Senior Awards Brunch brings out emotion, celebration, and pride for St. Mike’s Class of 2025

Lauren Welch ’25, left, hugs MOVE Director Lara Scott upon receiving an award during the annual Saint Michael’s Senior Awards Brunch on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Lauren Read)

The Saint Michael’s Class of 2025 took in one of their remaining Alliot meals together and – with the faculty and staff – celebrated each other and their many accomplishments during the annual Senior Awards Brunch.  

It was a time to reflect on all they had achieved and overcome. Emcee Sierra Leonard ’15, assistant director of alumni and family engagement, reminded everyone that this group of students began their college career as a global pandemic still loomed. Fr. Michael Carter, S.S.E. ’12, director of Campus Ministry, shared a poignant personal story that taught him sometimes the hardest thing to do is “get out of the car” – it’s making a choice to do something and following through on that choice even when you are stepping into the unknown.  

Stepping into newness was a theme even outside St. Mike’s as the ceremony was briefly interrupted to let those in attendance know that a new Pope had just been chosen in Rome.  

There were moments of pure emotion from graduating seniors, faculty and staff, some silliness, and jubilation all around for award winners. Pride overflowed from students and those who taught or worked with the group of seniors throughout their time at Saint Michael’s. One highlight of the event was the standing ovation given to Amy Hylen ’25 when she received the Saint Michael’s Award, celebrating unselfish commitment to others and the College community. Hylen has gained notoriety around campus for her constantly sunny attitude, willingness to help, and for coining the phrase “tight Knight community.”  

Sam Boger ’25 recites a St. Mike’s themed version of “Good Night Moon” during the annual Senior Awards Brunch on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)

An impromptu poem in the style of Goodnight Moon, crafted by Sam Boger’25, said goodbye to areas frequented by students and helped bring the event to a touching close. 

Below is a full list of awards and their recipients from the Saint Michael’s College Senior Awards Brunch on May 8, 2025. 

Theresa Hoar ’25 poses with Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Michael Carter ’12 after receiving the Elizabeth A. Durick Award at the annual Senior Awards Brunch on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Lauren Read)

Elizabeth A. Durick Award  

This award is presented to a senior who has made a significant contribution to the Christian goals of Saint Michael’s College.  

Awarded to: Theresa Hoar ’25 of Barre, Vermont  

View a photo album from the 2025 Senior Awards Brunch. (Story continues below.)

Frank G. Mahady Memorial Award  

This award is presented to the graduating senior who best demonstrates the qualities of moral leadership and social justice, which were important to Judge Frank G. Mahady, and who demonstrates the potential for making a significant contribution to the causes of peace and justice.  

Awarded to: Lauren A. Welch ’25 of North Grafton, Massachusetts  

Amy Hylen ’25, left, reacts to a standing ovation she received after being awarded the Saint Michael’s Award at the Class of 2025 Senior Awards Brunch on May 8, 2025. Vice President of Student Affairs Dawn Ellinwood is also pictured. (Photo by Lauren Read)

Saint Michael’s Award  

This award is presented to a member of the senior class who, over the past four years, has been involved for the betterment of the class and the community. The award signifies an unselfish commitment to others and to the development of community at Saint Michael’s College.  

Awarded to: Amy L.D. Hylen ’25 of Canton, Massachusetts  

Matthew Frawley ’25, left, listens as Director of Athletics Matt Akins reads a citation honoring Frawley with the Roger F. Keleher Memorial Award. The other winner, Izzy Quam ’25, was unable to attend the ceremony to accept her Keleher award. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)

Roger F. Keleher Memorial Awards   

These awards are presented to outstanding scholar-athletes who are varsity letter winners and have maintained high scholastic averages. Roger Keleher was a 1915 graduate from Springfield, Massachusetts, who himself was a scholar and athlete.   

Awarded to:   

Matthew D. Frawley ’25 of Melrose, Massachusetts  

Elizabeth “Izzy” C. Quam ’25 of Stillwater, Minnesota  

Former Saint Michael’s adjunct professor and longtime local journalist Michael Donoghue, right, reads a citation for the winner of the John D. Donoghue award, Caleb Nelson ’25, left.

John D. Donoghue Award  

This award is presented to the student, faculty member, or administrator who has provided strong support, leadership, and commitment to one of the college’s student publications. The award is named for John D. Donoghue ’32, Christian, gentleman, journalist, and teacher. Donoghue founded the student newspaper The Michaelman in 1947. He also founded the yearbook and served as the first chair of the Saint Michael’s College journalism department.  

Awarded to: Caleb G. Nelson ’25 of St. Johnsbury, Vermont  

Bernadette Lesieur ’25, left, poses with Cassie Lathrope ’26 and Ryann Edwards ’26, next year’s President and Vice President, respectively, of the Student Government Association, after Lesieur received the Rev. Gerald E. Dupont, S.S.E., Award at the Class of 2025 Senior Awards Brunch. (Photo by Lauren Read)

Rev. Gerald E. Dupont, S.S.E., Award   

The award recipient demonstrates dedication to the ideals of courage, vision, devotion, and faith upon which Saint Michael’s College was founded. This award is named for former president of the College, Rev. Gerald E. Dupont, S.S.E.   

Awarded to:   

Bernadette E. Lesieur ’25 of Oxford, Massachusetts  

Patricia Siplon, Professor of Political Science & International Relations  

Lara E. Scott, Director of Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts (MOVE)  

Tulasha Pradhan ’25, center, poses with Choeden Lama, left, and Sarah Childs, both of Center for Student Diversity, Empowerment, and Community, after they presented Pradhan with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Society Award at the annual Senior Awards Brunch on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Lauren Read)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Society Award  

These awards are presented to seniors and members of the community who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and promoted interracial understanding through the planning and implementation of programs and activities that foster positive awareness about our diverse community. Through their work, they have enlightened the college community to the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   

Awarded to: Tulasha Pradhan ’25 of South Burlington, Vermont  

Community Service Awards   

The community service awards are given to seniors who have demonstrated exemplary involvement in both the college and local communities.   

Awarded to:   

Cassidy C. McNamara ’25 of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts  

Emily E. Dufour-Woznicki ’25 of Plattsburgh, New York  

Kylee A. Legg ’25 of Adams, Massachusetts  

Jarrett R. Sweet ’25 of Fletcher, Vermont  

Donald Sutton Community Service Award   

This award is presented in recognition of Don Sutton’s twenty-six years of service and contributions to the Saint Michael’s community as the founder of the Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue program. This award is given to a senior who has exemplified Sutton’s high ideals and level of commitment.  

Awarded to:   

Alexander J. Preis ’25 of Shelburne, Vermont  

Cassandra L. Tofteroo ’25 of Bridgewater, Massachusetts  

Biology Instructor Kate Soons ’92 reacts after receiving one of the Class Appreciation Awards from the Class of 2025 during the annual Senior Awards Brunch on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)

Class Appreciation Award  

Class appreciation awards are given to members of the Saint Michael’s College faculty and staff who have made a significant impact within the class.  

Awarded to:   

Katheryn T. Soons ’92, Instructor of Biology   

Ryan K. Hay ’19, Assistant Director of MOVE