Ian Smith accepted his second runner-up award and the accompanying $2,000 scholarship check with humility at the 46th Annual Triangle Club of Montgomery County Awards Banquet on May 14.
“I was honored just to be invited,” the Wissahickon senior said of a night that honored the brightest and best seniors. “It’s nice to be acknowledged.”
The William F. Dannehower Award is present to scholar-athletes emulating the qualities of the late President-Judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas – sports, scholarship and service.
Smith fits the bill on all three counts. “Sports is like a gateway to community service because I tutor people there and offer to help,” he said. “In a way, sports is almost like community service because you have to be a leader. It’s showing people how to perform, how to practice, what dedication is.
“It’s really just another venue for service.”
Academically, Smith is ranked third in a class of 379 students. He has received numerous awards and was on the honor roll every marking period in ninth through 12th grades. He was inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society as a sophomore and the National Honor Society in 11th grade. As a senior, Smith was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction from the College Board and received the Baron Award. He also received the Renaissance Club Student of the Month Award in January and February. He is taking Advanced Placement courses in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus and American History, and he also participated in numerous honors and accelerated courses.
“I like the academic challenge,” Smith said. “One of the reasons I do tutoring is because I believe I should use my talents to help other people, and that’s a good way to share that.”
A member of the water polo and swimming teams, Smith has earned five varsity letters. As a sophomore, he was a district qualifier in the 200m individual medley, 500m freestyle and 400m freestyle relay. As a junior, he was captain of the team and a district qualifier in the 500m. He also was a member of the PIAA qualifying 200m relay team and the 200m medley relay team. He received the coach’s award. As a senior, he was once again the team captain and also received the coach’s award. He was a district qualifier in the 500m and 400m freestyle relay as well as a member of the PIAA state-qualifying 200m freestyle relay team and 200m medley team.
Smith’s service to school and community include being a member of Saint Anthony parish’s Spirit team, helping plan and run religious retreats for elementary school children. During the summers of eighth, ninth and 10th grades, he volunteered on a weekly basis at St. John’s Hospice, a homeless rehabilitation center and soup kitchen. He sat on the Rohm Haas Community Advisory Council as a senior representative for Wissahickon High School, and as a member of Student Council, he helped organize and run various school events.
His participation with the Wissahickon Community Aquatic Club earned him the 2009 Senior Scholarship for outstanding service. Smith also was a tutor and mentor to fellow students participating in various programs, one of which he personally developed in helping eighth graders prepare for high school science courses.
This fall, Smith will attend the University of Pittsburgh.
LaSalle High School’s Ryan Patrick was the first runner-up while Lower Merion’s Benjamin Furcht was the 2009 Dannehower Award winner.
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