Surprises and Cheers at Brewster’s 2025 MUD Ceremony
By Suzanne Morrissey
Brewster Academy celebrated its Moving Up Day ceremony (affectionately called “MUD”) on Monday, May 19. The event began with all students in formal dress, processing from the Ac to the Smith Center. The ceremony is named for the act of “moving up” from one grade to another, and physically moving from each team’s rows in the bleachers to their new spots at the end of the ceremony.
But before that happened, dozens of awards and messages were shared with the entire student body, invited parents, and faculty and staff who gathered along the railing above the court.
Head of School Kristy Kerin welcomed everyone, and explained that MUD is the time the community celebrates a long list of academic achievements, hears the announcement of leadership positions for next year, and cheers as Dean of College Counseling Tim Cushing shares everyone’s post-graduate destinations. This year, that task was handled in a video allowing each grad to announce their next steps.
MUD is also the day the person chosen by The Winnipesaukean staff for the yearbook dedication is revealed. This year, that honor went to none other than Mr. Cushing, who seemed quite surprised by the secret that the Commencement Committee worked hard to keep from him over the weeks leading up to the ceremony. Yearbook editor Sofia Henley spoke about Mr. Cushing’s importance to students. “His guidance and dedication to Brewster students through their college journey have been nothing short of remarkable,” she said. “He has shaped thousands of futures through his wisdom, patience, and genuine care for each student's success. Beyond the walls of college counseling, his impact on Brewster extends to the basketball court, where his dedication as an assistant coach has played a pivotal role in the success of the Brewster Academy National Basketball Team.” Sofia emphasized Mr. Cushing’s ability to mentor, support, and lead—whether in the college process or competition, adding, “His office has always been a safe place where students share their fears and dreams. He has helped students shape those dreams, see their potential, and build futures.”
National Honor Society members and Honor Roll students receive special cords at the MUD ceremony, and Lifers, those students who have been at Brewster all four years of high school, receive special pins. (This year 36 of the 103 graduates were Lifers.)
Another special moment was the announcement of this year’s inductee into the Brewster Arts Gallery of Excellence. Department Chair Liz Baker McClain announced, “The artist we highlight today used digital techniques to create a truly unique vision of her work by removing color from certain parts of the photograph…This technique of isolated color helps the artist show their vision of what was important to them when looking through the lens. For her exceptional artistry and truly creative process in editing, this year’s winner and inductee into the Brewster Gallery of Excellence is Elsa Pueschel for her work ‘Isolated Color Buoys’.”
Toward the end of the ceremony, the 2025 prefects (Aya Brown and Luce Colcord) passed the gavel to the freshly announced 2026 prefects (Luke Smolan and Will Brochu), and the Class of 2025 flag (in class colors light blue and yellow) is retired as the group unfurls the Class of 2026 flag in their chosen colors of green and silver.
Toward the end of the ceremony, the 2025 prefects (Aya Brown and Luce Colcord) passed the gavel to the freshly announced 2026 prefects (Luke Smolan and Will Brochu), and the Class of 2025 flag (in class colors light blue and yellow) is retired as the group unfurls the Class of 2026 flag in their chosen colors of green and silver.
Ms. Kerin asked the gathered students, faculty, and staff to join her in recognizing several employee milestones before the ceremony concluded with the symbolic “moving up” of each team.
See the complete list of MUD awardees and leadership positions below.
Valedictorian
Our 2025 Valedictorian could be found everywhere on campus over the past four years. In fact, it is hard to imagine how our school will function next year without this student’s presence at community events. A student leader in every sense of the word, this student volunteered for Prep Start, devoted time to the Writing Tutor Center, gave countless tours as a Gold Key Club tour guide, supported organizations like End 68 Hours of Hunger and Best Buddies, was a member of the National Honor Society, and served on numerous panels for Trustees and prospective students. A multi-talented artist, this student has shared his talents in photography, music, and theater and could regularly be found performing and supporting his peers in Coffee Houses and performing leading roles in the school musicals. In total, this student took 10 AP courses during his time at Brewster. Our Valedictorian is a Curvey Scholar, and this year, he took a demanding course load that included AP English Literature and Composition, AP Human Geography, AP Calculus BC, and AP Chemistry, along with upper level Mandarin and Advanced Fine Art, completing a capstone art project as an Arts Scholar. He will also be recognized as a Global Scholar. This year’s Valedictorian graduates with a GPA of 4.278 and will attend Columbia University in the fall. Congratulations to Logan Cliche!
