Upper School students voted in a school-wide form to select their favorite couples by grade and one inter-grade pairing. The selected couples discussed how they met, what they valued in their relationships and the advice they would offer others.

Best Freshman Couple: Ayjan Dietrich and Caspar McNulty

Freshmen Ayjan Dietrich and Caspar McNulty began dating two months ago and are already a school favorite. The two first met at the ninth-grade social, where McNulty recalled that Dietrich “seemed nice, welcoming and attractive.” They later connected in their first-period Spanish class, where they admired each other’s intelligence. As they began to spend free periods studying together and learning more about each other, McNulty found Dietrich charismatic, humorous and passionate about academics, while Dietrich thought McNulty was “kind, intelligent and attractive.”  

The pair said that they value each other’s presence, even in silence, and enjoy their friendly competitions and late-night conversations. They also noted that honest communication and trust create stability and serve as building blocks for a long-lasting relationship. Dietrich and McNulty advised those looking for love to always communicate clearly and avoid making assumptions. The pair feels that quality time is vital for making your partner feel loved and seen.

Best Sophomore Couple: Amari Sowah and Ariana White

Sophomores Amari Sowah and Ariana White have been going strong for about a year, but have known each other for much longer. The two met in middle school and remained close friends as they entered high school. Upon their first meeting, White said she found Sowah “funny and wanted to get to know him better.” Meanwhile, Sowah admired White for a while, but he did not think the feeling was mutual. The couple attributed the longevity of their relationship to strong communication and a foundation as best friends. 

“We can always see if something’s up with the other person and then we talk about it,” White said. Sowah added that “even if we weren’t in a relationship, she would still be one of my closest friends.” 

Sowah’s favorite memory of them is the first time he went to White’s house and their parents met, which was a major milestone in their relationship. The happy couple finds that it is not necessary to always plan something fun and elaborate; instead, they find solace in simply spending time together. Amari advised people seeking a relationship or looking to improve their relationship to build a solid platonic relationship, noting that it is essential to laugh and talk with each other before pursuing romance.

Best Junior Couple: Roxi Hodor and Boning Wang

Juniors Roxi Hodor and Boning Wang met in a technical theater class and began dating a year ago. They grew closer over the summer while playing tennis at the same center and texting regularly, and then attended a tournament at the USTA National Campus in Orlando together before officially dating. The two enjoy watching movies and trying new restaurants together. For Hodor and Wang, the “key to a successful relationship” is prioritizing each other and maintaining consistent communication and trust. Their shared love for tennis also allows them to support each other in their athletic endeavors.

Best Senior Couple: Omar Burik and Amelia Vaughn

 Though their relationship only started five months ago, seniors Amelia Vaughn and Omar Burik seem to be the perfect fit. The couple met in middle school, but only discovered their spark this past summer. Vaughn revealed that in middle school, she “didn’t like” Burik and “thought he was really weird,” while Burik admits to “liking her back in the day.” Over the summer, the two spent time together daily and quickly became best friends. For two weeks in the summer, Burik’s parents left him and his brother at home, so he had to learn to cook for himself. After work, he and Vaughn would grocery shop and look to Instagram Reels for recipes. Though they both agree they are not the best chefs, Vaughn and Burik love cooking together and improving their culinary skills. 

The couple feels that the key to a happy relationship is making a conscious effort to be together. The two also find comfort in being together during hectic times such as exam periods. Burik advised other couples that “Even if you’re tired or if you can’t give 100%, being there, talking for a few minutes or pulling up, saying ‘hi’, or giving a hug, means a lot more than one would think.” Burik added that “obviously hanging out a lot is great, but making an effort to show your partner that you appreciate them is important.” Vaughn agreed, noting that she gets drained at the end of the day, but when Burik offers to hang out, she always says yes because it makes her feel better. 

“Just being with each other—even if you’re not talking—is really helpful.”

Best Dual Grade Couple: Sorya Chung and Kimi Saad 

Sophomore Kimi Saad, last year’s most eligible bachelorette, is no longer that, as she has been dating junior Sorya Chung for nine months. Before coming to Sidwell her freshman year, Saad heard stories about Chung from her older sister. The happy couple officially met when Saad worked backstage for theatre productions in 2025, which Chung had lead roles in. 

“One of the things that made us click at the beginning was just the fact that we could talk for such a long time without having awkward moments and that we were so honest with each other,” Saad said. 

“My first impression of Kimi was that she was weird, but she was attractive and she laughed at my jokes,” Chung reflected. “Over about two weeks, I started to get a massive crush on her.”  

After talking frequently at track meets, they began dating in April 2025. Even though they are in different grades, the couple said that their shared hobbies and ability to address discomfort strengthen their relationship. Saad believes what makes their relationship so special is that they do not feel they need an elaborate plan to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. The couple expressed that it is vital to respect and support each other whenever possible. Chung’s general relationship advice for others is to find someone with whom you share a hobby and to be yourself, remaining authentic.