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Andrew Tokarski ’20 Chosen as Aurelian Speaker

todayMay 7, 2020

Background

Andrew Tokarski ’20 has been selected by the Class of 2020 as its Aurelian Speaker. The honor is given to a student of “sterling character, high scholarship, and forceful leadership” whom Lawrentians hold in “the highest regard.” Tokarski will address his classmates, virtually, on May 29.

“When I found out that I was the Aurelian Speaker, I thought of my classmates and the people who have made Lawrenceville feel like a home to me over the past four years. I then tried to think of the last time the Class of 2020 came together and I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. There are so many people who I wish I could see again, just to tell them how much I appreciate all the good times we’ve shared,” Tokarski said. “None of us could have known what was going to happen this spring, but I’m certain that we’ll find a way to make the best of our situation. We always do. I’m proud to be named the Aurelian Speaker for this year but even more so to be a part of the Class of 2020.”

Tokarski, a high honors student, has held a number of leadership positions during his Lawrenceville tenure, including Student Council Vice President of Academics, a Kennedy House Prefect, and Co-Captain of the boys’ varsity crew and squash teams. He is a member of the School Honor Council and was elected the Kennedy House Community Service Representative (2018-19) and Boy’s Lower House Sustainability Representative in 2016-17.

The Fifth Former was selected as a Hutchins Scholar, conducting research at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Scotland) and in the Lawrenceville Fruit Fly Genetics Lab (partnered with the Seung Kim Laboratory at Stanford). He won the 2019 Harvard Club of Boston Book Prize, awarded to an outstanding member of the Fourth Form who combines excellence in scholarship with achievement in other fields and best exemplifies the traditional ideal of American citizenship.

For his unwavering commitment to community service, Tokarski was inducted into the School’s Eglin Society and McClellan Societies. His service commitments have ranged from the Lawrenceville School Camp to WomanSpace and from the Lawrence Flames to HomeFront. Over the past two years, he also raised nearly $1,500 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Tokarski has been an important part of the Big Red crew and squash programs. Athletic career highlights include:

Crew

  • 2017: Mercer Lake Sprints: and ISA Championship: Novice 8+, 2nd place
  • 2017: Mid-Atlantic Youth Championship: Novice 8+, 2nd place
  • 2018: Lawrenceville Effort Award
  • 2018: Mercer Lake Sprints and ISA Championship: 3rd Varsity 8+, 2nd place
  • 2018: Mid-Atlantic Youth Championship: 2nd Varsity 8+, 2nd place
  • 2018: Stotesbury Cup Regatta: 2nd Varsity 8+, 3rd place
  • 2019: Mercer Lake Sprints and ISA Championship: 1st Varsity 8+, 2nd place

Squash

  • 2018: HEAD U.S. High School Team Squash Championships Boys’ II: 7th place
  • 2019: Head U.S. High School Team Squash Championships Boys’ II: 6th place
  • 2019: James O’Hara Smith Squash Award

Tokarski has contributed to L10 News, most recently as Associate Editor. He has also performed in the School’s annual Spring Dance Concert and has been a member of Nachale, Lawrenceville’s Bollywood dance team.

For additional information, please contact Lisa M. Gillard Hanson, Director of Public Relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.

THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL