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Winner of the Wuersten Award for the Class of 2026

By Benjamin Kim '26
The Wuersten Award is presented to the sixth grade student who has written the most insightful composition on the subject “What The John Thomas Dye School Means to Me.”

The compositions are written at school by any sixth grader who would like the opportunity to reflect on their years at JTD. They are presented anonymously to the faculty who read and vote on their favorite. The award is presented at graduation and the essay is read as part of the ceremony.

Dr. Helmut Wuersten, whose son, Eric, attended JTD, established the award many years ago. During a severe rainstorm, Eric and a group of fellow students worked all day to save the front driveway, which was in danger of being washed away. Dr. Wuersten saw this act as a true expression of the deep feelings these students had for their school and desired to honor a member of the graduating class who could best articulate those feelings.

The following essay was written by Wuersten Award Winner, Benjamin Kim '26
Home

I wake up at the buzz of my alarm clock, just when the sun begins to shine. I eat a breakfast of cereal and get into the car, but I'm not leaving home. I am going to it. Throughout hardship and difficult times, JTD has always been home.

JTD has taught me valuable lessons. Not just math or english, but integrity and responsibility. I have learned that what matters more than being smart is being a good human. Reaching the top means helping others up, not pushing them down. Everybody is in the same boat in life, and we need to work together to get through it. Every morning when we are walking to the lawn, I look past the garden, past the field, past the canyon, and into the bright orange horizon. I am reminded that kindness is the most important thing. Caring, cooperation, caring, common sense, and courtesy. These are not just the 5C's, but a way of life for me. It teaches us to treat others with the equal respect and kindness that we would want. I will always remember these aspects, and carry them with me through the journey of life, because JTD is home.

From my first day of kindergarten to the last day of sixth grade, JTD has always been a second home. I am always greeted every morning with open arms, by teachers, students, friends, family, and community. It gives a sense of belonging that I cannot find anywhere else. Even through mistakes or hard times, JTD has always been there with me. It doesn't matter if I scrape a knee, or get a question wrong, because the JTD community is always right by my side, pushing me through it. When I fell during recess and broke my finger, JTD was still there. My friends helped me up and carried me to the finish line. JTD is my family, and it will always be in my heart, because JTD is home.

"Listen, to the exhortation of the dawn!" We say these words every morning. but we forget the
meaning. We forget to live life in the splendor of beauty, the bliss of growth, and in the glory of action. To live life to its full potential. We must remember the true meanings of things, or else we will forget. We will forget the meaning of our time at JTD. We will forget all the memories we made along the way. Even if they are unpleasant, I always was told that I can learn from my mistakes. We need to remember the past to grow as a person. I was always told that there is room for improvement. Even if I make mistakes, I can still learn and better myself from them. During my time at JTD, I have learned that to be perfect is impossible, and everyone is still learning, no matter their age. These lasting life lessons will forever impact my life, because JTD is home.

As I depart from JTD, I realize that life is not about reaching the end, but truly about the journey and friends we made along the way. JTD has taught me that being kind is better than being smart, community is powerful, and that remembrance of the past allows you to grow in many different ways. JTD has always been a special place for me, and it will always hold a special place in my heart, because JTD is home.

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The John Thomas Dye School


11414 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 476-2811
The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.

Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.