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The Gunston School celebrated students during its annual Green & White Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 6, 2025 featuring the valedictorian address, the announcement of awards, and recognition from the greater community, as well as the announcement of the Green & White Cup winners. Student body president Eamon Schopfer ’26 welcomed the audience and Head of School John Lewis began the ceremony, addressing the Class of 2026 and offering brief, personalized remarks about each graduating senior.
Mr. Lewis  then announced the Samuel A. Middleton Award—named in honor of one of the school’s two founders—Gunston's valedictorian award.  

“This student is academically exceptional, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA across perhaps the most rigorous course load ever taken at Gunston including multiple AP courses across a range of subjects. His intellectual strengths and interests are boundless, and he is a person of exceptional attitude and character. Outside the classroom, he’s a rocket builder, coder, dungeon master, literary magazine editor, state champion starter, Academic Team starter, and he’s been Student Body Secretary, Vice President, and eventually, President. [...] He’s a one of a kind intellectual, kind, and ethical person, and off to the venerable Williams College. Please welcome this year’s Middleton Award winner, Mr. Eamon Schopfer.”

Eamon Schopfer had this parting wisdom for classmates:

“Some of you older folks remember when I was a timid little [Student Government Association] secretary, stuttering and mumbling and generally making a fool of myself at the mic. Every morning meeting, my heart would beat itself right out of my chest. I never really talked to people before coming to Gunston, so this was a massive change for me. [...] Earlier today, I completed my second-to-last obligation as Student Body President when I introduced Mr. Lewis, wrapping up this journey with a nice little bow. Every single day in between was a leap of faith towards a future I wanted. Remember to take chances like that along your way. Sometimes it might not work out, and that’s okay. That’s kind of the definition of a chance. Luckily for us, our world believes in second chances, for those brave enough to look.”

The next award presented by Mr. Lewis was the Paul M. Long Award given to the school’s most outstanding 11th grader as voted upon by the faculty and is named after Mr. Paul Long, who served as the Head of Gunston for 19 years. 

“This year’s winner is a superior student, athlete and human being. She is a dedicated community servant, admissions ambassador, and environmental advocate. Honored multiple times as an all-conference selection in Lacrosse and Field Hockey, as well as earning her Youth Climate Institute Certified Ambassador status. Her service extends to the wider community as well. In the classroom, I got to teach her this year, and she is relentlessly curious, hardworking, and dogged in her pursuit of knowledge and excellence, lifting up the entire class and school culture. Gunston is proud to present the Paul Long award to Elena Szwaja.” 

Former Athletic Director Anita Gruss presented the Anita Gruss Athletic Award to Ethan Harper & Layla Kent, who have demonstrated graduating exceptional athletic excellence, leadership, and team spirit.

Presented by Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis, the prestigious Gunston Award, which began in 1969, is unique in that it’s chosen by the vote of the entire school community, including students, faculty and staff and is given to the senior who embodies Gunston’s core values on a daily basis:  respect, responsibility, appreciation of differences, honesty, and camaraderie.

“Their actions reflect a genuine commitment to connection and have helped build lasting relationships that strengthen the fabric of our school. Being chosen by a vote of the entire community affirms this student’s lived example of true camaraderie. It is my honor to present the 2026 Gunston Award to Eamon Schopfer.”

2026 G&W AWARDS

All recipients are seniors unless otherwise noted.

• Valedictorian (Middleton) Award: Eamon Schopfer
• The Gunston Award: Eamon Schopfer
• Community Service Award: Gianni Figliozzi
• Leadership Award: Kate Andrews
• Diversity Leader Award: Violet (Ren) Borland ’27
• Moore Award for Improvement: Wren Weingaertner
• Paul M. Long Award: Elena Szwaja
• The Marie Whittico Award: Dylan Kroncke
• Megan Virginia Batdorf Award: Chloe Bennett
• Clare Poussard Award: Teddy Verger ’27 
• Environmental Stewardship Award: Annabelle Baker
• The Faculty Award: Eleonor Hubbert
• The Anita Gruss Athletics Awards: Ethan Harper & Layla Kent
• 12 Star Awards: Jed Cohen, Emery Day, Ethan Harper, Layla Kent, Emma Morris & Eamon Schopfer
• English Award: Caroline Thomas
• Literature Award: Arlo Badger
• Senior Paradigm: Lily Weny
• Junior Symposium: Ethan Paniere ’27
• Immersion Award: Annie Geng
• Spanish Award: Sydney Kim
• History Award: Connor Joyce
• Math Award: Lucas Watkins
• Sciences Award: Kate Andrews
• Engineering Award: Connor Joyce
• Computer Science Award: Lucas Watkins
• Fine Art Award: Annabelle Baker
• Theater Award: Ava Augustus
• Music Award: Harrison Lavery

