Holderness Recognizes Distinguished Alumni

Just days after saying goodbye to the Class of 2026, Holderness School welcomed alumni back to campus for Reunion Weekend. In addition to reconnecting with longtime friends and teachers, alumni attended a special Chapel to recognize several of their peers for their contributions to the school.

Tracy McCoy Gillette ’89 Distinguished Service Award

The Tracy McCoy Gillette '89 Distinguished Service Award is awarded to an alumnus in a reunion class who, through their devotion and dedicated service, has significantly and positively affected the health and well-being of the School.

This year, we are proud to present the Alumni Service Award to two members of our community.

Laura (Cooper) Page '86, P ’20, ’22, ’25

Laura’s Holderness story begins far from New Hampshire, on the island of Bermuda, where snow—and certainly hockey—were not part of everyday life. But she arrived here open, curious, and ready to embrace something new. After taking a recreational skiing course her first winter, she and her sister joined the hockey team despite having barely skated before, and never looked back.

Holderness, as Laura describes it, opened up a world that extended far beyond what she had known: the wilderness, new challenges, and a sense of possibility that would stay with her long after graduation.

Today, that connection to Holderness runs even deeper. As the parent of three graduates—Ellie ’20, Mary ’22, and Annie ’25—Laura has experienced the School through a second lens, watching each of her daughters find their own path and thrive here in their own distinct ways. Her pride in their journeys mirrors her belief in the breadth of the Holderness experience: that there is not just one kind of student who belongs here, but many—and that each finds something meaningful.

Laura has translated that belief into action through her years of service as a Class Agent, helping to keep her classmates connected to one another and to the School. Whether encouraging Reunion attendance, supporting the Day of Giving, or simply reaching out, she has approached her role with warmth, consistency, and care.

For Laura, giving back is not about titles or recognition. It is about time, connection, and a willingness to show up. As she puts it, “many hands make light work”—and there is always a way to contribute. Her example reminds us that the strength of Holderness is built not just on what happens here during a student’s years on campus, but on the community that continues to invest in it long after.

Gerald L. Shyavitz '60

For decades, Gerry has demonstrated what it means to remain meaningfully connected to Holderness long after graduation. His service spans generations—quiet, consistent, and deeply rooted in a belief that community is something we build and sustain together.

Over the years, Gerry has volunteered in numerous ways, including serving as a career mentor to students and supporting his class as both a Class Agent and Class Correspondent. Today, that commitment continues. He serves as Class Agent for classes 60 and 61, and Class Correspondent for ‘60—roles that require not only organization, but care: staying in touch with classmates, strengthening connections, and ensuring that the spirit of Holderness endures within his class and beyond.

Professionally, Gerry has built a long career as an attorney, practicing for decades in Massachusetts in areas including estate planning, general practice, and family law. But it is his work as a volunteer—his willingness to give time, energy, and attention to others—that most clearly reflects the values we honor today.

Gerry’s example reminds us that service does not need to be visible to be meaningful. It is found in the steady work of staying connected, of reaching out, of helping a community remain whole over time. It is found in showing up—year after year—because the place, and the people, matter.