Two-hundred-eighty-four students from all four grades were recognized at Honors Night on April 25, 2024. This event is held to give recognition to students and celebrate their accomplishments. The honored students got awards from local, state, or national competitions. Before the ceremony, the orchestra played several songs to kick off the honors night.
“It felt really good to be recognized,” freshman Dwayne Chatman said. Chatman was one of the twenty-eight freshmen who were honored with the Spirit of Excellence award in February for Black History Month. “I didn’t have many emotions towards getting the award but attending Honors Night was memorable.”
Students received awards for various accomplishments including recognition from specific academic departments, for leadership roles, and for athletic ability. Seniors who also demonstrated academic excellence and citizenship were honored with certificates. In total, forty-six awards were handed out.
Sophomore Daria Panov received the tri-athlete award for the second time for being involved in varsity tennis, varsity swim, and varsity water polo.
“I was excited to receive the award for a second time; it was super cool to get it again,” Panov shared.
Junior Ray Rao was honored with six different awards including awards for getting a perfect ACT, the Yale book award, the Boys State Leadership award, the English Department award for 11th grade, the Math Department award for 11th grade, and the Science Department awards for 11th grade.
“It’s good for the old ego…nice ego trip once a year,” Rao said jokingly.
This wasn’t Ray’s first time being honored.
“I earned and attended Honors Night my sophomore year, but I earned an award my freshman year but didn’t get invited,” Rao said.
Senior Claudia Reiling received a total of eight awards, including the Academic Excellence Award, the George Washington Carver Award, the Citizenship Award, the President’s Education Award, the Fine Arts Theater Award, the Math Department Award for 12th grade, a Bright Flight Scholarship, and the Science Department Award for 12th grade.
“It was fun, but the event went a little long – overall a six out of ten – but I still had a good time,” said Reiling, who also attended Honors Night her junior year.
Honors Evening is not only about celebrating academic and athletic achievements, but celebrating the growth, the spirit of perseverance, and the journey that defines these young individuals and the goal of Parkway North High School.
