The morning of Thursday, June 11, 2026, 23 students were nominated for the Catching Kindness awards. To best explain the event, a speech by recent HHS graduate Ethan Warhaftig, who has a special connection to it, is posted below.
“Good morning everyone. My name is Ethan Warhaftig, I am a recent graduate of the Class of 2026, and I am really honored to be with you all here today. Andrew Warhaftig, for whom these awards were named, was my older brother who passed away during his junior year here eight years ago. Before we get to the award presentations in just a moment here, I want to briefly share why these awards are so special to me.
These are twice-yearly award ceremonies, and I have now been to 7 of them across my four years here. If you’re wondering why not 8, it might be something that rhymes with smeenior smip smay
But being here for 7 of these and hearing the unique reason as to why each person has been recognized with this award has opened me how much these awards of character and actions matter, and more importantly, how lucky we are to have all these incredible students in our community.
All of you, you are the absolute best people and thank you endlessly. It’s so easy to be a passenger and follow others and squeak by, but you have chosen to go out of your way to make a different for others.
As a receiver of one of these awards, I can tell you that being recognized for my actions means far, far more to me than any other awards or recognitions I have received.
I know that Andrew would be proud of all of you today, and please please continue to make a difference. That, more than ever, is what we need in the world. And we need it now. Congratulations everybody and thank you.”
Following the speech, each student was individually recognized and presented with a certificate.
