The Jivanti Rutansky Memorial Award
In honor of Jivanti’s memory, the Mount Madonna School faculty give one high school student and one middle school student an award in her name each year. These awards are presented to students who embody the qualities that made Jivanti such an important ambassador of our school mission. The recipients of this award will be engaged and dedicated members of the school community, empathetic and compassionate classmates, engaged and curious learners, honest and self-reflective individuals, and protectors of the environment. The recipients should demonstrate support of their classmates in their endeavors, and dedicate themselves to service.
- Grace Timan, 11th
- Amelie Zands, 8th
The Power of Jiv Scholarship Award
Over many years we all experienced the Power of Jiv. The woman who handled pressure with ease, who tackled and overcame all obstacles. Jivanti never let a problem slow her down, her perseverance was inspiring and her work ethic legendary. Jiv was a force of nature who uplifted every situation she walked into.
This scholarship is intended for students who best exemplify Jivanti’s work ethic, positivity and eagerness to help in any way possible. It was given by a life-long friend and admirer of Jivanti’s.
- Benn Glorfield, 11th
Middle and High School Pillar Awards
Mount Madonna School has continued the tradition started in 2013, of presenting awards to students in middle and high school whose achievement in one of the areas of our school’s three pillars – Academic Excellence, Creative Self-Expression and Positive Character Development – was outstanding. These three areas are equally important to success at Mount Madonna School – and, indeed, in the world.
The students who received these awards are the following:
Academic Achievement
Showing outstanding critical thinking and writing skills, thoughtful self-expression, and honest reflection as part of the learning process; with a personal commitment to learning that balances both comprehensive understanding and in-depth inquiry in multiple disciplines.
- Kira Kaplan, 12th
- Kayla Goldstein, 11th
- Mariah Cohen, 10th
- Ethan Lee, 9th
- Mordecai Coleman, 8th
- Lucy Yen, 7th
- Noa Zands, 6th
Creative Self-Expression
The creative process that includes cognitive learning, teamwork, direct experience, reflection and mutual appreciation; creatively expressing him/herself in all academic coursework; experiencing the creative process such that the student overcomes perceived limitations and intuitive intelligence emerges; valuing the collaborative process where individual effort and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater whole result in an inspiring and fulfilling experience.
- Octavio Moreno, 12th
- Liana Kitchel, 11th
- Zoey Ocampo-Sobkoviak, 10th
- Emma Monclus, 9th
- Lagi Hunnicutt, 8th
- Alyssa Hocevar Tabuchi, 7th
- Kenzie Culbertson, 6th
Positive Character Development
Reflecting positive ways of dealing with whatever situation is confronting him/her/them; dedicated to a spirit of non-harming, cooperation and respectful relationships; striving to realize positive values such as compassion, honesty, cooperation, fairness, dedication and human decency in his/her/their daily lives; taking initiative to lead and to serve, take responsibility, acquire self-discipline; and to care for others.
- Corey Mensinger and Oliver Mensinger, 12th
- Bryce Adams, 11th
- Ciela Diffenbaugh, 10th
- Sophia Manzur, 9th
- Amelie Zands, 8th
- Braeden Sjoberg, 7th
- David Monclus, 6th
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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, director of marketing & communications,
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a community of learners dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. Founded in 1979.