Students Earn Spring Awards

In the Community Meeting on Thursday, May 14, Vermont Academy celebrated the year with our Spring Awards Ceremony. Academic Dean, Ms. Schilling opened the ceremony with brief remarks.
She said, “Welcome to the end of year awards assembly. We will not be able to give you physical awards right now, but as soon as we are able to get to campus, we will be able to mail them to you.” 

The awards below are broken up by class. 

Class of 2023 Awards

Mr. William’s presented the class of 2023 Awards: the Grade 9 Academic Award and the Grade 9 Wildcat Award.

Grade 9 Academic Award: Ziyu “Adam” Li ’23.
This award is given to the student in the 9th grade who has shown remarkable dedication to their studies and whose end of the year grade point average reflects this devotion to his or her pursuit of academic excellence. 

Grade 9 Wildcat Award: Alden Ormont ’23
This award is given to the student in 9th grade who has earned the respect of his or her peers and teachers and who exemplifies Vermont Academy’s core values, while also pursuing excellence in their academic studies. 

Class of 2022 Awards

Mr. Gilloran presented the awards for the class of 2022: the Sophomore Academic Award and the Sophomore Wildcat Award. 

Sophomore Academic Award: Maika Paquin ’22
This award is presented to a member of the sophomore class who has displayed significant dedication to their academic success at the Academy. Through hard work and diligence, this student has not only earned outstanding marks, but she has also earned the respect of her teachers and peers. 

Sophomore Wildcat Award: Eliza Asante ’22
This award is presented to a student who exhibits all the traits of a great community member. By displaying exemplary character and acting as a positive force within the school, this student has helped to make Vermont Academy a better place. 

Ms. Murphy presented the ESL Program Prize. 

ESL Program Prize: JaeHyeong “Andy” Jeon ’22
This prize is awarded to that student who excels in English and History within the ESL program. The winner receives a copy of the book 100 Years of The Best American Short Stories.

Class of 2021 Awards

Mr. Echanis presented the following awards: 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal: Jazmyn Creamer ’21
This medal is presented by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Founded in 1824, RPI is the oldest technological institution in North America It is located in the Capital Region of New York State. This prestigious award has been awarded since 1916 to one student in any given high school and is designed to recognize that student’s strength and success in the fields of mathematics and science. Medalists who apply, are admitted to, and enroll at Rensselaer are awarded a scholarship worth $30,000 per year. 

University of Rochester’s Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology: Feng “Shane” Xiong ’21
This award is given to a junior who shows a strong interest in innovation and/or information technology and a high level of achievement in this area in coursework and outside of school. The recipient will be eligible for a scholarship should he or she attend the University of Rochester. 

University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Medal and Certificate: Trevor Palmiotto ’21
In recognition of outstanding academic achievement and superior intellectual promise in the field of science, this award winner is eligible for a scholarship should he attend the University of Rochester. 

Ms. Poole presented the following award:

Saint Anselm Book Award: Annie Moore ’21
This award, presented by Ms. Poole, St. Anselm’s class of 2017, honors a member of the junior class who exercises a capacity for academic achievement and continued education, has a strong awareness of social responsibility, displays leadership qualities, and possesses a strong character. 

Ms. Holton presented the following awards: 

University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award: Maggie Hodgson ’21
This award is given to a junior who shows strong leadership experience at school and in their community. The student must have high grades and challenging courses and be involved in extracurricular activities. This award seeks to recognize future leaders who may have an impact on our world today. The recipient will be eligible to receive a scholarship at the University of Rochester. 

Dartmouth Book Award: Ruihan “Candy” Li ’21
This award is given to a junior who demonstrates a particular strength of character, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth. 

Society of Women Engineers Awards: Highest Honors: Jazmyn Creamer ’21, High Honors: Entong “Olivia” Wang ’21, Honors: Ruihan “ Candy” Li ’21
These awards are given to young women in the junior class who have completed three years of mathematics and three years of science with distinction, and who have made significant contributions to the school and community.

