2022 Rice Senior Awards

On Thursday June 2nd, we had a Baccalaureate Mass and Award Ceremony to honor and celebrate our graduating seniors. These students have excelled in academics, music and arts, and represent the character and mission of our school in leadership, service, and faith. 27 students received awards. Here's a list of the award winners:

• Caitlin Balon: Senior Excellence in Digital Filmmaking, Phil Hoff Vermont Honors Scholarship
• Caroline Banks: 2022 Excellence in Science, Society of Women Engineers High Honors, 2022 Excellence in Mathematics
• Tobias Callan: Math Team Award    
• Autumn Carstenson: Susan Valley Nursing Scholarship    
• Courtney Coffman: Senior Excellence in Religious Studies, Betsy O'Brien Scholarship   
• Katie Craig: Senior Excellence in Digital Photography    
• Evelynn Daigneau: Senior Excellence in Visual Arts    
• Madison Denton: Susan Valley Nursing Scholarship    
• Amy Dragosljvich: The Bishop Angell Award    
• Jaydenne Garbarino: Principal's Senior Achievement Award    
• Aaron Grenon: Senior Excellence in Drama Award, Lloyd Hulburd Excellece in History   
• Seamus Howrigan: Society of St. Edmond Peer Ministry Award    
• Grace Kline: Senior Excellence in Drama    
• Ellie Lamontagne: Kristen Charlebois Humanitarian Scholarship    
• Keely Levering-Fisher: Senior Excellence in Foreign Language ~French~
• Matthew Ludden: Senior Excellence in Instrumental Music, 2022 Msgr. Bourgeois Excellence in Religious Studies   
• Maxime Makuza: Peter Godfrey Award    
• Lizzie Motch: Senior Excellence in Foreign Language ~Spanish~, Emily Lyman English Award, Mercy Peer Ministry Award  
• Louis Ruel: Senior Excellence in Science,  Senior Excellence in Mathematics, International English Language Award     
• Caitlyn Smith: 2022 4-Year Excellence in Visual Arts    
• Ramsey Stephenson: Senior Excellence in Vocal Music    
• Libby Stevens: Society of Women Engineers Honors, Student Council Award   
• Jaiden Tremblay: Principal's 4-Year Personal Achievement Award    
• Sydney Washburn: Kristen Charlebois Senior Excellence in History, Senior Excellence in Foreign Language ~Latin~, Robert A. Brown English Award, 21-22 UVM Green & Gold Award 
• Larissa Zierak: Doc Dengler Physics, 2022 Society of Women Engineers Highest Honors, 2022 4-Year Excellence in Foreign Language, John W. Donoghue Senior English Award 

 

Graduation - Misson Awards

Additionally these seniors received mission awards at graduation for their outstanding achievements and contributions. They are students, who in the view of the faculty, staff and administration, have lived in the mission of Rice Memorial High School to its fullness. The mission of Rice is to guide its students toward fulfilling their God-given potential. Rice inspires its students to love learning, to serve others, and to seek God. It is through each of these lifelong endeavors that one’s full potential will be revealed.

1 - Commitment to Learning:

These awards are bestowed upon two members of the graduating class, who, in the estimation of the faculty who voted on them, emulate what it means to be a true learner.

Caroline Banks - described as a stellar student, conscientious, and mature. In the classroom, she is an engaged, confident, and ambitious student. She is engaged in the classroom and demonstrates a passion for learning. She is articulate, a self-advocate, and takes initiative. 

Louis Ruel - described as humble, smart, genuine, dedicated to his studies and focused on learning. He has a natural ability to soak up information, analyze it, question it, and build upon it. He is a natural learner who
challenges himself both inside and outside the classroom. His high academic achievement speaks for itself. He has taken a very rigorous course load throughout his four years here at Rice and he learned to speak English fluently during his time here.

2 - Commitment to Service:

The Male and Female Commitment to Service Awards is named in honor of Matthew Geiger, who graduated from Rice in 1991.  Matthew’s love of faith and service was deep, and he inspired many high school students whom he taught to be faithful and to serve others.  He passed away in 2016 and leaves a legacy of love and compassion.
 
Each student at Rice is required to complete a total of 83 hours of volunteer service as a graduation requirement.  Of course, our hope for each student is that what may begin as merely the fulfillment of graduation requirement transforms into a meaningful experience of faith in service to others- the kind of service that fosters relationships among the serving and the served and that is grounded in a deep recognition of shared humanity.
 

Courtney Coffman - described as a kind soul, motivated, and generous.  She is a compassionate person who possesses a friendly and warm personality. She is an active member of the community both in school and outside of school.  She is passionate about helping others.  She participates in a variety of community service activities, is humble, and serves with a cheerful smile.  

Maxime Makuza - described as determined, humorous, respectful, positive, compassionate, and engaging.  He is passionate about helping others and will go the extra mile to the point of sacrificing himself. He leads by example as he strives to be encouraging approachable, and he is that reliable person you can count on.

3 - Commitment to Faith:

Named in honor of Mr. Robert L. Wright, who taught religious studies at Rice for over 30 years.   

Larrissa Zierak - described to be a role model for other students.  She is a quiet, humble, and a dedicated faith filled special soul.  She is always polite, generous, and has a heart that truly cares for others.  Faith and religion are very important to her.  She effectively makes a great difference in our community and does so with no fanfare and humility.

Matt Ludden - described as one who never complains, is an active member of the Rice community.  He balances a very filled schedule with academics, play rehearsals, choir, band, prayer, athletics, retreats ,and family responsibilities.    He exudes a peaceful presence, warm, welcoming, and respectful of all those who he encounters.

4 - Mr. and Miss Rice Awards

The Mr. and Mrs. Rice awards are considered Rice’s highest award. This award is in honor of Fr. Francis Grogan, killed at the World Trade Center 9/11/01. Voted on by the faculty and staff, they are given to students who exemplify the Rice ideals of academic excellence, service to others and seeking God. These are students who lead by example, participate in extracurricular activities, and who, on a daily basis show the values of love, kindness, and compassion.

Celeste Slauterbeck - Miss Rice

This young woman is a leader, mature, and humble. She truly embodies the Rice mission…to love learning, to serve others, and to seek God. She is a motivated and a confident student who pursues excellence. She is well-rounded, is a natural leader, respectful, and is passionate about helping others. She has a strong moral compass, listens with intent and respect, can motivate and energize her peers, and has an engaging and fun personality. She is active in numerous and broad activities both at Rice and in the community. 

Tanner Wolpert - Mr. Rice 

This young man is described as compassionate, mature, athletic, faith filled, intelligent, and humble.   He is curious, motivated, and loves to learn….he pursues excellence. He is a calm presence in the halls, treats others with great respect and kindness.  His faith and compassion for others is embedded in the fabric of his being and character. He is a leader amongst his peers by leading by example, holding himself to a high standard, possessing a strong moral compass, and consistently maintains a positive attitude.  His respectful, approachable and calming presence puts others at ease.