Penn Charter's chapter of the Cum Laude Society held its annual spring ceremony on May 18, honoring the 12 seniors and 11 juniors inducted in 2026 as new members alongside the 12 seniors inducted in 2025. Founded in 1906, the Cum Laude Society is dedicated to honoring scholastic achievement in secondary schools and was modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, a collegiate academic honor society. The motto of the Cum Laude Society is "Areté (Excellence), Diké (Justice), Timé (Honor)," and they recognize students who have achieved academic excellence while demonstrating good character, honor and integrity in all aspects of school life.
At the ceremony hosted in the Meeting Room, Head of School Karen Warren Coleman and Director of Upper School Kimberly Berndt, along with math teacher and secretary of Penn Charter’s Cum Laude Society chapter Jen Ketler Hon. 1689, presented and introduced each inductee.
The keynote speaker for the evening was former Head of School Darryl J. Ford, who encouraged students to be innovators and to think and act boldly, even when they encounter opposition or adversity. He also reminded them to look for the light in all people, and to see the Quaker testimonies as guides as they move into their futures beyond Penn Charter.
Congratulations to the 2025 and 2026 inductees to the Cum Laude Society! View photos.
Inducted in 2025:
- Sydney Agosto
- Alex Brown
- Adrienne Chang
- Penelope Gray
- Evelyn Hasse
- Alice Ingram
- Marleigh Jackson
- James Kraemer
- Ava Lin
- Rainer Malhotra
- Lily Neuwirth
- Nora Prasad
Inducted in 2026:
Seniors:
- Alice Allsopp
- Ana Buckley
- Chase Covert
- Eleanor Kafer
- Eva Kothari
- Carly Lewinski
- Natalia Modzelewski
- Mireille Ohemeng
- Lev Puma
- Bodin Snyder
- Elizabeth Sweigart
- Evelyn Tindall
Juniors:
- Alexander Bowen
- Claire Cho
- Grace Choate
- Margaux Debell
- Miranda Dziedzic
- Henry Gelbach
- Parker Grimes
- Bailey Handler
- Layla Joshi
- Anay Lodhavia
- Vivek Patel