’s Award (Strings): Gabriel Seutter ’28 and Adrian Anatolian ’28
• Director’s Award (Vocal): Heather Lowekamp ’26
• Theatre Award: Percy Bevilacqua ’26
• Technical Theatre Award: Elizabeth Smith ’26

Visual Arts

• Photography Award: Jude Deibler ’28
• AP Studio Art Award: Ellen Owen ’26
• Upper School Visual Art Award: Jadain Wojciechowski ’28

English

• Freshman Academic Award: Grace Bradley ’29
• Sophomore Academic Award: Zion McHenry-Wilson ’28
• Junior Academic Award: Kendall Wedding ’27
• Senior Academic Award: Audrey Elmes ’26

World Language

• Senior French Award: Ares Marvell-Nguyen ’26
• Upper School French Award: Aniyah Solomon ’27
• Senior Spanish Award: Isaac Yeshtokin ’26
• Upper School Spanish Award: Kendall Wedding ’27

History

• Freshman Award: Wyatt Evelyn ’29
• Sophomore Award: Carter Lanier ’28
• Junior Award: Trey Florakis ’27
• Senior Award: Gage Beach ’26
• AP Psychology Award: Zachary Busch ’26

Mathematics

• Mary Ann Johnson Geometry Award: Wyatt Evelyn ’29    
• Deanna Hunter Algebra Award: Madison Davis ’28
• Dorothy Lee Zehmer Junior Award: Grant Dignan ’27
• Katherine W. Booth Award: Nicholas Bielewicz ’26
• Mu Alpha Theta Award: Carys Casper ’26
• Ann B. Fichter Senior Award: Henry Stern ’26

Science

• Golden Skull Biology Award: Grace Bradley ’29
• AP Chemistry Award: Indira Hartke ’27
• Honors Chemistry Award: Lily Doan ’28
• Science Elective – AP Environmental Science Award: Jaya Amin ’27
• Physics Award: Henry Stern ’26
• AP Biology Award: Heather Lowekamp ’26

REACH Initiative Special Recognition

The following dedicated seniors were recognized for their participation in pre-professional experiences through HRA’s REACH (Real-world Experience and Academic Choice) Initiative:

• Carys Casper ’26 – Environmental Studies and Outdoor Leadership
• Audrey Elmes ’26 – Global Studies
• Sophia Gately ’26 – Health Sciences
• Ellen Owen ’26 – Fine Arts
• Zack Patten ’26 – Applied Sciences and Technology
• Lana Reed ’26 – Health Sciences
• Sophia Vassilakos ’26 – Applied Sciences and Technology
• Ryan White ’26 – Applied Sciences and Technology
• Simon Yi ’26 – Applied Sciences and Technology

Cum Laude Society Inductees

This year, nine seniors, representing the top 20% of their graduating class, were inducted into Cum Laude, a highly prestigious international honor society recognizing scholastic achievement in secondary education. The 2026 honorees are:

• Lexi Trudeau ’26
• Carys Casper ’26
• Audrey Elmes ’26
• Colten Fulcher ’26
• Sophia Gately ’26
• Cam Hall ’26
• Heather Lowekamp ’26
• Ares Marvell-Nguyen ’26
• Henry Stern ’26

Head of School Honors Awards

The Hampton Roads Academy Head of School Honors Awards are presented in honor of former trustee Dr. Thomas A. Wash and his late wife Esther Wash, departed Navigator parents and grandparents, to recognize the student at each grade level who has attained the highest academic achievement in all core courses during the current year.

• Freshman Honors Award: Wyatt Evelyn ’29
• Sophomore Honors Award: Madison Davis ’28
• Junior Honors Award: Ellie Richardson ’27
• Senior Honors Award: Henry Stern ’26

Senior Valedictory Award

This award is presented in honor of former head of school Dr. Robert E. Cox and his wife Barbara Cox to the graduating student who has maintained the highest academic average during his or her career at the Academy.

The senior class valedictorian is Henry Stern ’26.

Hampton Roads Academy Service Award

Presented in memory of Pauline P. Trimpi, a devoted founding trustee of Hampton Roads Academy and Navigator parent known to some as the “Mother of HRA,” this award recognizes the student who has most unselfishly served the Academy during the past year. The honor is bestowed based on consistency of effort and loyalty to the ideals represented by the founding of the Academy.

This year’s recipient is Audrey Elmes ’26.

Moonves Prize

This award is conferred in memory of Sylvia F. Moonves, a Navigator parent and wife of founding trustee Philip R. Moonves, to the graduating student who, through conscientious effort, high ambition and courage, outstanding character, and excellent deportment, has made Hampton Roads Academy a better and friendlier place to learn.

This year’s recipient is Cam Hall ’26.

Lee Award

This award is presented annually in memory of the late Joseph E. Carpenter, a founding trustee of Hampton Roads Academy, who served on the Board for 30 years. The honoree is a graduating senior who, through genuine enthusiasm for school activities and active concern for others, has contributed significantly to the development of school spirit and morale.

This year’s recipient is Khloe Jobson ’26.

Hampton Roads Academy Navigator Award

This award is the highest honor the Academy presents. It was established in memory of Elinor Hedrick Buxton, wife of first Chair of the Board of Trustees Dr. Russell V. Buxton, by her family and is bestowed on the basis of significant scholastic achievement, outstanding leadership, high personal standards, and demonstration of sound citizenship.

Congratulations to this year’s recipient, Carys Casper ’26.

Navigator Night Recognitions