To celebrate Founders’ Day on February 21, students who represent ASF values were recognized, along with a parent, a faculty member, a staff member and a volunteer. After a celebratory breakfast in the FAC lobby, where the lucky awardees were joined by their families along with leadership and faculty, they headed into the FAC to receive their award. 

We are proud to present this year’s winners and would like to thank them for their valuable contributions to the ASF community: 

 The ECC won the Davis Award for Risk Taking and the Wright Award for generosity. 

From the Lower School, Jason Johnston, Dean of Students, on behalf of Head Jordan Maas, shared, “Today we have the unique honor and privilege of recognizing 14 amazing students; whose efforts embody and symbolize the awards handed out today. During the school year, they voluntarily ventured out to the public schools to address gender inequality and to do research during recess time. Their efforts led them to designing playground equipment in our makerspace and formative conversations with the LS admin team along with administrators in the public schools. Thank you, students, for your servitude, leadership, and outreach to the greater community.” Read more about this here. 

From the LS, Inés Gil, Olivia Canasi, Fernanda Sánchez, Rebeca Reyes, Emilia Sánchez, Emilia Muñis and Luisa Cheschistz won the Cummings Award for Leadership. 

Sakura Fujimoto, Paula Risoul, Alexandra Ugalde, Emiliano Mayo, Benjamin Crofts, Alan Rivas and Namen Téllez won the Orrin Award for Community.

 From the MS, Valentino Matrajt won the Cain Award for Appreciation of Diversity. Robert Lewis, Head of Middle School expressed, “The Cain Award promotes the appreciation of diversity. The nominee is a member of the “Where Everyone Belongs” or WEB program, and he goes above and beyond to include new students into ASF campus life and successfully transitions them into the Middle School community.”

María Fernanda Chelala won the Lamm Award for Culture. Robert expressed, “The Lamm Award promotes showing respect and understanding for all cultures. The nominee welcomes new students and ensures that they have someone to eat with at lunch. Additionally, she stands up and voices her displeasure when she sees injustices.”

From the US, Alejandra Díaz-Pizarro won the Clifton Award for her Love of Learning, to which William Peat, Head of Upper School expressed, “Alejandra’s passion for all things ASF is palpable. Whether it is her exquisite attention to detail in producing the drama club newsletter, which I always look forward to reading, her commitment to the IB program as a full IB student, or her attitude towards her peers and the ASF community more broadly. She is a role model for her peers and a student leader of the highest character, characteristics she has consistently demonstrated as a Link leader, student ambassador, and part TedX organizing council.” and Pedro Resendez won the Files Award for Initiative, to which William stated, “Pedro’s enthusiasm and joy for life is infectious and has made him extremely effective in building a sense of community at ASF. He is open to all, interested in all, and uniquely gifted in helping students feel that they too are a part of the ASF family. He is compassionate, fun-loving, and a natural leader, and it is these qualities he has exemplified as student council president, a member of the school band, and as an IB Visual Arts student”.

Ana Elena Pérez won the Parent Volunteer Award for Understanding, "It is my honor as president of the PA to present this award for Understanding. The recipient of this award has demonstrated exactly that. She promotes excellence, emphasizes with others and learns every day to adapt and thrive in an evolving world. She has great understanding of the School, the values, the mission, the community, old and new. She is someone who not only understands everything that ASF represents, but who also stands by it every day with compassion and determination to help those ideas grow. The challenge of understanding our community may not always been easy, but this volunteer has met at its best. She has dedicated years of hard work making the PA grow and making all parents feel welcome while always trying to understand their needs. She has put her whole heart and soul into her work and has become an invaluable member of the ASF family. She has been here as as student, a parent, a parent volunteer and an alumni representative. She encompasses all that the ASF value of Understanding represents. It is my honor to present this award to Ana Elena Pérez", stated Pali Silva, PA President.

Iztchel Alcalá won the Faculty Award for Truth. Robert Lewis expressed, “The Office of Academic Affairs was charged to select a faculty member for the Founder’s Day Award for “Truth”. After several finalists were submitted for a  faculty vote . . . The “Truth” Award goes to Ms. Iztchel Alcalá!”

Muriel Anderson won the Staff Award for Justice. "The ASF value of justice is do the right thing with integrity, courage and compassion, upholding ASF's high standards. This award goes to someone who is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs one at any time of day, even beyond the normal working hours. She always makes sure all of us on the first floor of the Admin building are doing fine, she's welcoming and open to comments and suggestions, listens to all, creating a bridge of communication and is generous to all around her, she has a kind heart, she's respectful, caring and committed even in difficult situations. I would also like to mention that her husband Hank told me that his parents, and her in-laws graduated from ASF in 1938, 82 years ago, they would be very proud of her. It is my honor and pleasure to present this the justice award to Muriel Anderson, congratulations", expressed Patsy Hubp, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Finally, Frances Huttanus, from the Board of Trustees and Chair of the IA Committee, recognized Paola Jiménez Pons with the IA Volunteer Award for her constant support and volunteer work over the course of many years. She has supported the Endowment Fund for Financial Aid over time and was also a key player in establishing our wonderful Holiday Bazaar.

See a photo gallery below.