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Spring Athletics and Afternoon Activities Awards 2024
On Tuesday, May 21, Vermont Academy held its annual Spring Athletics and Afternoon Activities Awards during Formal Meal in the Shepardson Dining Center. Everyone arrived in their best dressed and sat with their team or activity group, coaches, and activity leaders and recognized the important contributions from the season. Each coach had a moment to step up to the podium and honor their teams.
Following the presentation of team and activity awards, there was the bestowal of a VA varsity letter jacket, given to a four-year senior who has participated in twelve seasons of a varsity sport at VA. This year’s recipient was Sydney Palmiotto ’24 who participated at the varsity level in soccer, nordic skiing, lacrosse, and dance during her four years. Assistant Head of School Brian Gilloran ended the night by recognizing the coaches, leaders, and faculty for all of their hard work this year, and also thanking the administrative departments for their continued support of the school. Congratulations to the following award recipients.
Girls’ JV Tennis
Coaches Award – Carmen Traba Chacon ’26
Most Improved Player – Antisha Ssuna ’25
Boys’ JV Tennis
Most Improved Player – Patrick Pacjic ’24
Audio/Visual
Most Dedicated Member – Aspen Whidden ’27
Rock Climbing
The Iron Fist Award – Oliver Walsh-Fischetti ’25
The Iron Fist Award is given to a member of the Rock Climbing team
who, like Reinhold Messner, demonstrated sheer tenacity and dedication to his daily work on the wall and the crag, improving every day.
Equestrian
Coaches Award – Natalie Kucerova ’24
Most Improved Rider – Cam Burchinal ’26
Girls’ Varsity Tennis
Coaches Award – Delaney Cox ’24
Most Improved Player – Mel Gilbert ’26
Most Valuable Player – Gabriela Romero Bermudez ’26
Boys’ Varsity Tennis
Most Improved Player – Mathison Hole ’24
Nathaniel Niles Award – Reval Suleymanov ’24
Nat Niles coached tennis at VA from 1945 to 1978, which is the longest continuous stretch that anyone coached tennis at the Academy. This award given in his name recognizes the interest, dedication and positive influence that all leaders possess.
Golf
Most Improved Player – Nate Gagnon ’24
Most Valuable Player – Cooper Biederbeck ’24
Crew
Girls’ Most Improved Rower – Honora Walsh ’26
Boys’ Most Improved Rower – Leo Lyra ’26
Boys’ Lacrosse
Most Improved Player – Carter West ’24
John Lord Most Valuable Player Award – Mason Catli ’25
Robert Long Lacrosse Award – Bryce Boyd-Tucker ’24
To a player whose selfless devotion to the team is reflected daily in all of his actions. Leading by example, this players pride, leadership and consistency exemplify the unwavering respect for the game of lacrosse that Bob Long shared with all of his players during his 19 years of coaching at Vermont Academy.
Girls’ Lacrosse
Coaches Award – Madi Catli ’26
Coaches Award – Ana Hernandez-Merkle ’25
Dorothy Sener Most Valuable Player Award – Katie Edwards ’26
Baseball
Coaches Award - Will Anderson ’24
Most Improved Award – Milo Tucker ’26
Pi Beta Phi Award – Logan Sinacola ’25
To that member of the varsity baseball team, who during the season has compiled the best batting average and fielding average.
Richard Burton Award – Shane Prusak ’24
To that Jr. or Sr. member of the varsity baseball team who has contributed most to the team.
Fly Fishing
Coaches Award – Dane Mulverhill ’24
Most Dedicated Angler – Wesley Wu ’26
Receiving the VA varsity letter jacket for participating in twelve seasons of a varsity sport:
Sydney Palmiotto ’24
The full album of photos can be found here.
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
