Prize Day 2026 Celebrating Academic Achievement & Community Impact

On Friday, May 22, 2026, the Holderness School community gathered on Livermore Common to celebrate Prize Day. This special occasion honored our students' personal growth, community contributions, and intellectual rigor. 

Every Holderness student enriches our community in unique and meaningful ways, and we are proud of their efforts and accomplishments. Today, we recognized the following students for their exceptional achievements. 

While there is not enough time to honor all of our students deserving of recognition for their achievements, we are proud of the work and effort displayed by every student this year. It is just as much of an honor to have been part of the many quieter, less heralded intellectual and community contributions that are earned daily in our classrooms, dormitories, and along our paths. 

View the full Prize Day photo gallery here.

 

COMMUNITY AWARDS

The Kendall Book Prize Award - Vijay Deveau

The Kendall Book Prize is awarded to an eleventh-grade student who engages in academic life with lively intelligence and shows a creative commitment to the community.

The Harvard Book Prize - Margaret Owens

The Harvard Book Prize is given to a student who displays excellence in scholarship and high character. 

The MJ LaFoley Award - Paige Taylor

In memory of former student Martin John LaFoey, the MJ LaFoley Award is given to a student in the ninth or tenth grade who, in the opinion of the Head of School and faculty, exemplifies outstanding character and integrity and who puts forth exceptional effort and spirit in all aspects of Holderness life.

Coaches’ Awards - Lissa King, AJ Yeung, Henry Prowse

The Ford B. Hinman Coaches’ Award is awarded to the student or students who, in the opinion of the Director of Athletics and the Head of School, have contributed the most to the spirit of Holderness on and off the field.

The Faculty Award - Pete Remington

The Faculty Award is awarded by a special vote of the faculty to graduating seniors who have made a significant contribution to the school's life.

Bob Brooks Award - Harrison Dean

The Bob Brooks Award is named for Bob Brooks, a.k.a. "Brooksie," who worked at Holderness School from 1980 – 1997, and served as equipment manager from 1985 – 1997. The ninth-grade class selects the senior for this award who played the biggest role in making Holderness School a home.

Webster Cup - Maggie Higgins, Sam Martin

The Webster Cup Award is the gift of a former Rector, the Rev. Lorin Webster, to be awarded for excellence in athletics.

Ned Gillette Spirit Award - Vivienne Maleska

The Ned Gillette Spirit Award is awarded annually to the graduating senior whose career at Holderness best reflects Ned Gillette's genuine leadership, competitive attitude, and spirit of adventure. The Head of School, in consultation with members of the faculty, selects the recipient.

Richard C. Gallop Award for Creative and Community Leadership - Clara Peschel  

The Richard C. Gallop Award for Creative and Community Leadership is given to a senior student chosen by the Head of School and the faculty. This award is given in memory of Richard Gallop, a parent, and trustee, to a senior who demonstrates both creative and community leadership and is willing and able to assert those qualities that further the unique sense of community at Holderness.

Dana H. Rowe Memorial Award - Claire Eccleston  

The Dana H. Rowe Memorial Award is given to a senior class girl who has made an outstanding contribution to the School through her academic achievement, participation in sports and extracurricular activities, and love of life.

Haslam Award - Luke Duffield 

The Haslam Award is given by the School yearly in memory of the Rev. George Haslam, for excellence in Athletics, Sportsmanship, and Scholarship.

Dallas Award - Ali Campbell  

The Dallas Award is given in memory of John Thompson Dallas, a former Bishop of New Hampshire, to the senior who clearly exemplified loyalty and dedication to the school's Judeo-Christian ideals.  

Marshall Award - Kate Carboni 

The Marshall Award is given in memory of the Rev. Robert Eliot Marshall, a former Rector of the School, for outstanding contribution to the life of the School.

Don and Pat Henderson Award - Jack Welby

The Don and Pat Henderson Award honors the senior deemed by the Faculty and Head of School as having given of themselves most freely and generously to the welfare of the community and has exhibited leadership.

Walter Alvin Frost Award - Maeve Rhatigan

The Walter Alvin Frost Award celebrates the life of a former student and is presented to the student deemed by the Head of School and faculty as having reached the highest standards of the School.

ACADEMIC AWARDS

Math Department

The Elementary Math Prize - Sierra Chapnick  

The Elementary Math Prize is presented to an underclass student who shows great potential for future accomplishment in Mathematics. 

The Advanced Math Prize - Casey Laiprasert

The Advanced Math Prize recognizes exceptional achievement and passion for Advanced  Mathematics.

The Rensselaer Medal - Caleb Perlman

The Rensselaer Medal is awarded to a junior who excels in demanding math and science classes and demonstrates potential for success in a challenging academic setting.

WPI Innovation Award - Wenqi Tina Zhao

The WPI Innovation Award is awarded to a student in the junior class who demonstrates innovation, collaboration, and leadership in STEM fields.  

The Anderson Memorial Scholarship - Margaret Owens

The Harry G. Anderson Jr. Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a junior class member who, as deemed by the Head of School in consultation with the math and science faculty, to demonstrate outstanding initiative, curiosity, and competence in astronomy, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and related disciplines.

Science Department 

The Science Prize - Jason Weng

The Science Prize is awarded to the student who best exemplifies a creative and inquisitive mind in the pursuit of scientific understanding.  

