IO N
ECIAL
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SPARK
SUMME
THE MAGAZINE OF COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
FINISHING STRONG C E L E B R AT I N G T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 6 A N D HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR
Voices soaring. Singing the alma mater is a rite of passage at Commencement. Seniors in the Class of 2026 lead the Collegiate community in a joyful rendition of Hail Collegiate.
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SUMMER 2026 1
SPARK CLASS OF 2026
10
Awards and honors
Dozens of Upper School students were recognized for their achievements.
12
By the numbers
Our Seniors set a host of records on their college admissions journey.
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College choices
From Auburn to Yale, Collegiate Seniors will thrive in these institutions of higher learning.
16
Valedictorian speeches
Clara Gould and Justinas Petkauskas emphasized perseverance and community in their graduation day remarks.
6
Picture perfect: The Class of 2026
Members of Collegiate School’s Senior class paused for a final portrait before receiving their diplomas.
8
Graduation day
Low temperatures were no match for the Collegiate community’s high spirits at our 111th Commencement in May.
18 Legacies: 2026 graduates with Cougar lineage Supporting our Seniors were siblings, parents, and other family members with deep ties to Collegiate.
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SUMMER 2026
TRANSITIONS
26
4th Grade Moving Up Ceremony
On a sunny morning in May, the 4th Graders officially transitioned into the Middle School.
YEAR IN REVIEW
30
A look back
Take a look back at some of the seminal moments of the 2025-26 school year.
29
Middle School Final Exercises
Our 8th Graders are ready to “begin again” with their move to the Upper School.
ATHLETICS
36
Spring sports
We spotlight our spring sports.
This special summer edition of Spark was created to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and recap the spring semester. The next full issue, complete with alumni updates and class notes, will be mailed in December.
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LETTER FROM THE
HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Collegiate Community, During the graduation ceremony this year, our valedictorians offered words that captured what makes the Collegiate community so special. Justinas Petkauskas reflected on the distinct experience of being a Collegiate student, saying, “During your time here, you have accrued unique advantages as a result of the academic, athletic, and character rigor you have met. Do not be afraid to capitalize on it.” He went on to remind his classmates, “I hope that we continue to lean on each other to build something bigger than ourselves. The way we achieve the impossible is by relying on each other.” Clara Gould spoke about the deep sense of belonging that defines Collegiate. While acknowledging that people sometimes describe the school as a “bubble,” she offered a different view: “I would argue that every single student here today — regardless of how long they’ve been here — has been changed for the better by their time at Collegiate. Perhaps it’s not really a bubble, but a place of stability and community. A place of memories. I’d even say family.” As they offered these words to their classmates, I was reminded of the generations of alumni who remain connected
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to Collegiate and continue to invest their time, talent, and treasure to provide unique opportunities for our students. I would also like to add a special note of congratulations to the Class of 2026. As a class, they broke several school records, earning more than $20 million in college scholarships and receiving 760 acceptances to 190 colleges and universities. They also tied the school’s highest overall college acceptance rate. In the pages that follow, I invite you to learn more about this remarkable graduating class and the many attributes they brought to the Collegiate community. Sincerely,
Jeff Mancabelli Head of School
Spark is published three times a year by Collegiate School by the School’s Communications Office. Director of Strategic Communications Sarah M. Abubaker Writer/Editor Carla Davis Design Think (think804.com) Creative Manager James Dickinson Contributors Weldon Bradshaw Ellie Lynch Louise Ingold Photography Maggie Bowman ’23 Keller Bellotti Taylor Dabney James Dickinson Alyssa McDaniel ’20 Bill Ruhl Tom Topinka Address Carla Davis, Spark Editor Collegiate School / Communications Office 103 North Mooreland Road / Richmond, VA 23229 Phone Spark: 804.741.9781 / Alumni Office: 804.741.9757 Class Notes and Photographs Please send your news and photographs to alex_neilson@collegiate-va.org, and we will use them in an upcoming issue. Digital images must be high resolution (min. 300dpi). Letters to the editor carla_davis@collegiate-va.org. Visit our website at www.collegiate-va.org
Collegiate School admits qualified students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships and loans, and its educational, athletic and other programs.
Collegiate School Administration: Jeffrey W. Mancabelli, Head of School Sarah M. Abubaker, Director of Strategic Communications Khristiane K. Bates, Head of Lower School Michael W. Boyd, Director of the Arts Frances O. Coleman ’92, Director of Admission and Enrollment Management Jeffrey G. Dunnington ’01, Head of Middle School Patrick E. Loach, Head of Upper School Phyllis Palmiero, Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Stanley, Athletic Director Antenette Stokes, Ph.D, Director of Inclusion and Belonging Tung Trinh, Dean of Faculty Kristen O. Williams, Chief Development Officer
Board of Trustees 2026-27: Jeffrey W. Mancabelli, Head of School W. Hildebrandt “Brandt” Surgner P ’11 ’14 ’17 ’19, Chair of the Board Neil Amin P ’31 ’32 W. Chason Beggerow ’26 ’28 Juliet R. Bloodgood P ’30 ’32 ’34, Parents’ Association President Carolyn “Callie” L. Brackett ’95 P ’22 ’24 Mason T. Chapman ’84 P ’22, Secretary Ernest “Ernie” A. Dettbarn III ’94, Alumni Association President Mayme B.F. Donohue ’03 Leavenworth “Wortie” M. Ferrell II ’88 P ’24 ’27 ’31 Martin “Marty” D. Franks GP ’37 ’39 Stephen “Steve” T. Holdych P ’19 ’22 ’24 ’27 Mary B. Malveaux ’86 P ’26 ’29 Neelan “Neely” A. Markel ’96 P ’27 ’30 Malcolm “Mac” S. McDonald P ’87 ’88, Trustee Emeritus Nimisha Parikh Montgomery P ’35 Lia C. Mooney P ’28 ’31 Meera Pahuja ’97 P ’30 ’32 ’34 J. Cheairs Porter Jr. P ’27 ’29 ’32 JoAnn Adrales Ruh P ’16 ’18 ’21 Julious “Jody” P. Smith III ’86 P ’20 ’22 ’25, Vice Chair of the Board Wallace Stettinius P ’77 ’79 ’84, Trustee Emeritus W. Gray Stettinius ’79 P ’07 ’10 ’12
Alumni Association Board 2026-27: Ernest “Ernie” A. Dettbarn III ’94, Alumni Association President Lauren C. Makhoul ’10, Vice President Anya “Kash” O. Aboud ’12 Virginia Angle ’20 Arthur “Brink” S. Brinkley III ’76 Wilson R. Cecil ’15 Max W. Comess ’03 Margaret “Molly” H. Congdon ’03 Kathleen M. Corsello ’10 John M. Daniel III ’70 Grabille “Gray” S. Fain ’07 Miller Golliday ’12 Carol “Missy” W. Herod ’72 Lucy Moore Hogsed ’01 Angie L. Hutchison ’90 Devon G. Kelley ’05 David Lacy ’97
Theodore “Ted” H. Lansing II ’98 Henry “Toby” P. Long III ’98 David W. MacMillan, Jr. ’82 Graham Mandl ’08 John C. Markowitz ’01 Gray “Gracie” M. Mason ’05 Lee L. Moreau ’85 Rishi C. Pahuja ’04 Christopher “Chris” G. Pearson ’02 W. Grayson Richmond ’17 William “Bill” L. Roberts ’65 Giselle C. Shaw ’22 Andrew Thalhimer ’05 Liza Carter Timmons ’13 Jasmine Turner ’11 W. Nash Wiley ’15
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CLASS OF 2026
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S , CLASS OF
2026!
