Academy freshmen, sophomores, and juniors received recognition and praise at the Underclassmen Honors Convocation on Wednesday, May 9, for outstanding academic performance,  service, and school involvement. Prominent awards and scholarships recognized at the ceremony included the following:

• The Sister Irene Marie Brunelle Memorial Alumni Scholarship for $3,000 – Sarah Shakespeare
• Academy Faculty & Staff Scholarship for $7,000 – Felicia Nelson
• Light Foundation Scholarships for $5,000 – Elaine Petrarca, Caroline Dolan
• Ana Maria Baldor-Bunn Memorial Scholarships for one-half tuition – Eleeza Santos, Janelle Enriquez, Virginia Barreda
• Kelly Ann Martz Endowed Memorial Scholarship for full tuition – Chandler Cartwright
• Freshman of the Year – Konner Brewer
• Sophomore of the Year – Siobhan Plummer
• Junior of the Year – Emily Pollock

Principal Camille Jowanna addressed the underclass student body, faculty, visiting parents, and special guests, followed by Student Council President Madison Allen, who led an opening prayer and helped distribute the awards, accompanied by Vice President Ashton Hill.

Special Awards and Honors

• Anne Frank Humanitarian Award 2012 – WinDi Sanchez
• Athena Young Women of Promise Award – Meagan Gonzalez
• American Legion Scholar Award – Nora Johnson
• American Legion 2012 Girls State Program – Alternates: Anna Cevallos, Cara Millburg; Winners: Meagan Gonzalez, Catherine Young
• FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship Scholarship – Gabrielle Madden
• The Order of Knights of Pythias Awards – Jessica Jurado, Julia Metzger, Ryann McEnany
• Furman University Scholarship Program – Alexandra Bajo, Emani Curry-Jester, Cailin Dunne, Grace Gonzalez, Amanda Schifino
• Lawrence Tech University Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics – Karen Cornett
• The Mayor’s Youth Corps of Tampa – Kendall Bopp, Chiara Gonzalez-Portillo, Sofia Gonzalez, Jackelynn Mendoza, Amber Orosco, Mollie Snyder
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist – Erin Przedpelski
• University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award Program – Meagan Gonzalez
• University of Rochester Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award Program in Humanities and Social Sciences – Meghan Wallace
• University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Program – Victoria Litschgi
• University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation & Information Technology – Erin Przedpelski
• Wofford College Scholarship Program – Arlyn Barlaan, Franchesca Beatty, Karen Cornett, Meagan Gonzalez, Alexandra Viso, Meghan Wallace
• Agnes Scott College Book Award – Arlyn Barlaan
• Chatham University Rachel Carson Book Award – Tyler Ruppel
• Columbia University Alumni Club of Tampa Bay Book Award – Meagan Gonzalez
• Dartmouth College Book Award – Meghan Wallace
• Saint Michael’s College Book Award – Alexandra Viso
• Salem College Book Award – Felicia Nelson
• Smith College Book Award – Alina Meador
• St. Lawrence University Book Award – Catherine Young
• Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation Leadership Award – Rachel Astorquiza, Alexandra Reichert
• The Robert Kevin Walsh Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing – Claudia Montilla
• The Robert Kevin Walsh Memorial Scholarship for Visual Arts – Cailin Dunne

Members of the following honor societies stood up to be recognized:

• National Honor Society
• National Beta Club
• Quill & Scroll
• Spanish Honor Society
• French Honor Society
• Latin Honor Society
• Tri-M Music Honor Society
• Mu Alpha Theta
• National Forensic League
• Science Honor Society

Ms. Kerry Keegan, member of the Guidance Department, called out the academic awards, including results from competitions and national exams.

Students, who went above and beyond in the different clubs at Academy, receieved recognition. In addition to outstanding club involvement, underclassmen who exceeded the amount of service hours were acknowledged.