Two Wakefield School students were recently recognized for superb academic performances.

Evy Edens, a Wakefield School junior, has been honored with acceptance to the prestigious National Gallery of Art High School Seminar, an intense ten-week program that introduces upper-level high school students to the skills necessary to study art history and art-making techniques. Edens, the daughter of Ed and Natalie Edens of Middleburg, is Wakefield's sixth student accepted into this program.

James Wroe, a Wakefield School senior and son of Gerard and Sandra Wroe of Ashburn, turned in a stellar performance on his 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test and, based on those results, has been named a semifinalist in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program.

As a semifinalist, Wroe has the opportunity to advance to Finalist standing in the competition by providing a detailed scholarship application that shows an excellent academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and honors and awards received. About 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth around $33 million will be awarded in the spring.

Anti-bullying advocate Jim Mayer, known for decades as the famous bass player for Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, visited Wakefield School to speak to the entire Middle School.

Uncle Jim, as he calls himself, is also an award winning children's musician and performer who is leading the movement to change the impact of child bullying through his "IM4U" Campaign.

"This movement exists to support teachers, parents, and the kids they love and teach, as they bring joy to our children and end our society's bullying epidemic," according to Mayer's website.

He sang several songs to the Middle Schoolers, including IM4U, I'm So Happy, and Zip My Lip.

Middle School students are working on projects about anti-bullying in each of their grade's innovation periods this trimester. Groups from each grade are producing anti-bullying public service announcements.