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SUMMER 2026 7
CLASS OF 2026
HAIL, CLASS OF 2026! Collegiate School’s 111th Commencement was a celebration of goals realized, memories made, and futures forged.
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ITH FOLDED UMBRELLAS STOWED
discreetly under their chairs and a cool breeze rustling their raincoats, the families and friends of Collegiate School’s Class of 2026 filled the lawn in front of Flippen Hall for Commencement on Friday, May 22. Overnight showers had dropped temperatures to an unseasonable low, but spirits were high that morning in celebration of the graduating Seniors. Head of School Jeff Mancabelli welcomed attendees and congratulated the many students who distinguished themselves and their families by receiving honors, awards, and scholarships. Acknowledging the mercurial weather, he joked that the day-to-day changing forecast was no match for the Collegiate community’s desire for an outdoor ceremony. After all, it’s tradition. “Collegiate always finds a way,” he said. “We will make it happen.” In preparation for his Commencement remarks, Mancabelli, now in his second year leading the School, had met with all the Seniors and asked them: What do you want
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the Collegiate community in attendance to know about you? The students’ responses were both heartfelt and humorous. They reflected on milestones and shared experiences, and the small but meaningful moments that strengthened their bonds — to the school and to each other. “They want you to know,” Mancabelli shared, looking out over the crowd, “that over the last four years, they have shown up for one another in meaningful ways, perhaps most visibly in the respect and support they offered each other during their Senior speeches.” As he continued, the anecdotes elicited laughter. “They want you to know,” he said, “that in 5th Grade, they once spent four hours locked in a closet during a tornado, which they now recall as a formative bonding experience, though at the time it felt more like the world’s most uncomfortable sleepover. They want you to know that long before they became the poised graduates sitting before you today, they were also
8th Graders who mistook a TikTok trend of removing all the soap dispensers as comedy, while the administration did not.” He concluded, “And they want you to know that they loved their teachers, not only for what they taught them, but for the ways they challenged them, cared for them, and helped them become the young people sitting before us today.” Those teachers, along with faculty and staff, remember when the graduates arrived in the Upper School in August of 2022. “We were excited for what you would accomplish, and you far exceeded our expectations,” Mancabelli told the graduates. Remarkably, the Class of 2026 broke numerous college records, earning over $20 million in college scholarships and receiving 760 acceptances into 190 colleges and universities. Additionally, the Class tied the highest overall acceptance rate in the School’s history. Student athletes also distinguished themselves and the School: During the last four years, they were part of 27 league championships and 15 State Championships. Mancabelli then turned his attention to the graduates’ families and asked the parents to stand and be recognized by their children. “Our celebration today is also a thanksgiving for those who supported you along your journey,” he said. “One of the greatest gifts you have received is your parents, who have sacrificed much to help bring you to this day.” Mancabelli continued his remarks with a quote from English Department Chair Will Dunlap. “The Class of 2026 achievements span disciplines — academics, athletics, speech and debate, robotics, theater, music, quiz bowl — but what I admire even more is their restless willingness to invent and reinvent themselves, inspiring those of us with a bit of gray in our hair to do the same.” “I could not agree more,” Mancabelli said. He ended with thoughts from Collegiate’s founder, Helen Baker, and a heartfelt thank you to the outgoing class. “Since the beginning, Collegiate has always believed in forming young people with minds that seek and hearts that serve,” he said. “To quote Helen Baker, ‘Above everything else, we would have you live for humanity’s sake. We would have you become good citizens in the widest sense.’ “Thank you for sharing your personality and gifts,” Mancabelli said, “and for
leaving Collegiate even better than when you arrived.” The two valedictorians of the Class of 2026 were next to speak. Justinas Petkauskas, introduced as a student with “a need to learn,” began by describing a recent failure that gave him valuable perspective on how to face challenges after graduation. Shortly before graduation, he tried out for — but wasn’t selected for — the student-faculty basketball team. Petkauskas, a gifted athlete, didn’t even make the first cut. “We are inevitably going to experience plenty of fumbles — be it failure or rejection,” he said. “And that’s OK — life will be full of those moments. Mine certainly has been. But in those moments, I’ve found that leaning on those around me is the best way to pick myself back up. That’s how we grow from challenges. It’s the way we learn, gain skills, and become better versions of ourselves.” Petkauskas urged his fellow graduates to fully embrace the “accrued advantages” Collegiate has given them because of the School’s academic, athletic, and character rigor. “Do not be afraid to capitalize on them,” he said. Clara Gould, introduced as “an agile and deeply grounded thinker,” described Collegiate as a second home where she and her classmates have grown as people. Collegiate, she told the attendees, taught them more than academics. “We’ve learned how to persevere when the stakes are high, and our spirits are low,” she said. “We’ve learned how to hold ourselves to high standards of respect, excellence, and honor. We’ve learned our own individual strengths and how to celebrate the achievements of those around us.” The greatest lesson the Class of 2026 has learned from Collegiate, Gould said, is how to cultivate and care for a strong community; a community that she and her fellow graduates can count on for years to come. “We are certainly still growing, and changing, and figuring things out, but we will always have each other and this incredible family right here on North Mooreland Road.” Concluding the Commencement ceremony, Head of the Upper School Patrick Loach recognized eight awardees and then presented the diplomas. Confident and excited, each Senior smiled as they walked across the stage and into their future.
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Awards Given at Commencement ROSEMARY AWARD Kyla Margaret-Elaine Williams LOUISE MATTERN COLEMAN AWARD Macy Rene Boyer JOHNEL TATE POFFENBERGER AWARD Madelyn Marie Privasky E. ANGUS POWELL AWARD Carter Wells Quigley DR. MARTHA E. KOLBE AWARD Justinas Petkauskas CHARLES F. WILTSHIRE CITIZENSHIP AWARD John David Chen GREENBAUM AWARDS Clara Alexandra Gould and Justinas Petkauskas
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Honors Assembly Awards Upper School faculty and administrators selected the recipients, who were honored throughout April and May.
