The 119th Northwood School commencement was held on May 16, 2026. What follows is a summary of the awards and distinctions from the event.

Speakers

• Rylie Griffiths and Henry Kress were the class speakers.
• Retiring faculty member Lisa Wint was the commencement speaker.

Head’s Council Recognition

• Leann Aubut-Laurin
• Katherine Elbrecht
• Aston Ferrillo
• Henry Kress
• Noah Moodey
• Anna Monette
• Tziyon Morris
• Charles Pigeon
• Florence Richard
• Dominica Sarandeva
• Andrew Sherland
• Jacob Slagel

VANDERLYN R. PINE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

The Pine Award is given to the faculty member who: “Demonstrates dedication to his or her students; exudes energy and enthusiasm for learning; fosters respect for scholarship and provides a consistency of preparation and classroom delivery which stimulates students to want to learn.”  The members of the Northwood student body select the faculty winner through nomination and vote.

Dr. Benjamin LeBlanc

THE IRA A. FLINNER AWARD

Ira Flinner served Northwood School as its headmaster from 1926 to 1951.  During his long and legendary service, he fostered excellence in academics and character.  His influence is with us today, and it lives on through the achievement of this year’s recipient of the Ira A. Flinner Award.

DOMINICA SARANDEVA                     

THE HARRY MacDONALD AWARD

Harry MacDonald served behind the scenes at Northwood School for thirty years.  The award in his name honors students for whom giving is more important than receiving and who put the greater good in front of his or her own interests.

FLORENCE RICHARD

LUSSI FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

A $4,000 Scholarship, $1000 per year for four years, is awarded to a student who has achieved outstanding performance in academics, demonstrated excellence and achievement in a co- or extra-curricular activity, and who is attending a four-year college or university next year.

LILY PRATT

THE ANNE EDWARDS AWARD

There’s an essence to Northwood School that cannot be put into words.  Instead, it shows itself in the actions and character of its community. For thirty-four years, no one displayed this essence better than Anne Edwards.  Inspiring community service, offering a maternal shoulder to students in need, even teaching hockey players to knit, Annie wasn’t just an instructor.  She was a living personification of the school itself.  This year’s award goes to those students who, like Annie Edwards, understood and fully lived the Northwood experience.

HENRY KRESS

ANNA MONETTE

THE JUDITH K. GOOD STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Judith K. Good Student Leadership Award is given in honor of Mrs. Judith Good, who served the Lake Placid community as a mediator and conflict resolution specialist for more than twenty years.  The recipient is chosen, and the award given, by students themselves in recognition of the qualities of character they see in a fellow classmate.

CHARLES PIGEON

URFIRER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This plaque is awarded annually to a member of the Senior Class who, over their last three years at Northwood, has shown the greatest academic growth through their hard work and determination to succeed.  The award is given in memory of Mr. Roland Urfirer of Lake Placid, who served on the school’s Board of Trustees from 1973 to 2014.

MICHAEL MEZZETTI          

THE DON MELLOR AWARD

The Don Mellor award goes to that student whose participation in outdoor activities embodies Don’s love of our Adirondack environment, his determination to push himself and others to expand the boundaries of their courage, and his sense of the importance of supporting and trusting others in undertaking any adventure, whether scaling a rock face, rafting in whitewater, or simply living a worthy life.  Hundreds of Northwood’s students are braver, more prudent, and kinder people after their adventures with Don.

UMA LAGUNA-CURTIS      

THE EDWARD M. GOOD HEADMASTER’S PRIZE

This prize is awarded to the students in the graduating class who, in the opinion of the head of school, advised by the faculty, are individuals who have, through their character and enthusiasm, contributed in positive ways to enhance the culture of Northwood School.

ASTON FERRILLO

JACK KROLL

UMA LAGUNA-CURTIS

NOAH MOODEY

PARKER THOMPSON

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Mirroring Lake Placid’s rich Olympic traditions, gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the three graduating seniors who have achieved the highest cumulative academic averages over the past two years.  The medals are just a representation of success – that these students were dedicated, made the effort, and excelled in their academic endeavors.

This year’s Bronze medal goes to:

JAMES MARTIN

The Silver medal goes to:

DOMINICA SARANDEVA

And the Gold medal goes to:

KATHERINE ELBRECHT

SCHOOL SEAL PRIZE

The School Seal is the visual representation of what we are and what we stand for.  The annual prize is awarded to the senior who has exemplified the high ideals of our Core Values: Responsibility, Courage, Compassion, Integrity, and Respect

Just as the School Seal represents our school, so does the work and influence of this year’s winner embody all that we aspire to be.

