June 18, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout

In the Senior Scholarship Awards Night ceremony on June 12, many Harwood seniors were recognized for their achievements and presented with awards, as well as scholarships from community organizations and school staff.

For the first time in many years, the ceremony was held outdoors under the tent where commencement was to take place two days later. Students and family mingled in the audience with the Boys Lacrosse team in the front row, fresh from practice ahead of their championship match also scheduled for Saturday.

Students cheered for each other as awards were announced and presented by faculty members.

The evening’s biggest celebration came as a standing ovation at the news shared by retired U.S. Air Force Col. David Pistilli. He took to the podium to announce the appointment of Harwood senior Nathanael Conyers of Waterbury to the U.S. Air Force Academy, a four-year college that prepares young men and women to serve as Air Force officers. Pistilli explained that Conyers, who enrolled as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol prior to entering high school, completed a multi-step admissions process to the academy that included receiving nominations from both of Vermont’s U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, and U.S. Rep. Becca Balint.

Post-graduation plans

The Harwood Guidance Department also shared a list of the schools, colleges and universities that seniors are planning to attend after graduation. Those with more than one Harwood student enrolling are noted.

Bennington College, Boston University, Colorado College, Community College of Vermont (11), Coastal Carolina University, D’Youville University, Dartmouth College, Dickinson College, Endicott College, Fairfield University, Fordham University (2), George Washington University (2), Ithaca College, McGill University (3), Merrimack College, Montana State University (2), Muskingum University (2), New England Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, Norwich University (3), O’Brien’s Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers University, Saint Michael’s College (2), Simmons University, Skidmore College (2), St. Johns University, St. Lawrence University (2), SUNY Purchase, Susquehanna University, Thomas College, U.S. Air Force Academy, University of Connecticut, University of Denver, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2), University of Miami, University of Ottawa, University of Pittsburgh, University of Rhode Island, University of Southern Maine, University of Vermont (14), Vermont State University (6), Villanova University, York University. Five students have shared that they plan a gap year.

The full list of awards and scholarships presented is below.

AWARDS

HARWOOD DEPARTMENT AWARDS

Harwood Artisans Honor

The Harwood Artisans Honor is awarded to senior artists whose passion, creativity and dedication have made a lasting impact on the school’s artistic community.

Recipients: Sadie Benson, Anna Brundage, Seneca Whittingham, Ava Poutre, Mylo Whitehair, Tanner Hackett, Elyiss Heyward, and Bea Gatti

Connected Learning Award for Excellence and Engagement

Recipients of this award have demonstrated a commitment to these goals through their comprehensive work inside and outside of Harwood; their curiosity, engagement, and self-direction have served both their own future and the larger community well.

Recipient: Soren Schoennagel

Harwood Community Learning Center Award for Excellence

This award is given to students who exemplify qualities central to HCLC, namely: inspiration, metacognition, organization, communication, and community.

Recipients: Allie Thibault and Hunter Stevens

Outstanding Achievement in Internship Awards

These awards go to seniors who have creatively met their learning goals and in doing so have vastly improved our school community and workplace settings.

Recipient: Tristan Gottshall for his internship in computer programming

Achievement in Social Studies and History Awards

Teachers in the Social Studies Department present this award to a student who has shown excellence in this field of academics during their time at Harwood.

Recipient: Ashton Babiarz

Literary Luminary Award

This award recognizes outstanding dedication in reading and critical thinking over the course of AP Literature & Composition.

Recipient: Kayla Darrow

Math Excellence Awards

An excellent mathematician has the ability to make connections, reason logically, and use the tools in their arsenal to solve problems. They also have a drive for understanding why things work and for stretching their mathematical thinking. This award honors students who have achieved high course scores and who show a willingness to share their knowledge with others.

Recipients: Lucy Badger, Ava Poutre, and Noah Merchant

Math Perseverance Awards

This award honors the work and dedication it takes to become a great mathematician. With this award, we want to recognize students who have shown tremendous growth and promise in the field of mathematics.

Recipient: Adleigh Franke

Excellence in Science Awards

This award recognizes students who demonstrate a high level of scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills and are persistent in their quest to know and understand science.

Recipients: Adleigh Franke and Emily Severence

AP Science Hat Trick Award

The AP Science Hat Trick award recognizes students who successfully completed all three AP science offerings – AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and AP Physics.

Recipients: Christopher Cummiskey and Trevor Deschamps

Seal of Biliteracy Award

Students are eligible to attain the Seal of Biliteracy based on evidence of achieving the required level of language proficiency in English plus one or more languages during their high school years, whether that be a Heritage (Native) language, or a language learned in school or another setting.

Recipients: Ella Cisz, Grisel Mego-Vasquez, Ava Poutre, Adleigh Franke, and Eamon Langlais

Harwood International Ambassador Award

This award is presented to the student who has shown dedication, enthusiasm and continuous support of Harwood’s international students.