Individual Achievement Awards, Economics
Senior Department Awards, World Languages
Individual Achievement Award, Visual Arts
ELIZABETH BRYSON POWELL AWARD Carter Wells Quigley
SENIOR SPANISH AWARD Clara Anne Totten
VIRGINIA COURTNEY SIMPSON AWARD Caroline Moore Benjamin
SENIOR CHINESE AWARD Kyla Margaret-Elaine Williams
JAKE MACNELLY SENIOR ART PURCHASE AWARD (SPONSORED BY THE CLASS OF 1990) Oli Marie Handley
Individual Achievement Award, English
SENIOR LATIN AWARD Reese Brenaman Fleming
SENIOR CREATIVE WRITING AWARD Allis DeMattos Derian Senior Department Awards, English HELEN MOON SENIOR ENGLISH AWARD Macy Rene Boyer and Jake Callan Hahn Senior Department Awards, History PERROW SENIOR HISTORY AWARD Katherine Elaine Hogan and James Snyder Stubbs Jr. Senior Department Awards, Math BRITTEN SENIOR MATH AWARD Clara Alexandra Gould and Pierson Barton Harris Senior Department Awards, Science OSBORNE SENIOR SCIENCE AWARD Joseph John Paul Legutko
THALHIMER SENIOR FRENCH AWARD Leah Katherine Johnston Individual Achievement Awards, Performing Arts DANCE AWARD Monaco Siriana Wayne TECHNICAL THEATER AWARD Colin Lukas Deskevich
Senior Department Award, Visual Arts ENGARD SENIOR ART AWARD Theodore Mason Revere and Jane Kinsale Simkin Individual Achievement Awards, Athletics OUTSTANDING SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD Charles Henry Brost REED SENIOR ATHLETIC AWARD Emory Baralt DeGuenther Senior Department Awards, Athletics
THESPIAN AWARD Leah Katherine Johnston
JACOBS SENIOR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Milton Walker Arendale
CAROLYN LEVEY MUSIC AWARD Grace Elizabeth Boak
WEBB SENIOR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Alisha Damyanti Pandya
OSBORNE MUSIC AWARD Samuel David Robinson
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AWARD Ashley Grace Johnstone and Jake Wyatt Slater
Senior Department Awards, Performing Arts SCOTT HARDEN SENIOR PERFORMING ARTS AWARD Baxter Francis Phillips IV and Kyla Margaret-Elaine Williams
Service Award MALCOLM U. PITT, JR. SERVICE AWARD Ann Virginia Musick
MARGARET DANIEL SENIOR SCIENCE AWARD Hollyn Grace Spencer Borich
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CLASS OF 2026
BY THE NUMBERS Whether embodying excellence in the classroom and beyond or setting a host of college admission records, the Class of 2026 made an impressive mark. Here’s a look at their compelling journey through the college admission process. (Numbers below with an asterisk (*) designate a school record.)
139 $20M APPLICATIONS & ENROLLMENTS
Our 139 seniors submitted 1,092* applications to 228* colleges, received 760* acceptances to 190 colleges in 43* states plus Canada, England, and Scotland, and are enrolling in 59 colleges in 23 states plus England and Scotland. (For the purposes of this report, we are counting DC as a state.)
70 % 88
The actual amount is likely higher as this total reflects only what Seniors reported to us, and it is a formidable record high.
%
ADMITTED
Our overall admit rate of 70%*, tied for the highest on record, led to more than 2 out of every 3 applications accepted.
ACCEPTED
88% of the class reported being accepted by one of their top two colleges.
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IN MERIT SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS
A WIDE SCOPE The institutional breadth of our Cougars’ acceptances and enrollments continues to blanket the landscape, including arts schools, engineering schools, historically Black colleges and universities, large research universities, military academies, single-sex institutions, and small liberal arts colleges.
HONORS Prominent honors designations include Honors Carolina Scholars at University of North Carolina, Echols and Rodman Scholars at University of Virginia, Monroe Scholars at William & Mary, and offers to attend 40 other Honors colleges and programs.
MAJORS Specialized majors and programs include astronomy, business, computer science, education, engineering (biomedical, electrical, general, and mechanical), health sciences, journalism, leadership, marine science, public policy, and special education.
13
ARTISTS
13* artists will pursue their craft in architecture, arts management, dance, fashion and retail, illustration, interior design, music, music production and recording, musical theater, sound design, theater, and visual arts.
18
ATHLETES 18 recruited athletes will compete at the Division I (6) and Division III (12) levels in 10 different sports: baseball, field hockey, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
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Mapping the Future The Class of 2026 enrolled in the following institutions of higher learning. Without a doubt, these Seniors are going places.
NUMBER OF ENROLLMENTS
ENGLAND
50+
12-14
4-8
2-3
1
SCOTLAND
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Collegiate Seniors were accepted to the following institutions. Those where Collegiate students received multiple acceptances are noted in parentheses as (enrolled, accepted).
