Dual Awards Given at the Annual Stifel Awards Ceremony
April 21, 2004

This year’s Stifel Award ceremony contained many surprises, especially for the guest of honor, Henry G. Stifel III ’83, who not only presented the Stifel Award for the eighteenth year, but also received an award of gratitude from Assistant Headmaster and Middle School Director Dr. Robert Macrae ’82. The Stifel Award is given to a student who shows courage, optimism, compassion, and spirit in the face of great personal difficulty. This year’s recipient of the Stifel Award is John “Jack” Zoephel Jr. who follows his sister Jennifer, last year’s award winner. As a young child, Jack developed Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a condition that reduces the blood flow to the head of the femur weakening the hip joint and causing a great deal of pain. Jack has endured several years of living in a hip brace and numerous surgeries, taking it all in stride as he dove into athletics in any way he could. Jack’s attitude, spirit, and desire to succeed at whatever he did serves as an inspiration to his team and classmates. To date, Jack is a two-sport varsity captain, holds three school varsity records, has been on several all-area teams, and plays a mean trumpet. He became the kid to beat in swimming, raising the bar for his competitors many times over. His team spirit was such that he waited for the swim season to end before scheduling his next round of surgeries. Jack is an extraordinary young man who comes from a courageous and spirited family. The surprise for the morning was Dr. Macrae’s heartfelt tribute to Henry Stifel III ‘83, former classmate and longtime friend. Dr. Macrae noted in his speech that Henry is “one of those people that so impresses you that you wanted that person to meet everyone.” He continued to say that Henry spends time with the Macrae family, enjoying recreational activities and time with the Macrae children. Dr. Macrae called Henry an inspiration and an outstanding Pingry alumnus who has given back to the school many times over. He presented Henry with a custom-made lamp with both the Hillside and Martinsville campuses painted on the sides. Henry was then given a long, standing ovation. Henry responded to the accolades with gratitude. He noted that he will miss Dr. Macrae when he returns for next year’s award, as they have been friends for quite some time. He is grateful to the Pingry community that continues to rally behind those students who need encouragement and support in the face of difficulty, and he praised Jack for his self-confidence in facing these challenges. Henry summarized a story from New Mobility magazine titled “My Only Hero.” The author noted the courage of his mother to face his and his sister’s disability. Henry likened that story to the Zoephel family and the Pingry community, calling them all heroes. In a note for the whole audience, Henry said, “Embrace life; don’t let challenges stand in the way of your dreams.” © 2004 The Pingry School