The Sussex Academy Class of 2026 held its seniors awards ceremony June 3, honoring graduating students who have collectively received nearly $1 million in scholarships.

Students received awards for excellence in content areas, theater, performing arts, multiliteracy and service, and scholarships from organizations throughout the county and state.

Amber Jennings received both the Excellence in English and Excellence in Science Awards, Rocco Buonopane received the Excellence in Mathematics Award, Woodnika Louis received the Excellence in Social Studies Award, Alec Dukes received the Excellence in STEM Award, and Katya Geyer received the Excellence in Spanish Award.

Jenna Davis received the Excellence in Health Promotion Award, Aiden Zook received the Excellence in Visual Arts Award and Oliver Graves received the Excellence in Musical Arts Award.

Theater awards were presented to Cam Adamcik, Behind the Scenes Award; Carter Huffman, Acting Award; Chase Ryan, Musical Award; and Abby Lynne, Overall Theater Award and $500 Scholarship.

Service Letter Awards were presented to Annahbella Crisci, Katya Geyer, Oliver Graves, Amber Jennings, Leni Kuska, Kimi Langroudi, Princessa Lopez Diaz, Caitlin Redick and Ben Steimel.

Leni Kuska, Katya Geyer, Noah Benz, Rocco Buonopane, Elizabeth Merrick and Ava Yenovkian were awarded Academic 4 Year Plaques. Isabella Carroll, Doug Kleintop, Delainie Monitzer, Ryan Moody, Kieran Probert, Ben Steimel and Aiden Zook received the Academic Letter Award.

Receiving the Gold Seal of Multiliteracy 2025 are Kenner Carbajal-Cifuentes, Angel Figueroa, Briceida Gomez, Oliver Graves, Karla Hernandez, Isaac Hernandez-Fragoso, Thaddee Marius, Sergio Morales Velasquez, Briseyda Ortiz Miguel, Kieran Probert, Jefrey Vasques-Mendez and Omar Zahraoui.

Receiving the Gold Seal of Multiliteracy 2026 are Katerine Amador-Ovalle, Mirka Cifuentes-Reyes, Daniel Jerman, Karina Lopez, Princessa Lopez-Diaz, Gabriela Majjul and Debora Williams.

Katya Geyer, Mary Lu Sanchez Sanchez, and Yuvia Velasquez-Juarez received the Diamond Seal of Multiliteracy 2025.

Secretary of Education Scholars Katya Geyer and Noah Benz received their ceremonial stoles to wear at graduation. Carson Scholars Katya Geyer and Annahbella Crisci were recognized.

The Sussex Academy Foundation Scholarship was presented to Katya Geyer, Victoria Evans, Kieran Probert and Ben Steimel, and the Sussex Academy Executive Board Scholarship was awarded to Victoria Evans.

Many community organizations recognized students with awards. Recipients are Oliver Graves, Rehoboth Beach Concert Band; Victoria Evans and Katya Geyer, AAUW Scholarship; Victoria Evans, GFWC Women’s Club of Indian River Scholarship; Bella Crisci, Delaware School Nutrition Association Scholarship; Gabrielle Yablonski, Delaware Lions Foundation Scholarship; and Victoria Evans, YMCA Youth Character Award.

Caitlin Redick and Kaylie Pederson each received the Blood Bank of Delmarva Scholarship; Victoria Evans, Victor Goodhue, and Ryan Moody received the Dewey Beach Lions Club Scholarship; Victor Goodhue received the Elks National Legacy Foundation and the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club Scholarships.

Leni Kuska received the Distinguished Young Woman Award and the Janet C. Dutton Math and Science Scholarships. Ben Steimel was awarded the Anthony and Catherine Fusco Charitable Foundation Scholarship.

Katya Geyer received the Janosik Family Scholarship, the Dr. Jill Biden Scholarship and the Ansh Dhillion Healthcare Scholarship. Will Parker received the Laurel American Legion and the Laurel Alumni Association Scholarships, Chase Ballinger received the Delaware State Troopers Association and the FBI National Academy Associates Charitable Foundation Scholarships.

About 94% of this year’s graduating class of 124 seniors plan to attend a two- or four-year college, and two students will be joining the military.

📷 : Receiving the Academic 4 Year Plaque Award are (l-r) Leni Kuska, Katya Geyer, Noah Benz and Rocco Buonopane. Awardees Elizabeth Merrick and Ava Yenovkian were unavailable for the photo.