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2026 Student Excellence Awards
Primary Years Programme - Ari Mulligan
(Strelitz International Academy)
“In 2023 and 2024, for my birthday, instead of getting presents, I asked everyone to bring canned food. I took the food to the food pantry and stocked the shelves. The volunteers there told me who the food helped. This showed me the importance of intercultural understanding and respect. I learned that helping someone in need is better than getting something for your own benefit.”
Ari Mulligan is a 5th grader at Strelitz International Academy in Virginia Beach. He loves reading and enjoys staying busy playing ice hockey and baseball, and practicing piano and saxophone. Ari also loves spending time with his parents and younger brother, playing with his dog and hanging with friends. An aspiring magician, Ari is always excited to learn new tricks. He loves to travel and can’t wait for an upcoming family trip to London.
Middle Years Programme - Jeevesh Sivakumar (Thomas Jefferson Middle School)
"Being a risk-taker and being balanced are totally essential for crushing it in life and making a real difference in our community. Taking risks isn't about being reckless but it's about having the courage to try new things like joining a team or speaking up for what you believe, which is how we grow, build confidence, and create positive change for everyone. But you can't just go all out all the time which is why being balanced is key. It's the super-power of knowing how to manage your school work, friendships, and personal time so you don't burn out. When we are balanced, we are happier, healthier, and better prepared to support our friends and community. So, to truly succeed, you need to be a brave risk-taker who is also a smart and balanced individual, the one pushes you forward, and the other makes sure you’re strong enough for the journey."
Jeevesh Sivakumar is a Middle Years Programme student at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Virginia and serves as Student Council Association President. Passionate about STEM and problem-solving, Jeevesh approaches challenges with critical thinking and creativity, exploring solutions that have real-world impact. He is currently completing his IB Community Project focused on nutrition and mental health for teens through a social application, developing strategies to raise awareness, promote healthy habits, and support well-being among his peers. Through his dedication to learning, leadership, and service, Jeevesh strives to inspire others, make a positive difference in his school, and contribute meaningfully to his community, demonstrating that knowledge, curiosity, and action can combine to create lasting impact.
Career-related Programme - Blakely Pfaff
(Rockville High School)
“My most meaningful communication project was collaborating with Neo on Daisy’s Dare, a graphic novel created as part of my Confidence Tour. I wanted something that girls could take with them to further their confidence journey. I developed the story and partnered with Neo to bring the character to life through his artwork. Daisy’s Dare is about a girl dared by her friend to take healthy risks to build her confidence. Together, we self-published the book on Amazon.”
Blakely is a senior at Rockville High School and a student in the IB Career Pathways Program for Broadcast Journalism. She is the author of Daisy’s Dare, a graphic novel designed to build confidence through healthy risk-taking. Blakely serves as a PBS Student Reporting Labs Ambassador and Content Creator, as well as a National Youth Ambassador for the Tourette Association of America. In the fall, she will attend the University of Oklahoma to study broadcast meteorology. She credits her IB education, along with the support of her teachers and family, for preparing her for the next step in her academic journey.
Diploma Programme - Zander Hine (North Hagerstown High School)
“Together with a few friends, I created Rooted, a community-engagement app that allows users to report local issues such as littered areas or invasive species. Additionally, nonprofit organizations can post events that need volunteers. We've connected more than 100 people with opportunities to support their community. Building Rooted taught me that people want to make a difference but need help finding a way. This project pushed me to collaborate, listen, and understand the needs of my community.”
Zander Hine is a student at North Hagerstown High School in the IB Diploma Programme. He has volunteered with local nonprofits supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, but what matters most to him are the conversations and relationships that come from that work. Through his work with It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing and the Micah’s Backpack program, he has reshaped the way he thinks about leadership and responsibility. As one of the founders of Rooted, a community service-based app designed to make civic engagement more accessible for young people, Zander works to empower students to engage consistently and intentionally in their communities. His leadership style reflects that same mindset: listen first, act intentionally, and treat every person with respect. In school, he approaches the IB Diploma Programme the same way, consistently tying academic ideas to real-world impact. For Zander, service is not charity. It is shared growth and a long-term commitment. Next year, he will bring that passion for service to Harvard University, where he will study Government.
2026 Faculty Recognition Awards
Primary Years Programme - Menet McCoy (Melwood Elementary School)
"Ms. McCoy collaborates with colleagues through shared reflection and interdisciplinary planning, ensuring a holistic student experience. By framing lessons around global contexts, she inspires students to be compassionate, lifelong learners who view challenges through a critical, international lens. In the classroom, she acts as a facilitator, empowering young people to take agency over their education. Through service learning, she bridges the gap between theory and action, encouraging students to become active, principled global citizens dedicated to positive change. In addition, she is leading Melwood through the Maryland Green School recertification process this year. In December, she was named the 'Principled Staff Member of the Month'."
Middle Years Programme - Christopher Klepadlo (Maya Angelou French Immersion IB World School)
"Prof. Klepadlo has pioneered a culture of transparency within the Middle Years Programme by moving beyond standard instruction to the explicit teaching of exemplar assessments. By deconstructing complex MYP criteria and global contexts alongside our scholars, he demystifies the rubrics and provides a clear roadmap for achieving high levels of achievement. I was particularly impressed by his recent visual showcase of summative results; this initiative served as a powerful model of standardization and pedagogical best practices for our entire faculty. Prof. Klepadlo truly embodies the IB learner profile as a reflective practitioner. He is constantly auditing his inquiry-based units to ensure they remain rigorous, culturally relevant, and aligned with IB philosophy. As an effective communicator and collaborator, he proactively shares his data-driven outcomes to elevate our teaching community. His commitment to excellence and his dedication to student agency make him an invaluable asset to our school and a true champion of the IB mission."
Career-related Programme - Shreyas Patel (DC International School)
"Shreyas leads our Health Sciences pathway with aplomb. He coordinates guest speakers and trips to local medical institutions, and has started a Health Occupation Students of America club that has hundreds of members, including middle schoolers. He is now the lead for HOSA for all of the district, and has guided our students to be leaders on the state board. He has built out a curriculum for anatomy and clinical skills classes and has helped lead PD for all of our science and career-tech-education teacher teams. He is a model staff member at DCI, always willing to help out colleagues. Students love his classes, and the health sciences pathway has grown into a true juggernaut of our school under his leadership."
Diploma Programme - Dawn Schumer (Meade High School)
"Dawn Schumer, an exceptional DP English teacher whose leadership of the Extended Essay (EE) program has had a lasting impact on both students and staff. In this role, Dawn brings clarity, consistency, and academic rigor to one of the most demanding components of the IB Diploma Programme. Dawn works closely with students throughout the EE process, guiding them from topic selection to final submission with a balance of high expectations and thoughtful support. Her expertise in research, writing, and inquiry helps students develop independence, confidence, and academic discipline—skills that extend well beyond the EE itself. Students consistently describe Dawn as approachable, organized, and deeply invested in their success. Dawn’s collaboration with colleagues is integral to student success. As EE coordinator, she provides clear guidance to supervisors, facilitates communication across departments, and ensures alignment with IB requirements and timelines. Her ability to support staff while maintaining program fidelity strengthens the overall implementation of IB at the school. Dawn is a dedicated advocate for the IB philosophy, modeling the learner profile through reflective practice, academic integrity, and a commitment to excellence. Her leadership and professionalism make them an invaluable asset to the Meade IB community."
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