2025 Fall Term Awards Celebrate Community Achievements

The Westminster community gathered in Werner Centennial Center on Dec. 4 to celebrate achievements during the fall 2025 term. Head of School Elaine White welcomed the community and reflected on a fall defined by students’ willingness to “show up” for one another, both in spirited moments and in quiet acts of care. She highlighted the prefect board’s joyful welcome on opening day, the practical support of Sixth Form and RA volunteers, and the sustained energy students brought to athletic teams throughout the season—from the electric crowds at varsity field hockey and volleyball to the late-night encouragement that carried varsity girls’ soccer through its playoff run.

She also underscored the depth of character students have shown in less visible ways: the thoughtful 9/11 remembrance on Commencement Lawn, the dedication of mentors and RAs, and the wide-ranging service completed on Community Engagement Day. Noting that showing up often demands time, intention, and effort, she thanked students for strengthening Westminster’s sense of belonging and urged them to carry that spirit forward into the winter months.

Director of Athletics Tim Joncas highlighted the girls’ varsity soccer team’s outstanding four-year run and emphasized that sustained success is not without struggle. “We are not born with grit. We build it, and I am proud that it is built here, every day,” said Joncas. He noted that growth was evident across all athletic programs—from the determination of the returning volleyball team to the daily commitment seen on every field and court—and he thanked coaches, staff, and student-athletes for a season defined by collective
dedication and teamwork.

Before beginning the list of awards, Academic Dean Betsy Heckman encouraged everyone to support their peers in a celebratory and inclusive way, responding with thoughtfulness and kindness.

Academic Awards
Academic Dean Betsy Heckman announced students who received Summus this fall, awarded to the top ten percent of each form based on GPA.
 
Third Form Summus:

Grace Han, Bryant Hong, Derek Liu, Hattie Lynch, Nikki Ni, Siha Park, Sulu Sagadieva, Sophia Wen, Charlie Zhang

Fourth Form Summus:
Ethan He, Ryan Holmes, Candice Hong, Isaac Kwon, Justin Li, Anh Hong Ngo, Alessandra Posteraro, Rafa Rodrigues, Jason Xie, Chloe Zhao, Max Zong

Fifth Form Summus:
Kaitlyn Buda, Naomi Flom, Daniel Frid, Liesel Kocourek, Conrad Kwait, Gianna Monaco, Jack Owens, Ellie Smith, Maya Tran, Marco Zheng

Sixth Form Summus:
Caroline Breslav, Carson Craig, John Dwyer, Pippa Jiranek, Grace Li, Sunshine Li, Delia Lockwood, Aidan O’Callaghan, Jeff Shao, James Teng, Luna Yang, Sabrina Yang

Athletic Awards
 
Berry Awards
Named in honor of Richard P. “Scott” Berry, loyal faculty member, coach and friend from 1971-2017, recognizes  the player from each lower team who gave the best effort and demonstrated the best attitude throughout the season.
 
JV Field Hockey: Audrey Khuu ’26
JV Boys’ Soccer: Allen Alava ’28
3rd Boys’ Soccer: Henry Brooks ’28
4th Boys’ Soccer: Chris Chang ’29
JV Girls’ Soccer: Abbey Cirelli ’27
3rd Girls’ Soccer: Ilana Mezheritskiy ’27
IM Volleyball: Caroline Breslav ’26
 
Varsity Awards
Most Improved Player (MIP) and Most Valuable Player (MVP)
 
Volleyball
MIP: Arielle Anderson ’28
MVP: Chloe Donovan ’29
Field Hockey
MIP: June Hodson ’28
Pitcairn MVP: Stella Spitz ’27
 
Boys’ Water Polo

MIP: Bennett Varao ’27
MVP: Simon Stambaugh ’26
 
Boys’ Cross Country
MIP: Elijah Woodard ’29
Jones Bowl, MVR: Michael Wang ’27
 
Girls’ Cross Country
MIP: Zainab Mohammady ’27
Wilbur Bowl, MVR: Sophia Lazor ’27
 
Girls’ Soccer
MIP: Lylah Leigner ’29
MVP: Maya Goddard ’26
 
Boys’ Soccer
Wilbraham MIP: Emanuel Cazeau ’28
1956 MVP: Galima Sonnah ’26
 
The Stephen Harris Squibb Bowl awards, which honor the athlete from each Varsity team who demonstrated the greatest sportsmanship, consistent effort, and inspired performance throughout the season were given to:
 
Volleyball: Ainslee Deptula ’28
Field Hockey: Hannah Maltby ’26
Girls’ Soccer: Taryn Overstreet ’26
Boys’ Soccer: Connor Gray ’26
Girls’ Cross Country: Avery Gray ’26
Boys’ Cross Country: Alessio Suarez ’28
Water Polo: Draven Chung ’26
 
The All Founders League Award is given to two members of each varsity team who best exemplify the League ideals of sportsmanship, hard work, and character in the spirit of competition and fair play at the varsity level.
 
