School News
![Bill Cook Award Presented to Mr. Morgan]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1694618823/potomac/hvv5mpv5u2wvzr8irvp0/CortMorgan_feature.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1694618823/potomac/hvv5mpv5u2wvzr8irvp0/CortMorgan_feature.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1694618823/potomac/hvv5mpv5u2wvzr8irvp0/CortMorgan_feature.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1694618823/potomac/hvv5mpv5u2wvzr8irvp0/CortMorgan_feature.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1694618823/potomac/hvv5mpv5u2wvzr8irvp0/CortMorgan_feature.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1694618823/potomac/hvv5mpv5u2wvzr8irvp0/CortMorgan_feature.jpg","width":2200}])
Bill Cook Award Presented to Mr. Morgan
Named in honor of beloved teacher and assistant head of school Bill Cook, who passed away in 2016, the Bill Cook Excellent Teaching Award is presented annually to a teacher who exemplifies the commitment to excellence and love of learning that defines a Potomac education. This year’s honoree is Cort Morgan, art department chair, who is also celebrating his 40th year at Potomac. This award holds particular significance because Mr. Morgan and Mr. Cook were close friends.
Mr. Morgan has taught in the Intermediate and Upper Schools and served as an outdoor education instructor, tech director, advisor, and coach. He translates his love of the arts to his students through teaching drawing, painting, sculpture, woodworking, architecture, art history, and more. His stewardship of Potomac’s outdoor spaces is unparalleled. Using wood harvested from the campus, he has skillfully built conference and coffee tables, benches, podiums, and more. And most importantly, while he teaches, his students also learn the responsibility they have as stewards of our campus and nature.
We thank him for his many contributions to Potomac and congratulate him on receiving this well-deserved honor.
EXPLORE MORE
Search Stories
Recent news
![Seven National Merit Semifinalists from Potomac Named]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695235079/potomac/i83rbvlp8yutacudltsh/NationalMeritSF2023.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695235079/potomac/i83rbvlp8yutacudltsh/NationalMeritSF2023.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1695235079/potomac/i83rbvlp8yutacudltsh/NationalMeritSF2023.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1695235079/potomac/i83rbvlp8yutacudltsh/NationalMeritSF2023.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1695235079/potomac/i83rbvlp8yutacudltsh/NationalMeritSF2023.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1695235079/potomac/i83rbvlp8yutacudltsh/NationalMeritSF2023.jpg","width":2200}])
Seven Upper School seniors from The Potomac School have been selected as semifinalists for 2023 National Merit Scholarships.
This year’s honoree is Cort Morgan, art department chair, who is also celebrating his 40th year at Potomac. This award holds particular significance because Mr. Morgan and Mr. Cook were close friends.
![Closing Assembly]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1686242468/potomac/icfgogcplynqfgjnto6c/closingassembly.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1686242468/potomac/icfgogcplynqfgjnto6c/closingassembly.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1686242468/potomac/icfgogcplynqfgjnto6c/closingassembly.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1686242468/potomac/icfgogcplynqfgjnto6c/closingassembly.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1686242468/potomac/icfgogcplynqfgjnto6c/closingassembly.png","width":1500}])
The Potomac community officially ended the 2022-23 school year today during a K-12 Closing Assembly rich with joy, tradition, reflection, and heartfelt emotion. The program began with the ceremonial procession of seniors and kindergartners, with our youngest students presenting a flower to each senior lifer.
Mr. Kowalik spoke about how generosity of spirit defines our school and has the power to make the world a better place. SGA President Yabby Maelaf ’23 and President-elect Kasim Khapra ’25 also gave inspiring remarks, and musical selections were shared by the IS Handbell Ensemble, IS/US Orchestra, IS Chorus, Third Grade Chorus, and IS/US Band.
The assembly concluded with the presentation of awards to three members of the senior class: Peyton Zarate received the Edith Blair Award, Yabby Maelaf received the Seth-Smith Award, and Ali O'Brien received the Head of School Award.
The assembly was a wonderful way to bid farewell to the school year and look ahead to the adventures of summer and our community’s return to Potomac in the fall. Watch the recording of the event and check out the photos.
If you would like to experience Potomac’s Commencement tomorrow, June 9, at 10:00 am but are unable to attend in person, please enjoy the livestream viewing option.
![College Signing Day]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1684965103/potomac/ezbyxy6bjxa4xlotlaoz/CollegeSigningDay.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1684965103/potomac/ezbyxy6bjxa4xlotlaoz/CollegeSigningDay.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1684965103/potomac/ezbyxy6bjxa4xlotlaoz/CollegeSigningDay.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1684965103/potomac/ezbyxy6bjxa4xlotlaoz/CollegeSigningDay.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1684965103/potomac/ezbyxy6bjxa4xlotlaoz/CollegeSigningDay.jpg","width":1500}])
At a ceremony yesterday, May 24, 21 scholar-athletes from the Class of 2023 announced their plans to play sports at the college level. Students, their families, coaches, and faculty gathered in the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community to celebrate their accomplishments.
![Robotics Stuns at Worlds Taking Second]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1683140295/potomac/m4nyk3tnttax1ywiwq8s/RoboticsTakes2ndatWorlds.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1683140295/potomac/m4nyk3tnttax1ywiwq8s/RoboticsTakes2ndatWorlds.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1683140295/potomac/m4nyk3tnttax1ywiwq8s/RoboticsTakes2ndatWorlds.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1683140295/potomac/m4nyk3tnttax1ywiwq8s/RoboticsTakes2ndatWorlds.jpg","width":961}])
The Upper School Robotics team 12H finished as division champions and advanced to the finals at the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas – the largest robotics competition in the world. They finished second in the world – a school and Virginia State record. Seniors Ben Bartlett, Claire Coker, Rohan Iyer, and sophomore Elaina Song competed hard. Upon their return to school, the team was greeted by US Head Doug McLane, parents, and students with a surprise party! The IS Robotics teams gleefully welcomed them as well. The event was presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and the REC Foundation, and some sponsors include NASA and Google. Congrats to our robotics program!
![Steve Goldberg Shares Story of "My Friend Abe"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1674663346/potomac/fiebxmfby7zf7ikcg5sy/GoldbergandAbe.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1674663346/potomac/fiebxmfby7zf7ikcg5sy/GoldbergandAbe.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1674663346/potomac/fiebxmfby7zf7ikcg5sy/GoldbergandAbe.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1674663346/potomac/fiebxmfby7zf7ikcg5sy/GoldbergandAbe.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1674663346/potomac/fiebxmfby7zf7ikcg5sy/GoldbergandAbe.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1674663346/potomac/fiebxmfby7zf7ikcg5sy/GoldbergandAbe.jpg","width":2200}])
The Upper School was privileged to welcome former Potomac history teacher Steve Goldberg back to campus to share the story of his friend, and now-deceased Holocaust survivor, Abe Piasek. Splicing together photographs, historical context, and clips of Abe speaking and being interviewed, Mr. Goldberg shared a captivating tale of resilience amid devastating inhumanity. He followed up his assembly presentation with a lunchtime conversation where a smaller group of students and teachers were able to ask questions about Abe's life and the work Mr. Goldberg is doing to continue telling his story.