The ceremony culminated with the presentation of the Pitcher Memorial Prize, Stanstead College’s highest award, presented to the student who has exerted the greatest influence for good within the school community. This year’s recipient was Oluwatamilore (Tammy) Osibanjo, whose leadership, character, and positive impact on those around her distinguished her among an exceptional graduating class.

Osibanjo also shared the Thespian Shield for Acting with Maëlie Leduc and shared the Cowen House Award with fellow Grade 12 Milla Fang.

Jimena Dominguez Nunez won the Wilder Shield as the junior student with the most positive influence.

 

Among the College’s highest academic distinctions, Milan Dumont Kordahi earned the Birks Silver Medal, awarded to the student with the highest overall average in Grade 12.

Other major academic award recipients included:

 

Several students distinguished themselves by receiving multiple awards across academic, athletic, artistic, and leadership categories.

Ziyu Wang captured Grade 12 subject prizes in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics, while also receiving both the Spofforth Trophy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics and the Arthur E. Curtis Jr. Award for the top student entering an engineering program.

Grade 10 student Erika Ueno earned an impressive collection of honours, including prizes in French, History, Music, and Science & Technology, in addition to the Birks Bronze Medal for the highest overall average in Grade 10.

 

Among the graduating class, Henry Riddell received Grade 12 prizes in Comparative Politics, Human Geography, and Economics, and was also recognized with the Bowman Hall Award for excellence in both academics and athletics.

 

As a photographer and Instagrammer for her class, Yi-Chen (Milla) Fang received the Technology Prize, shared the Cowen House Director’s Award, and was honoured with the Head of School’s Award for being an active and positive citizen within the Stanstead College community. “She basically works for the school for free,” said Head of School Suzy McDonald.”

Laurie Aubin combined academic and athletic excellence, receiving both the Trueman-McFadyen Award and the Allan Family Friendship Cup, recognizing not only achievement but also exceptional kindness, camaraderie, and support for others.

A standout contributor to the arts and athletics, Logan Ferrar Foote received the Donald McG. Hackett Prize for Creativity, the Nicki Campbell Director’s Award in Theatre Arts, and shared the Ryan Shea Bedard Award with fellow athlete and actor Maélie Laforge. This award celebrates athletic excellence combined with leadership, positivity, and commitment to school life and was presented this year by Ryan’s parents.

Many of the College’s most meaningful awards honour qualities that extend beyond academics.

Amber Kanatewat received the Everest Award for overcoming challenges and demonstrating significant improvement, while Andrew Shimon earned the Gordon Usher-Jones Memorial Prize for exceptional involvement in all aspects of school life. Abygail Dewey was recognized with both the Rotary Club Service Award and the Leonard McGilton Memorial Award for her service and commitment to the community.

The guest speaker at this year’s service was Collin De La Bruere, Class of 2009. A native Vermonter, Collin attended Stanstead from 2005 to 2009. He served as head prefect and captained the school’s varsity rugby team during his senior year. Collin discovered his passion for economics and government at Stanstead, cultivated it at Harvard, and now applies it professionally at Bank of America as SVP of Municipal Credit.

 

While referring to the sense of community they have built around them, Mr. De La Bruere encouraged the class to follow that gap between who they think they are and who they want to be.

 

Head of School Suzy McDonald offered students advice at the end of her first year at the helm: stay curious, choose courage over comfort, invest in people.

She also had a special message to graduates:

 

“It has been a true privilege to spend this year with you. There have been so many moments when my heart was absolutely bursting with pride,” she said. “To watch you grow, to celebrate your successes, and yes, even to support you through the occasional challenge. Those are the moments that define this kind of community.”