First PG
This year's top post-graduate student, or “First PG,” hails from Thailand. A multi-talented student, this person participated as a member of the sailing team in the fall, Robotics in the winter and spring, and could also be found performing at Coffee Houses, volunteering his expertise at the Math Tutor Center, and making people smile as a member of the Random Acts of Kindness Club. Our top PG graduates with a GPA of 4.213. A Royal Thai Scholar, this student will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall. Congratulations to Korravit “Neo” Nusom.
Salutatorian
This year’s class Salutatorian is a Lifer who has made the most of every opportunity at Brewster. A three-sport varsity athlete participating in boys’ soccer, alpine skiing, and tennis, this student is a determined leader and has been a model of good sportsmanship and tough play. This student gave generously of his expertise and talents, leading community service projects for the National Honor Society, volunteering regularly at the Math Tutor Center, serving as a Gold Key tour guide, and helping local kids get on the slopes with the Abenaki Learn to Ski program. This student took seven AP courses over the course of his time at Brewster, including a demanding senior year course load that included three AP and two advanced courses. This year’s Salutatorian is a Curvey Scholar who graduates with a GPA of 4.264 and will attend Villanova University in the fall. Congratulations to Randall Preston.
The Myrtle Dodge Award is presented to the student whose grades and recognition scores reflect a high level of investment and good citizenship, as well as distinguished academic ability and performance. The recipient of the 2025 Myrtle Dodge Award exemplifies everything the Award represents. She is a kind, compassionate, and dedicated individual whose academic excellence and integrity shine through in all she does. Despite the demands of her rigorous course load and commitment as a three-season athlete, she consistently performs at the highest level. She actively contributes to our community through her participation with the New Hampshire Student Leadership Program, Females in Athletics, Connect 2 Change, other DEI initiatives, tutoring, and various clubs, always seeking ways to uplift those around her. Her thoughtful leadership, strong sense of purpose, and genuine care for others set her apart. We are incredibly proud of her and grateful to have her in our community. Anelya Caesar is this year’s Myrtle Dodge Award recipient.
The Warren P. Tyler Memorial Award is presented to the student who demonstrates self-reliance and integrity; whose recognition scores reflect outstanding maturity, honesty, and character; who is deemed most likely to become the “good citizen” adult we hope all our students will become; and who never sees obstacles, but rather sees challenges. As a freshman, this award recipient has shown maturity beyond her years, and the rest of the class looks to her for leadership on a daily basis. She has exceptional grades in all of her classes and has made great contributions to three varsity sports, moving from one responsibility to the next seamlessly. She arrives at school with a smile on her face, ready to tackle the next challenge that arises, not just for herself but for everyone around her each day. Currently concluding her ninth grade year, we look forward to what she will accomplish during the rest of her time at Brewster, and we are thrilled to celebrate the impact she has already made. Congratulations to this year's recipient of the Warren P. Tyler Memorial Award: Katie Tasso.
The Dartmouth Book Award is presented each year by the English Department to the student with academic excellence who is an avid reader, writer, thinker, contributor, and collaborator. Throughout her time at Brewster, this student has been a wonderful English student, and she imbues our AP Language classroom with joy and curiosity. Known perhaps most for her time on stage as an actor and a reciter of poetry, in class she is an eager learner, a caring classmate, a passionate writer, and an overall bright presence. The Dartmouth Book Award goes to Hannah Ruegg.
The Colby College Book Prize Award is presented by the History Department to the student who commits energy and passion for social science or civic leadership and shows clear strength of character and leadership in the classroom and community. The energy that emanates from this student's curiosity and enthusiasm in the history classroom is palpable. A potent and versatile thinker, he frequently leverages his insights to expand the scholarship regarding a complex subject, and to spur collective inquiry and meaning-making during in-class discussions. His leadership is evident not only in the classroom, but also in the hallways, dorms, diamonds, and rinks. It is our sincere hope that the social sciences will continue to be a formative vehicle to empower this student to a life of service and citizenship. This year's Colby Book Prize is awarded to Luke Smolan.
