Sewickley Academy Inducts 16 New Students into the Cum Laude Society


On May 20, 2019, Sewickley Academy’s Senior School gathered in Rea Auditorium to honor the academic, athletic, and artistic achievements of students during the annual Awards Ceremony, which included an induction presentation for the newest members of the Cum Laude Society.

Sixteen members of Sewickley Academy’s senior class, who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship during their junior and senior years, were honored with membership to the Cum Laude Society. Head of Senior School Dr. Peter Lau introduced the 2019 inductees: Lekha Amin, James Grosz, Amber Huang, Kathryn Jones, Shanzeh Kamal, Sydney Larsen, Zoya Mahmood, Henry Meakem, Jayvir Monga, Saarang Mulukutla, Daniel Phillips, Sarina Sandhu, Ishika Saxena, Linsey Szabo, Aydin Turkay, and Shiyuan Wang. Each inductee was presented a classic floral arrangement to mark the occasion.

The Cum Laude Society is a national organization established in 1906 to recognize and encourage academic achievement and scholarship in secondary schools. Sewickley Academy is one of only 382 in the United States, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Canada, England, France, and Spain.

Membership in the Cum Laude Society is based on a student’s academic achievement, which takes into account not only the student’s grades, but also the strength of the program in which the student is enrolled, consistent with the student’s scholarly strengths and academic interests. In addition, Sewickley Academy's chapter has its own set of guidelines to promote learning and sound scholarship and to recognize the academic achievement of outstanding students and faculty. To be considered for Cum Laude membership, a student must present an honor record in the junior and senior years. Students must also achieve consistently good grades in both effort and citizenship during the same two years. Members expect a student to take the strongest possible program consistent with the student's scholastic background, ability level, and academic interests.

Dr. Lau charged the inductees. “The distinguished record you have made at Sewickley Academy has earned you membership in the Cum Laude Society. This Society is a fellowship of scholars whose purpose is to recognize excellence in academic work,” he said. “As you pursue your education, it is our hope that you will accept the honor of membership in this Society as a responsibility to make some contribution to the ongoing search for greater understanding of humanity.”

Congratulations to our newly inducted members of the Sewickley Academy Cum Laude Society, Class of 2019!

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