Rice proudly announces the Class of 2020 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Valedictorian: Madeline Sawyer

Rice is proud to announce that Madeline Sawyer is Valedictorian of the Class of 2020. A resident of Shelburne and graduate of Mater Christi School, Madeline finds the scholarly world to be a second home and this comfort and high level of expectation permeates everything she does. In the classroom, Madeline is engaged, curious, and ambitious….she pursues excellence, possesses a passion for learning, and always strives for her personal best. She is well-prepared and dialed-in every single day.

In addition to her academic success, Madeline is a well-rounded member of the Rice community as she actively participates in extracurricular activities and devotes hours to community service, all while she hones her skills as an accomplished dancer and musician. Last summer, she was one of fourteen students selected to spend six weeks at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. She is also an incredible violin player with a seat in the Vermont Youth Orchestra and a license to busk on Church Street in Burlington. While Madeline is appreciative of all of these opportunities, she is most proud of her initiative founding the Burlington Chamber Players, a string quartet that volunteers to play at senior living communities and rehabilitation centers. Madeline recruits members, organizes practice sessions, and schedules performances. She believes that the arts and culture can have a positive impact on others and loves sharing her passion for music and bringing joy to the residents. 

Madeline is extremely kind, speaks three languages and serves as an excellent role model for her peers. Her scholastic commitment combined with her gifts and aspirations will undoubtedly transfer to success in a collegiate setting. We wish her well as she embarks on the next step in her educational journey.
 
Congratulatulations to the Class of 2020 Valedictorian….Madeline Sawyer!
 

Salutatorian: Isabel Magg

Rice is proud to announce that Isabelle (Izzy) Magg is Salutatorian of the Class of 2020. A resident of Shelburne and graduate of Mater Christi School, Izzy earned top honors in a class of exceptionally talented students while balancing a rigorous dance schedule as a life-long ballerina at Vermont Ballet Theatre. Her dedication to dance eventually earned her a place at the Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive in New York City and undoubtedly has contributed to her success as a student. As Physics teacher Darren Clas put it, “the discipline gained from the precise choreography, the pressure of performance and the time commitment of dance have certainly helped form the foundation of the tremendous student Isabella has become.”
 
Izzy also finds time to regularly altar serve with her twin sister, Alessandra at the 8:30am Mass at St. Catherine of Siena. Izzy is described by her teachers as serene, yet tireless; a humble leader who makes her way through this world in a thoughtful, compassionate, considerate and reflective way. She role-models what it means to pursue excellence at school and in her hobbies. Again, Mr. Clas summed Izzy up best - “With her academic diligence, devotion to her craft and a kind soul leading the way, she continues to be an inspiration to her peers, our younger students and all of Rice.”
 
Well done, Izzy!