KATHERINE (KATE) ELBRECHT

THE NORTHWOOD AWARD

This award is given to a senior who has been, through influence, character, and service, an outstanding citizen of the school, embodying our highest ideals and showing a consistent will to work for the betterment of the entire Northwood community.  This is our highest award.

JACOB SLAGEL

THE NORTHWOOD SCHOOL CLASS OF 2025:

• Mohamed Ahmed
• Léanne Aubut-Laurin
• Nathaniel Benjamin
• Cody Betsch
• Kevin Betsch
• Clara Boutelle
• Henry Bridges
• Marie-Jeanne Cazes
• Thiago Cesar
• Brackett-Anne Clark
• Reese Combe
• Alexander Darby
• Katherine Elbrecht
• Said El Eyssami Montilla
• Aston Ferrillo
• Rafaelle Fondacaro
• Elizabeth Gauvin Langevin
• Theodore Ghanimé
• Rylie Griffiths
• Pablo Hernandez Ponce
• Luke Hurlbut
• John Ide
• Carter Jackson
• Angel Chonghao Ji Wang
• Autumn Kelly
• Ashton Khory
• Dowon Kim
• Zackary Klaich
• Henry Kress
• Davor Kriukov Trkovic
• Jack Kroll
• Gavin Kruger
• Edouard Laberge
• Loélie Lachapelle
• Uma Laguna-Curtis
• Luke Lalonde
• Henry Loher
• Owen MacLean
• Justin MacLeod
• Griffin Mangan
• James Martin
• Sara Martin
• Patrick McCormick
• Michael Mezzetti
• Anna Monette
• Noah Moodey
• Tziyon Morris
• Colten Murphy
• Ethan Nau
• Joachim Neverdal
• Charles Pigeon
• Cooper Plotts
• Lily Pratt
• Florence Richard
• Hamish Riddell
• Anja Robertson
• Dominica Sarandeva
• Andrew Sherland
• Adam Sherman
• Jacob Slagel
• Devin Smith
• Lucas Smith
• Yosef Spear
• Anton Stackow
• Max Stracar
• Oceanne Thiffault Michel
• Parker Thompson
• Jett Travis
• Drew Tulloch
• Mark Tverskoy
• Harry Vant
• Anthony Wan
• Benjamin White
• Tianche Yu
• Jingxi Zhao

Northwood School celebrated the Class of 2026 with a dinner and awards ceremony on Friday, May 15, the evening before commencement. What follows is a summary of the awards distributed that evening. All photos by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Charles Pigeon ’26 (left) and Anna Monette ’26 at the 2026 Senior Dinner. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

THE JAMES HERD FULLERTON FACULTY PRIZE

James Herd Fullerton graduated from Norwich University in 1930 and joined the faculty at Northwood School in 1932. During his Northwood career, Jim would serve as a math and science teacher, hockey, baseball, and football coach, crew coach and Director of Athletics.

Throughout his more than thirty years at Northwood (1932-1955), Jim Fullerton established a reputation as a caring, compassionate teacher and an innovative, thoughtful coach. But it was through sheer force of his character that Jim Fullerton had the greatest influence on a generation of Northwood graduates. There are countless stories of Jim coming to the aid of a student or player in need of some sage advice, a pat on the back or some firm direction. Mr. Fullerton passed away in 1991.

The Fullerton Prize is awarded annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated the most significant professional growth and/or had the deepest impact upon the overall character development in the student body during the academic year. The winner must embody the qualities of honesty, integrity, compassion, and love of students so valued by Coach Fullerton. The prize is intended to enhance the professional and personal growth of the faculty recipient.

MR. JEFF MILLER

LINDA FRIEDLANDER AWARD

This plaque is presented in recognition of outstanding achievement in academics and in women’s sports.  The recipient is chosen for their accomplishments and enthusiasm in developing both their intellectual and physical beings.

KATHERINE ELBRECHT

This is an award given in memory of Tim Hyde, who graTIM HYDE HOCKEY AWARDduated from Northwood in 1962.  It is awarded to the hockey player who, in the opinion of the coaches, best exemplifies Tim Hyde’s love of the game and his “never quit” attitude, no matter how stiff the opposition.

PARKER THOMPSON

CHARLES HOLT HOCKEY AWARD

Charlie Holt served as a teacher and coach at Northwood School from 1955 to 1962. After Northwood, Charlie was hockey coach at Colby College and the University of New Hampshire.  Considered one of the “true gentlemen” of the game, Charlie Holt embodied the best qualities the game has to offer.  A plaque is awarded annually by Northwood School to the members of the boys and girls hockey squads who have shown the best sportsmanship in practice and in games.

