Special Awards

The names of special award winners are listed at the bottom of this page.

Jefferies Award of Merit (JAM)
The board seeks to maintain the program’s original intent of recognizing outstanding students, independent of their parent’s financial resources. The Jefferies Award of Merit (JAM), similar to the National Honor Society, recognizes and rewards student excellence in and out of the classroom. The Jefferies Award of Merit is a prestigious award that winners are proud to list on their resumes and to display for years to come. Winners receive an engraved lead-crystal paperweight, as well as a $3,000 scholarship. 

Carl Hathaway Memorial Award (CHMA)
In memory of Chairman Emeritus Carl Hathaway, who served on the selection committee for 37 years, one applicant is selected to receive a larger scholarship of $15,000. This award is based on the applicant’s demonstration of the following characteristics which Carl recognized as key to individual success: overcoming adversity; showing perseverance, grit, and drive; or coping with overwhelming factors to succeed. Winners also receive an engraved lead-crystal paperweight.

Alan Herrick Memorial Award (AHMA)
The Alan Herrick Memorial Award was established in 1995 in memory of Alan Herrick, the son of former Jefferies & Company Director, Tracy G. Herrick. Alan was an outstanding student who was well rounded, spirited, and passionate in all his endeavors both in and out of the classroom. He was also a scholarship recipient during his work at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia and his graduate studies at the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California. This award is given each year to the applicant who best exhibits Alan’s qualities of helping others through being a team player and sportsmanship, as well as having an interests in the arts and especially cinematography, which was one of Alan’s passions in life. Winners also receive an engraved lead-crystal paperweight.

Application Incentive Award (AIA)
As an incentive to apply, a $3,000 award, which may be used for educational expenses such as tuition, books and fees, or computer equipment, is given away to a randomly-chosen applicant who is not selected for another award.

YearJefferies Award of Merit (JAM)Alan Herrick Memorial Award (AHMA)Carl Hathaway Memorial Award (CHMA)Application Incentive Award (AIA)
2024Jenelle Cocorpus
Lucy Li
Kanishk Neerumalla
Prosper PrawlJessica CaseyLila Naccari
2023Sanya Shah
Nicole Heber
Caterina O’KeefeKathy GuizarLila Naccari
2022Aishwarya RaoRida KhanJulia AlmodovarKathy Guizar
2021Isabella HoPriscilla TamAriana MarcialAva Smith
2020Aditya RaoJames LeeChristina FelicettiSriteja Sonikar
2019Vanessa ChewElizabeth KhovaykoRyan FerrulliNickolas Boroda
2018Calleigh SmithAlexandrea JacintoN/ABryan Eng
2017Aric ZhuangFernando RobayoN/AManriki Gagnon
2016Harsha Nandiwada
Stephanie Ren
Hilary ShaoN/ACole Nagahama
2015Jamie DiDomenicoNialani PringleN/AWilliam Kincanon
2014Regan KologyJoseph HackettN/AN/A
2013Michael TsoumpariotisPortia ChimbiraiN/ACorey Chonko
2012Utkarsh SaddiCassandra HackerN/APeter Economou
2011Thomas RokholtMatthew MulhollandN/AEmily McIntosh
2010Daniel LederAnissa CruzN/AJoseph Deuel
2009Khristian Bauer-RoweEmily FinnN/ADylan Rogers
2008Anne Gole
Vikram Rajan
Christopher CarecciaN/AGabriel Gomez
2007Rachel Fremont
Jonah Kaplan
Melissa GalvinN/AN/A
2006Paul Barndt
Daniel May
Victor Negron IIIN/AN/A
2005Cooper Dickinson
Melissa Landry
Matthew CunninghamN/ACailley Chakeen

Do not give up! Having the career of one’s dream compensates for the struggle and length of time it takes to get there.