Singer Family Prize for Excellence

Four high school teachers who inspired and influenced University of Rochester seniors from the Class of 2026 have been chosen to receive the Singer Family Prize for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching.

The annual award was created in 2006 and is a URochester commencement week tradition. Each year, graduating seniors in the School of Arts & Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences nominate high school teachers who have made a dramatic difference in their lives.

Paul Singer ’66, ’17 (Honorary) and his son, Gordon Singer, established and support the prize through the Paul Singer Family Foundation. Recipients are chosen by a committee chaired by Elaine Sia, the senior vice provost for academic excellence. Each honoree receives a $4,000 award and two plaques (one for their office and one for their school), with another $3,500 going to their school.

“We’re thrilled to honor four outstanding educators who have profoundly impacted the lives of our graduating seniors,” Sia says.

This year’s Singer Family Prize ceremony is on Friday, May 15, at 2 p.m. in Strong Auditorium on the River Campus, the same day as the University’s Commencement.

Here’s a look at the recipients, in the words of the URochester students who nominated them.

Anne Bestgen

AP Environmental Studies and biology teacher at West Campus High School in Sacramento, CA

Nominated by Ava Somera ’26 (environmental studies)

“Mrs. Bestgen’s influence on my academic and personal growth has been profound and enduring. From the moment I joined Team Green, our campus environmental advocacy club, she was a constant source of guidance and encouragement, helping me grow into leadership roles as outreach coordinator and later president. One of the most impactful experiences she made possible was connecting me with a local nonprofit, which led to launching the first composting program in our school district. This initiative required daily commitment, and Mrs. Bestgen worked alongside me—often giving up her only break—to sort waste and model the kind of hands-on leadership she inspires in others. She taught me that meaningful change requires both grit and collaboration. She also introduced me to AP Environmental Science, which sparked my passion for environmental studies and shaped my academic path. Beyond the classroom, she was my greatest champion during the college application process, and even now, she continues to support and celebrate my milestones as one of my strongest mentors.”

William Colelli ’98

AP Government and dual credit economics teacher at Olympia High School in Rochester, NY

Nominated by Gulsinam Akhmadzhanova ’26 (psychology and mathematics)

“Mr. Colelli is my favorite high school teacher and someone who truly embodies Meliora in everything he does. He was not only an excellent educator who connected with students in meaningful ways, but also a leader in building school spirit and pride. I’ll never forget senior year, when he played basketball against our varsity team—a moment that captured both his humor and his connection to students. He has an incredible ability to make everyone smile, no matter how challenging their day might be. Beyond that, he had a profound personal impact on me. As a high-achieving student and valedictorian, I still wasn’t sure college was possible, but Mr. Colelli changed that. He shared his own experiences, encouraged me to apply to the University of Rochester, and helped me understand that financial aid could make it attainable. I even remember asking him what ‘research’ meant, and him patiently explaining it. Now, as a first-generation student at Rochester, I can trace so much of my journey back to his belief in me.”

Timothy Sossa

US history teacher at Springfield Renaissance School in Springfield, MA

Nominated by Adryana Ochoa ’26 (linguistics & brain and cognitive sciences)

“When I entered high school, my mother’s multiple sclerosis began to take a turn, and the emotional toll made it hard to see a future for myself. I stopped putting effort into my studies—until I met Mr. Sossa. On one particularly bad day, he called me ‘a dry banana,’ turning my name into something silly that made me laugh, and then reminded me, with kindness, that he was there if I needed anything. He is the rare kind of educator who truly sees his students. He listened when I needed to vent, let me spend lunch in his room to decompress, and always had a joke ready to lift my spirits. At the same time, he challenged me academically and creatively through debates, simulations, and art projects that made learning come alive. He reignited my motivation, and I began going above and beyond in class, eventually finishing high school as an honor student. Most importantly, he believed in me when I couldn’t see my own value—and that belief changed my life.”

Mark Sunheimer

Physics and robotics teacher at Marcellus High School in Marcellus, NY

Nominated by Gabriel Hoag ’26 (economics and mathematics)

“In and outside the classroom, Mr. Sunheimer always encouraged his students to never stop learning and to be the best version of themselves. As a physics teacher, he helped us connect to the content through interactive labs and experiments, including the ‘mullet labs’ he created—’business in the front, party in the back.’ These labs introduced new concepts and then gave us the freedom to test, explore, and essentially ‘play’ with physics, making it both fun and understandable. He was constantly engaged with students, always checking in and offering help, which is why we affectionately called him ‘Sunny.’ He also led by example, always striving to improve and seeking out new ways to better support his students. He turned the robotics club into a class so we would have more time to learn and collaborate, committing himself to learning alongside us even when it wasn’t his strongest subject. Through every challenge, he was there as both a resource and a cheerleader, giving us the tools to explore the world on our own—and showing us how much he truly cared about our success.”