The Horological Society of New York (HSNY) awarded a record-breaking $150,000 in financial aid to watchmaking students and schools at its 158th-anniversary gala while raising an additional $113,000 toward its mission to advance the art and science of horology.
HSNY‘s 2024 Gala & Awards Ceremony was held April 6 at the historic Harvard Club of New York City, located across the street from HSNY’s headquarters. About 280 people, including Society members, community leaders, and watch lovers, attended the black-tie affair celebrating philanthropy and the art of watchmaking, says Carolina Navarro, HSNY’s deputy director.
Guests of honor included Carol Heppner, the great-granddaughter of HSNY’s founding president George Schmid, and actors Ben Ahlers and Simon Jones from HBO’s The Gilded Age, which has had a story line featuring the Horological Society of New York.
Gala attendees took part in a fundraising auction, bidding on items donated by members and sponsors, including watches, one-of-a-kind experiences, and an HSNY lifetime membership card made of 18k gold and hand-engraved by Voutilainen, which sold for $18,000.
HSNY trustee Roger Smith presented the 2024 ceremonial check to Justin Baxter, a student at Lititz Watch Technicum and one of the evening’s scholarship recipients. The giant check represented the record $150,000 that HSNY awarded in scholarships and financial aid.
This year’s recipients are:
Henry B. Fried Scholarship for Watchmaking Students
Nicholas Amelung (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Gideon Bodley (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Max Conser (North Seattle College Watch Technology Institute)
Itay Edry (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Paolo Gonzales (Nicolas G. Hayek Watchmaking School)
Brandon McAnally (Paris Junior College Watchmaking Program)
William Ready (North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking)
Andre Bibeau Scholarship for Veteran Watchmaking Students
Seth Duncan (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Benjamin Banneker Scholarship for Black Watchmaking Students
William Duncan (North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking)
Christian Hill (Paris Junior College Watchmaking Program)
Charles London Scholarship for Watchmaking Students
Youri Boggio-Pola (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Bryan Borquez (North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking)
Michael Davanzo (North Seattle College Watch Technology Institute)
Brandon Hoorfard (Nicolas G. Hayek Watchmaking School)
Samuel Mallow (North Seattle College Watch Technology Institute)
Hudson Mickey (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Charles Sauter Scholarship for Innovation in Horology
Justin Baxter (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Lingxiao Guo (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Shannon White (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Grace Fryer Scholarship for Female Watchmaking Students
Greta Berckmueller (Lititz Watch Technicum)
C. Luise Pitcairn (Lititz Watch Technicum)
Isabella Sosa (Paris Junior College Watchmaking Program)
Lezlie Soule (North Seattle College Watch Technology Institute)
Khalisah Tanner (North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking)
Howard Robbins Award for Watchmaking Schools
Gem City College School of Horology
North Seattle College Watch Technology Institute
Paris Junior College Watchmaking Program
Veterans Watchmaker Initiative
Oscar Waldan Scholarship for Jewish Watchmaking Students
Boris London (North Seattle College Watch Technology Institute)
Top: Actors Ben Ahlers and Simon Jones, who play, respectively, Jack the footman and Bannister the butler on HBO’s The Gilded Age, were esteemed guests at the Horological Society of New York’s 2024 gala. (Photos courtesy of HSNY)
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