The Spargo Award For Science - Luke Duffield, Marlena Maleska

The Spargo Award is presented to the senior who has demonstrated comprehensive excellence in academic achievement in the pursuit of a rigorous science education.

Arts Department 

The David Lockwood Music Award - Crawford Cook

Through the generosity of The Rev. and Mrs. Brinton W. Woodward, Jr., the Lockwood Music Prize was created to honor the retirement of music teacher David Lockwood, who taught at Holderness from 1981-2016. It is presented to the student who has distinguished himself/herself in music.

The William Bradford Whiting Prize For Art - Ondine Kagan

The Whiting Prize for Excellence in the Fine Arts is awarded to an artist who demonstrates exceptional skill and proficiency in the field of fine arts.

The Ceramics Prize - Casey Cellar

This prize is awarded to a young artist who excels in ceramics and demonstrates remarkable proficiency in academics, artistic and personal pursuits.

The Photography Prize - Viktor Samal

This prize recognizes a student’s exceptional dedication and talents in the field of photography. 

The Fiore Cup For Theater - Clara Peschel

The Fiore Cup is awarded to the student for excellence in dramatic arts.

Modern Language Department 

The Elementary French Prize - Sierra Chapnick 

This prize is awarded to a student for their outstanding dedication and achievement in the study of French language and culture.

The Advanced French Prize - Jason Weng

This prize recognizes a student’s exceptional proficiency and mastery in advanced-level French language and culture.  

The Elementary Spanish Prize - Tegan White

This prize is awarded to a student for their outstanding dedication and achievement in the study of Spanish language and culture.  

The Advanced Spanish Prize - Lillian Holland

This prize recognizes a student’s exceptional proficiency and mastery in advanced-level Spanish language and culture.  

History Department 

The Connor History Medal - Maeve Rhatigan

The Connor History Medal honors a student for their scholarship in history and an appreciation for how it shapes the future.  

The Ashworth Award For Excellence In United States History - Margaret Owens

The Ashworth Prize for Excellence in US History is awarded to the student who demonstrates outstanding achievement and dedication in the study of United States history.

The Ashworth Award For Excellence In European History - Maisie King

The Ashworth Prize for Excellence in US History is awarded to the student who demonstrates outstanding achievement and dedication in the study of European history.

The Sean Glew History Prize - Hazel Nickerson

This award, given in memory of faculty member Sean Alexander Glew, is awarded to a ninth-grade student who has shown excellence in historical scholarship.

The Theology & Religious Studies Prize - Preston Kennell, Aila Thompson

The Theology & Religious Studies Prize recognizes exceptional achievement and dedication in the field of theology and religious studies.

English Department 

The Joseph Massik English Prize - Marlena Maleska, Vivienne Maleska

Named for Joe Massik, a member of the class of 1946, who believed that mastery and love of language were both a foundation for a life well-lived and a source of lifelong pleasure, the Joseph M. Massik English Prize honors the student demonstrating a keen interest and aptitude in the realm of English scholarship.

The Writing Prize - Songdy Assoume Oniane

The Writing Prize goes to that student who has demonstrated themselves to be particularly adept at and committed to the process of becoming an elite writer. 

The Robert Creeley Poetry Prize - Clara Peschel

This prize honors one of the most important American poets of the 20th century and is awarded to a student with exceptional dedication to poetry.

UVM Citizen Scholar Book Award - Elena LaRoche

The Citizen Scholar Book Award celebrates high school students around the globe who demonstrate the spirit of citizenship and scholarship. They may have campaigned for a cause, founded a community action group, or conducted research aiding social progress. They are movers, shakers, and change-makers.

Bowdoin Book Award - Cooper Duggan

The Bowdoin Book Award recognizes a high school junior who has demonstrated extraordinary service to the common good and an unusual passion for inquiry, discovery, and innovative thinking.

Cum Laude Society

The Cum Laude Society recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools to promote excellence, justice, and honor. This award is presented to the student who embodies these principles. 

Class of 2026

• Songdy Assoume Oniane*
• Alexa Boden*
• Aprile Chong
• Brooke Cippoletti*
• Luke Duffield*
• Lillian Holland*
• Pauh Kulvanit
• Adelle MacLeay*
• Marlena Maleska
• Sarah McAdam
• Sam McDonnell
• Stella Regan
• Maeve Rhatigan*
• Eli Rock
• Sam Turner
• Yirong Wang*
• Jason Weng​​​​

*Inducted as juniors in 2025

Class of 2027 

• Jakob Bates
• Griffin Bobiak
• Charlotte Hoffman
• Noah Kassels
• Elena LaRoche
• Roan LaScola
• Margaret Owens
• Caleb Pearlman
• Tina Zhao

The R. Philip Peck Service Awards  – Kelsey Berry, Len Thompson

The R. Phillip Peck Service Award is given annually to one or more employee(s) that has gone above and beyond in service of Holderness over the past year. Chosen by the Head of School and the Holderness administration, the R. Phillip Peck Endowed Service Award was funded by the family of Carolyn '87 P '17 and Craig '17 Cullen, and is named in honor of Head of School Phil Peck, who believed in and constantly demonstrated service before self.  This year, we have two very deserving recipients for this award.