Spring 2026 Co-Curricular Awards

Congratulations to all the exceptional student-athletes who made this spring sports season a success! Their hard work and dedication were always on display, from the field to the diamond to the court. Whether in practice or competition, our Bulls truly represented Holderness School well.

This spring, we honored two retiring faculty members for their contributions to the Holderness community, both on the field and off.

Spirit of Holderness Award

Duane Ford '74, P '04, '05, '08, '12

The truth is, Holderness is Fordo, and Fordo is Holderness. He has shaped this place not only through what he has done, but through how he has made people feel. He makes us better. He makes us say hello. He reminds us to show up for one another. He sees every single person in this community and believes they are capable of being great. That belief matters. Students feel it. Colleagues feel it. Athletes feel it.

Fordo coaches with passion, inspiration, dedication, grit, and incredibly high expectations—but always with the belief that those expectations are achievable. He challenges people because he cares deeply about who they can become. His impact goes far beyond wins and losses. It’s in the confidence he builds, the standards he sets, the culture he creates, and the countless moments where he pushes someone to become a better teammate, better student, and better person.

There are people who work at a school, and then there are people who become part of the soul of a school. Fordo is part of the soul of Holderness.

For his unwavering spirit, leadership, and belief in all of us, it is our honor to present the Spirit of Holderness Award to Fordo.

Lifetime Dedication Award

Bruce Paro P '17

It is an honor to present the Lifetime Dedication Award to someone who has devoted his entire career to students, athletes, and the Holderness community—Mr. Bruce Paro.

When we talk about lifelong commitment, Mr. Paro defines it. Throughout his career, he has coached every season, every year. He has worn just about every hat imaginable—teacher, coach, Athletic Director, dorm parent, mentor, organizer, role model, and steady voice of reason. Simply put, he has given his life to the betterment of high school students and student-athletes.

At Holderness, Bruce has been a true champion of JV athletics. He holds every athlete to a high standard and expects them to rise to the occasion—and they do. Because of Coach Paro, countless students learned not only the fundamentals of soccer, hockey, and lacrosse, but also accountability, discipline, teamwork, and pride. And the results speak for themselves: successful seasons, undefeated seasons—including his final season—but more importantly, generations of students who became better people because they played for him.

Paro is also the kind of colleague every school hopes to have. Organized, on top of scheduling, advocating for what is best for his teams and students. He somehow manages to keep track of every piece of equipment, and his teams lead the school in returned uniforms and clean locker rooms. And if they didn’t? They were held accountable.

Mr. Paro has been someone we could always count on. Whenever we needed another perspective, another set of eyes or ears on a difficult situation, Bruce was one of the first calls. His wisdom, honesty, and care for students have made all of us better at what we do.

Mr. Paro: Next up may be retirement, but we are hoping you will keep your ringer on for when we need you again! Please join us in congratulating and thanking Coach Paro for a lifetime of dedication, service, and impact. Holderness is a far better place because of you.

All-Americans

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
AJ Yeung ’26 - All-American
Luke Duffield ’26 - Academic All-American

Northern New England Lacrosse League Awards

NNELL Offensive Player of the Year
Hunter Thompson ’26

NNELL Man of the Year
Duane Ford ’74, P '04, '05, '08, '12

NNELL Coach of the Year
Justin Simon ’04

NEPSAC Awards

All-NEPSAC

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Luke Duffield ’26
Miles McCabe ’26
Grady Walsh ’26

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
Riley Davis ’27
Olivia Tatum ’28

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Miles Donahue ’27
Trey Picard ’26
Nolan Worgan ’27

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
Reese Harrigan ’28
Whitney McIlvain ’27
Grace Swinburne ’29

Varsity Baseball
Jack Welby ’26

Varsity Softball
Rosie Gilkes ’26

Lakes Region Awards

Varsity Baseball
Jack Welby ’26 - Lakes Region Hitter of the Year

Lakes Region All-Stars

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
James Cassata ’26
Trey Neally ’26
Hunter Thompson ’26
AJ Yeung ’26

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
Paige Taylor ’28
Mimi Matviak ’27
Audrey Byrne ’27

Varsity Baseball
Adrian Lupian ’27
Matt Fede ’26

Varsity Softball
Katherine Geswell ’28

Boys Varsity Tennis
Viktor Samal ’26
James Glover ’28

Girls Varsity Tennis
Iga Schrallhammer ’28
Hope Jernagan ’29

Varsity Golf
Sawyer Drummond ’28
Mark Bierwirth ’26
Henry Prowse ’26
Ryan Plunkett ’26

Lakes Region Champions of Character

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Kaleb Shaw ’28

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
Ali Campbell ’26

Varsity Baseball
Teagan Gregory ’27

Varsity Softball
Lydia Watts ’28

Boys Varsity Tennis
Talmage Treadwell ’27

Girls Varsity Tennis
Annabelle Keith ’27

Varsity Golf
Ryan Plunkett ’26

Team Awards

Boys Varsity Lacrosse

Coaches’ Award
Luke Duffield ’26

Most Valuable Player
Miles McCabe ’26
AJ Yeung ’26

Mike D'Amico Award
Trey Picard ’26

Girls Varsity Lacrosse

Coaches' Award
Claire Eccleston ’26
Maggie Higgins ’26
Maeve Rhatigan ’26

Varsity Baseball

Most Improved Player
Adrian Lupian ’27

Coaches’ Award
Matt Fede ’26

Most Valuable Player
Jack Welby ’26

Varsity Softball

Coaches’ Award
Songdy Assoume Oniane ’26

Most Improved Player
Nancy Feng ’28

Most Valuable Player
Katherine Geswell ’28

Boys Varsity Tennis

Most Valuable Player
Charlie Hunnwell ’29

Coaches’ Award
James Glover ’28

Girls Varsity Tennis

Coaches’ Award
Sarah McAdam ’26
Charlotte Hoffman ’27

Varsity Golf

Most Improved Player
James Albers ’26

Most Valuable Player
Henry Prowse ’26

Boys JV Lacrosse

Most Improved Player
Jake Moreau ’29
Henry Spiess ’29

Girls JV Lacrosse

Coaches’ Award
Ryleigh McNelly ’27

Most Improved Player
Lilly Hoffman ’29
Leni Frasca ’27

Boys JV Tennis

Coaches’ Award
Harrison Dean ’26

Girls JV Tennis

Coaches’ Award
Shelly Teng ’27

Most Improved Player
Tegan White ’28

Cycling

Coaches’ Award
Marlena Maleska ’26

Most Improved Player
James Doiron ’29