On Monday, April 25 in front of hundreds of their friends, family, peers and colleagues, Castleton students, faculty and staff were honored for their achievements during the 2015-16 academic year at the Annual Castleton Awards Ceremony. Awards were given out honoring success in academics, athletics, student life and more.
"Hard to believe that I came to Castleton almost four years ago with only one goal on my mind, which was to fulfill a promise I made to my grandfather. But I didn't know I would do so many other things here and end up loving this place more than a second home," said senior Paolo Loli, the recipient of several academic awards at the celebration. "Today I was give some awards but I feel that I should be the one giving back to Castleton for everything that this place and its people have given me. Thanks Castleton for changing my life."
The event culminated with the presentation of the Caroline Woodruff Award, given annually to the individual or individuals who have consistently exemplified Dr. Woodruff’s qualities of leadership, creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to Castleton. The award is the highest honor that a student leader can achieve, and this year it was given to Mariah O'Hara.
A complete list of award winners is below.
Academic Excellence Awards | |
The Academic Excellence Award is given annually to a student who is deemed the top student in his or her major. |
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Art | Amber Leavitt |
Business | Christopher Shattuck |
Communication | Vincent Guerrera |
Computer Information Systems | Paolo Loli |
Criminal Justice | Nicole Rainville |
Education | Jacquelyn DeFreest |
English | Josselyn Sweet |
History, Geography, Economics & Politics | Alexander Adams |
Math | Parker Audsley |
Music | Anthony Ciranni |
Natural Science | Rachel Bombardier |
Nursing | Mikaela Whitaker |
Philosophy | Peter Kazakis |
Physical Education | Hannah Saroff |
Psychology | Shannon Moriarity |
Social Work | Danielle Payton |
Sociology | Karen Marino |
Spanish | Sierra Lane |
Theater | Devyn Potter |
Student Government Association Awards | |
Media Award | |
Member of The Spartan newspaper or WIUV radio station who has demonstrated leadership, commitment, and passion. | Catherine Twing |
Club of the Year | |
Student organization whose vitality, creativity, and commitment have enriched the quality of student life. |
Habitat for Humanity |
New Club Recognition Award | |
New student organization which through its vitality, creativity, and commitment has enriched the quality of student life at Castleton. | Republican Club |
Awareness Award | |
Student, faculty, or staff who has gone above and beyond to educate the college community on diversity, equality, global awareness, or similar issues. |
Martha Coulter |
Executive Board Recognition Award | |
SGA member whose involvement in any aspect of the SGA that has shown outstanding devotion to their job, activity or position. | Catherine Wielgasz |
Coach of the Year | |
Part-time or full-time coach who has generously contributed time, energy, and support to the student body. |
Steph Moberg |
Outstanding First-Year Award | |
First-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the freshman class and Castleton community. | Natalie Gonzalez |
Outstanding Second-Year Award | |
Second-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the sophomore class and Castleton community. | Kyle Gosley |
Outstanding Third-Year Award | |
Third-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the junior class and Castleton community. |
Emma Blaiklock |
Outstanding Non-traditional Student Award | |
Non-traditional student that is active on campus, positive, ready to learn, and eager to help. |
Allison Dwinell |
Outstanding International Student Award |
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An international student that is active on campus, positive, ready to learn, and eager to help. |
Paolo Loli |
Outstanding New Faculty | |
A new faculty member who has contributed to student life through campus involvement. |
Cora Churchill |
Outstanding Faculty Award | |
Faculty member who has demonstrated a sincere interest in the welfare of students, and generously contributed time, energy, and support to the student body. | Andrew Vermilyea |
Outstanding Staff Award | |
Staff member who has contributed considerable time, energy, and support to the SGA. |
Victoria Angis |
Delegate of the Year | |
SGA delegate whose involvement in the SGA, service on committees, and volunteerism are outstanding. |
Allison Dwinell |
Leonard Johnson Alumni Award | |
Castleton Alumnus who has gone above and beyond their job description in service to the university community. |
Renee Beaupre White |
Community Service Award | |
Outstanding volunteer service to the Castleton/Rutland County community. |
Susan Gay, Kelly Mills, Daniel Warnecke |
Residence Life Award | |
A Residence Life member whose involvement in any aspect of Residence Life that has shown outstanding devotion to their job, activity or position.. |
Jason Irish |
Good Citizenship Award | |
Recognition of devotion to the welfare of the university, and outstanding performance as a campus leader. |
Catherine Wielgasz |
Distinguished Service Award | |
Distinguished service in activities, and exhibits abilities and qualities of leadership, conscientiousness, dependability and interest in the college community and its function. | Emma Faucher, Bre Morse, Jessica Ralston |
Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society Awards | |
Freshman of the Year Award | |
First-Year Theatre major who has proven both academically and theatrically, displayed a passion for theatre, respect for students and professors, and has immense dedication to our department and the shows we produce. |
Matthew Eckler |
Technician of the Year Award | |
Upperclass technical theatre and design major who has shown willingness to go above and beyond what is asked and expected of students both in class and performances, is dependable and responsible, and has fostered passion for theatre through other students. | Peter Michelsen |
Actor of the Year Award | |
Upperclass acting and directing major who has shown willingness to go above and beyond what is asked and expected of students both in class and performances, is dependable and responsible, and has fostered passion for theatre through other students. | Brittany Rathburn |
Athletic Awards | |
Coaches Awards | |
Top male and female varsity athletes who have shown leadership, determination, sportsmanship, coachability, willingness to give of oneself, and have a sense of responsibility to the team, coach, and college throughout the year. | Soren Pelz-Walsh and Jess Cameron |
Rocky Mezzetta Award | |
Male athlete in recognition of determination, drive to improve athletic skills, coachability, and team leadership. |
Matt Couture |
Sharon Brown Memorial Award | |
Female athlete who relates well to peers and coach, shows a desire to learn and excel, demonstrates dedication, persistence, and team leadership. Must carry a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | Rachel Bombardier |
Mary Ellen Evans Award | |
Most outstanding female athlete who has played four years in one sport; must provide service to the college community and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | Meghan Els |
John Young Memorial Award | |
Male or female basketball player who shows great leadership and outstanding offensive abilities. This individual must have a positive attitude and is interested in pursuing a degree in teaching or interested in coaching in the future. |
Jade Desroches |
Peer Advocate of the Year | |
Member of Peer Advocates for CHANGE (PAC) who has dedicated themselves to being an informed educator and advocate on our campus. | Sam Carpenter |
Campus Ally | |
Faculty, staff, or administrator who has allied themselves with CHANGE’s mission. | Victoria Angis |
Student Life Awards | |
College Service Awards | |
Students who have made outstanding contributions to Castleton through their participation in various extracurricular activities. | Anna Daniels, Allison Dwinell, Bre Morse |
Abel E. Leavenworth Leadership Award | |
Outstanding student leader who exemplifies Abel Leavenworth’s characteristics of warmth, integrity, strong principles, and wise counsel. | Emma Faucher, Paolo Loli |
Caroline Woodruff Award | |
This is the highest honor that a student leader can achieve at Castleton. The Caroline Woodruff Award goes to an individual who has consistently exemplified Dr. Woodruff’s qualities of leadership, creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to Castleton. | Mariah O'Hara |