Senior Hallie Ryan named Academy Woman
Nominees for Academy Woman were seniors Kat Mediavilla, Maddy Medina, and Hallie Ryan.
Senior and Academy Woman Hallie Ryan, center, poses with fellow nominees Kat Mediavilla, left, and Maddy Medina, right, at the Awards Ceremony today. The girls received the traditional rose bouquets presented to Academy Woman nominees at the annual Awards Ceremony. photo by Mary Hilliard
April 20, 2016
Senior Hallie Ryan was honored as the Class of 2016 Academy Woman at today’s Awards Day Ceremony, witnessed by STA faculty, students and parents.
According to the STA website, Academy Woman is a decades-old title awarded annually to a senior who best embodies the Academy’s mission in her “religious and moral character, leadership, loyalty, responsibility and service.” Recipients are honored by a plaque and a special engraved necklace, according to executive assistant Becky Flores.
“When I heard my name [announced as Academy Woman], it felt unreal,” Ryan said, “Being there next to Maddy [Medina] and Kat [Mediavilla] was an honor in itself, and it just made me realize how blessed I am to be a part of such an amazing community.”
Seniors Kat Mediavilla and Maddy Medina were this year’s other nominees for what Medina called the “incredible honor” of being nominated Academy Woman. Both girls told the Dart how proud they were of themselves, their school and especially Ryan.
“I really can’t put into words how happy and blessed I feel to have even been considered for this honor alongside Hallie and Maddy,” Mediavilla told the Dart after the ceremony. “I am not at all surprised that Hallie is the winner, because she is without a doubt one of the kindest, most hardworking and humble people I’ve ever been privileged enough to meet and she’s helped make my STA experience–as well as so many others’–so special and memorable.”