Green & White Captains for 2026-2027

Green Captains: Dylan Kroncke & Gabi Shepherd

• Green Rising 11th Grade Deputy: Brinley Leech
• Green Rising 10th Grade Deputy: Declan Krupka

White Captains: Preston Allen & Elena Szwaja 

• White Rising 11th Grade Deputy: Reagan Johnson
• White Rising 10th Grade Deputy: Sam Ellis

Winners of the 2025-2026 Cup:
GREEN TEAM!

Junior Symposium:

• WINNER: Ethan Paniere
• High Honors: 
  • Chloe Bennett
  • Maria Boone
  • Violet (Ren) Borland
  • Olivia Blusk
  • Kennedy Cooper
  • Marley Farmer
  • Zac Hatch
  • Maddie Knight
  • Joey McGeady
  • Ethan Paniere
  • Evelyn Regenhardt
  • Leah Rhoades
  • Brynn Roberts
  • Lilly Showalter
  • Elena Szwaja
• Honors:
  • Isabelle Bent
  • Lizzy Chiochetti
  • Tyler Dunlap
  • Natalie Edelen
  • AJ Friedrich
  • Scotia Hopper
  • Austin Koterwas
  • Dylan Kroncke
  • Liv Labrador
  • Zoey Loveless
  • Ida Mawad
  • Camilla Nonemaker
  • Abby Philippon
  • Charlie Silk
  • Duda de Silva
  • Emma Walker
  • Josephine Wood

Senior Paradigm:

• WINNER: Lily Weny
• High Honors:
  • Ava Augustus
  • Arlo Badger
  • Annabelle Baker
  • Aurora Baughman
  • Genevieve Baughman
  • Emery Day
  • Eleonor Hubbert
  • Connor Joyce
  • Harrison Lavery
  • Caroline Thomas
  • Iza Warot
  • Wren Weingaertner
  • Lily Weny
  • Lilah Wharton
• Honors:
  • Blake Algier
  • Kate Andrews
  • Susannah Clark
  • Hannah Mae Conner
  • Riley Faff
  • Annie Geng
  • Denis Hein
  • Sydney Kim
  • Olivia Mandell
  • Lily May
  • Emma Morris
  • Liv Murray
  • Sophie Pierce
  • Eamon Schopfer
  • Arya Shajwani
  • Jemima Shanks
  • Van Topjian
  • Lucas Watkins

SGA Executive Officers for 2026-2027

• President: Maria Boone
• Vice President: Sydney Cummings
• Secretary: Leo Forloney

Class of 2027:

• President: Peri Overton
• Secretary: Camilla Nonemaker
• Treasurer: Evelyn Regenhardt
• Representative: Austin Koterwas

Class of 2028:

• President: Jessalyn Tavenner
• Vice President: Kellen Fitzgerald
• Secretary: Phoebe Fritz

Class of 2029:

• President: Lily Fithyan
• Vice President: Ali Workman
• Treasurer: Atticus Forloney
• Representatives: Mackenzie Farmer & Sage Nonemaker

Greater Community & College Awards:

• National Merit Commended Scholars: Kate Andrews, Arlo Badger, Eamon Schopfer & Lucas Watkins
• William A. Perry Scholarship - Lucas Watkins
• Chris Van Hollen Public Service Award - Gianni Figliozzi
• Infinite Legacy Scholarship - Caroline Thomas

Juniors:

Maria Boone. The University of Vermont Citizen Scholar Book Award goes to a junior who has demonstrated both outstanding dedication to scholarship inside the classroom and impressive duty to citizenship outside the classroom. 

