This year, junior Peace Tiam was selected as the Class of 2027 Hall of Fame recipient. The Hall of Fame award is the most prestigious award at school and its recipient must demonstrate exemplary qualities. In the case of Tiam, teachers were highly impressed by her leadership and bubbly personality.
Pedram Tousi was a student who was known for his devotion to racial, gender, and religious equality. Following his death in 1996 from a car accident, the Hall of Fame was instated in his honor and he was the first student inducted into it. His legacy of devotion to equality, leadership and other academic pursuits, will never be forgotten as the award has since annually been given to a junior who shares in the qualities of Tousi.
Throughout her high school experience, students say Tiam had a tremendous impact on the school community. Tiam says her victory is because she is both a joyful person who greets everyone in the halls with a smile as well as more formal roles like the newly elected SGA co-president. “I love everything about Wootton and am glad to have a role in which I can strengthen and support my school community,” Tiam said.
This year, alongside Peace, were four other nominees, each of them, with their own strengths and skillsets. They all served as a testament to the growing sense of student pride. From the knowledgeable and musically-talented Caitlin Karyadi to the creative Charissa Kim to the strong leadership found in Catherine Bucsa and the intellectual Gabriel Shoyket, “all of the nominees represent what Wootton truly stands for,” sophomore Ansel Mendoza said.
The nominating process includes departments nominating a nominee, so even attaining nominee statues is a considerable achievement. Once nominees are selected they must each write a 600-word essay explaining why they demonstrate qualities deserving of this award. After reading the essays, each teacher votes on who they believe should earn the Hall of Fame award and the results are presented last at the award ceremony.
Tiam said her success comes from her strong desire for inclusivity and her outgoing nature. She also considers herself a good representative of the average student because of her involvement in every aspect of school affairs. “It’s the little actions, when no one is watching that really matter,” Tiam said.
Tiam’s advice for winning the award is to not try to win it just to have your face on the wall, but because you have a genuine heart of service and devotion toward the school. She said that if the award is won for the wrong reasons, it won’t mean as much to the recipient. “When someone thinks of Wootton they should think of you, not because you need them to, but because they naturally will,” Tiam said.
The Hall of Fame serves to be a reminder of the sense of community and a commitment to equality. “I’ve only known Peace for a year, but she definitely deserves this award, and Wootton is lucky to have her,” freshman Elijah Jordan said.