PATRICK MCCORMICK

OCEANNE THIFFAULT-MICHEL

MALCOLM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

The permanent trophy was given by the late Herbert L. Malcolm, former Headmaster of the Lake Placid School now Northwood School, and the individual plaque is awarded each year to the male and female students who, in the opinion of the faculty athletic committee, have shown the best sportsmanship in athletics throughout the year.  The award recognizes qualities of character that enhance the excellence of the teams on which the individuals participate and that reflects positively on Northwood as an institution during athletic competition.

CHARLES PIGEON

MARK “DILL” DRISCOLL SKI AWARD

Mark Driscoll, Class of 1970, was the complete skier, competing in cross-country, jumping, and alpine events.  His legacy is one of extraordinary enthusiasm and dedication.  As an athlete, a student, and a student leader, Dill was one of the school’s most positively influential characters.  The school named the premier ski team award in his honor.

ASTON FERRILLO

TIM SMYTHE AWARD

This award is given to the Northwood student athlete who best displays Tim Smythe’s leadership and courage and who inspires their teammates to rise to any challenge.

MICHAEL (MIKEY) MEZZETTI

WARREN WITHERELL SOCCER AWARD

The Warren Witherell Award is the top award given to a member of the soccer program. Like Mr. Witherell, the recipient of this award has consistently represented Northwood and the program in the finest manner possible as an athlete, student, community member, and leader. This player embodies the full spirit of the Northwood community and the soccer program and has consistently endeavored to improve himself while always setting the highest standard possible for his teammates and classmates to follow.

NOAH MOODEY

DEPARTMENT ACADEMIC AWARDS

ENGLISH PRIZE

The English award goes to a student for whom literature is a passport to all lands and ages, for whom writing is an opportunity to convey worthy ideas with passion and grace.

CLARA BOUTELLE

SCIENCE PRIZE

The Science award is given to a senior who has demonstrated both interest and achievement in the field of science.  This student has a strong desire to understand scientific concepts and has an inquisitive mind.  In addition, this student thinks about topics beyond the scope of the classroom and completes every assignment with diligence and effort.                                                  

DOMINICA SARANDEVA

MATHEMATICS PRIZE

The Mathematics award is given to a student who combines talent with hard work, and whose curiosity and creative thinking provide a lively model for maximizing learning in mathematics.

JAMES MARTIN

SOCIAL SCIENCE PRIZE

The Social Science prize is awarded to a student who has shown deep engagement in the world around them, either looking back on its historic themes and movements or understanding the nuances of current global events. They possess a genuine curiosity to understand why things have developed in the way they have, and a strong sense of how they may go on to shape future events. This prize-winner is a citizen in the truest sense.

RYLIE GRIFFITHS

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS PRIZES

Creativity, passion, energy, and a zest for artistic excellence are qualities that describe the recipients of these awards.

FOR VISUAL ARTS

JACOB SLAGEL

FOR PERFORMING ARTS/MUSIC

REESE COMBE

PEAK PATHWAYS PRIZE

Peak Pathways is a “Rites of Passage” program in which our learners transition from completing their schoolwork to launching their life’s work.  Due to the self-designed and self-directed nature of the program, students must learn to chart, navigate, and flourish on their unique path. Though several learners exemplified the spirit of the Peak Pathways program, the following student is being recognized for their exceptional ability to resource their dreams, exert their autonomy, and grow their sense of mastery. The third annual 12^th grade Peak Pathways Prize is awarded to:

FLORENCE RICHARD

WORLD LANGUAGE PRIZE

The World Language prize is awarded to the student who passionately pursues skill in the speaking, reading, and writing of an additional language.  This year’s recipient is:

HENRY KRESS

ENGLISH LEARNER PRIZE

The English Learner Prize is given to a senior who has, through engagement in the Northwood Community, demonstrated an increased mastery of the English language.

LOELIE LACHAPPELLE

INNOVATION, ENGINEERING & ENTREPRENEURSHIP PRIZE

This prize, given to a student for whose curiosity, creative problem solving, and teamwork, helped advance the development and growth of the Innovation, Engineering and Entrepreneurial Studies program.

CHARLES PIGEON

DEO B. COLBURN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The Deo B. Colburn scholarships are awarded to students of Essex and Franklin counties who have demonstrated good scholarship and strong character during their years in secondary school.  The grants come from the foundation established by Mr. Colburn, Northwood’s long-time neighbor.

Clara Boutelle

Dominica Sarandeva

Uma Laguna-Curtis

Noah Moodey

Yosef Spear

Michael Mezzetti