Special Awards

Lizzie Koch was an exceptional member of the Horace Mann community. A leader, friend, student, mentor, and baker, she truly loved to know that she was making a difference in people's lives. Her hallmark smile and infectious laugh were testaments to her vibrant spirit and everlasting optimism. Lizzie could be relied upon to do any task, whether it was helping a friend, tutoring a student, mentoring future student leaders, touring families around Horace Mann, volunteering as an EMT, raising money to feed children in Haiti, raising people’s awareness about Crohn’s Disease, bringing her mom’s famous cookies for bake sales or just making someone smile. Most importantly, however, it was her loyalty to her friends and peers that characterized her as a truly caring and remarkable person. Her tremendous impact on the community is undisputable, as she embodies what Horace Mann students aspire to be.

The Lizzie Koch Heart and Hand Award has been established in Lizzie’s name to celebrate each year a senior who displays those same characteristics that distinguished Lizzie. It is created to recognize a student who shares Lizzie’s passion for bettering peoples’ lives in every way possible. Someone whose generosity and compassion have touched the lives of many different people in many different communities; someone who has given time, energy and spirit to others who need a little more of those in their lives. That was the essence of Lizzie. Lizzie took every opportunity to contribute to our community; her unassuming personality and generous actions touched us all, and the recipient of this award is faithful to Lizzie’s memory and legacy.