Just months after Michael Lasser’s passing in July 2025, Jennifer Bradley Abbott ’70 reached out with an idea: “We need to do something to honor Mr. Lasser. He meant so much to so many people. What can we do?” That conversation sparked the idea for a scholarship in his name.
Our first call was to his daughter, Carol, to make sure she supported the idea, and she enthusiastically did.
Together, we set to raise $25,000 and we reached out to Mr. Lasser’s family, friends, and former students. Through letters, emails, and a few anonymous challenge gifts, we reached our goal!
Special guest, Carol Lasser Wood ’77, presented at this year’s Honors Assembly:
“The Michael Lasser Memorial Award honors the legacy of a beloved and brilliant teacher whose impact extended far beyond the classroom. Michael Lasser, Harley English teacher from 1966-1998, challenged students to think deeply, work diligently, and hold themselves to the highest standards. Demanding yet fair, he brought extraordinary thought, energy, and dedication to his teaching, pushing students to work hard and be curious. With his trademark irreverence, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to Harley, he inspired generations of students. Awarded annually to a rising ninth grader, this award recognizes a student who embodies the values Mr. Lasser championed: intellectual curiosity, discipline, thoughtful engagement, perseverance, and a spirited willingness to challenge assumptions and think at a higher level. Through this award, his legacy of excellence and devotion to Harley continues to shape future generations.
Faculty members have characterized the first-ever recipient of this honor as someone who is intellectually inquisitive, truly kind, and always prepared to exceed the requirements of an assignment. Her presence in the classroom is regarded as a gift; she demonstrates a profound interest in various subjects, approaching them with a mature and insightful outlook, and frequently seeks additional guidance outside of class time. Her capstone project, where she utilized hands-on models to teach fourth-grade students about the mechanics of the heart, perfectly illustrated her discipline, curiosity, and vibrant spirit.
It is my pleasure to present this award to Amiya Pinckney.”
Carol Lasser Wood ’77 sat with Alex DeSantis ’84 (English, 1971-2009)
Thank you to Jennifer, Carol, and the following individuals who donated to make the Michael Lasser Memorial Award possible:
Anonymous
Jennifer Bradley Abbott ’70
Parinaz Ziai Bahadori ’81
William Baker, Jr. ’70
Carol Baumeister ’82
Harmony Button ’99
Jan Costello ’68
Susan Daiss P ’99, ’02
John ’75 and Kathy Durfee D’Amanda ’76, P ’03, ’05, ’09
Eleanor Davidson ’68
Jacqueline Davis
Margaret Dundas
Jennifer Gabe ’72
John Gardner ’70
Emily Gavin ’89
Lee Goldman ’86
Ned Hallick ’68
Pete Henderson ’70
Charles Hosley ’70
Selma Jacobson
Karin Deutsch Karlekar ’89
Sarah Kemp ’84
Kim Kowalke
Joshua Lansky ’89
Charlotte Lee ’72
Eric Lee
Susan Lubow
J. Thomas Macy
Marjorie Goldman McKone ’86
Anna Hopeman Messner ’78
Richard Millard ’76
Sarah Mitchell ’98
Nancy Vaughan O’Neal ’70
Chris Oddleifson ’76
Terry Pell ’71
R. Mark Pierzynsky
Peter Regen ’85
Karen Saludo P ’27
Alicia Morgenberger Schober ’85
Sarah Waite Scutt ’80, P ’17
Lisa Hamlin Skinner ’76
David Bent Smith ’69
Butler Smyth ’73
Paul Sparacino ’72
Joan Streit
Mary Sullivan ’70
John Vaughan ’69
Jeffrey Walker ’82
Leslie Granston Walker ’84
Kathryn Whitbeck ’83
Sarah Wilner ’84
Carol Lasser Wood ’77
