Contact: Jenni Brockman
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Students Win SMS Commencement Honors
Tappahannock (June 10, 2002)-
Girls from the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula were awarded more than 10 of St. Margaret's School's highest honors at early June commencement exercises.
Emily Fisher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Fisher of Lottsburg, won the School Prize. She was chosen by the SMS faculty and staff as the senior who made the greatest contribution to the school through her dedication to high standards, trustworthiness and leadership, consistent with St. Margaret's mission as a church school. Emily served as senior class president and co-chair of the school's community service organization. She will attend Longwood University.
Photo left:
Heather Porter of Walkerton won four of the top prizes at St. Margaret's School this year. She is shown receiving the Edith Latané U.S. History Award from History Department Chair Louise Velletri at the school's recent commencement as Chaplain Ann Riggs (left), Head of School Margaret Broad (right) and classmates look on.
Brittany Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Walker of Callao, received the Spirit of St. Margaret's Award. She was selected from among the senior class as the student who best represents the school's spirit and who has shown true appreciation of the way of life symbolized by the school. Brittany was a member of the Honor Council, played varsity volleyball and was business editor of the yearbook. She will attend Randolph-Macon College as one of its Presidential Scholars.
Heather Porter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Porter of Walkerton, was recognized with the Patron's Prize for her contributions to the academic, athletic, artistic and spiritual life of the school. She also won the Ware Church Prize, awarded to the student who shows the greatest dedication to spiritual life; the Edith Latané U.S. History award, given for excellence in the subject; and the Daughters of the American Revolution Award, given to a student who possesses outstanding dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. Heather, the last of three sisters to graduate from St. Margaret's, will attend Elon University.
Kelly Proctor, daughter of Martha Heric of Urbanna and Daniel Proctor of Smithfield, was recognized with the Patron's Prize for her involvement in starting the crew and cross-country teams and her work on the school's yearbook and literary magazine. She also received the Hannah Mallory Perkins Creative Writing Award. The prize, named for the longtime English teacher, SMS alumna and Tappahannock resident, is given to a student whose writing reflects unusual talent, promise and outstanding effort. Kelly will attend the University of Georgia.
Sarah Taliaferro, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Taliaferro of Center Cross, won St. Margaret's top two sports awards. She received the Aylett Prize for sportsmanship and the Frances J. Gilchrist Award, given in honor of the school's longtime athletic director to the senior who best exemplifies a true scholar-athlete. Sarah, a three-season athlete for all five of her years at St. Margaret's, will attend Virginia Tech.
Two students were awarded honors for the excellence of their independent study projects exploring areas of potential career interest. Proctor was cited for her advertising internship at Richmond's Martin Agency. Olivia Longest, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Longest, Jr. of Tappahannock, was recognized for her internship in medicine and pharmacy.
In addition, two local graduates received departmental honors. Rachelle Slotnick, daughter of Susan Latner of Tappahannock, won the music award, and Taylor Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Ellis III of Dunnsville, won the art award.
The members of the St. Margaret's Class of 2002 earned more than $100,000 in merit-based scholarships for the first year of college alone. They will attend more than 20 different institutions in states ranging from Maine to Georgia.
