At the end of each school year, the R. Phillip Peck Service Award is awarded to one or more employees who display exceptional dedication in their daily service to Holderness. The award is named in honor of longtime Head of School Phil Peck, who, over his 38-year career at the school, believed in and constantly demonstrated service above self.

This year, the award went to two very deserving members of the Holderness community: Marilee Lin and Mark Bourbeau.

The R. Phillip Peck Service Award

Marilee Lin

Holderness scored a win when Marilee Lin and her family arrived on campus in 2010. During her time here, she has served her students, our families, and colleagues in innumerable ways.

In the dorm, she provided hundreds of students with support and guidance and served them nachos, banana bread, and more. As the international coordinator, she guided our families from around the world, helping students from afar make Holderness their home, and serving them dumplings and other delicious treats to make them feel at home.

This winter, Marliee arranged a video call with friend and NASA Astronaut Suni Williams, who spoke to the Holderness community from the International Space Station. 

As the English Department chair, she served as a mentor to new colleagues and helped her students develop a love of literature. For the entire community, she served as the coordinator of our All School Summer Read Contest and Poetry Out Loud Competition. And for her colleagues, Marilee served as a friend, cheerleader, mentor, confidant, and surrogate grandmother.

Marilee, who retired at the end of this school year, did not expect to receive the award.

“I was taken completely by surprise. It was such a lovely honor, and, in retrospect, a true full-circle moment with Tobi and Phil there to present the award–both longtime colleagues who welcomed me, John, and our boys to Holderness in 2010,” Marilee said. “We'll miss living on campus and being part of this vital community, but we're grateful that we both were able to finish our school careers here. It was the perfect landing place and home for our family at the end of a long, winding road!”

On behalf of the entire school, we would like to thank you, Marilee, for your care, commitment, and love of this community.

Mark Bourbeau

We also honor Mark Bourbeau with the R. Phillip Peck Service Award for going above and beyond in his work at Holderness.

Mark is a master painter, gifted guitarist, and valued Buildings and Grounds team member. He brings a wealth of expertise to his work here. Before joining Holderness, he contributed to major projects, including the NH State House, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Liberty Mutual, and the NH Historical Society, attesting to his high level of skill, professionalism, and pride in his craft.

Mark joined students on stage with his guitar for the spring concert this year.

But what makes Mark truly special is how he embodies the spirit of Holderness. You only need to watch Mark on the Hagerman stage after-hours jamming to Dire Straits with students to be reminded that Holderness is so much more than a place to work or study—it's a community. Whether making music with our students or lending his talents to improve our campus, Mark brings joy, generosity, and authenticity to everything he does. He inspires us all to share our talents, uplift each other, and embrace our true selves.

"It was a great honor to receive this award," Mark said. "It is a moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I’m very proud of the work I do at Holderness, and I am very grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community."

We are grateful for Mark's dedication, spirit, and steadfast presence. Mark, thank you for all you bring to Holderness.