Milestones, Memories, and a Moving Up: Brewster Celebrates MUD 2026

On Monday, May 18, the Smith Center filled with students, faculty, and families as Brewster marked the end of another school year the way it always has: by stopping to recognize the people who made it what it was. Moving Up Day, affectionately called MUD, is the ceremony that does it all at once. Awards are given. Leaders are announced. College destinations are shared. And when it is over, each class physically moves up to the front of the bleachers as the graduates step away for the last time. It is one of those traditions that sounds simple on paper and lands differently every year.

Head of School Kristy Kerin opened the ceremony by announcing the Class of 2026's top academic honorees. First PG Airin Intaratat earned a 4.330 GPA, the highest possible at Brewster, while completing Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra at the college level alongside four AP courses. This fall, she will attend MIT. Salutatorian Marharyta "Margo" Morozova, a Lifer and STEM Scholar who took 10 AP classes and competed in both varsity basketball and Robotics, will attend Smith College. Valedictorian Katherine Twombly, who completed nine AP courses, served as Editor-in-Chief of The Brewster Browser, and earned Arts Scholar distinction, will attend the College of the Holy Cross. Another round of applause for all three.

Dean of College Counseling Tim Cushing then handed the moment to the students themselves, as the Class of 2026 shared their post-Brewster plans in a video that drew cheers throughout the Smith Center.

Lifer pins were next. Thirty-four members of the Class of 2026 have been at Brewster since ninth grade, and each came forward to receive their pin as their name was called. It is one of the quieter moments of the ceremony, and one of the most felt.

Academic Awards

The following academic awards were presented by department faculty:

The Myrtle Dodge Award, voted on by the entire faculty, went to Anelya Caesar, recognized for three years of summa cum laude and John Brewster Scholar status, three-sport participation, and consistent Gold Key service that extends into summers and school breaks.

The Warren P. Tyler Memorial Award went to Miller Lowry, who approaches every responsibility, from presenting to prospective families and Trustees to leading conversations at Equity Week and Connect 2 Change, with a dependable "can-do, will-do" spirit.

The Dartmouth Book Award, presented by the English Department, went to Sufjan Waleryszak for his fearless commitment to education and nuanced, sometimes unconventional literary interpretations during his first year at Brewster.

The Colby College Book Prize, from the History Department, went to Anelya Caesar for exemplifying what it means to be not just a student of humanity but a genuine stakeholder in it.

The Holy Cross Book Prize for Excellence in World Language went to Cesar Bai, recognized as a poet in all of his languages who thrives in the interpersonal mode and consistently builds connection and community with his peers.

The Brown University Book Award, for exceptional achievement and promise in mathematics, went to Ava Lincender for her deep understanding of mathematical content, contagious enthusiasm, and a research paper that applied mathematical modeling to advance equity and access for women.

The Harvard Book Award, for outstanding academic achievement and intellectual promise in science, went to Lily Finklea, whose curious mind connects the physical, biological, and chemical aspects of the world across every science course she has taken.

The Richardson Award went to Callie Pilkington for extraordinary academic, emotional, and social growth, her mentorship of peers, and her leadership as President of the Neurodiversity Alliance, including representing Brewster at a national summit.

The Jon Konheim Journalism Award went to Katherine Twombly, who has been central to every issue of The Brewster Browser since arriving as a sophomore and whose quiet leadership has produced some of the paper's strongest work.

The William J. Britton-Dorothy Coyle Award for performing arts went to Astor Bransfield Schmieding for her memorable performance as Linda in The Wedding Singer and her contributions to Brewster's performing arts over the past two years.

The Albert S. Munnis Visual Arts Award went to Mac Sufrin, whose dedication to photography and collaborative spirit in the darkroom were recognized this year at the statewide Scholastic Art Awards with a Silver Key and five Honorable Mentions.

The Grace Murray Hopper Award for technology went to Airin Intaratat, who programmed multiple robots for competition and turned her creative visions into reality through what faculty described as a coding fluency equal to a third language.