Zachary Hatch. The Saint Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement & Social Conscience is presented to a junior for academic success and exemplary community involvement. Selected students are eligible to receive a full-tuition scholarship. 

Isabel Gerstmyer. The High Point Book Award recognizes a sophomore student who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to scholarship and social prowess, but who also embodies an intuitive growth mindset and exemplary service both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations, Isabel.

Joey McGeady and Camilla Nonemaker. The Clarkson University Achievement Award is presented to two qualified juniors each year who demonstrate leadership and outstanding academic achievement.  Each recipient will be eligible for a minimum of $80,000 in scholarships over four years. Congratulations to Joey and Camilla as this year’s Clarkson University Achievement Award recipients!

Rochester Institute of Technology offers several award programs, which recognize outstanding high school students for their leadership, service, and achievements. These awards are accompanied by a $96,000 scholarship for each recipient if they apply and are accepted to RIT.  

We are pleased to recognize Lizzy Chiochetti with the RIT Art & Design award, Kennedy Cooper with the RIT Engineering and Technology award, Tyler Dunlap with the RIT Business & Leadership award, Austin Koterwas with the RIT Computing award, Elena Szwaja with the RIT Science and Math award, and Siroon Topjian with the RIT Humanities and Social Sciences Award. 

Maria Boone, Violet Borland, Dylan Kroncke, Olivia Labrador, and Brynn Roberts.
St Bonaventure University offers scholarships valued up to $88,000 over four years. Based on their academic achievements and on qualities that reflect the core values that St. Bonaventure University holds dear such as academic excellence, community service, integrity, wisdom, leadership, social responsibility, compassion and appreciation for diversity.

We have 4 scholarship awards from the University of Rochester that make these students eligible for a minimum of $20,000 over four years:

Lilly Showalter. The George Eastman Young Leaders Award goes to a student who demonstrates strong leadership, high academic achievement in challenging courses, and extensive involvement in extracurricular activities. 

Marley Farmer. The Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award goes to a student who demonstrates commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues, is a leader dedicated to community action, and has strong grades in rigorous courses in the humanities and social sciences. 

AJ Friedrich. The Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award goes to a student who demonstrates high achievement and rigor in math and science courses, and makes positive contributions to their school community. 

Willem Grant. The Innovation and Information Technology Award goes to a student who has strong interest and achievement in innovation and information technology, pursues real world opportunities in the field, and leads other students to new approaches to old problems.  

Isabelle Bent. The Centre Fellows Program, at Centre College, recognizes high-achieving and engaged high school juniors who would benefit from a liberal arts education. These students will receive a scholarship of at least $104,000 if admitted to Centre. 

Natalie Edelen, Parker Wilson, Kate Zottarelli, Brynn Roberts, and Maddi Knight. The High Point University Junior Scholars Program recognizes outstanding high school juniors for exceptional academics, leadership, and interest in HPU. Nominated students receive a $2,500 award and are considered for priority consideration for broader Presidential Scholarships upon applying for senior admission.

Kennedy Cooper. The Rensselaer Medal Award from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for outstanding academic achievement in the study of math and science is worth up to $160,000 over 4 years. 

Jack Houseknecht and Matthew Walton. The Alfred University Scholars Award, worth a total of $120,000, recognizes a student of character who inspires others with their leadership and academic exploration and embodies the positive attitude, academic initiative, and social awareness of a true Alfred Saxon. 

Austin Koterwas. For over 160 years, Worcester Polytechnic Institute has shaped the next generation of STEM leaders—and they continue this tradition with the WPI Innovation Award. This award is given to one high school junior who demonstrates outstanding potential in STEM fields and includes a scholarship worth $100,000 to attend WPI. 

Peri Overton and Evelyn Regenhardt. The St. Lawrence University True North Scholars Program recognizes students who demonstrate strong character, meaningful engagement in their school, community, work, or family life, and desire to be part of a close-knit residential community grounded in the liberal arts. The award carries a value of $44,500 per year for four years.