Ms. Poole presented the Saint Michael’s Book Award:

Saint Michael’s College Book Awards for Academic Achievement & Social Conscience: Jazmyn Creamer ’21 and Matt Sorensen ’21
This award recognizes outstanding students who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism and leadership in their communities. Recipients must be inductees of the National Honor Society or an equivalent honors organization sponsored by the school. Additionally, students must demonstrate a concern for social justice issues and a sincere commitment to service. Recipients may also be considered for a four-year scholarship at Saint Michael’s contingent on an offer of admission to the College. Recipients receive copies of the autobiography, First They Killed My Father, written by Saint Michael’s alumna, Luong Ung ’93.

Ms. Holton presented the following awards: 

University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award: Yiwen “Eva” Wu ’21
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, leadership and dedication to community action, and outstanding academic achievement in the humanities and/or social sciences. Winners of the award are eligible for a scholarship at the University of Rochester. 

Wellesley Book Award: Maggie Hodgson ’21
The Vermont Wellesley alumnae club, this award goes to the female student in the junior class whose academic record and character are exceptional and who has made significant contributions to her school and community. The recipient receives a copy of The Book of Gutsy Women by Hilary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton.

Ms. Henry presented the following prize: 

The Samuel B. Pettengill Class of 1904 Prize: Matthew Loren ’21
This prize is awarded to the Vermont Academy student who has distinguished her or himself by their work in American History. The recipient will receive a copy of The Story of  American Freedom by Eric Foner

Class of 2020 Awards

Mr. Williams presented the following award:

James P. Taylor Award: Corey Dunn ’20
This award is given to an individual who takes part in the Long Trail Hike all four years of high school, demonstrating a commitment to character and leadership growth, while stewarding the Vermont footpath that James Taylor envisioned and created. Some of the words that come to mind when thinking of Vermont Academy’s Long Trail Hike are: Mountains. Sunsets. Lake swims. Blisters. Simplicity. Gratitude. Character building. Leadership growth. Vermont Academy has a long-standing tradition with this hiking trail, going back to the days of James P. Taylor, an assistant headmaster here at VA from 1908-1912. Along with beginning our Winter Carnival tradition, Mr. Taylor also envisioned the Long Trail and created the Green Mountain Club, which developed the 273-mile long footpath through Vermont’s wilderness. Mr. Taylor was a person of vision, character, and strong leadership. For the past six years, VA students and teachers have hiked the Long Trail for 6 days every summer, working on character and leadership growth, paying homage to Mr. Taylor’s vision. This year we have a senior who participated in our annual Long Trail Hike all four years of their Vermont Academy career. This is no small feat, for achieving this means the student joined our hike the summer before their ninth-grade year, and hiked each consecutive summer after that until now.

Corey Dunn ’20, or “Mantis” as he goes by on the trail, showed up on campus in 2016 as a shy incoming ninth-grader. Mr. Williams remembers looking at him and thinking, “Will this kid make it 6 days on the trail?” Well, boy was he ever wrong. Mantis has a hiking motor like you wouldn’t believe. He is an incredible conversationalist and developed into an even better leader. He never stops thinking about his peers and how to make them all feel safe and comfortable. Mantis showed commitment to character and leadership growth while taking part in the Long Trail Hike all four years of high school.

English Department Chair, Ms. Fuller presented the following awards:

Francis Parkman Writing Award: Aaron Brown ’20
This award is given to members of the junior or senior class in honor of Francis Parkman, a gentleman whose tenure at Vermont Academy as a teacher and administrator inspired both students and colleagues. 

Will Curtis Class of 1938 Humanities Award: Hannah Sethi ’20
This award is for a student whose love for books and reading has contributed to academic growth and understanding. 

Each year the Wildcat yearbook is dedicated by the graduating class to a faculty member. The Class of 2020 has dedicated this year’s Wildcat to Mr. Brian Schilling ’11. Gary Huang ’20 and Darwin Holcombe ’20 presented the dedication. 

Dr. Zacarra announced next year’s Student Body Co-Presidents, Jazmyn Creamer ’21 and Matt Sorenson ’21 as well as secretary, Maggie Hodgson ’21. They ended the ceremony with a “Go VA!”



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Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.