Hall students awarded the Simonian Prizes for Excellence in Leadership 2026

St Edmund Hall is pleased to announce this year’s winners of the Simon, Arpi, Marie & John Simonian Prize for Excellence in Leadership: Léonor-Jo Barnard (2022, DPhil English) and Isabella Catherine Spencer-McDaniel (2024, Materials Science).

The prize is awarded to Hall students who have demonstrated significant leadership qualities during their time at the Hall in any area, including contributions to the fields of sport, charity work, journalism, theatre/drama, music and academic leadership amongst others.

Léonor-Jo is recognised for her exceptional leadership as MCR Steward, consistently going above and beyond to create a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community while quietly taking on significant additional responsibilities and supporting fellow students. On receiving the award, she writes:

“I am incredibly grateful to have been nominated for and to receive the Simon, Arpi, Marie & John Simonian Prize for Excellence in Leadership. As MCR Social Secretary, I am particularly proud of the events we organised and how they brought the MCR closer together, while strengthening connections with the JCR, SCR, College staff and Fellows. I am very grateful to everyone who helped make them possible. Being involved in this way was especially meaningful as I took on the role during the final year of my DPhil, while finalising my thesis. The friendships, support and sense of community at Teddy Hall helped me enormously through that final stretch, so I have just as much to thank the College and its community for. I will miss Teddy Hall immensely.”

Isabella was nominated for her leadership as the JCR Arts and Culture Officer where she demonstrated outstanding initiative and leadership in revitalising Teddy Hall’s cultural life, founding the Teddy Art Society and creating lasting connections across the JCR, MCR and SCR through an ambitious programme of arts and cultural activities. She comments:

“I am thrilled and honoured to be receiving this award. I established the Art Society whilst in my position as JCR Arts and Culture Officer wanting to create a space for all members of college to come together and explore the Arts through speaker events and visits to private collections. It has been a joy to organise all of the events and to meet so many inspiring people, both within college and externally. I am deeply thankful to everyone who has been involved with the Art Society thus far, and to Guus Wijnne for nominating me. I look forward to many future events!”

The award is given annually and is open to both undergraduates and postgraduates. It is one of nearly 150 scholarships, awards and prizes given each year by the Hall – find out more on our Scholarships and Prizes page.