Current Senior, Joshua Wang, was awarded the Peter A. Zimmerman M.D., J.D., Award for Academic and Intellectual Excellence following his senior speech this morning, where he gave a touching, funny, and well-thought-out presentation about being a Waldorf lifer who has never owned a cell phone.

Joshua, an all-round high achieving student, came to The Waldorf School of Garden City in 2007 when he was in the Nursery.  Waldorf is his second home, and he is known around the School to have a calm and relaxed presence as he quietly generates ideas that always add positively to class debates and discussions.

Over the course of his high school years, Joshua has participated on the soccer, basketball, baseball, and cross-country teams, and was named co-captain of the varsity soccer team this fall.  An accomplished musician, composer, and music producer, Joshua plays violin, viola, mandolin, and guitar. Last June, at the High School Commencement, he played his original composition for mandolin entitled, Reel in D Major.  He is also a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and has participated in the high school musicals. Outside of school, Joshua is a member of the New York Youth Symphony in Manhattan and the Children’s Orchestra Society in Syosset.

An alumnus of the Waldorf School and member of the class of 1978, Peter A. Zimmerman exhibited a breadth and depth of intellectualism as compelling as it was unique. His academic achievements continued as an undergraduate at Dartmouth College. Peter went on to earn a medical degree from Northwestern University and a law degree from Fordham University School of Law. According to his sister, Peter’s Waldorf core remained an integral part of his being throughout his entire life.

According to his sister Andrea, Peter, a Waldorf lifer as well, was a “precocious 4-year-old” who made a comical first impression on his first day of kindergarten. Peter loved The Waldorf School of Garden City and lived his life by his Waldorf values. Peter practiced medicine in Louisiana and brought quality medical care to underserved communities. Each year since Peter’s passing in 2017, the Zimmerman family presents this award to one senior who exhibits academic and intellectual excellence in keeping with the highest educational standards of The Waldorf School of Garden City and who embodies the spirit of their brother.

Thank you to the entire Zimmerman family for their generous support of The Waldorf School of Garden City, and congratulations to Joshua Wang for being honored with such a meaningful award.

If you would like to contribute to the Peter A. Zimmerman, M.D., J.D. Award Fund, click here.