(Credit: Upper Dublin Education Foundation / Facebook)
Award winners in the 40th annual Upper Dublin Medals Program have been selected. The 2024 recipients are: Dr. Art Levinowitz, citizen; Ambler Flower Shop, business; Dr. Dan Ortiz, educator; and Julia Axler and Gus Platt, student leadership.
Student semi-finalists are Talia Hoffner, Christopher Kohlbrenner, Noah Morginstin and Amy Ngo. Six senior students are nominated by the high school faculty. Medal recipients in all categories are chosen by a nine-member selection committee comprised of a cross-section of community members.
Business winner
The Ambler Flower Shop, under the leadership of owner, Gene McGonagle, has for many years been a strong supporter of the Upper Dublin community. As a local business owner, McGonagle embraces the vitality in giving back to the area.
In 2021, acting as a member of the Ambler Kiwanis Club, McGonagle was instrumental in establishing the fall Kiwanis Carnival, held less than two months after Hurricane Ida ripped through Upper Dublin and Ambler. The event, held outside the township building, raised funds for hurricane victims through Upper Dublin Township’s Citizen Emergency Fund. A a check was presented to that fund shortly after the event. The 2022 carnival proceeds were split among several local groups; in 2023, youth programs benefiting Upper Dublin children was added.
The Ambler Flower Shop has been a sponsor of Upper Dublin Township’s Park and Recreation Department’s Fire and Ice Event since its inception three years ago. For years, the Upper Dublin Education Foundation Monte Carlo Night has been given floral arrangements for 20 high-top tables to add colorful décor for the occasion.
Many senior students have experienced a three-week internship at the shop as part of Upper Dublin High School’s Community Study program. Dating back more years than able to be counted, the Ambler Flower Shop graciously donated the boutonnieres for all honorees at the Upper Dublin Medals Program, some of which are assembled by high school students.
Citizen
Dr. Art Levinowitz served 24 years on the Upper Dublin Board of School Directors, as board president for five years. He chose to not run in 2023 to spend time with his family.
As part of his board experience, he served on the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Joint Operating Committee beginning in 2003, with 15 years as president.
Moving to Upper Dublin in 1988 with his wife and infant son, Levinowitz brought with him his experience in education as a teacher and administrator.
Volunteer service began in 1992 with Upper Dublin Community Day. In the early 1990s he became part of the district’s Educational Advisory Committee and also the Strategic Planning Process.
He was elected to the Upper Dublin Education Foundation in 2021 and served as president for more than 10 years. Levinowitz is recognized for his efforts in a long list of innovative programs.
His more than 30 years of volunteer service also includes his multi-year roles with Music in Our Schools, Spectacle in Sound competition and connection with local business groups.
He has a strong passion for playing the saxophone and has performed at many events with middle and high school jazz bands, Foundation Day and the Upper Dublin Medals ceremony.
His more than 30 years of volunteer service to Upper Dublin also includes his multi-year roles with Music in Our Schools, the Spectacle in Sound competition, connection with local business groups, and on the Upper Dublin Medals Planning Committee.
Educator
Dr. Dan Ortiz is a proud Upper Dublin High School graduate and is described as a “lifelong Cardinal.” He began his professional career at UDHS teaching social studies for nearly 10 years before entering into school leadership. As a supervisor, he co-created the STRIVE program, which aims to support students, especially first-generation college attendees, with transferable skills that open up opportunities both academically and socially, Ortiz sponsored the Black Student Union.
He was also a baseball, basketball and football coach. Ortiz later spent a few years as an administrator in neighboring school districts, but returned in 2018 to where his heart lies and became Upper Dublin High School Assistant Principal.
In July 2020, he accepted the position as Sandy Run Middle School Principal. The leadership role at Sandy Run began during the global pandemic. Added to that, and almost simultaneously, he needed to begin overseeing the transition of students, staff, furnishings and classroom aids from temporary classrooms into the brand-new middle school facility, which opened in 2022.
Colleagues state that Ortiz managed both of these situations with his “characteristic grace” that transcends the school district, reaching into the very core of the community.
Ortiz graduated Cum Laude from Ursinus College with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in education. At Ursinus, he completed a summer research fellowship that explored minority students in primarily white schools and the impact on education and identity development.
Ortiz went on to earn his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Wilkes University before earning his principal’s certificate from Delaware Valley University. He completed his doctoral degree in educational leadership at Gwynedd Mercy University; his dissertation focused on secondary principals’ practices as advocates for students with special needs.
Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wife, also an Upper Dublin graduate, and their three sons, who attend Upper Dublin schools.
Outstanding Students
Upper Dublin High School seniors Julia Axler and Gus Platt have been selected to receive the Outstanding Student awards. Students are chosen for leadership qualities in the classroom and their involvement in school and community activities.
Axler is a National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction and the National Honor SocietyTreasurer. She plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall majoring in classics and political science. As a research assistant in the London School of Economics, summer of 2023 to the present, Axler analyzes the validity of microeconomic models with modern ethical constraints. Publication of her research is pending.
Axler is the chief ambassador for the high school in the Montgomery County Cultural Proficiency and Equity Student Ambassadors Association. Working with the University of Pennsylvania she assisted in the development of surveys to assess students’ sense of “belonging” in their respective cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds to encourage educational equity initiatives.
She is the Environmental Education Club President, Latin Club President and Latin Club Newspaper Editor. Axler scored 1590 on the SAT examination and has a GPA of 4.74.
As an intern for state Sen. Maria Collett, D-12th District, Axler conducted research for a new bill with a provision to PA law that allows individuals affected by PFAS chemical contamination to receive justice in court. She also helped raise thousands of dollars for the Watershed to address PFAS chemical contamination.
Platt was twice a PJASS Science Fair first place winner and twice a Montco Science Fair first place winner. His areas of AP studies include U.S. history, computer science, calculus, English literature and composition, microeconomics and European history. He plans to attend Penn State University, Abington.
He participated on the varsity cross country/track team all through high school and competed in the Olympic Distance Triathlon in 2023, placing 4th nationally. As a member of the varsity wrestling team, Axler was League Champion and 3rd place District Champion. He earned the distinction of being pinned only once in more than 38 matches after his freshman year.
Platt has been elected class president since ninth grade. He was honored with the SHINE Award this year; the acronym stands for Selflessness, Humility, Nobility and Empathy. He was also selected by the entire student body as Homecoming King this year. He scored 1560 on the SAT examination and has a 4.62 GPA.
Gus’ Groundskeeping is a landscaping company that he founded in 2021. Platt secures 80 weekly customers and hires and manages full-time employees. The company is fully insured, features credit card payment, and highlights the business’ culture of hard work and client satisfaction.
The annual Upper Dublin Medals program is presented by Upper Dublin School District, Upper Dublin Township and the Upper Dublin Education Foundation (UDEF), which benefits from event proceeds.
Medals will be awarded on May 15, at Manufacturers’ Golf and Country Club, 511 Dreshertown Rd., Fort Washington. The community is invited to attend. A cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. Valet parking is available. The community is invited to attend.
Reservations are made online at udefoundation.org/udmedals and are $30 online, $35 at-the-door. Valet parking is available. Refreshments include assorted hors d’oeuvres, carving stations and other light fare. Following the ceremony, coffee, tea and an array of desserts are offered.
For more details, contact Michelle Boas, UDEF Foundation Executive Director, mboas@udsd.org or contact 215-643-8802.
This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between Wissahickon Now and The Ambler Gazette. To read more stories like this, visit the Ambler Gazette.