Varsity Boys’ Soccer: Dennis Quiwon ’26
Varsity Girls’ Soccer: Hannah Coccaro ’27 and Ellie Smith ’27
Varsity Boys’ Cross Country: Liam Murray ’26 and Nicholas Lopriore ’26
Varsity Girls’ Cross Country: Anna Klapman ’26 and Sofia Eleuteri ’28
Varsity Field Hockey: Pippa Jiranek ’26 and Gigi Filippetti ’26
Volleyball: Kaitlyn Buda ’27 and Ella Hammel ’28
 

The Hopley-Jackson Award, named in honor of Richard Hopley and Michael Jackson, lower team coaches for many years at Westminster, is given seasonally to the Westminster lower team with the best season. The Hopley-Jackson Award went to the JV girls’ soccer team.
 
Coaches: Frantz Batoh, Bridget Cirelli
Captains: Abbey Cirelli ’27, Piper Lundin ’26, Lucy Morton ’26, Lexie Willis ’26
 
The Houghton Award, named in honor of Frederick Houghton, Class of 32, trustee, friend, and fan, is given seasonally to the Westminster team with the best season. This Houghton Award winner for this fall went to the varsity girls’ soccer team.
 
Coaches: Kelly Wosleger, Stephanie Marcelino
Captains: Maya Goddard ’26, Taryn Overstreet ’26, Hannah Coccaro ’27
 
Performing Arts Awards
The Fall Dance Award is given in recognition of a dancer who, throughout the season, consistently gives their best effort in the dance afternoon program and embodies the very best attitude. This award honors the individual whose daily display of “grit and grace,” dedication to their artistry, and unwavering support of their peers have been truly extraordinary and was given to Clara Covill ’26. Frances Laurel Hopkins Award, which recognizes a student who has made outstanding contributions to the Westminster Dramat Association, was given to Henry Warren ’26. 
 
Community Pin Awards
The last celebration of the morning highlighted special community members. Graham Cole, head of school from 1993-2010, started the tradition of awarding pins to recognize extraordinary community commitment.
 
The community pin recognizes someone who helps to make Westminster a better community through their selflessness, help, attitude, or approach. These individuals are the difference makers in creating a better experience for others.

Pins were given to:
 
Wendy Huscher: For being a steadfast and caring presence in our community for more than 20 years as the health center driver. She is always available, often going above and beyond her regular hours to ensure that students get to their medical appointments, X-rays, MRIs, emergency visits, and vaccinations safely and on time.

James Saxon: For being a warm, funny, and thoughtful person who always makes an effort to brighten our days in the dining hall. He is always upbeat, regardless of the long hours he works to take care of us.

Mike Lawler: For always having a minute for a colleague or a student, for being the first to offer words of encouragement and sharing his wisdom and constructive feedback in a way that feels collaborative and supportive.

Grace Brown ’28, Chloe Champoux ’28, and Yujin Lee ’29: For serving and being recognized by their peers as great examples of what it means to be positive and kind in the dormitory space, uplifting others, and focused on including and not excluding.
 
Anna Klapman ’26: For serving with positivity, commitment, and responsibility as a SAC Head and tour guide for the past two years. She can always be counted on for both fun ideas and help with making events happen week after week, including in the dormitory and as a tour guide.
 
Brendan Williams ’26: For leading with humility, kindness, and action. As an RA in Memorial, he’s present even on the nights when he’s not on duty. He’s the first to help clean up, the first to grab dishes, and even go without in a feed to make sure everyone else has gotten food.
  
Established in 2024 by the family of Avery H. Bevin ’59, this award is to be presented each term to a student who displays the attributes of kindness, grace, inclusion, and care for individuals. The recipient of this award is chosen through nominations from the student body. This year’s recipient was Simon Stambaugh ’26 for consistently showing kindness and embodying the Westminster spirit through his community leadership, personal interactions, classroom participation, and demonstration of grit and grace.