Arts Gallery of Excellence

Fine and Performing Arts Chair Liz Baker McClain unveiled this year's inductee into the Brewster Arts Gallery of Excellence. The work, Echo of Touch by Hiro Onoguchi, earned a Silver Key at the NH Scholastic Art Awards and was described as translating complex emotions and personal beliefs into a captivating visual narrative. The reveal drew a sustained round of applause.

Employee Milestones and Retirements

Kerin paused to recognize employees reaching five, ten, fifteen, twenty, and twenty-five year milestones, with special recognition for Academic Dean Matt Butcher, who marks 25 years at Brewster this year. Six members of the community are retiring: Wes Matchett, Ron Dunbar, and Jimmy Mongovan after 16, 16, and 26 years respectively; basketball coach Jason Smith after 26 years, during which he built one of the premier programs in the country; Laura Duffy after 31 years in college counseling, in whose honor the College Office entrance will now be known as the Duffy Threshold; and TJ Palmer after 39 extraordinary years, whose classroom will be permanently named Mr. P's Classroom.

New Leadership

Dean of Students Maureen Edmonds announced next year's leadership appointments, including the student publication teams, Gold Key Head Tour Guides, and class leaders. The full list is below.

Moving Up

Kerin closed the ceremony the way she always does: by asking each class to physically move up. Seniors and postgraduates were dismissed. Juniors moved to the senior rows. Sophomores moved to the junior rows. Ninth graders moved up to take their place.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and to everyone honored at this year's Moving Up Day.

Watch the MUD livestream recording here and view photos here.

Head Tour Guides (Gold Key):

Anelya Caesar 
Will Poster 
Emery Condon 
Joseph Blake 
Giada Blake

The Brewster Browser:

Editor-in-Chief: Mila Bahr
Managing Editor: Gabi Reynolds 
News Editor: Wyatt Randall 
Sports Editor: Everett Ehlen 
Feature Editor: Erin Kenah 
Staff Reporter: Sufjan Waleryszak

The Winnipesaukean:

 Editor-in-Chief: Mila Bahr

Sophomore Class Prefects:

Adriel Akpokabayen 
Giada Blake 
Joseph Blake 
Kaaloni Boisvert

Sophomore Class Leaders:

Bailey Gross 
Dottie Penny 
Emit Bisson 
Gabi Gamero del Castillo 
Ella Gordon 
Isabella Levine 
Kate Brooks 
Kendall Gross 
Quinn Dufort 
Sienna Pursley

Junior Class Prefects:

Audrina Crowell 
Katie Tasso 
Will Poster 
Cullen Tierney

Junior Class Leaders: 

Aleah Plamann 
Ailee Young 
Alyssa Biteman 
Ava Lincender 
David Grap 
Evan Ashton 
Graham Jerke 
Issy Fyfe 
Jack Cuddy 
Kaya Moulton 
Maddie Nichols 
Meghan Reilly 
Natalie Sweatt 
Robby Koch 
Wheeler Matthews 
Wren Baden 
Wyatt Randall

Senior Class Prefects:

Lily Finklea 
Thomas Summers

Senior Class Leaders:

Addie Wallat 
Anelya Caesar 
Astor Bransfield Schmieding 
Caroline Webb 
Casey Shea 
Charli Madill 
Chelsea Yager 
Conor Reilly 
Diego Gamero del Castillo
Emery Condon 
Evelyn Heppler 
Gabi Reynolds 
Hadley Keally 
Izzy Bailey 
Jacob Booth 
Jason Feng 
Lilah Gaboury 
Lily Finklea 
Maya George 
Michael Jozokos 
Miller Lowry 
Otavio Haygert Roxo 
Paytyn Burke 
Sasha Pisarevsky 
Simon Bellavigna 
Thomas Summers 
Tyler Branch 
Wyatt Lilly 
Wyatt Randall 
Yunon Naito