With deep admiration and pride, we present the Holy Cross Book Prize for Excellence in World Language this year to a student whose passion for language learning transcends mere linguistic proficiency—it radiates as a commitment to understanding the beautifully complex fabric of our collective human experience. Her journey with the French language began in the classroom during her freshman year and has since expanded across borders—most recently through immersive study in Arles and Paris during our interim term. But what sets this student apart is not simply her linguistic growth; it is her ability to inhabit new perspectives, to listen deeply, and to engage with other ways of being in the world. In every reflection, every assignment, every project, every meaningful exchange, this student reveals a rare synthesis of intellectual rigor, cultural openness, and emotional intelligence. She approaches language not as a task to master, but as a living, breathing invitation to connect, to question, and to grow. Her evolving capacity in the language is matched only by her growing intercultural competence—embodying the instinctive understanding that language is never separate from the peoples who speak it. This student does not study French; she lives it. She brings curiosity to every interaction, enriching the language classroom with her presence and reminding us that language is ultimately about relationships—the potent gesture of reaching out across differences to find what is shared. For her unwavering dedication and joyful pursuit of cultural and linguistic understanding, we are honored to award the Holy Cross Book Prize for Excellence in World Language to Grace Watson.
The Brown University Book Award goes to the student who has attained excellence in the field of mathematics, who has demonstrated a willingness to help others and who possesses the same genuine desire to learn that we hope to engender in all students. It recognizes not only mathematical excellence, but also the spirit of curiosity, character, and commitment we hope to inspire in all students. This year’s recipient is a quiet force in AP Calculus who combines academic brilliance with humility and grace. Her consistent, top-tier performance—matched by deep understanding—and her quiet leadership make her an exceptional weapon of math instruction. As one of our Head Math Tutors, her impact is unmistakable—serving as a trusted and compassionate resource for peers throughout her Brewster career. She brings thoughtfulness and clarity to group work, modeling collaboration and patience. Her love of learning shines through in her steady presence, her willingness to lift others up, and her quiet confidence that inspires those around her. Her genuine curiosity, kindness, and commitment to the math community make her a most deserving recipient of the Brown University Book Award: Congratulations to Katherine Twombly.
The Harvard Book Award is given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and superior intellectual promise in the field of science. The recipient of The Harvard Book Prize for 2025 is invested in exploring, understanding, and appreciating the world in which we live. He is curious about all aspects of science and shows a relentless pursuit of understanding. An honors and AP student, he is always looking to grow his knowledge, and he has been known to peruse college-level textbooks to get a suitable explanation for his questions. He is passionate about the sciences, and by the end of his four-year Brewster tenure, he is scheduled to have completed seven different science courses. Generous with his knowledge, he can often be found helping someone out, whether it be in an introductory or Advanced Placement class. In fact, we would not have a science tutor center if it were not for his determined efforts, and at the time of this writing, the center has helped more than 55 students in its two-trimester lifespan. Congratulations to our Harvard Book Award recipient, James Hatzos.
The Richardson Award is bestowed on the student who has recognized the value of utilizing the instructional support the student has been given, striving to improve skills and investing one’s personal best in all situations. This affable young man has come to Brewster through a lifelong journey of facing significant life challenges head-on and overcoming them through hard work and perseverance. With four years of dedicated time with his IS teachers, he has worked to arrive to each class motivated and ready to maximize his learning. His efforts have helped him not only to find success in academics but also to transfer his knowledge to his preparations for college and applications for scholarship opportunities. Through his self-advocacy and collaborative relationship with his teachers, he has progressed from ELL classes to challenging senior electives, and he has learned how to manage an extensive reading load, while at the same time prioritizing the development of his writing. This year’s Richardson Award recipients is a respectful and responsible student, and a role model for others, embodying how to invest one’s personal best in all situations. Congratulations, Abdul Manaf!
