The Archwood Scholarship

Lauren Dietrich, recipient of the 2023-2024 Archwood Scholarship, resides in
Gainesville, VA; she attended schools in Haymarket and Warrenton, VA. She very
much enjoys school, learning, making friends, and has put effort into her academics and
sports endeavors.
She learns things that are new in what she achieves; she looks forward to learning and
excelling in an educational journey by attending Wakefield School, while receiving a
classical education. She excelled at her previous schools academically and in sports,
and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.
Lauren manages her studies and sports proficiently, balancing these endeavors. At
Wakefield, she looks forward to excel in equestrian skills via Wakefield’s program at
Beverly Equestrian. She grew up around horses and other animals and has been riding
competitively for many years. She enjoys tending to the needs of the horses at the farm
she rides at.
When Lauren isn’t studying, riding, or engaged in other sports, she spends time
outdoors with family and friends. Always trying something new and adventurous in her
life.
Lauren is thrilled to attend Wakefield and thanks the school administrator’s for honoring
her with the Archwood Scholarship, upholding the values and ethics of Wakefield.

Daniel Kwon, of The Plains, Va is delighted and honored to be a recipient of the Archwood Scholarship. Daniel attended 8th grade at The Hill School, and attended Marshall Middle School, and Colman Elementary. He is very responsible and strongly motivated in his commitment to academic achievements and extracurricular activities.

He enjoys learning history, especially World War 1 & 2, politics, and math. 

Daniel believes strongly in giving back to his community with volunteering at his local church, helping elders, and helping out at summer camps with special needs children. 

Daniel is dedicated and passionate to playing golf at a competitive level and this sport has strengthened his character and helped him to grow mentally. 

He is very grateful to have this opportunity to be a part of the Wakefield family and is looking forward to becoming an active recipient of the Archwood Scholar by serving in activities in and out of school. He strives to bring respect to the academic establishment he attends and the community surrounding him. 

Keira Alcina Smith, of Haymarket, VA, is honored to receive the Archwood Scholar Award for 2020-21. She is motivated by this responsibility to uphold the standards and represent the beliefs of the Wakefield community on her path to virtue and wisdom before becoming a proud Wakefield School Graduate in 2024!  

Keira is a hard working student who is curious, enjoys learning, and has a hard time telling you what her favorite subject is because she gets excited about them all. Some of her favorite academic adventures were her science fair projects (some of which were influenced by bomb technicians!), participating in math meets, writing short stories, and providing comedic relief in her school plays. Keira loves to read, write creative stories, and draw in her spare time.

While Keira enjoys learning, she also loves being an active contributor in her community through involvement in student government, acting as a counselor-in-training at summer camps, learning to save lives through junior lifeguard classes, and playing soccer. She is eager to explore the opportunities Wakefield offers to further develop her leadership skills through participating in various organizations, clubs and community service programs. Keira has been riding horses since she was 6 years old and is enthusiastic about allowing her sportsmanship and equestrian skills to represent Wakefield as a Fighting Owl on the Wakefield Equestrian Sports Program (WESP) Varsity Team.

Keira previously attended Green Hedges School in Vienna, VA.   

Alejandro Ford is honored to receive the Archwood Scholar Award for 2019-20. He has dedicated and challenged himself to represent this prestigious selection by striving for maximum effort each year to become a proud Wakefield School Graduate in 2023!  

Alejandro enjoys problem solving in math and loves to read. He was excited to dive into his summer reading list prior to beginning his first day of high school as a Wakefield OWL. In addition to math and reading, Alejandro loves traveling and exploring. He has traveled to his Mother's home in Bogota, Colombia several times. As a travel soccer team member, Alejandro experienced meeting and playing against other talented and friendly soccer teams in Barcelona, Spain and Paris, France! Travel and AAU Basketball is another sport that has allowed Alejandro to continue his journey to create new experiences and meet new people throughout the USA. 

Alejandro is passionate about serving his community as a volunteer and exceeding his high academic goals; while representing his family, community, and Wakefield School. He plans to continue learning and growing as a Fighting Wakefield Owl in the classroom, on the soccer field, and on the basketball court.   

Alejandro previously attended MOTHER of GOD School in Gaithersburg, MD.

Carol Rector, of Gainesville, is honored to be the 2018-19 Archwood Scholar. Carol’s favorite subjects are English and Math and she enjoys playing on the Wakefield Tennis team.

Outside of school, Carol has pursued the art of ballet since she was very young. She has trained with The Washington Ballet and danced numerous solo roles on stage with Northern Virginia Ballet. Carol was chosen to represent an international pointe shoe company as a 2018 brand ambassador. She also enjoys volunteering at her church and in her community. She strives to uphold Wakefield’s values of leadership, scholarship, friendship and community service.

Carol previously attended Pennington Traditional School.

Cooper Graves, born and raised in Middleburg, has been awarded the 2017-18 Archwood Scholarship. Cooper's favorite subjects are English and history and he loves to read anything historical, both fiction and non-fiction. He enjoys tennis and has enjoyed playing on the Wakefield team. One of his favorite service activities was the work he did with Team Saturday, mentoring students from the community and helping develop imaginations kits to help improve the town of Middleburg.

Cooper is honored to be the 2017-18 recipient of the Archwood Scholarship and will continue to strive to uphold the values of interests in and commitment to engagement inside and outside of the classroom.

Cooper previously attended Hill School.

Chelsea Mulkerin, of Gainesville, is the 2016-17 Archwood Scholar. Chelsea has a passion for math and for a variety of sports. She is on travel basketball, volleyball and soccer teams; she has lead her travel soccer team as captain for the past three years. In 6th grade, she was awarded "Most well-rounded student" honor for her accomplishments both as a student, athlete, violinist, and as a volunteer to her community.

Chelsea previously attended Ronald Reagan Middle School.

Sofia Olmstead, of Nokesville, was awarded the first Wakefield School Archwood Scholarship in 2014. Sofia is an avid reader (especially nonfiction) and her favorite subject in school is history. One of her favorite activities outside of school is photography.

Wakefield gives Sofia an opportunity to try new classes and activities and to continue playing sports. Soccer is her favorite - she played midfield for her middle school team and also plays on a travel team. "I am really looking forward to coming to Wakefield and meeting a lot of new kids," she said.

Sofia previously attended Linton Hall School.