ALABAMA
KENTUCKY
OHIO
ARIZONA
MARYLAND
PENNSYLVANIA
COLORADO
MASSACHUSETTS
Auburn University (3, 28) University of Arizona (1, 3) Univ. of Colorado – Boulder (2, 8)
CONNECTICUT
Yale University (2, 2)
FLORIDA
Lynn University University of Florida (1, 5) University of Tampa (1, 2)
GEORGIA
Savannah Coll. Art & Design (2, 3) Spelman College University of Georgia (5, 15)
INDIANA
Indiana University (1, 3) University of Notre Dame (1, 2)
INTERNATIONAL
Durham University in England (1, 2) U. of St. Andrews in Scotland (1, 3)
University of Kentucky (2, 23) University of Maryland (1, 6) Boston College Massachusetts Inst. of Technology Wellesley College
NEW HAMPSHIRE Dartmouth College
NEW JERSEY
Rutgers University (1, 2)
NEW YORK
Christopher Newport University (5, 11) College of William & Mary (8, 14) Hampden-Sydney College (6, 14) Hampton University (1, 6) James Madison University (9, 44) Randolph-Macon College (1, 5) Roanoke College (1, 3) Shenandoah University (1, 3) Univ. of Mary Washington (3, 8) University of Richmond (1, 3) University of Virginia (10, 20) Virginia Commonwealth University (2, 15) Virginia Tech (9, 27) Washington & Lee University (3, 4)
Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University (1, 2) Lehigh University University of Pittsburgh (3, 11)
SOUTH CAROLINA
Clemson University (2, 29) Furman University (2, 4) University of South Carolina (7, 28) Wofford College (1, 6)
TENNESSEE
New York University
Sewanee: University of the South (2, 14) University of Tennessee (3, 19)
NORTH CAROLINA
TEXAS
Davidson College (2, 2) Duke University (3, 4) Elon University (1, 15) High Point University (1, 4) Univ. of North Carolina (3, 6) Wake Forest University (4, 5)
VIRGINIA
Denison University (1, 2)
WASHINGTON, DC
George Washington University (1, 2)
WISCONSIN
Baylor University (3, 5) Southern Methodist University (2, 5) Texas Tech University (1, 2)
Marquette University
UTAH
Brigham Young University
Collegiate Seniors were accepted to the following institutions but have chosen not to enroll. Alfred University American University (2) Appalachian State University (4) Arizona State University (2) Belmont University (2) Bowling Green State University Bridgewater College (2) Brigham Young University - Idaho Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Centre College Clark University Clarkson University Colby College (2) College of Charleston (26) Colorado College Columbia University Dickinson College (2) Drexel University (5) East Carolina University (8) Emerson College Fairfield University Fisher College Flagler College Florida State University (2) Fordham University (7) George Mason University (6) Gettysburg College Hawaii Pacific University Hofstra University Howard University Indiana State University Kenyon College
Lafayette College (2) Lake Erie College Liberty University Longwood University (5) Louisiana State University (3) Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago (2) Loyola University Maryland (2) Marshall University McGill University Miami University OH (6) Michigan State University Muhlenberg College New York Institute of Technology North Carolina A & T University (3) North Carolina State University (4) Northeastern University (3) Nova Southeastern University (2) Ohio State University Ohio University Oklahoma State University Old Dominion University (10) Penn State University (6) Penn State Univ. - Abington Penn State Univ. - Brandywine Penn State Univ. - Erie Penn State Univ. - Harrisburg Pepperdine University Point Park University Providence College Purdue University (3) Queens University in NC Radford University (3)
Randolph College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2) Rhodes College Rochester Institute of Technology (4) Rollins College (2) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rutgers Univ. - Camden (2) Rutgers Univ. - Newark Saint Joseph’s University Samford University (4) Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College School of the Art Inst. of Chicago Seton Hall University (2) Shepherd University Skidmore College Stanford University Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University Texas Christian University (7) Trinity University in TX (2) Tulane University Union College University of Alabama (19) University of Arkansas Univ. of California - Berkeley (2) Univ. of California - Los Angeles University of Cincinnati University of Connecticut (2) University of Delaware (4) University of Denver (2) Univ. of Edinburgh in Scotland (2)
University of Exeter in England University of Glasgow in Scotland University of Kansas University of Louisville University of Lynchburg Univ. of Maryland – Balt. Cty. (4) University of Massachusetts University of Miami (3) University of Michigan (2) University of Minnesota University of Mississippi (11) University of Missouri (2) University of Montana University of Oklahoma University of Oregon (3) Univ. of Pittsburgh - Greensburg University of Rochester University of San Francisco University of South Alabama University of South Florida (3) University of Texas University of Texas - Dallas University of Toronto in Canada University of Utah (3) University of Vermont (3) University of Washington University of Wisconsin Villanova University (2) Virginia Military Institute Virginia State University (2) West Virginia University (5) Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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CLASS OF 2026 VALEDICTORIANS Clara Gould
L
ike many other students here, I first set foot on Collegiate’s campus when I was just 5 years old. All of my life, this school has been all I’ve ever known. But it would be wrong to call Collegiate just a school. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that, over the years, Collegiate has become our second home. A place where we’ve developed academically, but more notably, where we’ve grown as people. Because Collegiate didn’t only teach us trigonometry, chemistry, or how to write an essay. We’ve learned how to persevere when the stakes are high and our spirits are low. We’ve learned how to hold ourselves to high standards of respect, excellence, and honor. We’ve learned our own individual strengths and how to celebrate the achievements of those around us. And I would argue that the greatest lesson we’ve learned from Collegiate is how to cultivate and care for a strong community. People tend to refer to Collegiate as a bubble, and I totally get it. It can be hard to find and explore new parts of yourself when surrounded by the same people for 13 years. Nonetheless, I would argue that every single student here today — regardless of how long they’ve been here — has been changed for the better by their time at Collegiate. Perhaps it’s not really a bubble, but a place of stability, and community. A place of memories. I’d even say family. …I can’t possibly end this speech without thanking everyone in my Collegiate family that I have come to know and love. To the faculty and staff who have guided all of us every step of the
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way, thank you for your unwavering commitment, skillful guidance, and deep care. To our friends and loved ones, thank you for supporting these students who stand before you today. Your encouragement at home, in the theater, and on the field has allowed us to flourish and gain confidence in our individual skills and passions. And to the Class of 2026, I offer my greatest appreciation. Together, we have achieved unimaginable dreams and accomplishments. Each of you is so uniquely talented, and I urge you to push yourselves out of your comfort zones and to remain kind and curious as we embark on this next chapter of our lives. Remember that next year, your college doesn’t just have to be a school — it can become a community of your own design, one which supports you and consistently shows up for you, so long as you are unafraid to forge new connections. As Seniors, while our time together is coming to a close, the bonds we have
created in this community are unbreakable. Collegiate will always be a home we can return to for love and support, if life ever tries to knock us down. We are certainly still growing, and changing, and figuring things out, but we will always have each other and this incredible family right here on North Mooreland Road. Thank you, and congratulations!
Collegiate will always be a home we can return to for love and support, if life ever tries to knock us down.”
Justinas Petkauskas
W
e are inevitably going to experience plenty of fumbles, be it failure or rejection. Sometimes, you even fumble a perfect pass. And that’s OK — life will be full of those moments. Mine certainly has been. But in those moments, I’ve found that leaning on those around me is the best way to pick myself back up. If you miss a pass, then your teammates stand the best chance at getting possession back. If you struggle with a deadline or a concept in class, your teachers’ grace and guidance helps you manage it. We count on each other to get back up when knocked down. That’s how we grow from challenges. It’s the way we learn, gain skills, and become better versions of ourselves. And, if you don’t put yourself in the position where you risk missing a pass, you’ll never score. Relent in the face of noes and misses, and use them to drive you to score. Over the past few weeks I’ve been in and out of plenty of graduation celebrations. These have been amazing opportunities to catch up with people I don’t usually spend time with, or learn something new about classmates I only
Each and every one of us stands atop the shoulders of many dozens of teachers, coaches, mentors, family members, and peers who have contributed to making us who we are.“
know in an academic context. As we form our routines, we can easily lose touch with those outside of our immediate surroundings. We can forget that we all have more in common than we think, and forget about the impact we have on each other. Isaac Newton once said, in relation to his work, “I stand on the shoulders of giants.” If anyone deserves to be arrogant, it’s the man who invented calculus and physics. Yet Newton still makes a point to acknowledge the people who laid the groundwork for his discoveries — after all, you can’t have an integral without addition and multiplication. Each and every one of us stands atop the shoulders of many dozens of teachers, coaches, mentors, family members, and peers who have contributed to making us who we are. To that end, thank you so much to the people who have made my time at Collegiate so special. And thank you so much to my family — my wonderful parents, sister, and relatives — for supporting me in everything I have done. Ultimately, we all owe our success to each other, and I owe my achievements to all of you.