Recipient: Grisel Mego-Vasquez

ATHLETIC AWARDS

Athletic Award of Excellence

Recipients: Matthew Fiaschetti and Lindsey Boyden

Scholar Athlete Award

Recipients: Celia Wing, Ella Cisz, Tyler Bravin, Adleigh Franke, Anna Brundage, Nathaneal Conyers, Atticus Ellis, Thea Andersen, Jack Greenwood, Christopher Cummiskey, Trevor Deschamps, Evan Andrews, Matthew Fiaschetti, Finnegan Kramer, Lindsey Boyden, Jackson McKay, Eamon Langlais, Ava Reagan, Cailin Brooks, Lekha Kaplan, and Eloise Lilley

Harwood Scholar-Athlete Award

Recognizing outstanding scholastic and athletic achievement, these awards are presented to seniors who have attained an accumulative average of 3.0 over their four years at Harwood and have a minimum of four varsity letters in at least two sports.

Recipients: Nathanael Conyers and Adleigh Franke

Robert F. Fielder Athletic Memorial Award

Given in memory of Robert F. Fielder, this honor is chosen by the coaching staff and awarded to the seniors who in addition to being outstanding athletes, have demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship throughout their years of athletic competition at Harwood. Eligible students must have completed at least two years in the Harwood Athletic Program.

Recipients: Teighan Fils-Aime and Lindsey Boyden

Harwood Outstanding Sportsmanship Award

This honors the seniors who, in the estimation of their coaches, have exemplified the highest ideals of sportsmanship in varsity competition.

Recipients: Evan Andrews and Margaret Belknap

Harwood Unsung Hero Award

Coaches select student-athletes who have made an outstanding contribution to the Harwood Athletics program.

Recipients: Braden Martens and Heidi Haraldsen

Sue Duprat Spirit of Harwood Award

This honor goes to a senior who shows unwavering spirit for the Harwood community. The student selected to receive this award is recognized for bringing unflagging support, unbridled joy, and contagious school spirit to all of our Highlander teams and athletes.

Recipient: Jackson Palermo

Concept 2 Scholarship

This honors two students who have shown academic excellence and have participated in sports during their school career.

Recipients: Celia Wing and Matthew Fiaschetti

MUSIC AWARDS

Each year the Harwood Music Department recognizes seniors who excel in both talent and leadership in the Chorus, the Jazz Band and the High School Band.

National School Choral Award

This is the highest honor for high school choral performers and recognizes outstanding accomplishments in singing while demonstrating advanced musicianship and dedication to the school music program.

Recipient: Elsie Pawul

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

This honor goes to the top graduating student in the Jazz Band and Assembly Band program recognizing excellent musicianship, dedication to the program, and high artistic achievement.

Recipient: Christopher Cummiskey

Qunicy Jones Musicianship Award

This honors outstanding students for their creativity and musicianship. In his long musical career, Quincy Jones has done it all as a composer, arranger, performer, producer, and teacher. Every music program has those students who share this boundless energy and musical versatility. With his approval, we initiate this award to encourage students in their pursuit of music.

Recipient: Nathaneal Conyers

SCHOLARSHIPS

Harwood Community Scholarships

The following three scholarships are awarded by the Harwood community to students nominated and selected by their teachers.

Ames Scholarship

This award is given in honor of longtime Waterbury resident Florilla Ames, who died in 2021 at age 110 and was Vermont’s oldest resident. She was a lifelong learner and activist. This scholarship is given to a student who has shown a commitment to civic engagement and education.

Recipients: Celia Wing and Adleigh Franke

Eunice B. Farr Award

Born in Warren and widowed in 1940, Eunice Farr used her talents to raise her family and run a telephone company. She was one of the first women to run a utility in the United States. With pride and best wishes for the future, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom present this award in memory of Eunice B. Farr.

Recipient: Grisel Mego-Vasquez

Brian Thomas Sweet Memorial Scholarship

This award given to foster ongoing stewardship of the land and its resources that we all depend on by assisting a student’s higher education. The award is given to a student interested in studying forestry, land management, or environmental science.

Recipient: Soren Schoennagel

Community Scholarships

The following are scholarships awarded by local, regional and national organizations and institutions.

U.S. Air Force Academy Appointment and Full Scholarship

Recipient: Nathaneal Conyers

Alchemist Opportunity Fund & Ready AF Scholarships

The Alchemist Opportunity Fund Scholarships and the READYAF Awards are designed for students who aren’t sure what their field of study will be – who might be late bloomers – or who are quiet leaders and lifelong learners, interested in furthering their education.

Opportunity Fund Recipients: Zoey Gallagher, Mia Grasso, Sara Grisel, Mego Vasquez, Elsie Pawul, Ava Reagan, Briley Rutledge

Ready AF Recipient: Caleb Durand

Red Cross of Vermont

In the spring, the senior class organized a blood drive with the Red Cross of Vermont. This year they provided a scholarship to a student who was instrumental in the success of this event.

