Students Celebrated at Spring Awards Ceremony
On Wednesday, May 4, the Castleton community gathered for the annual Castleton Awards Ceremony. Students, faculty, and staff were recognized for their success in academics, athletics, student life, and more.
The event culminated with the presentation of the Caroline Woodruff Award, given annually to the individual or individuals who have consistently exemplified Dr. Woodruff’s qualities of leadership, creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to Castleton. The award is the highest honor that a student leader can achieve, and this year was given to Tajae Edwards.
A complete list of award winners is below.
| Academic Excellence Awards | |
| The Academic Excellence Award is given annually to a student who is deemed the top student in his or her major. | |
|---|---|
| Art | Lily Crowley |
| Business – Management | Karoline Rettenbacher |
| Business – Marketing | Ugo Roik |
| Criminal Justice | Andrew Barber |
| Education | Shay Lawrence |
| English | Trinity Robichaud |
| History, Geography, Economics & Politics | Willow Hogan |
| Kinesiology | Bella Varisco |
| Mathematics | Cody York |
| Media & Communication | Jasmin Gomez |
| Music | Tobias Duke |
| Natural Science | Adam Mitchell |
| Nursing | Queenie Garrison |
| Psychological Sciences | Mary Nichols |
| Resort & Hospitality Management | Shea Dunlop |
| Social Work | Raphael Samuel Eckmann |
| Sociology | Kayla Denny |
| Sport Management | Jahwara Rennalls |
| Theater Arts | Mason Parece |
| Student Government Association Awards | |
| Media Award | |
|---|---|
| Member of The Spartan newspaper or Castleton internet radio who has demonstrated leadership, commitment, and passion. | Aris Sherwood |
| Club of the Year | |
| Student organization whose vitality, creativity, and commitment has enriched the quality of student life. | NAACP Chapter |
| New Club Recognition Award | |
| New student organization that through its vitality, creativity, and commitment has enriched the quality of student life at Castleton. | Ultimate Frisbee Club |
| Executive Board Recognition Award | |
| SGA member who has shown outstanding devotion to their job, activity, or position. | Ryan Boeke |
| Coach of the Year | |
|
Part-time or full-time coach who has generously contributed time, energy, and support to the student body. |
Tim McAuliffe |
| Outstanding First-Year Award | |
| First-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the freshmen class and Castleton community. | Perry Ragouzis |
| Outstanding Second-Year Award | |
| Second-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the sophomore class and Castleton community. | Kayon Morgan |
| Outstanding Third-Year Award | |
| Third-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the junior class and Castleton community. | Lily Doton |
| Outstanding Graduate Award | |
| Graduating student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the senior class and Castleton community. | Lauren Clark |
| Outstanding Non-traditional Student Award | |
| Non-traditional student that is active on campus, positive, ready to learn, and eager to help. | Kim Davis |
| Outstanding International Student Award | |
| An international student that is active on campus, positive, ready to learn, and eager to help. | Ikay Ikechukwu Ekeji |
| Outstanding New Faculty/Staff Award | |
| A new faculty member who has contributed to student life through campus involvement. | Brittany Green |
| Outstanding Faculty Award | |
| Faculty member who has demonstrated a sincere interest in the welfare of students, and generously contributed time, energy, and support to the student body. | Rich Clark |
| Outstanding Staff Award | |
| Staff member who has contributed considerable time, energy, and support to the SGA. | James Wolfe |
| Delegate of the Year | |
| SGA delegate whose involvement in the SGA, service on committees, and volunteerism is outstanding. | Morgan Labier |
| Leonard Johnson Alumni Award | |
| Castleton alumni who have gone above and beyond their job description in service to the University community. | Scott Lobdell |
| Awareness Award | |
| Students, faculty, or staff who have gone above and beyond to educate the community on diversity, equity, global awareness, or similar issues. | Tajae Edwards |
| Community Service Award | |
| Outstanding volunteer service to the Castleton/Rutland County community. | Perry Ragouzis |
| Community Advisor Award | |
| Any community advisor who goes above and beyond to create community and strong relationships on campus. | Tajae Edwards |
| Good Citizen Award | |
| Recognition of devotion to the welfare of the University and outstanding performance as a campus leader. | Emma Carlson, Heidi Cole |
| Distinguished Service Award | |
| Distinguished service in activities, and exhibits abilities and qualities of leadership, conscientiousness, dependability, and interest in the University community and its function. | Emily Benz, Kayon Morgan, Tajae Edwards |
| Military Personnel Award | |
| An honorary award in recognition of the service of any Castleton student, faculty, staff, or administrator who is a veteran or has served in any branch of the military. | Josh Comalli |
| 343 Award | |
| Recognition of any Castleton student who has shown immense school spirit and is actively involved in various clubs, groups, or activities on campus. | Ashlesha Mainali, Ryan Boeke |
| Graduate Assistant Award | |
| A graduate assistant who has demonstrated a sincere interest in the welfare of students and generously contributed time, energy, and support to the student body. | Katie Feeney |
| Athletic Awards | |
| Coaches Awards | |
|---|---|
| Top male and female varsity athletes who have shown leadership, determination, sportsmanship, coachability, willingness to give of oneself, and have a sense of responsibility to the team, coach, and University throughout the year. | James Rodriguez, Courtney Gauthier |
| Rocky Mezzetta Award | |
| Male athlete in recognition of determination, drive to improve athletic skills, coachability, and team leadership. | Andrew McCarthy |
| Sharon Brown Memorial Award | |
| Female athlete who relates well to peers and coach, shows a desire to learn and excel, demonstrates dedication, persistence, and team leadership. Must carry a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | Kimberly McCarthy |
| Mary Ellen Evans Award | |
| Most outstanding female athlete who has played four years in one sport; must provide service to the University community and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | Karoline Rettenbacher |
| John Young Memorial Award | |
| Male or female basketball player who shows great leadership and outstanding offensive abilities. This individual must have a positive attitude and is interested in pursuing a degree in teaching or interested in coaching in the future. | Eric Shaw |
| Student Life Awards | |
| University Service Awards | |
| Students who have made outstanding contributions to Castleton through their participation in various extracurricular activities. | Lauren Clark, Mara Bailey, Adam Mitchell |
| Abel E. Leavenworth Leadership Award | |
| Outstanding student leader who exemplifies Abel Leavenworth's characteristics of warmth, integrity, strong principles, and wise counsel. | Ryan Boeke, Kayla Laurie |
| Caroline Woodruff Award | |
| This is the highest honor that a student leader can achieve at Castleton. The Caroline Woodruff Award goes to an individual who has consistently exemplified Dr. Woodruff's qualities of leadership, creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to Castleton. | Tajae Edwards |
