At the Final Assembly on May 22nd, the following seniors received special awards from the faculty for their special contributions to the School during their St. Mark’s careers:

For his service to our community at St. Mark’s and to the greater community of Dallas by executing his creative ideas in the Community Service program; for his outstanding insights and probing questions that have helped set the standards for academic excellence; for athletic prowess on the tennis team; for his sustained leadership, his academic focus and drive; for his commitment to serving others, the faculty presents a special award to Billy Eichenholz.

For inspiring others to explore their own limits and expand their horizons while having positive words for all; for his considerate nature and unflagging positive support of fellow students; for his service to the community and his city, earning him respect both on and off campus; for his leadership and for his unreserved sharing of the joy of learning, the faculty presents a special award to Will Ferenc.

For helping raise the intellectual bar for our entire school community with his brilliant thinking in English, science, and mathematics; for exemplary performance on his saxophone; for being a serious and joyful learner, a kind and loyal friend, a role model for younger Marksmen, and a scholar par excellence; for being the epitome of scholarship, integrity and citizenship; for his many acts of quiet leadership and service to the school, the faculty presents a special award to Adam Genecov.

For his curiosity, well-rounded passions, indefatigable drive, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge just for the love of it; for his excellence combined with patience and modesty; for posing penetrating questions that lead to discoveries beyond the surface understandings; for his deep commitment to his family, friends, and the whole St. Mark’s community, the faculty presents a special award to Andrew Gonzales.

For raising the level of discussion in every class he has taken; for continuing to add greater challenges to his life especially in this his senior year; for being a talented artist in ceramics, and a captain in three varsity sports; for always distinguishing himself in effort, character, and leadership; for all the exciting and stimulating moments he has given this community during his twelve years here, the faculty presents a special award to Kirk Hayes.

For his daily contribution to the life of St. Mark’s, for his joyous playing of Ultimate Frisbee, on the tennis team and in the band; for becoming a National Merit Finalist; for guiding other students both as a Sherpa and as a member of the Academic Integrity Council; for his intellectual gifts, his spirit-filled life and his conscientious respect for all, the faculty presents a special award to Gavin McAlister.

For his unparalleled excellence in all academic fields: science, mathematics, history, English and fine arts; for bringing joy to his parents, the faculty, and students of St. Mark’s by his perpetual good nature and ever-cheerful smile; for delighting his enthusiastic audiences by his memorable performances in drama, musical shows, studio band, and choir; for his mastery of the piano both in jazz and classical music; for epitomizing in his daily life and work the best of St. Mark’s ideals, the faculty presents a special award to Mark O’Meara.

For his exemplary character, dignity, and leadership; for distinguishing himself as a scholar; for being a model of integrity and modesty; for his superb, continued, vigorous commitment to his fellow students, his school, and his community; for his contribution to three varsity sports, not only as an excellent player but also as a model of sportsmanship and fair play; for representing the heart and soul of his class, the faculty presents a special award to Darrien Patterson.

For being curious, meticulous, and diligent in all that he does; for pursuing his studies with tremendous energy; for being courteous, generous, and tireless while leading the Community Service program to ever more helpful involvement in the life of Dallas; for the independent development of his own passions and powers; for inspiring us all to take greater ownership of our communities, the faculty presents a special award to Christopher Rhoades.



Additionally, at the Athletic Banquet on May 15th, a number of awards and honors were bestowed upon St. Mark’s athletes, including three major awards:

The Red Barr Award for dedication to excellence in the classroom as well as on the playing field was presented to Whit Shaw.

The recipient of The Tony Briggs Athletic Spirit Award for enthusiasm, dedication, and sportsmanship was Jeff Wilson.

And the Thomas S. Adams Athletic Plaque, the highest athletic award given at St. Mark’s, was presented to Kirk Hayes.