Recipient: Nathaneal Conyers

Central Vermont Medical Auxiliary Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a career in the health and medical fields.

Recipeint: Zoey Gallagher

Clara J. Hill Scholarship

This award is presented to a student planning a career in teacher education or a field working with children. The Alpha Delta Kappa sorority has chosen this year’s winner.

Recipient: Briley Rutledge

Dascomb P. Rowe Scholarship

Given by the Waterbury High School Alumni Association, this scholarship is a living memorial to Dascomb Rowe, a principal, teacher, coach and counselor at Waterbury High School for 40 years who encouraged students to reach their full potential both academically and in the community.

Recipients: Zoey Gallagher, Ella Sherman, Mylo Whitehair and Celia Wing

Merry Rowe Hermans Scholarship

From the Waterbury High School Alumni Association in memory of Merry Rowe, Dascomb Rowe’s daughter. Her legacy, including being a member of the 1954 state basketball championship team and valedictorian of Waterbury High School can inspire today’s youth.

Recipients: Christopher Cummiskey and Briley Rutledge

Gov. Phil Hoff Vermont Honors Scholarship

Created by the Vermont State Legislature and Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, this goes to one student in recognition of their scholastic excellence.

Recipient: Celia Wing

Griffin and Rutledge Construction Memorial Scholarship

Recipients: Caleb Durand and Briley Rutledge

Harry N. Cutting Award

Waterbury American Legion Post #59 recognizes a Harwood senior for their outstanding citizenship and academic achievement.

Recipient: Briley Rutledge

Harwood Booster Club Scholarships

These are awarded to students who demonstrate a desire to further their education and support their community as they move beyond high school.

Recipients: Addy Gibbs, Elsie Pawul and Briley Rutledge

Lise Bornstein-Malter Community Service Award

This is presented to a Harwood graduating senior who demonstrates high commitment to service in the greater Waterbury area.

Recipient: Adleigh Franke

Waterbury Rotary Club Awards

The Waterbury Rotary Club presents three Macbook Air Awards to graduating seniors instead of a financial scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled in a college, university or technical school for the 2024-25 academic year.

Recipients: Cailin Brooks, Celia Wing and Thea Andersen

Mad River Valley Rotary

Seniors from Moretown, Fayston, Waitsfield, Warren or Granville who have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher are chosen for these awards. One student receives an award for each year of their college attendance, up to four years. Two students are chosen to receive a generous one-time award.

Recipients: Cailin Brooks, Eleanor Hume and Tessa Jernigan

Mountain Gardner’s Scholarship

Presented on behalf of the Valley Garden Club in honor of Rena Chernick, this award goes to a senior pursuing environmental-related studies after high school.

Recipient: Adleigh Franke

Rebecca Peatman Scholarship

Presented by the Warren United Community Church, this is awarded to a student whose involvement in service has resulted in positive outcomes for their community.

Recipient: Briley Rutledge

UVM Green and Gold Scholarship

The award is a four-year, full tuition scholarship given by UVM to the most academically talented Vermont senior at each eligible high school.

Recipient: Tyler Bravin

UVM Vermont Scholar Award

This four-year, partial scholarship is awarded by UVM to students who demonstrate the highest academic performance.

Recipient: Celia Wing

The Valley Players Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student interested in studying the performing arts.

Recipient: Zoe Blackman

Waitsfield High School Alumni Scholarship

Waitsfield High School Alumni selects one deserving senior to receive their annual scholarship. Though this student received their award at a banquet in May, we want to recognize their achievement tonight as well.

Recipients: Christopher Cummiskey and Ella Sherman

Waterbury Grange Scholarship

This award recognizes the academic excellence of one Harwood Senior.

Recipient: Christopher Cummiskey

Winooski Masonic Lodge #49 Scholarship

This recognizes students from Waterbury or Duxbury who show a desire to further their education in the service of their community.

Recipients: Briley Rutledge, Ella Sherman and Zoey Gallagher

Robert M. Boyce Memorial Scholarships

New this year, the Robert M. Boyce Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Harwood Baseball Captains Nathanael Conyers and Jackson Palermo. Created by the family of Robert Boyce, these scholarships are to be awarded annually to honor Boyce and his passion for baseball both on and off the field, according to his daughter, BJ Griffith.

The For the Love of the Game Robert M. Boyce Memorial Scholarship went to Conyers and the For the Love of the Game - Heart and Soul Robert M. Boyce Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Palermo. The players were recognized for their four consecutive years playing varsity baseball, their leadership, sportsmanship, camaraderie and passion for the game, as well as their solid academics, Griffith said.

These were not presented at the school awards ceremony, but will be added to the program in 2026.

Harwood 2025 Senior Awards and Scholarships