Seniors and Alumni Honored at 2023 Sixth Form Awards

Standout members of the Class of 2023—plus two exceptional Canterbury alumni—were honored during the Sixth Form Awards Assembly and Dinner held in the Steers Center on May 25, the eve of their Commencement.

The assembly opened with a prayer from Sacristan Rhea Khazzaka, followed by opening remarks from Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24. “Let me begin this afternoon’s assembly by welcoming family members to the official start of our celebration of the Class of 2023 and by offering congratulations to our seniors,” Rachel said. “By this time tomorrow, you will have officially transitioned from Canterbury student to Canterbury graduate.”

Following her initial remarks, Rachel introduced Society of Alumni Executive Committee President William “Macy” Steers, Jr. ’04 to present the alumni award recipients. Desmond Barry, Jr. ’63 received the Thomas J. Sheehy III Distinguished Alumni Award and Brianna Carusillo Theriault ’08 was honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. It was the first time these awards were presented during the Sixth Form Awards Assembly, instantly connecting our graduating seniors to the Society of Alumni they would soon join.

Preceding the student awards, Assistant Head of School for Student Life Peter LaVigne P ’14, ’16, ’17, ’20, ’23 recognized all members of the class who had held leadership positions over the course of their final year—International Student Ambassadors, Interfaith Council members, DEIJ Council members, Day and Boarding Proctors, Sacristans, Lead Ambassadors, and Sixth Form Council members.

Class of 2023 members of the Canterbury Honor Society were also recognized individually for their hard work and academic accomplishments—Owen Arias, John Bagg, Kenneth Begasse, Lauren Bellucci, Stephanie Bissing, Andrew Zhe Chen, Olivia Clark, Veikko Eskelin, Jason Fisher, Erin Flaherty, Neve Flanagan, Samantha Hawley, Huanrui “Paul” Hu, Junseong Jo, Rhea Khazzaka, Jake Kloss, Connor Koh, Lily LaVigne, Xavier Leone, Yunhan “Jacob” Li, Olivia Lynn, John McCain, Riley McPhee, Anne Melich, Hannah Nash, Joy Okonye, Alexander Olcese, Charles Phillips, Amanda Regina, Ava Ruisi, Noah Schretzenmayer, Bryce Stone, Cullen Stone, Liam TeeKing, Avery Trach, Sofia Vial, Yijie “Jack” Wang, Xinyi “Lisa” Weng, Mengze “Mike” Wu, Adam Zarif, and Michael Zarif.

Following that, Jason Fisher was appointed to the United States Naval Academy by Blue and Gold Officer and Admission Liaison Brock Hamilton, Bryce Stone received a four-year ROTC Scholarship from CPT Bailey Nash, and Lauren Belluci was presented with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award from The Parents Club of West Point, an honor recognizing high school students who exhibit the qualities and ideals of the United States Military Academy.

Athletic Director Jim Stone P ’23, ’24 then began the student award presentation with athletic awards in several categories:

• Most Improved Athlete—Hannah Nash and Thomas Lapham

• Best Leadership—Erin Flaherty, Cullen Stone, and Adam Zarif

• Best All-Around Athlete—Joy Okonye and Patrick Pannasch

Director of Studies Todd Mathewson then presented the Edward F. Mack Awards to members of the class for their contributions to particular areas of school life:

• Outstanding Contributions to Community Service—Hannah Nash and Avery Trach

• Outstanding Contributions to the Cantuarian—Fiona Mulheren

• Outstanding Contributions to the Sustainability Club—Neve Flanagan, Adam Zarif, and Michael Zarif

• Outstanding Contributions to Theatre for Performance in a Female Role—Anne Melich

• Outstanding Contributions to Theatre for Performance in a Male Role—Andrew Martin, Beckett Reynolds, and Bryce Stone

• Outstanding Contributions to Theatre for Technical Theatre—Fiona Mulheren

• Outstanding Service as a Proctor— John Bagg, Cameron Folli, Luke Germain, Kiley McCooey, Riley McPhee, and Lauren McQueen

• Outstanding Service as an Admission Ambassador—Samantha Hawley and Cullen Stone

• Outstanding Contributions in Student Government—Gabriella Dellacroce and Riley McPhee

• Outstanding Contributions as a Sacristan—Lily LaVigne

The award presentations continued with academic honors given to Sixth Form students for specific areas of study:

• For excellence in the study of Digital Communication, Design, and Innovation—Noah Schretzenmeyer

• Edward J. Duffy Family Award for excellence in the study of Studio Art, given in memory of Mr. Duffy by his children—Xinyi “Lisa” Weng

• Francis T. Carmody ’25 Award for creative talent in art, given in memory of Trustee Francis Carmody, son of founding Trustee Terence Carmody—Fiona Mulheren

• Stephen N. ’43 And Lacey Hume Award, given in memory of Trustee Emeritus and son of the founding Headmaster, Stephen N. ’43, and his wife Lacey for excellence in the study of vocal performance—Anne Melich

• Stephen N. ’43 And Lacey Hume Award, given in memory of Trustee Emeritus and son of the founding Headmaster, Stephen N. ’43, and his wife Lacey for excellence in the study of contemporary music—Xavier Leone

• Frederick L. Gilson ’50 Award for excellence in classical music performance—Annaleise Booth and Beckett Reynolds

• Gerald A. and Therese J. Vanasse Choral Music Award in memory of Mr. Vanasse, who served as school organist, choral club accompanist, glee club director, music director of spring musicals, and shared his love of music with Canterbury students from 1960 to 1990, given to the student who has demonstrated the highest level of leadership—Anne Melich

• John Thomas Smith Award for excellence in the study of English, given in memory of John Thomas Smith, benefactor of the School and parent—Lily LaVigne

• English Essay Award, presented to the author of the best critical essay written for the annual Sixth Form English essay assignment—Xinyi “Lisa” Weng

• Francis T. Carmody ’25 Prize Awards for creative talent in prose—Kaitlyn Dammers

• Francis T. Carmody ’25 Prize Awards for creative talent in poetry—Sophia Maselli

• Allan A. Ryan Award for excellence in the study of History, given in memory of Mr. Ryan, a founding Trustee and parent—Xinyi “Lisa” Weng

• Captain Thomas J. Sartor Award for excellence in the study of science, given in memory of Captain Sartor from the Class of 1919, benefactor of the school and parent—Annaleise Booth and Noah Schretzenmeyer

• Weldon R. Knox Award, established by the Class of 1971 in memory of Mr. Knox, who taught math from 1960 to 1975 and given to that student who has demonstrated the greatest improvement in the study of mathematics while at Canterbury—Rhea Khazzaka

• James A. Farrell Award for excellence in the study of mathematics, given in memory of Mr. Farrell, a founding Trustee and benefactor of the School—Xinyi “Lisa” Weng

• Hubert McDonnell Award for excellence in the study of theology, given in memory of Mr. McDonnell, a Trustee from 1938-1950 and parent—Lily LaVigne

• James K. Breene, Jr. Latin Award, given to the Sixth Former who has demonstrated unusual dedication to the Classics while at Canterbury, by the Class of 1963 in memory of Mr. Breene, who was a Master at Canterbury from 1955 to 1973, during which time he inspired his students with his integrity, intellect, and humor— Huanrui “Paul” Hu

• Terence F. Carmody Award, given in memory of the founding Trustee for excellence in the study of Spanish—Jason Fisher and Lily LaVigne

• Terence F. Carmody Award, given in memory of the founding Trustee for excellence in the study of French and Spanish—Michael Zarif

• Roderick Clarke ’46 Distinguished Academic Achievement Award, given by the Class of 1956 in memory of Mr. Clarke, who served Canterbury from 1954 to 1990 as a history teacher, Director of Studies, College Counselor, and as Canterbury’s Headmaster for his last twelve years, awarded to the student with the highest GPA—Class of 2023 Valedictorian Xinyi “Lisa” Weng

Following the award presentations, Rachel shared final words with the seniors. “Collectively, you have embraced your experiences here and developed self-awareness, discipline, and confidence along the way. That learning curve never ends; you will face it again next fall as a new round of challenges arrives,” she said. “But you are ready. You know yourselves as students; you know that persistence counts just as much as intelligence, if not more; and you know that seeking help is a strength not a weakness.”

She concluded: “And so this afternoon, as we celebrate success and noteworthy performance, please remember that these awards are a celebration of excellent work but not a definition of where you stand as students and people. All of you have found success along your Canterbury journeys, and it is the journey, of course, that is the true prize. The faculty and I thank and congratulate you for your good work and the impact you have made and will leave on our community.”

Bravo to all of our Sixth Form and alumni award winners!

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