CVA Celebrates the Class of 2022
Last Saturday, nineteen student-athletes graduated from Carrabassett Valley Academy, receiving their diplomas at the Richard Bell Chapel, at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. Two winter term seniors also received certificates of attendance to recognize their time at CVA.
This year's commencement marked the 40th anniversary of Carrabassett Valley Academy's founding, which took place in 1982.
Congratulations to the 40th graduating class at CVA- the Class of 2022!
Head of School Kate Punderson remarked during the ceremony "Your high school experience has not been similar to any other graduating class. In your sophomore year you experienced an abrupt end to life on campus when we went into COVID lockdown in March. In your junior year, you faced COVID testing, masking, isolation, canceled competitions, and missed social events. In your senior year, you endured another year of uncertainty, but the one thing that is for certain is that my confidence in the success of the class of 2022 has never wavered."
The Valedictorian, Noah Koenig, and Salutatorian, Cameron Arner, addressed the class during the ceremony, along with Senior Class Choice speaker, Elijah Fournier, and Faculty Choice speaker, Hoku Caroselli.
Commencement speaker, Nessa Dziemian '12, inspired the students with her journey from CVA moguls athlete, to World Cup athlete and National Champion, to Olympic coach, to artist and entrepreneur.
Five awards were handed out during commencement to student-athletes that best exemplified the criteria for each award. Award recipients were:
- Hoku Caroselli received the John Ritzo Headmaster's Award, for her leadership qualities and her notable contributions to the betterment of the school and the local community.
- Henry Currier received the David Holmes Most Improved Student Award, for showing the most growth over the course of his time at CVA.
- Drew Hooker received the Benjamin Weisbein Academic Scholarship Award for best exemplifying the qualities that Ben had - superb athleticism, a tireless work ethic, and high academic standing. Drew, like Ben, truly represents the “CVA way” through her outstanding athletics, serious scholarship, continued personal development, and strength of character.
- Josie Alexander received the CVA Alumni Association Award, for exhibiting a strong and steady character, reliability, a consistently positive attitude, and respect for others. Josie is committed to “doing her best” academically, athletically, and in the school community.
- Sasha Jansujwicz received the J. Keith Penninger Memorial Fund Award for representing CVA in terms of leadership and commitment to the CVA mission and community.
The H. King Cummings Service Award, in memory of King Cummings, was presented to Dave and Shelley Koenig for providing valuable service, beyond normal expectations, their strong commitment to the advancement of the CVA mission, and for their outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Carrabassett Valley Academy for the past 22 years.
After the ceremony, students, families, and friends gathered together to celebrate the graduates. It was truly a beautiful, and memorable day. Congratulations, CVA Class of 2022!
©2020 Carrabassett Valley Academy