Celebrating Excellence in All Its Forms: ISKL Honors the Class of 2026 at the Senior Awards Ceremony

On May 29, Grade 12 students from The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) gathered in the Robert B. Gaw Theatre for the Senior Awards Ceremony, a celebration honoring the Class of 2026 and their achievements across academics, athletics, the arts, leadership, and service.

As an inclusive and dynamic community, ISKL recognizes that excellence takes many forms. Reflecting the school's values-based approach to education, the ceremony celebrated not only achievement, but also the qualities that contribute to personal growth and a thriving community, including initiative, effort, persistence, service, and kindness.

Addressing the graduating class, High School Principal Jeff Farrington emphasized that ISKL is "a development center, not a place for ranking or comparing students against each other." He noted that while the Senior Awards Ceremony is one way the school recognizes student accomplishments, students are celebrated throughout the year in many different settings, from performances and community engagement to athletic competitions and academic pursuits.

"At ISKL, we value students who strive for excellence in all areas, and we are proud to offer you the breadth of opportunities to discover your passions and stretch your potential," he shared. "Recognition for initiative, effort, persistence, service, and kindness is not about exclusivity, it's about inclusivity, about ensuring that what we choose to celebrate aligns with the values that guide our school community."

The Senior Awards shine a light on the many ways students contribute to the life of ISKL. From academic and athletic accomplishments to service, leadership, and meaningful involvement across the community, the awards recognize students who have made a lasting impact during their time at the school.

Congratulations to all recipients. We celebrate their achievements and wish them all the best as they embark on their next adventures.

Valedictorian

About the Award

The Valedictorian is the graduating student with the highest cumulative grade point average from Grades 11-12.

Award Criteria

• A student must have attended ISKL for all four semesters prior to graduation.    
• A student’s grade point average is computed at the end of these 4 semesters and includes all courses.
• Students must have at least 5 classes each semester contributing to the GPA.

Athlete of The Year Scott Smith ‘76 Award

This award is presented to the outstanding female and male athlete of the year. The award is named after Scott Smith, an outstanding student-athlete who was killed in an automobile accident in 1980. The Scott Smith award is decided based on the following criteria: 50% Athletic Ability, 30% Leadership, 20% Sportsmanship.  The Scott Smith Awards are selected by the coaches.

Award Criteria

• Participation in at least two varsity sports as well as receiving at least two of any of the following awards:
  • IASAS or ISKL record (for swimming and track and field only)
  • IASAS gold, silver, or bronze team medal
  • Any IASAS individual medal (for cross-country, swimming, and track and field only)
  • IASAS all-tournament selection
  • ISKL award (Coaches, MIP, MVP)
  • ISKL captain

Troy Marschang ‘07 Award

About the Award

The Troy Marschang Award is presented to the senior who participated in the most IASAS events during the course of their ISKL high school career.  It is dedicated to the remembrance of Troy Marschang, a 2007 graduate, who participated in a total of 17 IASAS tournaments/conventions from 2004-2007.

PTA Visual & Performing Arts Award

About the Award

A Grade 11 or 12 student who demonstrates outstanding creative performance and superior ability in the arts will be the recipient. The recipient is someone who is extremely active and passionate in more than one artistic discipline and is a standout for their entire High School time at ISKL.

Hee Won Bahk ’94 Award For International Understanding

About the Award

Hee Won Bahk, class of 1994, was killed in the Highland Tower tragedy in December 1993. At the time of her death, Hee Won was the student body secretary, a member of numerous organizations (Model United Nations, Forensics, National Honors Society), and was highly respected by her peers and faculty alike. Although the past recipients of the award have been Seniors, the Hee Won Bahk Award is not restricted to a particular grade level.

Award Criteria

• The nominee is a good representative of their own country, with a positive attitude toward the life and culture of others.
• The nominee is able to converse in at least two languages.
• The nominee is a contributing force in the life of the school, with the ability to bring different people together into a sense of community, thus furthering the cause of international understanding.

Robert B. Gaw Award

About the Award

The Robert B. Gaw Citizenship Award is intended for students who demonstrate exemplary citizenship and is given to one student at each grade level. The award, presented by the PTA in recognition of their commitment to community building, is named in honor of Robert B. Gaw, who served as Headmaster at ISKL from 1970-1978.

Award Criteria

• The nominee exemplifies the international aspect of the school. They interact in a positive way with and show an appreciation for nationalities other than their own.
• The nominee demonstrates courtesy to teachers, staff, and fellow students and shows respect for the rights of others.
• The nominee demonstrates a positive attitude and willingness to support in-classroom and extracurricular projects and activities.
• The nominee is gracious in dealing with success as well as disappointment.

Principal’s Award

About the Award

This award is given at the discretion of the principal on behalf of the High School faculty in recognition of an outstanding graduating senior.

Award Criteria

The recipient must:

• Embody the spirit of The International School of Kuala Lumpur community.
• Be a consistent and outstanding contributor and performer within the academic and co-curricular program of the school.
• Be widely respected by peers and faculty.
• Demonstrate respect for ISKL's international character and diversity.

John G. Hadwen Award Outstanding Senior 

About the Award

This award is named in honor of Mr. Hadwen who was the Canadian High Commissioner to Malaysia from 1967- 1972. The award is presented to the most outstanding graduating senior, the student who has made the most positive and dynamic overall impact on the ISKL community.

Outstanding contributions can be demonstrated by the recipient in the fields of service, scholarship, sportsmanship and character. The award winner must have spent at least the complete senior year at ISKL.

Award Criteria

• Scholarship: At least a 6 GPA average in senior year.
• Leadership: Class or school officer, club or committee chairman, team captain.
• Character: Willingness to accept responsibility, initiative, mature judgment, able to carry a project to completion, willing to take risks and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
• Sportsmanship: A competitive spirit in athletics, drama, music, and/or forensics combined with a sense of fair play.

ISKL Lifer Recognition

The lifer recognition is presented to students who have attended ISKL for all 12 years of their Elementary, Middle, and High School education. This degree of longevity is unusual in an international school so the ISKL Lifer Recognition celebrates this unique relationship between the student, the family, and ISKL. This is in appreciation of their long term contribution to our school community. 

ISKL Class of 2026 Departmental Awards

Looking Ahead

The Senior Awards Ceremony is more than a celebration of the past. It is a launching point for what lies ahead. As the Class of 2026 prepares to step into universities and communities around the world, they carry with them the values, skills, and experiences shaped by their time at ISKL.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026. Your journeys have already made an impact, and we look forward to seeing what you do next.

Interested in learning more about ISKL? Discover how ISKL nurtures student growth through academics, arts, service, and global citizenship. Learn more about High School at ISKL.