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Madeleine Roytfeld – Chapter 241 San Ramon Valley High School
Adviser Steve Johnson
Principal Charlie Litton
San Ramon Valley Unified School District
With a deep appreciation for language and storytelling, Madeleine Roytfeld has built her high school experience around amplifying voices and sharing stories. Growing up speaking three languages, she developed an early passion for literature, culture, and communication that continues to shape her academic and personal pursuits.
At San Ramon Valley High School, Madeleine has distinguished herself as a writer, leader, and advocate. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of her school newspaper and has participated in prestigious writing programs across the country, honing her craft and expanding her perspective.
A standout achievement in her community is her role as Danville’s Youth Poet Laureate, where she uses her voice to represent and inspire young people while promoting creativity and expression throughout the community. She has also demonstrated a strong commitment to service, tutoring English learners and helping organize cultural events that bring people together.
Madeleine plans to study comparative literature, continuing to explore the power of language, storytelling, and global perspectives. She will be continuing her studies at either UC Berkeley or UCLA, where she will continue to share stories and elevate the voices of others.
The Seymour Memorial Awards were established to honor both Charles F. Seymour and his wife, Marian H. Seymour, who together supplied the inspiration and leadership which fostered the California Scholarship Federation.
The very first award of $25 was presented to Seymour Award recipient Elizabeth Murphy (O’Neil) of Fresno High School in 1936.
Each spring, regional subcommittees of advisers choose outstanding Life Members (Sealbearers) from among candidates nominated by their advisers in each of the five regions. Each year, 50 finalists receive awards of $2,000 each, and five of these (one per region) each receive an additional $3,000 as the regional award recipient. Over $100,000 is awarded to 50 graduating Sealbearers each year.
The Seymour Award is regarded as one of the highest scholastic honors given to high school students in the state of California.