Brewster’s Jon Konheim Journalism Award goes to the student who exemplifies outstanding dedication to the quality of Brewster Academy’s student publications. This year’s recipient of the Jon Konheim Journalism Award possesses a critical wit and an acerbic voice. She enjoys digging into a heated philosophical or ethical debate, which happens often in Journalism class! She began writing for the paper as a sophomore, and she has worked her way up to the position of Editor-in-Chief as a senior. She has lent her intelligent humor to many feature stories and editorials including a recurring column that won an Honorable Mention in the national Quill & Scroll High School Journalism contest last year. This year’s Jon Konheim award goes to Eliza Spindler.
The William J. Britton-Dorothy Coyle Award goes to the student who has shown exemplary commitment to and involvement in one or more of the performing arts while at Brewster Academy. This year’s recipient has shown exemplary commitment to and involvement in Music and Theater. Whether he is performing at and hosting coffee houses, playing the “Star-Spangled Banner” before games, or participating in his first-ever musical, he consistently sets a high standard for himself and his fellow performers. This year’s William J. Britton-Dorothy Coyle Award goes to Cesar Bai.
The Albert S. Munnis Visual Arts Award is given to the student who is self-motivated and goal oriented, who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the visual arts and continued growth and development as an artist. This outstanding fine art student has made remarkable strides in developing their compelling and thought-provoking abstract body of work this year. Their creativity, dedication, and fearless experimentation have set them apart as a true innovator. A passionate advocate for the arts, they have been a driving force and inspirational presence within the creative community. Please congratulate our 2025 Albert S. Munnis Award winner, Beck Rosenbaum.
The Grace Murray Hopper Award is given to the student who demonstrates proficiency in the use of technology, is innovative and creative with technology and shows a dedication to computer science.
This computer science student is dedicated to coding, understanding the hard work and precision required by the task. This student is quick to debug a classmate's code, work collaboratively on a project, and go above and beyond the scope of projects, adding new and creative functionality to create effective and interesting apps. He has even taken the skills learned from Computer Programming into his Statistics class—creating an app to play probability games. He has a sharp logical mind and shows promise in the programming and computing field. This year's Grace Murray Hopper Award goes to Petar Bajski.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:
The leaders for the Sophomore Class are
Audrina Crowell
Issy Fyfe
Graham Jerke
Wheeler Matthews
Kaya Moulton
Madelyn Nichols
Will Poster
Meghan Reilly
Natalie Sweatt
Katie Tasso
Cullen Tierney
The Prefects for Sophomore Year are
Kaya Moulton
Will Poster
Cullen Tierney
Katie Tasso
The Junior Class Leaders are
Isabella Bailey
Jacob Booth
Paytyn Burke
Anelya Caesar
Emery Condon
Lillian Finklea
Tyler Foster
Maya George
Evelyn Heppler
Michael Jozokos
Hadley Keally
Miller Lowry
Charli Madill
Wyatt Randall
Conor Reilly
Gabi Reynolds
Thomas Summers
Addie Wallat
Caroline Webb
Chelsea Yager
Prefects for Junior Year are
Emery Condon
Lily Finklea
Charli Madill
Conor Reilly
The Senior Class Leaders are
Mikey Anger
Owen Arndt
Christa Badilla Chaves
Will Baldwin
Will Brochu
Caitlin Cliche
Jonathan Dion
Harper Dolce
Travis Gillen
Estelle Good
Alex Gordon
James Hatzos
Tori Hayden
Lyla Hibbard
Eric Jacobsen
Molly Kirschenbaum
Philip Koschel
Parth Miglani
Margo Morozova
Maia Pasco
Grace Rizzitano
Sophia Rock
Hannah Ruegg
Max Rusov
Casey Shea
Luke Smolan
Hannah Taylor
Reika Ueno
Logan Wood
The Senior Class Prefects are
Luke Smolan and Will Brochu
Head Tour Guides (Gold Key) are
Sophia Rock
Reika Ueno
Will Brochu
Anelya Caesar
The staff of The Brewster Browser next year will be:
Editor in chief: Katherine Twombly
Managing editor: David Mason
News editor: Mila Bahr
Sports Editor: Gabi Reynolds
And for Outcroppings, our literary magazine, the staff will be
Editor in chief: Hannah Ruegg
Art Editor: Hope Macaione
Contributing Editor: Caitlin Cliche
For The Winnipesaukean, Brewster’s yearbook, the editor will be Sofia Henley.
See the Moving Up Day livestream recording here and photos here.