Now, as an 18-year-old high-schoolsenior, I don’t want to stand here and give advice as if I have the life experience to see around all corners. But what I can say is that I’ve observed that Collegiate students are distinct from other high schoolers. During your time here, you have accrued unique advantages as a result of the academic, athletic, and character rigor you have met. Do not be afraid to capitalize on it. I hope that we continue to lean on each other to build something bigger than ourselves. The way we achieve the impossible is by relying on each other. So, next year and beyond, continue being the amazing people that have lifted each other up thus far. Continue letting yourself be lifted by others. You’ll achieve more than you think.
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Cougar Legacies 1
4
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2
5
3
1. Grace Elizabeth Boak with mother Katharine Cluverius Boak ’89. 2. James C. Bonbright IV with mother Ellen Turbeville Bonbright ’86, sister Hannah Gray Bonbright ’24, and aunt Susan Gray Turbeville ’84. 6
3. Charles Henry Brost with father Michael Robert Brost ’85, sisters Hallie Abbott Brost ’21, Mary Katherine Brost ’24, mother Jennifer McGuire Brost ’91, and brother Michael Robert Brost Jr. ’19. 4. Frederick David Dabney with uncle F. Wythe Dabney ’02 and father Frederick Carter Dabney ’96. 5. Colin Lukas Deskevich with mother Janet Collins Deskevich ’88, sister Emily E. Deskevich ’22, and aunt Alice Collins Fruth ’97. 6. Rebecca Jane Ferry with brother John Patrick Ferry ’24 and mother Virginia Nuckols Ferry ’96. Names were written as provided to Spark by the graduates.
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1
1. Reese Brenaman Fleming with grandmother Mary Stuart Brenaman Cruickshank ’51 and mother Evelyn Carter Cruickshank Fleming ’87. 2. Thomas William Gregory with uncle William Michael Gottwald Jr. ’02, aunt Jill Denise Witty ’94, and grandfather William M. Gottwald ’66. 3. Amelia Lynn Lansing with father Theodore Herbert Lansing II ’98, cousin Katherine Copley Lansing ’23, and uncle J. Hunter Lansing ’00. 4. Jacob Martin Malveaux ’26 with cousin Demi Symone Greene ’24, uncle Richard L. Bennett ’90, mother Mary Bennett Malveaux ’86, and cousin Jeroyd W. Greene III ’86. 5. Sallie Pade Martin with aunt Elizabeth Cook Miller ’99, sister Katherine Harris Martin ’24, mother Sarah Cook Martin ’94, aunt Susan Cook Montague ’04, and uncle David Preston Montague ’93. 6. Joseph Pierce Maynard with father John Gary Maynard III ’86, brother Hugh Avery Maynard ’20, and cousin Samuel Jefferson Sommers ’15.
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4
2
5
3
6
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1
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1. Colin Jesudian McLoughlin with mother Archana Jesudian McLoughlin ’93 and uncle Arun Benjamin Jesudian ’97.
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2. John Neil Meyers with aunt Kimberly Meyers Galgano ’86, father J. Eric Meyers ’91, mother Laura Swift Miller Meyers ’90, brother Thomas Swift Meyers ’24, and cousin James Wilmington Galgano ’25. 3. Madelyn Rose Morgan with mother Jennifer Scott Morgan ’94, father Kelby Mallory Morgan ’91, brother Kelby Mallory Morgan Jr. ’24, and aunt Molly Hundley Morgan ’92. 4. William Reid Moyer with mother Marcie Byrne Moyer ’93. 5. Baxter F. Phillips IV ’26 with sister Anne Collier Phillips ’22 and father Baxter F. Phillips III ’93. 6. Edith Addison Purcell with uncle John Barry Purcell III ’92 and mother Sagle Jones Purcell ’94.
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CLASS OF 2026
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1. Theodore Mason Revere with uncle Andrew Mason Brent Jr. ’97, grandmother Scottie Newell Slater ’69, mother Molly Brent Revere ’94, and sister Eloise Newell Revere ’23. 2. Elise Goodwyn Robinson with aunt Elizabeth Ann Robinson ’90, sister Ava Claire Robinson ’24, and father Grover C. Robinson ’93.
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3. Thomas M. Shaia with brother Harry J. Shaia Jr. ’22, father Harry J. Shaia, Sr. ’85, and sisters Anna Grace Shaia ’24, and Claire Elizabeth Shaia ’20. 4. Jake Wyatt Slater with father Andrew F. Slater ’96 and grandmother Scottie Newell Slater ’69. 5. Charles Grayson Spraker with brother Stephen Talbot Spraker Jr. ’23, father Stephen Talbot Spraker ’92, and uncle Philip David Spraker ’89. 6. Stella Logan Vetrovec with aunt Elizabeth Vetrovec Smith ’90, cousin Charlotte Brooke Smith ’22, father John Whitfield Vetrovec ’94, and grandmother Mary Logan Holland Snyder ’63. 7. Carrington Cabell Woodard with mother Ryland Witt ’93.
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LOWER SCHOOL
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A BOLD MOVE
Collegiate School 4th Graders complete their Moving Up Ceremony, officially marking their transition into Middle School.
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ITH WELCOME BEAMS of
sunlight streaming through the Lower School courtyard on a breezy spring morning, Collegiate School’s 4th Grade Moving Up ceremony on May 28 was a celebration of the Class of 2034. Khristi Bates, in her first year as the Head of the Lower School, gave a warm welcome to parents and family members and recognized the significance of this day for the students. “Throughout their years in the Lower School, they have grown not only academically, but also as leaders, classmates, and caring members of our community,” she said. “They have demonstrated curiosity, perseverance, kindness, and responsible citizenship, and we are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.” The students’ achievements would not have been possible without the support of their families, caregivers, and teachers. “Your partnership, encouragement, and unwavering support have helped guide these students every step of the way,” Bates said, acknowledging the multigenerational audience. “We are grateful to celebrate this special occasion with you on this beautiful day. Thank you again for being here.” Fourth Grader Elisabeth Gottwald introduced Head of School Jeff Mancabelli, who has been a constant presence on the Lower School campus
since arriving at Collegiate two years ago. “Mr. Mancabelli wants us to know that growth only happens when you challenge yourself to try new things,” Elisabeth said. “That’s good advice for us as we think about going to Middle School.” Mancabelli immerses himself in student life at Collegiate and has participated in numerous Lower School projects and field trips. He reflected on the day when he visited the then3rd Graders in each of their classrooms and read aloud “The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors.” He likened the students to the characters in the book. “At times, you were like Rock — dependable friends… who helped build community together,” he said. “At times, you were like Paper, reminding us that great ideas often begin with a blank page, full of imagination. At times, you were like Scissors — sharp thinkers who knew how to ask great questions.” He continued, “And just like in the story, you did not grow by staying in one place. You grew by searching for new challenges every year. You grew by learning from classmates who were different from you and by teachers who expected more from you. That is the lesson I hope you carry with you.” Mancabelli concluded his remarks by reminding students that as daunting as it may feel to be moving up to
the Middle School, no one is expected to “know everything” on the first day. “You don’t have to be perfect,” he said. “You don’t have to have it all figured out all at once. You just need to take it one step at a time.” Six students, each representing a 4th Grade class, provided sentiments of their own from their time in the Lower School. Their vivid memories included making friends while playing football at recess, gaining confidence through stage performances, and feeling protected during a scary tornado warning. The students expressed gratitude for the Lower School’s ever-present, reassuring adults. “I know our teachers will always be there for us as we cross the bridge,” one of the students said. Moving Up reflects the growth, friendships, perseverance, and leadership that have defined the students’ years in Lower School, Bates said. Concluding the ceremony, she turned to the 4th Graders behind her: “Class of 2034, watching you reach this milestone reminds us not only of how much you have learned, but also of the kind, curious, and confident young people you are becoming. We wish you well!” The audience cheered in agreement. Congratulations to our rising 5th Grade Cougars, the Collegiate Class of 2034!
