We are excited to celebrate the memory of Adam J. Rubinson with a new award: The Adam J. Rubinson Memorial Award of Excellence. 

This award, given to a senior each year at the National Qualifier, recognizes an outstanding senior that combines outstanding scholarship, competitive excellence, substantial integrity, and brings levity to any situation.

In future years, the award will come with a notable scholarship endowment (Akesh has accepted a full ride via the Posse Foundation to the University of Wisconsin). 

From Adam’s widow, Susan Weinstein: 

Adam J. Rubinson, the namesake of this award, was a remarkable human being who passed away in 2023 of an aggressive form of brain cancer years before his time. He was someone who possessed superior intelligence, a keen sense of humor, unyielding humanity, and laser-focused dedication to repairing and improving the world. He gave his time and intellect to numerous just causes; diversity, equity, and inclusion groups; and his local community with an upbeat attitude, a zest for life, loyalty, and integrity. The recipient of this award is someone who exemplifies the spirit of who Adam was through impressive scholarship, unparalleled moral principles, unyielding enthusiasm, and a firm commitment to make the world a better place.

Adam, a former debater at Princeton University and the Managing Director at Deloitte, made a notable impact on the D.C. community though his professional, political, and philanthropic endeavors. He will be sorely missed, but his memory and legacy lives on with his family, and in a small part, in the award winners going forward.