US Awards Day 2026

Arts Awards

Jalen Byrd Art Award

This award is named in memory of Jalen Byrd, a cheerful, friendly, ever-smiling Sayre student who loved to draw. This award is presented to outstanding 9th-, 10th-, or 11th-grade art students. Alice Karsnitz 

Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Senior Art Award

The award is sponsored by the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, one of the oldest organizations in Kentucky working to preserve and promote the rich heritage and exciting future of Art and Craft. Annika Barnsley-Byrnes

National Society of Arts and Letters

This organization of artists and patrons of the arts strives to encourage and assist young people in their quest for careers in the arts. To further this goal, the Kentucky Chapter of the NSAL awards a Certificate of Merit to an outstanding senior in each of the following separate disciplines at each area high school.

Art: Lily McMahon
Literature: Phoebe Barlow & Kristian Middleton
Music: Joey Montanez
Drama: Meredith Rouse
Dance: Mia Risco
Outstanding Senior in the Creative Arts: Marissa Eberth

Sayre School Instrumentalist Award

This award is presented to the senior who has made a significant contribution in the fine art of music. It is in recognition of the discipline and talent required to master a musical instrument. Turner Denning

Sayre School Technical Theatre Award

Given to the student who has shown commitment and dedication to the technical theatre arts in a given year’s theatre productions. Spencer Neff and Eidan Porter

Sayre School Thespian Award

This award is given to students who have demonstrated a passion for theater with a commitment to the craft of acting, the ability to contribute to an ensemble ethic, the skill to further technical aspects of production, and the desire to share with an audience. These students must also participate in productions at Sayre or in the community. Jayda Davis, Anderson Kim, and Lizzie Stephens

Lexington Singers Award

This award is presented to the outstanding senior in choral music in the hope that they will continue to participate and enjoy choral music throughout their lives. Phanisree Murty

Pillars Award

This award is presented to those students who have excelled in yearbook publication. Lucie Pitman

Public Speaking Award

This award honors a sophomore who writes engaging speeches and delivers them with confidence and preparation. Through clear structure, thoughtful language, and expressive delivery, as well as attentive listening and meaningful peer feedback, they strengthen our classroom community. 

For their excellence in writing, speaking, listening, and setting a strong example for others, Cannon Vaughan.

Book Awards

Anne Alcorn Library Award                                                   

This endowed award is given each year in memory of Anne Alcorn, who for twenty years was the head librarian at Sayre School. Mrs. Alcorn created the nucleus of the current library collection, directed student research projects, and helped establish the Edward F. Simms Library. The Anne Alcorn Award is given to students who have demonstrated intellectual curiosity, commitment to knowledge, and a love of learning. A duplicate copy of each book is also presented to the library in the students' name. Sophia Cairo and Sam Shirley

Bryn Mawr College President’s Book Award             

This award recognizes a junior girl who demonstrates an intense intellectual commitment, a self-directed and purposeful vision of her life and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world. Danica Porter

Dartmouth Book Award

This award is presented to a junior who ranks in the top 10% of their class, is of strong character, has made a positive impact on the life of the school community, excelled in at least one non-academic area, and is a candidate for entrance into a college or university of the very highest academic caliber.
Gigi DeRossett

Davidson College Book Award

This award is presented to a junior whose intellectual inquisitiveness and enthusiasm indicate a disciplined and creative mind, evidenced by their participation in class, strong writing and analytical skills, and character that shows promise for leadership and service – the hallmarks of a Davidson College education. Chris Escobar

Harvard Book Award

This award is presented to two outstanding juniors who display excellence in scholarship and high character combined with achievements in other fields. Brooke Barntsen and Thomas England

Hendrix College Book Award

This award is presented to outstanding high school students who has demonstrated passion, commitment, aptitude, and potential in one of the following areas: art, leadership, or service to the world. Ellie Oldham, Carson Graves, and Nick Nahra