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
A CELEBRATED TRANSITION Collegiate School’s 8th Graders convened for their Final Exercises.
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HE SCOREBOARDS inside Seal
Athletic Center glowed a bright yellow “20:30” on the morning of May 29, honoring Collegiate School’s 8th Graders as the Class of 2030 convened for the Middle School Final Exercises. “Confident, kind, independent, athletic, supportive, and full of personality — these are just some of the words the teachers used to describe this class,” said Head of School Jeff Mancabelli in his opening remarks. Final Exercises signals a transition from 8th Grade to 9th Grade — and from the Middle School to the Upper School. Mancabelli reminded the students that they’re not leaving for a new school but instead for a community they already know
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well. Because of that familiarity, some of the 8th Graders might think of this next step as predictable or comfortable. “I want to suggest something different,” he said. “A new beginning is still a new beginning, even when it happens in a familiar place. Moving into the Upper School is an opportunity to begin again. It is a chance to try something new and to meet new people.” Mancabelli urged the 8th Graders to get out of their comfort zone and see the transition as an opportunity for growth. “As you enter Upper School, put yourself out there,” he said. “Introduce yourself to someone you do not know well. Try out for a new team. Join a club. Be curious. Be open. And be willing to feel a little uncomfortable.”
Head of Middle School Jeff Dunnington welcomed the families, faculty, and staff in attendance before turning to the 8th Graders. “To the group of students sitting behind me, the Class of 2030: Middle School is not easy on many fronts. Thank you for your hard work, caring nature, and always keeping us on our toes. The best is ahead.” He asked the students to reflect on their 5th Grade Orientation, held in August 2022, and all that they’ve achieved — in and out of the classroom — in the years since. Dunnington reminded the 8th Graders that in their four years in the Middle School, they’ve grown into explorers, innovators, and leaders. “You quickly embraced your newfound independence with wide-eyed ex-
citement and curiosity,” he said. “Class of 2030, the positive legacy you leave behind in the Middle School is undeniable proof that you are ready for the new challenges ahead in the Upper School and beyond.” Following Dunnington’s remarks, the two Middle School Council CoChairs, Ginny Standing and Scott Burnett, addressed their classmates. Ginny reflected on the personal growth and independence she and her classmates have experienced during their Middle School years, reminding her peers that even during tough times, the support of the Collegiate community stays with them. “It’s important to remember that even as we progress into high school, we will still have people to lean on when we need it,” she said.
Scott took the podium next. “Today is a day to reflect on our past experiences and think about how we grew, but also a time to think about what’s ahead of us,” he said. “As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, ‘We know what we are, but know not what we may be.’ We don’t know what we may be, but we do know how to strive to become the best versions of ourselves. Collegiate has given us the guidance we need to become our best selves.” In closing, he implored his classmates to work hard, persevere, and stay curious. “Whatever the four years may bring, let’s strive to be our best each and every day. When your alarm goes off on the first day of school this fall, be ready and willing to make the most of every opportunity you get.”
Dunnington then presented the Middle School awards of merit. Six students were honored in areas including leadership, scholarship, and citizenship: HUGH H. ADDY AWARD Henry Zwerdling DIRECTORS AWARD Nicholas Bradley FRYE CUP Avery Wiltshire SUE H. JETT AWARD Ellis Pace CITIZENSHIP AWARD Scott Burnett and Annie Fierro
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YEAR IN REVIEW
A LOOK BACK
Some of the seminal moments of the 2025-26 school year
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL It was morning full of smiles, hugs, and high fives as our Cougars stepped back onto campus after a long summer break. We were so excited to have everyone back for the new school year.
SENIOR/K BUDDIES Our Seniors and Kindergarteners have a special relationship, and their first-time meeting is always memorable. Throughout the school year, Seniors guide and support their Kindergarten buddies.
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CONVOCATION At this year’s Convocation, each class proudly processed down the field wearing their green and gold, Kindergartners on their Seniors’ shoulders. Head of School Jeff Mancabelli reminded us that small gestures, a smile, and a simple “hi” carry the power to lift others up and strengthen our community.
REUNION WEEKEND Our 41st Annual Alumni Oyster Roast was the perfect way to kick off Reunion Weekend. The packed two-day schedule also included alumni parties and a campus tour.
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YEAR IN REVIEW
IELC Collegiate hosted more than 40 international students and teachers for the International Emerging Leaders Conference in October. During the weeklong event, seniors from Collegiate’s IELC Senior Capstone class and the international schools came together to develop solutions to environmental problems plaguing the students’ home countries.
PEP RALLY Nothing like Pep Rally to start off Homecoming weekend with a roar! Students JK-12 rallied together to cheer on our fall teams and show their excitement for the varsity football game against St. Christopher’s.
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BRUNCH It was a loud and festive morning as the Junior girls dressed in their holiday gear to celebrate the countdown to Brunch. This beloved tradition has brought Collegiate girls together for more than 80 years.
FALL MUSICAL Collegiate’s Upper School students delivered a memorable performance of Les Misérables. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel and featuring one of musical theater’s most celebrated scores, the production at Oates Theater showcased the talent, dedication, and collaboration of our cast and crew.
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YEAR IN REVIEW
PAGEANT For more than 80 years, Pageant has united the Collegiate community in a meaningful celebration of the season. Our 5th-12th Grade girls carried on this treasured tradition at All Saints Episcopal Church.
SOULFUL CELEBRATION A commitment to inclusion and belonging, Collegiate’s Soulful Celebration during Black History Month recognized Black culture, history, and art.
