End of Year Awards

Department chairs, advisors, and class deans took to the podium to present awards to students in all classes.

Grade 9 Academic Award 

Presenter: Peter Ahlfeld

This award is given to a 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 the pursuit of academic excellence.       

This year’s recipient is Angela Shi ’28.

Grade 9 Wildcat Award 

Presenter: Peter Ahlfeld

This award is given to the student in the 9th-grade class who has earned the respect of their peers and teachers and who exemplifies Vermont Academy’s core values while also pursuing excellence in their academic studies.  

This year’s recipient is Lyla Whigham ’28.

Grade 9 Growth Award

Presenter: Peter Ahlfeld

This annual award is presented to a member of the 9th grade who has displayed significant growth in both academic and social circles. The recipient has taken advantage of all resources at their disposal and has made significant improvements over the past year. We are pleased to honor this individual in the development of their "best true self,” a student who has earned the respect of their teachers and peers. 

This year’s recipient is Yehoon Allen ’28.

10th Grade Academic Award 

Presenter: Sarah Natvig ’97

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, the student has not only earned outstanding marks but also earned the respect of their teachers and peers.       

This year’s recipient is Nik Dunbar ’27.

10th Grade Wildcat Award

Presenter: Sarah Natvig ’97

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.

This year’s recipient is Alvero Vega Martin ’27.

10th Grade Growth Award

Presenter: Sarah Natvig ’97

This annual award is presented to a member of the sophomore class who has displayed significant growth in both academic and social circles. The recipient has taken advantage of all resources at their disposal and has made significant improvements over the past year. We are pleased to honor this individual in the development of their "best true self", a student who has earned the respect of their teachers and peers.

This year’s recipient is Gabby Clavel-McCann ’27.

The ESL Program Prize 

Presenter: Madison Paydos ’18

This prize is awarded to the student who excels in English and History within the ESL program. 

This year’s recipient is Angela Shi ’28.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal

Presenter: Christine Armiger

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer is the oldest technological institution in North America, and it is located in the Capital Region of New York State. This prestigious award has been given since 1916 to recognize promising secondary school juniors who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science. This $40,000-per-year merit scholarship is guaranteed for four years for medalists who apply, are accepted, and choose to enroll at Rensselaer. 

This year, the Rensselaer Institute Medal recipient is Eli Boxer ’26.

The James P. Taylor Award

Presenter: Christine Armiger 

The James P. Taylor 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.

This year’s recipient is Andy Darcy ’25.

The University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology

Presenter: Sean Allen

The University of Rochester presents this award 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. 

If accepted to the University of Rochester, the recipient will be eligible for consideration for the Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology Scholarship, starting at $5000 per year, totaling at least $20,000 over four years 

This year’s recipient is Leopold Lyra ’26.

The University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award

Presenter: Sean Allen 

This award is named in honor of two of Rochester’s most significant pioneers of social justice. It recognizes a student who has demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing complex social issues, leadership and dedication to community action, and outstanding academic achievement in the humanities and/or social sciences. 

If accepted to the University of Rochester, the recipient will be eligible for consideration for the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Scholarship, of at least $5000 per year, totaling $20,000 over four years.

This year’s recipient is Asper Donath ’26.

Dartmouth Book Award 

Presenter: Sean Allen

The Dartmouth Book Award is given to a junior who demonstrates particular strength of character, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth. 

This year’s recipient is Luke Pennell ’26.

University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award

Presenter: Amanda Hodgson

The University of Rochester would like to take this opportunity to congratulate this student on their achievements as a recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Medal and certificate.

This award is in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and superior intellectual promise in the field of science. If accepted to the University of Rochester, the recipient will be eligible for consideration for the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Scholarship, of at least $5000 per year, totaling $20,000 over four years.

This year’s recipient is Oliver Norkun ’26.

The University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award

Presenter: Michael Norkun

The University of Rochester presents this award to a junior who shows strong leadership experience at school and in their community. The student must have high grades, take challenging courses, and be involved in extracurricular activities. This award seeks to recognize future leaders who may have an impact on our world today. 

If accepted to the University of Rochester, the recipient will be eligible for consideration for the George Eastman Young Leaders Scholarship, which will award at least $5000 per year and total at least $20,000 over four years. 

