The First Annual Page Pride Awards were presented by Donovan York (far right) on Friday, May 30 to the following students (from left): senior Drew Hunt, senior EJ Hunt, senior Kadence Rogers, freshman Alex XIE, freshman Olive Pine, sophomore Katelyn Prior, Sophomore Oliver Jonason, junior Julia Deitrick, and junior Trey Tibbetts. The winners are standing with the prize’s namesake, Phil Page.
On Friday May 30 during the final Lincoln Academy Community Meeting of the year Donovan York ‘83, LA alum, former coach, and past member of the Lincoln Academy Alumni Council, presented the first annual Page Pride Awards to nine students across all four classes at LA. The award, named for Phil Page ‘70, was established in collaboration with the LA Alumni Council, and celebrates students who demonstrate their Eagle Pride at every opportunity and encourage others to join them.
This year’s inaugural recipients are seniors Kadence Rogers, Drew and EJ Hunt; Juniors Trey Tibbits and Julia Deitrick; Sophomores Katelyn Prior and Oliver Jonason; and Freshmen Olive Pine and Alex Xie. They were chosen for fostering spirit and pride through their own kindness, enthusiasm, and deep commitment to school tradition.
Page, whose career has spanned over 40 years at Lincoln Academy, is infamous among students for his probing historical LA trivia and his enthusiastic school spirit. Mr. Page is known around the community for his LA-themed black Jeep which can often be found parked at LA events. Page’s Jeep was the inspiration for the Page Pride trophy. Junior recipient Trey Tibbits described the trophy as “a stunning recreation of an object that means so much to this school.”
Mr. Page said that the first group to earn this award “embody what it means to be an outstanding LA student.” Page believes that school spirit is an integral part of the LA experience. Page, often called “Mr. LA,” highlights that “LA spirit has been flowing through these halls for over 220 years, which makes it a super special place. He hopes that the award will “continue to promote love for LA in the future.”
Donovan York spearheaded the team in charge of creating the award. York, alongside a small group of alumni have been working with members of the LA staff to develop a series of tributes to Page and his legacy. York highlighted the importance of the Page Pride Award, saying it “was one of the first ideas the committee prioritized as a way to recognize Phil, as well as students who demonstrate school spirit, not out of obligation, but out of true appreciation for their community at Lincoln Academy.”
Heather Dippolito, Lincoln Academy’s Director of Community Engagement and Development describes the first group of recipients as “the ones you can always find lifting up their classmates and modeling what it means to be a member of the LA community… These students embody the spirit of LA and emulate the qualities of Mr. Page’s leadership.”
“I’m honored to have received this award,” said Tibbetts. “I’m sure it will be a highly sought after trophy at Lincoln Academy in the future. It meant a lot to receive it this year, especially in front of Mr. Page.”
As a person more interested in giving rather than receiving recognition, Page said being honored like this is “something I am not used to… it’s incredibly humbling.”
According to York, the award not only honors the legacy of Phil Page but also “sets a powerful precedent for recognizing everyday leaders whose pride and positivity shape the heart of the Lincoln Academy experience.”