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VILLAGE GREEN FAIR The 61st annual Village Green Fair was a huge success thanks to the Parents’ Association, the VGF co-chairs, our volunteers, vendors, families, faculty, staff, and friends who made this such a joyful event.
CROSSING THE BRIDGE When our 4th Graders stepped across the bridge from the Lower School to the Middle School, they marked a significant moment of growth in their Collegiate experience.
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ATHLETICS
DRIVING FORWARD In a mere four years, Collegiate’s girls varsity golf team has gone from nonexistent to the upper echelon of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association rankings.
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efore the spring of 2023, Collegiate’s girls had no team of their own. Those who played the sport competed alongside the guys. The interest was there, though, and a founding group of 16 golfers coached by Amy Verdi took to the links, finished with a 5-4 record, and competed in a girls invitational (rather than championship competition) sponsored by the VISAA, the governing body of independent school athletics in the commonwealth. Fast forward to 2025, when the VISAA officially sanctioned girls golf. The Cougars, now coached by Mark Palyo and assisted by Mike Peters, finished 6-9 in regular season matches and seventh among eight entries in the inaugural state championship tournament. This past spring, the Cougars made a seismic improvement. After losing their opening match to eventual state champ St. Paul VI (152-165), they won 11 straight, at one point earned top ranking in the VISAA poll, and ended the year with a runner-up finish in the state tournament contested May 12 at the Williamsburg National Golf Course in Yorktown. The Panthers (Chantilly) led the way with a 72-hole score of 332. The Cougars were 15 strokes back followed in order by St. Catherine’s, Episcopal, Norfolk Academy, Cape Henry Collegiate, New Covenant School, and Virginia Episcopal School. Ellis Pace and Addy Mukherjee tied for fourth with rounds of 81 and earned All-State (top 10) honors. Winnie Van Deusen (88, tied for 11th) and Anika Kolanu (99, tied for 29th) rounded out the Cougars’ scoring spots. Pace, Mukherjee, and Kolanu are 8th Graders. Van Deusen is a junior. “It’s incredibly impressive for young people to compete on that kind of stage where there’s nowhere to hide,” said Shep Lewis, golf program leader, of the girls team’s state tour-
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nament performance. “It’s your shot and your performance. Whether it’s 8th Graders or girls who are relatively new to the sport, we’re really proud of the commitment and maturity they’ve demonstrated. “Golf is such a mental game where you can’t let a bad shot derail an entire round. You have to move on quickly. The state runner-up performance reflects the maturity of this young team. We’re excited about our girls program. We’re just thrilled with the way they’ve started their journey.” The Cougars earned their success because they had talent, bought into the process, and found meaning in the team experience. “Once they make the team, we as coaches then have to prepare them for competition,” said Palyo. “That can be anything from some swing changes, definitely some grip changes, and, for some, understanding what the swing plane is. I’m better at reading the greens and closer chip shots. Mike (Peters) is good with the longer fairway shots. Austin (Ernst, a professional golfer who joined the staff on a part-time basis this year) is good everywhere.” Then there’s the mental aspect of the sport. “Going into the year, we gave them three things to build on: commit, execute, accept,” Palyo said. “Commit to the shot they’re going to take, execute that shot to the best of their ability, and accept the result of that shot whether it’s good, bad, or indifferent. Mindset was something we really tried to develop.” The results, tangible and intangible, were gratifying. “I saw a lot of camaraderie among the girls,” Palyo said. “They really enjoyed being with each other. And our kids gained more confidence. It was great to see their growth as players as the year went on.”
Small Victories Collegiate’s varsity softball team finds confidence and community.
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ictories have not come easily for Collegiate’s varsity softball team in recent years, and considering the Cougars’ typically demanding schedule, the outlook for the 2026 season promised to be more of the same. If that weren’t enough, the two best players from a year ago, All-League of Independent Schools standouts Harper Murphy and Mary Ann Zyglocke, had graduated, so a trial by fire awaited Kelsey Watson, the Cougars’ first-year head coach and program leader. Was she intimidated? Hardly. She welcomed the challenge. “We knew we had a young team without much softball experience, but I saw a lot of potential and love for being out there,” she said. “I wanted the girls to gain confidence. I wanted them to have a community.” Though the Cougars finished 2-16, Watson saw the improvement she’d hoped for, even if it didn’t always present in a measurable way on the scoreboard. “The kids got more confident, which was evident as time went on,” she said. “We made some changes in the field. Addison Barnes, a Senior captain who joined the program last year as a Junior, moved from third base to shortstop and really directed the team as the communicator and manager of the field. Austyn Ennis, our pitcher (and captain), also joined the program last year as a Junior. She threw strikes, and the way she pitched, we got a lot of fly balls (for outs). Our outfield got stronger and came to understand the game better over the course of the year.” The Cougars prepared for the season with weekly open gyms during the fall and winter, which were vital not just for
skill building but for developing a softball IQ and enhancing program camaraderie. Determined, motivated, and creative, Watson and her staff made it work. The Cougars won their opener 21-20 over Grace Christian on March 17. Later in the season, they defeated Thomas Jefferson 16-5. On April 28, they dropped an 8-5 decision to St. Gertrude, a team that prevailed 20-6 when they played two months earlier. “With our record, we could say it was a tough season,” Watson said. “When I look back, I see the successes. I saw great at-bats and great plays in the field and growth over the season. We really focused on finding those little wins. I really enjoyed watching the girls celebrate each other. I enjoyed going to the outfield for our post-game talk and hearing them say, ‘We held them to zero runs in that inning’ or ‘They only scored one that inning’ or ‘We won this inning.’” Catcher Finley Haas, a Senior captain, was cited as All-LIS. Watson was voted Coach of the Year by her league counterparts, and the Cougars were honored with the LIS Sportsmanship Award. “Kelsey successfully navigated the challenges and displayed a level of refined poise and leadership well beyond her experience,” said athletic director Andrew Stanley. “She understood where her program was and the direction it’s going. The girls who are leaving the program will look back in four or five years and be really proud of the impact they had on the program and the teams that followed them.”
Sports stories written by Weldon Bradshaw
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ATHLETICS
Exceeding Expectations Personal bests highlight the spring track season.
