“We value students who strive for excellence in all areas, and we provide the breadth of opportunities for students to find their passions, and excel at them. When thinking about what we value, we wish to align what we recognize and affirm, with our beliefs and our guiding principles.
In order to do that, there are a few considerations we observe when delivering recognitions as an inclusive school:
Acknowledgment of effort – Not all awards are for only the highest academic scores. We value a high level of intiative, curiosity, and persistence in learning. Dedication and Passion awards are part of our ceremony.
Secondly, A breadth of criteria to include a wide range of talents and achievements in order to allow for a greater representation of abilities (not just academic excellence awards). You will see athletic, service and citizenship recognitions today.
Finally, transparency is important in order to preserve the integrity of the process. Clearly defined and communicated criteria, an inclusive nomination procedure, and a trustworthy selection process are central when granting acknowledgement.”
These were the opening words of The International School of Kuala Lumpur’s (ISKL) High School (HS) Principal Jeff Farrington, at ISKL’s 2023 Senior Awards Ceremony which was held on June 2 for ISKL’s 154 graduating students. At ISKL, the Senior Awards annual tradition recognizes students who have shown exceptional dedication and passion for academics, sports, visual and performing arts, and community service.
Congratulations to all the recipients! We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Valedictorian: Somin (Ruby) Lee
“Our Valedictorian is an exemplary representative of academic excellence and is a contributing, personable, empathetic classmate. She has engaged in Key Club International, Peer Helpers, IASAS Math club, and is the Founder of Bioverse International where students from international schools worldwide convene and meet with professionals in the fields of biology, chemistry, and medicine to share their research and experiences.” ~ Jeff Farrington, High School Principal
About the Award:
The Valedictorian is the graduating student with the highest cumulative grade point average from 11th and 12th grades (four semesters).
Award criteria:
- A student must have attended ISKL for all four semesters before graduation.
- A student’s grade point average (GPA) is computed at the end of these four semesters and includes all courses except Teacher’s Aide
Salutatorian: Sungmin (Alex)Choi
“Our Salutatorian has been part of the service council, involved in IASAS Service Conference, debate for multinationals and was the president of Tether. He positive, hard-working and consistently kind and supportive of others. The Salutatorian award for the second highest cumulative average.” ~ Jeff Farrington, High School Principal
About the Award:
The Salutatorian has the second-highest cumulative average.
To be eligible for these distinctions:
- A student must have attended ISKL for all four semesters before graduation.
- A student’s grade point average (GPA) is computed at the end of these four semesters and includes all courses except Teacher’s Aide.
Scott Smith ‘76 Memorial Varsity Athlete Male awarded to Brendan Van Cott
“Today’s student winning this award is a varsity athlete from all three of our IASAS sports seasons. He was also the team captain for his teams and was named the team Most Valued Player for all three seasons; he is very well known here at ISKL and at the entire IASAS conference.” ~ Jake Stockman, HS Director of Athletics
About the Award:
This award is presented to the outstanding female and male athlete of the year. The award is named after Scott Smith, an outstanding student-athlete who was killed in an automobile accident in 1980.
Troy Marschang ’07 Award awarded to Noah Christensen
“He participated in IASAS volleyball and baseball throughout HS and was a four-year delegate for the IASAS vocals team. It is impressive that he kept engaged and committed to his sports and music throughout these crazy pandemic years and managed to work to his potential in all that he did, often through one injury or another. Out in the field or court, his work ethic, team spirit, and passion shine through. In the music department, he is recognized for his ability to perform arrange, compose and perform this music. He is quite simply e of the most talented students I’ve had the privilege to teach.” ~ HS Choir Teacher, Jaymin Baird
About the Award:
The Troy Marschang Award is presented to the senior who participated in the most IASAS events during his/her ISKL high school career. It is dedicated to the remembrance of Troy Marschang, a 2007 graduate, who participated in 17 IASAS tournaments/conventions from 2004-2007.