Randolph College Book Award

The mission of Randolph College is to develop the mind and the character of its students. Therefore, this award is presented to a high school junior who is academically strong and possesses leadership potential. Paul Coppedge

Sewanee Book Award

Sewanee: The University of the South enables students to live with grace, integrity, and a reverent concern for the world. This award is presented to the outstanding junior who should be in the top 20% of the class. Talula Gentile-Schept

St. Michael's College Book Award

The St. Michael’s Book Award celebrates students who exhibit the characteristics of an ideal St. Michael’s College student. This award is presented to two juniors who demonstrate concern for others, attain mostly A’s in Honors or AP classes, and are inductees of the National Honor Society or equivalent. A book from the College will be sent to the student. 
Cate Phillips and Woods Nahra

University of Kentucky Book Award

As the state's flagship institution of higher education, the University of Kentucky is charged with the responsibility of providing educational opportunities to the entire Commonwealth. This award is presented to a junior who portrays the outstanding qualities of scholarship and leadership. The book presented each year from the University represents Kentucky’s complex, extensive, and ever-changing story. Ella Jurgenson

University of Louisville Yarmuth Book Award

This award recognizes a junior in the top 20% of their class who shows very strong academic potential, displays intellectual curiosity, and makes notable contributions to the school. Molly Robertson

University of Virginia Jefferson Book Award

This award was established by the University of Virginia to recognize outstanding high school juniors. Thomas Jefferson founded the institution in 1819, wishing to establish a university with a truly national stature. The university is not only national in stature now, but also international. The recipient of this award is considered an exceptionally talented scholar, leader, and citizen. Hadley Luring

Wellesley College Book Award

This award is presented to a female in the junior class who has demonstrated excellence in her academic studies, has been a good citizen of the school community, and made a thoughtful contribution by her efforts to the school as a whole. Kaitlyn Isberg

The Randy Mills College Counseling Award

This award is presented to students who demonstrate leadership and commitment to College Counseling initiatives that impact and highlight student success. In the spirit of Mr. Mills, Sayre’s Director of College Counseling from 1998 to 2022, these seniors serve as ambassadors of kindness and recognize the importance of making each student feel part of our Sayre community. Ella Anderkin, Sara Garlington, Annika Barnsley-Byrnes, and Parker Bowles

English Awards

David R. Youngblood Sophomore Book Award

David Youngblood, a decades-long English teacher was renowned for his irascibility, dry wit, and uncompromising insistence that students learn to love literature (especially big, fat novels) and to communicate gracefully in writing. He had been a black jack dealer and a deep sea fisherman in earlier lives and he deeply wanted students to experience life to the fullest. This award is presented to a sophomore whose interest in literature is likely to be lifelong. Graham Mainous

Hollins University Creative Writing Award

This award is presented to a female in the rising junior class who has shown a serious interest in writing poems and/or short stories and has produced original work of good quality in one or both of these forms. A book from the College will be sent to the student. Amelia Sutherlin

Sarah W. Stephens English Literature Award

This award is presented to two students who have demonstrated an exuberance for literature. For most of her 16 years until 2001, Mrs. Stephens taught students in both English and in Public Speaking and encouraged them to develop an appreciation for literature and writing. Marielena De Pedro and Aidan Isom

Shirley Keplar/Barney Tucker English Award

Barney Tucker, a former Board of Trustees Chair, was known for his courtesy, wit, charm, and boundless generosity. He and his wife, Shirley Keplar, created these awards to honor the outstanding achievement in creative writing in the sophomore and junior classes. A duplicate copy of each book is also presented to the library in the students' name. 