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s the spring track season neared its conclusion, Collegiate’s coaching staff issued the Cougars a time-honored challenge they hoped would resonate in the championship meets: Outperform the performance list. In both the league and state meets, contested May 9 and May 16, respectively, on the Gus Lacy Track at Fork Union Military Academy, the Cougars did just that. “There were a lot of personal bests,” said Beth Kondorossy, head girls team coach. “There was a good vibe up at Fork Union. We showed up, and we competed to the best of our ability.” Collegiate’s girls placed second in the League of Independent Schools (LIS) meet and third in the VISAA. Virginia Harris was honored as outstanding running event performer in both competitions. In the LIS meet, she won the 1600 (5:11.24) and led a 1-2-3-4 sweep of the 3200 (11:40.50) with teammates Rosie Ferrell (11:51.44), Anne Lewis (12:03.81), and Samantha McMullin (12:19.82) behind her. Ferrell won the 800 in a personal best 2:21.08, and Addison Purcell, whose seed time in the 300 hurdles was 53.26, won in 52.30. Purcell, who also finished fourth in the 100 hurdles (personal best 18.83) also placed fourth in the high jump (personal best 4-10), and Sallie Martin finished fifth in 4-8, a personal best by four inches. Destini Spain placed third in the triple jump (34-2, well beyond her 30-2.25 seeding) and fifth in the long jump (161.25, an improvement over her previous best 14-9.50). Collegiate’s boys team, competing without standout springer/jumper Nasir Diggs-Majied, who was injured, placed fifth in the Prep League meet. Juniors Reade Lewis (4:43.09) and Jack Porter (4:44.36) finished 4-5, respectively, in the 1600 in personal best times. Watson Andrews (5-10), Tae’Veon Johnson (5-8), and Kyle Spicer (5-8) placed 4-5-6, respectively, in the high jump,
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and James Bonbright (12-0) and Wally Becker (12-0) placed 2-4 in the pole vault. “Everybody understood that we would be missing points because Nasir couldn’t compete,” said Brent Miller, head boys team coach. “As a captain, he was out there encouraging and making sure they worked hard, and they did what they needed to do to the best of their ability.” On a hot afternoon at the VISAA championship meet, Harris placed in the 1600 (first, 5:06.70), 3200 (second, 11:45.53), and 800 (third, 2:21.38), which accounted for 24 team points. Anne Lewis (fifth, 12:07.17) and McMullin (sixth, 12:18.22) also placed in the 3200 to provide the team 15 points in the penultimate event that solidified the Cougars’ third-place finish. Ferrell ran negative splits (71.5/69) to win the 800 (2:20.15) and also ran a leg of the 4x800 relay (fourth, 10:32.79) and 4x400 relay (third, 4:12.42). Ashley Grace Johnstone won the state title in the shot put (personal best 36-3.25), Kamryn Williams finished third (personal best 33-5), and Aleigha White-Barfield finished seventh (31-3). In the discus, Wiliams also placed fourth (99-7) and Johnstone fifth (96-9). Spain finished her Sophomore season ablaze with personal bests in the triple jump (third place, 35-2), long jump (fifth, 16-5), and high jump (eighth, 4-8). Collegiate’s boys team finished tenth in the state. Bonbright placed second in the pole vault (12-6) and J.D. Chen fifth (11-6). Reade Lewis (sixth, 4:40.74) and Porter (tenth, 4:42.69) lowered their 1600 PRs. The 4x800 team (Ben Thalhimer, Thomas Galahan, Carter Shields, and Kieran Johnston) placed fifth (8:48.77), and Spicer (fourth, 5-10), Johnson (seventh, 5-8), and Andrews (eighth, 5-8) picked up three places in the high jump.
Unsung Senior Athletes, Spring 2026
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eet the spring 2026 class of Unsung Seniors, a hardy, resilient, and dedicated group of Collegiate athletes who contributed to the success of their respective teams in their final season wearing the Green and Gold. Janey Ferry has played varsity lacrosse the past two seasons, and in her last time around, she earned a starting role as a defender. “Janey is a coach’s dream and a teammate’s best friend,” said Coach Carter Toohers. “She competes in all facets of the game and during practice and makes the people around her better. After playing very little last year, she has turned into a key contributor for us.” In his third varsity lacrosse season, Thomas Shaia served in a backup role as a defender. “Thomas is one of those guys who every single day shows his commitment level,” said Coach Jason Archbell. “He’s vocal on the sideline, he cares about his teammates, and he cheers them on. He had an injury coming out of wrestling that held him back, but he was still just as invested.” In his second varsity lacrosse season, Reid Moyer, who plays attack, played a role similar to Shaia’s. “Reid always got the sideline going during games,” Archbell said. “He has a good understanding of the game, he asks questions, and he really tried to learn and get better. Like Thomas, he’s so invested in the team. He broadcasted how much he cares in everything he did.” Leila Gazoni, a defender and fouryear varsity soccer athlete, served as a captain this past spring. “Leila has embraced her leadership role with our young team,” said coach Rob Ukrop, whose squad finished 17-3-1, won its 5th consecutive League of Independent Schools title and reached the VISAA
tournament semifinals. “She works hard to make sure our team stays connected both on and off the field.” Dylan Callaghan is a right-handed pitcher on Collegiate’s baseball team, which finished 18-8, placed third in the Prep League, and reached the VISAA quarterfinals. In 23.2 innings, he recorded 33 strikeouts. “Dylan provided significant and meaningful innings for us as a starter and out of the bullpen,” said Coach Andrew Slater. “He’s been a great teammate and has really grown into a competitor on the mound.” Alecia Carter has competed in Collegiate softball for five years including the past two on the varsity team. She was versatile and had a whatever-it-takes mindset, typified by her willingness to step in behind the plate as a catcher, play in the outfield, and serve as a pinch runner. “Alecia is a great teammate: supportive, encouraging, and willing to fill any role,” said Coach Kelsey Watson, whose team earned the LIS sportsmanship award. “She set an example of what it means to be a servant leader.” Taylor Jenkins, known for his success on the soccer pitch, earned a spot on the varsity golf team this spring after playing only recreationally in the past. “Taylor is extremely coachable,” said Coach Shep Lewis, whose team placed
third in the Prep League and sixth in the VISAA. “He brought a heightened competitiveness to our team, and as a soccer captain and future Washington & Lee soccer player, he never shied away from an opportunity to compete.” Aaron Atkins, who specialized in the shot put, served as a track and field captain and ended his career with a personal best 40-5 in his event of choice. “Aaron is the epitome of a leader by example,” said Brent Miller, head boys track coach. “He’s always prepared, and he has a high level of expectation for himself. That translates into the way he serves as a captain.” A longtime member of the cross country and distance track contingent, Macy Boyer served as a team captain during her final season. During her career, she achieved personal bests in the 800, 1600, and 3200. She was also a standout 4x800 runner and ran a leg in both the LIS (second-place finish) and VISAA (fourth) championship meets. “Macy has worked really hard to make a big team feel small,” said Beth Kondorossy, head girls track coach. “When she’s on the track, she’s dialed in, whether it’s a workout or a meet.”
Top row, left to right: Dylan Callaghan, Taylor Jenkins, Aaron Atkins, Thomas Shaia, Reid Moyer Bottom row, left to right: Macy Boyer, Leila Gazoni, Alecia Carter, Janey Ferry
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CLASS OF ’96
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PICTURE PERFECT Pride was palpable for family and friends attending the Class of 2026 Commencement ceremony. From every angle, attendees captured the sights and sounds of this memorable occasion.