The Robert B. Gaw 12th Citizenship Award, Senior Class, awarded to Owen Earl Gold
“He asks questions other students could not voice but wanted to. Learners or classmates have come to count on him when encountering one of those challenging problems they don’t know. A gentle soul, witty, kind, honest – so many other words my teaching colleagues shared and oh so authentic. He is just not happy, but he enhances the happiness of others by listening thoughtfully, laughing readily, and is always up for an adventure.” ~ Shaun McElroy HS Counselor
About the Award:
The Robert B. Gaw Citizenship Award is intended for students who demonstrate exemplary citizenship and is given to one student at each grade level. The award, sponsored by the PTA, is named in honor of Robert B. Gaw, who served as Headmaster at ISKL from 1970-1978.
Award criteria:
- Nominee exemplifies the international aspect of the school. He/she interacts positively with others and shows an appreciation for nationalities other than his/her own.
- Nominee demonstrates courtesy to teachers, staff, and fellow students and shows respect for others’ rights.
- Nominee demonstrates a positive attitude and willingness to support in-classroom and extracurricular projects and activities.
- The nominee is gracious in dealing with success as well as disappointment.
- A student can only win this award once.
Principal’s Award awarded to Georgia Lagerweij
“Compassionate, hardworking, and trustworthy – her compassionate nature exuded on the football field and basketball court as a captain who always put their team first. On the deck and in the classroom as a good listener, caring friend, and inspiring fellow learner. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does and is an incredible person with extraordinary willpower, discipline, and work ethic.” ~ Dr. Kumashiro-Wilms, HS Japanese Teacher/CAS Coordinator
About the Award:
Awarded at the discretion of the Principal on behalf of the High School faculty in recognition of an outstanding graduating senior who:
- Embodies the spirit of The International School of Kuala Lumpur community
- Is a consistent and outstanding contributor and performer within the academic and co-curricular program of the school
- Is widely respected by peers and faculty
- Demonstrates respect for ISKL’s international character and diversity
The John G. Hadwen Award, Outstanding Senior, awarded to Vrinda Gupta
“Within her ISKL community, she is a nurturer and giver, prone to savage laughter, and she is known by her class as a class act to follow and a hard act to follow. But by example, she paved the way. For others of all shades and sizes and persuasions to follow, nothing hollow in that legacy.” ~ Grant Venables, HS IB English/Literature Teacher and Jo Tilton, HS Art Teacher
About the Award:
This award is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior, the student who has made the most positive and dynamic overall impact on the ISKL community. Outstanding contributions can be demonstrated by the recipient in the fields of service, scholarship, sportsmanship, and character. The award winner must have spent at least the whole senior year at ISKL. Mr. Hadwen was the Canadian High Commissioner to Malaysia from 1967- 1972.
Award criteria:
- Scholarship: At least a 6 GPA average in the senior year.
- Leadership: Class or school officer, club or committee chairman, team captain.
- Character: Willingness to accept responsibility, initiative, mature judgment, able to carry a project to completion, willing to take risks, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
- Sportsmanship: A competitive spirit in athletics, drama, music, and forensics, combined with a sense of fair play.
PTA Visual and Performing awarded to Lucy McLean Allum
“She is a dancer, stage manager, a stage costumer, a photography student, ceramics artist, a graphic designer, a fashion designer, a metal smith, a glass blower, a painter, and a graffiti artist and literally on and on. Aside from all that she has done, it is more powerful to reflect on who she has become or, as Michelle Obama would say, “becoming.” Although a shy and introverted person Lucy used art to make sense of her world and to ground herself in it. She has all the qualities I think to be a successful artist: passion, resilience, focus, and above all, courage. “ ~ Tina Casey, HS & IB Theatre Teacher
About the Award:
A Junior or Senior who demonstrates outstanding creative performance and superior ability in the arts will be the recipient.