This year’s recipient is Hannah Nuwagaba.

Society of Women Engineers awards

Presenter: Joe Echanis ’79

This award is given by the Society of Women Engineers to young women 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. 

Achieving Highest Honors: Sara Martinez Mateos ’26.

Achieving Honors: Aloycia Deogratias ’26.

St. Anselm Book Award

Presenter: Amanda Hodgson

The Saint Anselm Book Award 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. 

This year's recipient is Oliver Norkun ’26

Saint Michael's Book Award 

Presenter: Adrian Diaz ’14

The Saint Michael’s College Book Award for Community Engagement recognizes outstanding students in their Junior year who have demonstrated a sincere commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, concern for others, and demonstrated academic excellence and rigor. 

Students at Saint Michael’s live and learn by these core values, instilled by our founders, the Society of Saint Edmund, which holds a special commitment to serving others and creating impactful communities as an extension of the Catholic faith. 

The nominees will be considered for a full tuition scholarship to Saint Michael’s, contingent on an offer of admission to the College.

This year’s nominees are Honora Walsh ’26 and Blake Postles ’26

Samuel B. Pettengill Class of 1904 Prize 

Presenter: Whitney Barrett

The Samuel B. Pettengill Class of 1904 prize is awarded to a Vermont Academy student who has distinguished themselves by their work in American History. 

This year’s recipient is is Annie Coldwell ’26

Francis Parkman Writing Award 

Presenter: Whitney Barrett

This writing award is given to members of the junior or senior classes in honor of Francis Parkman, a gentleman whose tenure at Vermont Academy as a teacher and administrator inspired both students and colleagues. Each year, the humanities department chooses the best entries in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry categories. 

This year, the winner of the poetry category is Ruby Besson ’25.

The winner of the fiction and non-fiction categories is Carly Tendler ’25

Will Curtis, Class of 1938, Humanities Award

Presenter: Brian Allen

This award is for a student whose love for books and reading has contributed to academic growth and understanding. 

This year’s recipient is Leo Plansky ’25.

Community Service Awards 

Presenter: Jessie Liss-Noda

This award is for members of the senior class who volunteered 35 or more hours, showing extraordinary service and dedication to Vermont Academy’s Community Pillar. 

Lola Rothschild: 39 hours

Lincoln Cromey: 42 hours

Andy Darcy: 47 hours

John Velto: 68 hours

Leo Plansky: 106 hours

Vittoria Pinci: 122 hours

Antisha Ssuna: 154 hours

Aubria Adair: 377 hours

President’s Volunteer Service Award 

Presenter: Jessie Liss-Noda

“In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.” Below are the Class of 2025 awardees.

Leo Plansky: 106 hours, Bronze Level

Antisha Ssuna: 154 hours, Bronze Level

Aubrie Adair: 377 Hours, Gold Level

Head of School Brick Presentation

Presenter: Lorna Schilling

To honor Dr. Jennifer L. Zaccara and her 8 years as head of school, Dr. Zaccarra was presented a brick as part of an honored tradition. It will be placed around the Vermont Academy seal on the Long Walk, joining the bricks of all our heads of school.

Class of 2025 Brick Presentation

Presenter: Brian Gilloran

The tradition of laying bricks on the Long Walk began in 1993 with the dedication of the walk to the former Headmaster and faculty member Bob Long who was at Vermont Academy from 1974 to 1994. Members of the graduating class receive a brick with their name on it and then proceed to the walk as a group to place their brick along the path, thus becoming a part of the Long Walk forevermore.

After Mr. Gilloran described the meaning and tradition of the bricks, the Class of 2025 was called up to take their brick and proceed to Long Walk for the ceremonial placing. The rest of the VA community remained seated, as the underclassmen were congratulated for a successful year. Mr. Gilloran called next year’s Vermont Academy Student Association (VASA) co-presidents, Mia Ryder ’26 and Pat Conners ’26, and treasurer, Blake Postles ’26 to the podium to briefly address the student body they will be serving next year and to give their first official “Go V-A!” 

Concluding the ceremony was the tradition of having the junior class move their auditorium seats down to the front row, marking their transition to becoming seniors. This final send-off provided a glimpse of the school year to come and led the Class of 2025 into their final celebrations.