Sophomore: Madeline Dawson
Junior: Violet Hamrin

Smith College Book Award

This award is presented to an outstanding junior who has demonstrated excellence in their academic work, especially English. Briar Garrett

Voice Award

The Voice Award honors a 9th-grade student who demonstrates curiosity, perseverance, and collaborative spirit in reading, writing, and discussion. This student shows promise as a student of English. Diya Chandran

Character and Service Awards

Brucie Glenn Rowe Student Government Award         

Brucie Glenn Rowe, Class of 1977, was the youngest daughter of the Glenn family. As a student, Brucie loved Sayre and took an active role in extracurricular activities. While she could not participate in athletics, she took a special delight in the affairs of the Student Council. Brucie left a wonderful legacy of friendship, joy, and loyalty to those she loved. To honor her memory, this award is given for service, leadership, and devotion to the spirit of the school. Beau Perry

David A. Sayre Achievement Award

In recognition of the school's founder, David A. Sayre, this award honors two students for high academic achievement. The awards committee takes into consideration the following characteristics when selecting the recipients: service, commitment, and leadership in their school, faith-based organization or community. Eli Powell and Bennett Grau

The Dean of Students Good Citizen Award

This award encourages and rewards the qualities of good citizenship: dependability, service, and leadership to an outstanding degree. Lucie Pitman and Eli Greer

Sayre School Service Achievement Award 

The Sayre School Service Achievement Award recognizes the important role of volunteers in our city, state, and around the world. This award honors students whose service positively impacts their communities and inspires those around them to take action too.

Bronze Award: for more than 100 hours of service this year: Ella Anderkin, Patrick Donworth, Ava Fallon, Kennedi Griffin, Kaitlyn Isberg, Joey Montanez, Phanisree Murty, Emeline Offutt, Lucy Phillippi, Carmen Sanchez, and Zachary Wieting

Gold Award: for more than 250 hours of service this year: Tyler Diguette and Dhaarick Vinod

Philemon Award

This award recognizes an individual who best represents the values of Sayre's Philemon Society. The Philemon Society is dedicated to aiding all people affected by poverty and abuse in Central Kentucky. In addition to the award for the individual, the Sayre Philemon Society will make a gift in his honor to the agency of their choice: William Wells Brown Elementary. Dalaynie Wombles, Kathryn Kinder, and Robin Lynch

Salem College Book Award

This award is presented to a young woman who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the classroom, active involvement in quality high school activities, and displays exceptional character and commitment to the community. In addition to the certificate, the Sayre Philemon Society will make a gift in her honor to Legacy Gymcats of Special Olympics Kentucky. Lucy Phillippi

Sayre School Outstanding Community Service Award

Sayre’s service learning inspires students to be responsive to the challenges and benefits of devoting time and talent to the service of others. This award recognizes a student for their outstanding volunteer service to the community. In addition to the award for the individual, the Sayre Philemon Society will make a gift in their honor to Stride. Tyler Diguette

St. Lawrence University Book Award

St. Lawrence University is committed to diversifying our community’s perspectives, opinions, and worldviews. This award recognizes a junior who has demonstrated academic success while distinguishing themselves in their communities through their significant commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. 

The recipient will receive a book as a gift from the University and a $ 1,000-per-year merit scholarship if they apply and are accepted to St. Lawrence University. Grey Halton

Washington & Lee University Book Award

This award is presented to a junior who exhibits the qualities most cherished and exemplified by Washington and Lee University: personal integrity and strength of character, academic excellence, and significant involvement in extracurricular activities. In addition to their certificates, the Sayre Philemon Society will make a gift in their honor.  For the recipient, a donation will be made to the Hope Center. Ava Fallon

Greater Lexington Community Service Award

This award is presented to a student who has given unselfishly to volunteer work in the greater Lexington community. They must be of high character and have demonstrated leadership potential within the school community. Zachary Wieting and Logan Bickley

Melissa Stephan Social Justice Award

The Melissa Stephen Social Justice Award is presented to students who promote an inclusive environment and empower others to embrace the challenge of creating a more just and equitable world. These students have demonstrated leadership and commitment to teaching and sharing the values of social justice in an ever-changing world through leadership positions within clubs, cross-divisional inclusion initiatives, or participation in organized efforts to promote and advocate for the highest ideals of inclusion that all societies strive to achieve. Anderson Kim and Mia Risco

