Students Recognized at Tam High Senior Awards

By Tamalapais High School

Senior Tassia Huq was awarded the honor of highest ranked academic in her class for the second year at the Tamalpais High Senior Awards on Tuesday night, May 28 in The Performing Arts Building at Tam High. 

Principal Vieth spoke of her warmth, her commitment to community service and her heavy involvement in peer tutoring at a fun awards ceremony hosted by the PTSA. Tassia attends Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania next fall. 

A group of top students received awards for academic distinction during the evening. Recipients of College Scholarships from school and community organizations were also announced. 

The Math award went to senior Ingmar Bastian who was praised for consistently encouraging younger students tackling math challenges.  Seniors Andy Meislin and Miriam Lester received Science awards. Kaitie Gillespie, heading to Tulane University, whose father, Coach Gillespie, trains Tam Football Team, was recognized for her athleticism and academic prowess.  Senior Carley DeRosa was awarded the Ray and Mary Ellen Haight Scholarship for students interested in pursuing careers in Education. Carley plans to start her journey by attending Colorado State University in September. Senior and Swim Team member Leo Thomas, attending McGill University in the fall, received the French award for outstanding command of the language and was also praised highly for his Spanish language skills. Seniors Sam Gates and Isabella Dahlke were honored among others.

Additional awards were given to top students in Spanish, Art and Workshop. Tam High community service leaders, including senior Ivory Vogt, heading to Walla Walla College in Washington, were selected to receive scholarships. Ivory was praised for her involvement in a church music program and for leading the International Club at Tam High, raising funds for the underprivileged. 

Seniors volunteering at the Redwoods, Marin General, HIV/AIDS groups and many other Bay Area Charitable organizations were also honored and received scholarships for college. 

“We are impressed by how many Tam students show a heavy commitment to giving back to their community” said one proud parent. “It’s an important tradition at Tam” Gwen Hubbard, PTSA president spoke, as did members of the Rotary Club. Three Tam Boosters, all Tam High graduates, one wearing his lettered shirt from 1956, reminisced about their years as students prior to presenting a number of scholarships.  A representative from 10,000 degrees, an organization dedicated to awarding low income students funds for College, also attended the ceremony and awarded scholarships to Tam students.

Susan Gertman, Tam High college counselor, was responsible for coordination of this year’s event at Tam. She encourages next year’s seniors to apply. 
“Not many students know that there are sizable scholarships available each year, here in Mill Valley, for students who are applying to community colleges as well as for students who are interested in attending four year schools”.