Horizons Fall 2016

48 NSU HORIZONS When Sophie Septoff received the Silver Knight Award in the cate- gory of music and dance, she vowed to work harder to ensure other children won’t endure what she did growing up with a disability and a desire to dance. A graduate of NSU University School, Septoff was one of 30 outstanding high-school seniors awarded the 2016 prize by the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald . “From my experiences growing up with a ‘hidden’ dis- ability, I see a lot of things that a lot of people don’t see, ironically,” said Septoff, a dancer/choreographer who is legally blind and who designed a program for visually impaired students who want to learn the art of dance. “Just having this recognition made me feel more of a responsibility to help others.” Septoff started Dance in the Light at the Lighthouse of Broward, a resource for the visually impaired community. She also taught the program at a summer camp in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where she was attending a theater program at Brown University. “It’s my firm belief that physical activity and creative outlets are imperative in the development of a visually impaired student. Dance was always my outlet,” said Septoff. At NSU University School, Septoff was a founding member and president of Innovations Dance Theatre. She choreo- graphed productions of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Spamalot , and she received a South Florida Cappie Award. She also was an AP Scholar with Distinction, a National Merit Commended Scholar, and vice president of the French National Honor Society. “Sophie was very involved in school life and participated in all of our dramatic and musical presentations. She is a real leader, both in and out of the classroom,” said Karen Martin, M.S.T., associate director of student services for NSU Uni- versity School. Septoff now attends Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., majoring in justice and peace studies, with a minor in performing arts. She plans to continue to work with people with disabilities. NSU University School students Michelle Langone and Rachel Bomser each received an honorable mention at the Silver Knight Awards ceremony. Langone was recognized in the drama category and Bomser was cited in the category of world languages. Students are nominated by their schools for the 58-year- old Silver Knight Award, and winners are selected by a panel of judges. Winners take home $2,000, a medallion, and a Silver Knight statue. Runners-up receive $500 and an engraved plaque. n BY KATHLEEN KERNICKY NSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT 2016 SILVER KNIGHT AWARDS NSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL