The awards recognize extraordinary commitment and service within the Sidwell Friends Community.

Imagine all the volunteers who—daily, weekly, yearly—help make Sidwell Friends the unique and incomparable community that it is. Then think about 50 years’ worth of those volunteers lovingly and creatively giving their time and energy to contribute to the fabric of the School. 

Each year, the School celebrates Sidwell Friends community members with the Newmyer Awards. Recipients of these meaningful awards are parents and alumni who “have made the greatest contribution over a sustained period of time to the values of Sidwell Friends and the life of the School community.” The Newmyer Young Alumni Service Award recognizes a young alumni’s sustained commitment to volunteer service, and a contribution is made to a nonprofit organization of the recipient’s choice.

“I think Mom and Dad felt like they were grateful and happy to be the beacons and also rather humble about that because they knew that so many others also did such extraordinary work for the school,” says Lory Newmyer ’76 about her parents, Ginger and Jimmie Newmyer ’37, in whose name the program was established, and the School’s many volunteers past and present. To date, more than 250 volunteers have received the award and their ties to the School remain strong.

Her sister, Elsa Newmyer '72, P '06 '09, adds, “Every year, I am blown away by how many previous winners show up at the awards ceremony.”

2026 Newmyer Award Recipients

Gaielle Latortue P ’24, ’26

For nearly a decade, Gaielle Latortue has been a kind and essential volunteer in the Sidwell Friends community. From opening car doors in the Lower School carpool lane to serving as all-school vice clerk of the Parents Association, she has approached every task with a deep-seated belief that volunteering is more than just service—it is a way to nourish the environment that raises our children.

Janie Song P ’21, ’24, ’26

Motivated by wanting to ensure that all newcomers feel as embraced as she did, Janie Song has—for the nearly nine years since her family first joined the Sidwell Friends community—dedicated herself to ensuring every parent, teacher, and student feels seen, welcomed, and supported. Whether as part of leadership within the Parents Association or as a member of Parents of Asian Students, she believes the heart of service lies in “small, consistent acts.” 

Nina Santiago ʼ98, P ’36

Nina Santiago’s journey as a Sidwell Friends volunteer began simply—she raised her hand to help organize her 15th Reunion, believing it would be a straightforward task. That single act of service blossomed into more than a decade of dedicated service in a variety of roles, most recently, as clerk of the Friends Alumni Network Advisory Board. Known for her “thoughtful lens,” Santiago doesn’t just fill roles; she ensures that every initiative is viewed through the prism of equity, justice, and belonging.  

Betsy Zeidman ’76, P ’20

Betsy Zeidman, a dedicated alumna and parent of alumni whose service to Sidwell Friends spans decades, coasts, and disciplines, has served as a formidable volunteer—from organizing local gatherings in Los Angeles to her deep involvement on campus since returning to DC. Through her unique ability to foster connection across generations, she has been a tireless ambassador for the School’s mission and is driven by her inherent belief in the power of a Quaker education. 

Newmyer Young Alumni Service Award 

Jendaiya Hill ’18

As a community organizer, environmental justice advocate, and “apprentice to the earth,” Jendaiya Hill’s life and work represent a beautiful commitment to the Quaker values instilled during her time at Sidwell Friends. In addition to her work in various organizations focused on environmental, racial, and economic justice, Hill spent two-and-a-half-years living nomadically in the American wilderness, witnessing the real-time impacts of climate change—from wildfire smoke to historic floods. In her work, she continues to choose collective well-being over personal profit. 

The Newmyer Awards were established in 1975 as a tribute to the years of remarkable volunteerism of Ginger and Jimmie Newmyer ’37. Click here to view photos from the 2026 Newmyer Awards Celebration. 

Heartfelt congratulations to the 2026 award winners.