History Awards

F. Kevin Simon History Award

This history award is named in memory of Kevin Simon, who chaired the Upper School History department and directed the school's annual History Symposium from 1984 – 2002. It is presented each year to a senior who demonstrates intellectual curiosity, enjoyment of learning, and independent thinking with respect to an understanding of history. And because it is named for Kevin Simon, a good sense of humor is an added bonus. Meredith Rouse

Thomas A. Grunwald History Award

This award is in memory of Tom Grunwald. During his more than 50 years of service to Sayre, he served as a teacher, mentor, and friend to generations of students. This award is presented to a senior who shares Mr. Grunwald’s love of history, who exhibits excellence in the field, and who demonstrates a sense of the well-roundedness which Mr. Grunwald embodied. Anderson Kim

World Languages

Vassar World Language Award

This award is given for achievement in World Languages to the junior who has demonstrated excellence in that discipline.
French: Chris Escobar
Spanish: Cate Phillips

Heart of Language Award

This award is presented to two underclassmen, one in Spanish and one in French, who demonstrate consistent growth in their language skills, a commitment to intercultural understanding and empathy, and an enduring curiosity about global issues affecting the Spanish or French-speaking communities.
French: Shep McLean
Spanish: Silas DeBolt

Math Awards

Excellence in Mathematics Award

This award recognizes the student’s love and appreciation in mathematics and their unique ability in this subject. Griffon Calvert

Leibniz Mathematics Award

Gottfried Leibniz developed the rigorous mathematics now known as calculus at a later time in his life. His previous interests and achievements involved physics, law, economics and politics. This award recognizes a well-rounded and dedicated individual much like Leibniz. Jordan Middleton

Stephen A. Bullard Math Award

This endowed award is in memory of Stephen A. Bullard, a beloved former math teacher who, with his dry wit and energetic personality, made math accessible and inspired students. It is presented to a sophomore demonstrating excellence in Algebra II or Geometry. David Warren

Science Awards

John T. Bryans Science Award

Dr. John T. Bryans was internationally renowned for his research in controlling equine disease. Second only to his love of working in the laboratory was his love of Sayre, from which his daughters, Louise Bryans Lorton and the late Lucy Bryans Van Meter, graduated. This endowed award honors a student who has an appreciation of the sciences and, in particular, excels in the biological and chemical sciences. An engraved julep cup and a cash award of $1,000 are awarded to this year’s award recipient, Gannon Rice.

Lexington Medical Society Alliance Award

Lexington Medical Society’s values are camaraderie, connection, collaboration, and communication. In keeping with the organization’s mission, this award is presented to the sophomore who demonstrates a passion for the sciences and excels in chemistry. Carmen Sanchez and Thomas Duncan

Marc Goldenberg Science Award

This endowed award was created in 1983 in memory of Marc Goldenberg. It recognizes a junior or senior who, like Marc, demonstrates a high interest in science. Andrew Chalothorn

Sayre School Physics Award

This award recognizes a junior or senior who has demonstrated enthusiasm and excellence in physics and shows proficiency in applying physics concepts to real-world applications. Griffon Calvert

Newton’s Attic Award for Engineering

Newton’s Attic was founded in 1998 by Bill Cloyd, a professional mechanical engineer and former high school teacher. Frustrated by the confines of the regular classroom, Cloyd was inspired to create a highly engaging approach to educating students about career opportunities available to them through physics and engineering. This award is given to a physics student who is self-motivated, demonstrates an excitement for learning, and embraces rigorous challenges in the scientific realm. Turner Denning

University of Kentucky College of Public Health Award

This award is presented to the senior who, whether through personal example or community contribution, has had the greatest influence on the student body in matters pertaining to health and well-being throughout their career. Jayda Davis

