Baccalaureate 2025

Before the ceremony, a dinner took place outside the theater, offering guests the opportunity to mingle with the faculty members who had a lasting impact on the graduating class. The ceremony itself began with a memorable moment as the Class of 2025 made their way down the stairs and into the auditorium, taking their places in the front-row seats.

Head of School Dr. Jennifer L. Zaccara welcomed the students and their loved ones before recognizing the "four-year seniors”, those who spent their entire high school journey at VA. This special group included: Ruby Besson, Andy Darcy, Flynn Dennis, Chris Eineberg, Yuliang “Raymond” Feng, Ana Hernandez-Merkle, Charlie Hodgson, Suki Lambert, Caitlin Masure, Cooper Spielman, Morgan Studin, John Velto, Oliver Walsh-Fischetti, and Aidan Willett.

 

This year marked a new addition for the four-year seniors. Each student was given the opportunity to write a speech and share it during the ceremony.. Morgan Studin was chosen to share the impact Vermont Academy had on her. In her speech, she noted, “What I love about Vermont Academy is that it forces you to grow as a person without you knowing. It is organic and subtle but significant.”

Dr. Zaccara then formally introduced the Salutatorian Maya Sbardellati and Valedictorian Luis Yunta Bernabeu. 

Next was the announcement of the Class of 2026 marshals who are two members from the junior class selected to lead the graduating class into commencement holding a ceremonial key where a small portion had been painted by a member of the graduating class. Honora Walsh and Elena Hernandez-Merkle were presented as the marshals, and the chosen graduating artist was Ruby Besson.

In one final remark before giving her Baccalaureate address, Dr. Zaccara introduced the Class Representatives for the Class of 2025. These soon-to-be alumni are selected and charged with communication, reunion planning, and alumni activity coordination for their class. Charlie Hodgson, Ruby Besson, and Ana Hernandez-Merkle were selected by their peers to serve as Class of 2025 Class Representatives.

After her Head of School Remarks, Dr. Zaccara welcomed the first faculty member to the stage to begin the awards.

Mr. Jonathan Barron ’96 presented the Fischer Drama Award, which is awarded to a member of the graduating class for their interest in and enthusiasm for the dramatic arts and has made the greatest contribution to the success of the dramatics program at VA. The award was given to Andy Darcy.

Mr. Steve Cady presented the O’Connor Music Award, which is presented annually to a Vermont Academy senior who has demonstrated excellence, dedication, and devotion to the art of music. He presented the award to Caitlin Masure. 

Mr. Ryan Burch presented the Frederic Stanley Art Award, which was established by Mrs. Frederic Stanley as a memorial to her late husband’s interest and achievement in art. Their sons are Vermont Academy alumni: Frederic, Jr., class of 1954 and Lee, class of 1961. In order to achieve this honor a student must show a strong work ethic, interest in learning and produce at a high level artistically. This year’s recipient was Oliver Walsh-Fischetti.

Ms. Amanda Hodgson presented the first Senior Scholar Athlete Award, which is presented to a member of the senior class who has made significant contributions to the athletic program and has a distinguished academic record. The award was presented to Ana Hernandez-Merkle. 

Mr. Adrian Diaz ’14 presented a second Senior Scholar Athlete Award to Luis Yunta Bernabeu.

Mr. Brian Gilloran presented the Brown Family Award, given to a student who has overcome academic challenges while persevering and excelling in athletics. This award was presented to Alonso Serrano Martinez.

Ms. Whitney Barrett presented the Samuel B. Pettengill Scholarship Award, which is awarded to a member of the graduating class who exemplifies high ideals of outstanding citizenship and academic excellence. Created in 1992 with funds from the estate of Samuel B. Pettengill 1904 and Helen M. Pettengill, the income is used for college scholarships for Vermont Academy seniors from Vermont families. This year the award was presented to Maya Sbardellati. 

Ms. Christine Gilbert presented the World Language Award, given to the student in the senior class who has demonstrated a deep love for languages and a sincere appreciation for the multiple and varied ways we express ourselves. Thus, we recognize this extraordinary student as a linguist who has the ability to improve the world by influencing how we can better communicate, understand, sympathize, and empathize with each other as human beings. This year’s recipient was Iris Adamoli-Puchalik.

Mr. Russell Mayhew presented the H. Edmund Tripp Award, which is made to a member of the graduating class whose achievements in math during two or more years at VA have been outstanding and worthy of recognition. Ed “Beano” Tripp taught math at Vermont Academy for 39 years. He’s been described by former students as a deeply knowledgeable teacher who took joy in sharing his expertise with others. This year the award was presented to Yuliang “Raymond” Feng. 

Ms. Christine Armiger presented the Hayes Environmental Prize. Established in 1997 through the generosity of A. Reed Hayes III ’64 previous chairman of the Vermont Academy board of trustees and creator of the Hayes Environmental and Outdoor Fund, the prize is given each year to the student who best exemplifies both an understanding for our need to exist in harmony with the natural environment and a commitment to act on this understanding. This year’s recipient was Kailin Sullivan.

Mr. Peter Ahlfeld presented the The Amy Lanterman Learning Center Award, which is awarded to the student who exemplifies the educational values of kindness, perseverance, and sincere care for others embodied by long-term Learning Specialist Amy Lanterman. Created and given in honor of Mrs. Lanterman’s 25th year of service to Vermont Academy. This year’s recipient was Skye Twining.

Mr. Adrian Diaz ’14 presented the Postgraduate Wildcat Award. This is awarded to a post graduate student who fully embraces the post graduate curriculum which includes, resume writing, internships, and job readiness skills. This year’s recipient was Evan Michelucci. 

Ms. Lisa McNealus ’79 presented the The Bob ’37 and Beth Campbell Art Purchase Award. In the interest of acquiring more artwork for our alumni art collection, Vermont Academy uses this award to purchase a piece of artwork each year from an artist in the graduating class. This year’s recipient was Iris Adamoli-Puchalik for her acrylic-on-canvas painting titled “Resilience.”

Ms. Whitney Barrett presented the Donald T. Brodine Memorial Award, which honors a faculty member who exhibits many of the characteristics of long-time Vermont Academy English teacher Donald Brodine -- one of the Academy’s most revered teachers. This year’s recipient was Mr. Sean Allen. 

Dr. Zaccara presented the Barbara Sweet Award, which is given annually to that full-time faculty or staff member within the Vermont Academy community who has served as an exemplary teacher, coach, advisor, dorm parent, and role model. The recipient of this award, as chosen by the graduating class, will have touched and significantly influenced the lives of all community members in all aspects of life here at Vermont Academy. This year’s recipient was Mr.Jake Miller. 

Director of Advancement, Tonia Flemming then took the stage to recognize Dr. Zaccara for all she has done in her eight years of leadership at Vermont Academy. Dr. Zaccara was presented a framed photo of a beautiful sunrise dawning over the VA campus. On the back was a list of names of all who donated to an initiative which totaled $150,000 raised in honor of   her; these funds will be used to support projects that will pay tribute to our school’s history and enhance our grand building and bucolic campus.

 

After all of the awards were presented, the Class of 2025 slideshow was played, and the graduating students got to sentimentally look back at smiling photos of themselves and their peers during their time at VA. This year’s slideshow was created by Class of 2025 member, Andy Darcy.

Dr. Zaccara closed out the night with some final remarks and reminders of details for the commencement ceremony the next day. Students were off to have a fun night of activities and everyone was ready for the final festivity to come.

Photos from the event can be found here.
A video of the livestream can be found here.