William Lipscomb Science Award

Dr. William Lipscomb attended Sayre School and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In 2006, at the age of 87, he gave a lecture at UK, his alma mater, entitled The Pursuit of Ideas, which explained his current research on enzymes. This award is given to students who share his love of science and enthusiasm in the pursuit of scientific ideas. Jud Masters

Karl E. Knapp Excellence in the Study of Environmental Resource Conservation Award

This endowed award is presented to an inventive and creative Upper School science student who demonstrates a passion for science, especially in the areas of ecological conservation and renewable energy. In upholding the legacy of Karl's curious nature and innovative spirit, a Leatherman multi-tool and an engraved pewter cup are awarded to this year’s recipient, Dhaarick Vinod.

Thomas Hunt Morgan Award

The Thomas Hunt Morgan Award honors an evolutionary biologist who received the 1933 Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking work on chromosomes and heredity. Born in Lexington, Morgan attended the State College of Kentucky, now the University of Kentucky, and later earned his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. He went on to conduct pioneering research at Columbia University and the California Institute of Technology.

This award is presented to a freshman biology student who demonstrates maturity, passion, perseverance, and the ability to collaborate well with peers. Addie Fanucchi-Brisman

Library Award

The Judy Offutt Library Award

Athletics

Hocker-Faucette Cup

This is an endowed award in memory of the Hocker and Faucette families. The award honors a sophomore female athlete who has best distinguished herself in the area of women's athletics. Molly Chambers

Spartan Cup

This award is given each year in memory of William Clinton Hancock II, Peter Samuel Winegardner, and Toll Hollingsworth to a returning sophomore male athlete who demonstrates leadership, citizenship, and school spirit. The recipient must have participated in at least one varsity sport and maintained a solid academic average. Graham Mainous and A.J. Corrigan

Kentucky High School Athletic Director’s Association Sportsmanship Award

The Athletic Director selects a male and female athlete to receive this award. Eli Powell and Beau Perry

Abby Sayre Cup   

The Abby Sayre Cup is presented annually to the outstanding senior female athlete. Lucie Pitman and Kathryn Kinder

C.V. Whitney Cup

The C.V. Whitney Cup is presented annually to the outstanding senior male athlete. Ca'den Jones

Other Awards

Director's Awards

The Director’s Award is given each year to two seniors who have made a unique contribution to the life and culture of the Upper School. This year’s recipients embody the values of our school community.  Both have unique interests and are multi-talented, and have shared their talents within the school community. Both lead through their actions with genuine enthusiasm and kindness, showing a deep and abiding commitment to the school and demonstrating our core values of wisdom, integrity, respect, and compassion. They are role models to us all. Jayda Davis and John Dixon Fenwick

Thomas A. Grunwald Alumni Scholarship Awards

The endowed Grunwald Alumni Scholarships were started by a dedicated group of Sayre alumni in honor of Mr. Grunwald’s commitment and service to the school. The recipient must be a child of an alumnus, have a competitive GPA, and excel in one or more of the following areas: leadership in extracurricular activities, community service, and/or athletics; intangibles such as a sense of decency and purpose are also considered. These scholarships are awarded to the well-rounded student, paying homage to the Jeffersonian ideal of the “renaissance” person.               
Rising sophomore: Brynn Samples
Rising junior: Emeline Offutt  
Rising senior: Lizzie Stephens

Sayre School Scholarships for Academic Excellence

The Sayre scholarships are presented to two students per grade level who, throughout the present school year, have accumulated the highest grade point average in the first three marking periods. Each of these students will receive tuition abatement for the next school year.  
Rising sophomores: Diya Chandron and Saathvik Hari
Rising juniors: Shep McLean and Graham Mainous
Rising seniors: Gigi DeRossett, Brooke Barntsen, Thomas England, and Ava Fallon

National Merit Award

Photos by Phillips Mitchell