Celebrating the CVA Class of 2026
Carrabassett Valley Academy will celebrate the Class of 2026 during Commencement Weekend on June 5 and 6. The weekend will honor a group of student-athletes whose dedication, perseverance, and growth have left a lasting impact on the CVA community.
Graduation Weekend kicks off on Friday, June 5, with the annual Big Dog Awards Luncheon at 12:00 p.m. at the Carrabassett Valley Anti-Gravity Complex. The event brings together students, families, faculty, staff, and community members to recognize academic achievement, athletic excellence, leadership, and contributions to the community across all programs. RSVP Here.
Friday evening continues with the Senior Banquet at 6:00 p.m. in the King Pine Room. This semi-formal celebration includes a reception, dinner, senior slideshow, speeches, and special awards as seniors and their families reflect on their time at CVA together.
Commencement exercises will take place on Saturday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m. in the R.H. Bell Chapel at Sugarloaf Mountain. Graduates will receive their diplomas surrounded by family, friends, teammates, coaches, and faculty in a ceremony that reflects both the students' accomplishments and the strength of the community that supported them along the way.
Dr. Abigail Manter, CVA Class of 2001, will serve as the Carrabassett Valley Academy Class of 2026 commencement speaker. During her time at Carrabassett Valley Academy, Abi competed as an alpine racer before continuing her ski racing career at St. Lawrence University, where she graduated in 2005. She later earned her degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2010.
Following dental school, Abi returned to Maine to join her father’s dental practice in Waterville. Since 2018, she has worked alongside her brother, Dr. Benjamin Manter ‘06, also a CVA alpine alum, continuing a strong family connection to both the local community and CVA.
Abi and her husband, Sam Trafton ‘99, remain deeply connected to the CVA community, with two children participating in the CVA weekend program. Whether skiing at Sugarloaf, cheering from the sidelines at youth soccer games, or spending summers boating in Casco Bay, Abi continues to embody the lifelong connection to family, community, and the outdoors that defines so many CVA alumni.
This year’s commencement will recognize a graduating class that represents a range of athletic disciplines, hometowns, and future pathways. Whether excelling on snow, in the classroom, or throughout campus life, each of these students has contributed meaningfully to the CVA community.
CVA is proud to recognize this year’s academic honorees:
Valedictorian Lauren Waskowitz, a four-year member of the Alpine program from North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, has been a consistent leader on campus. Known for her determination, positive attitude, and thoughtful presence within the community, Lauren plans to study pre-medicine at the University of Pittsburgh following graduation.
Salutatorian Ali Bruno, a five-year student-athlete from Leechburg, Pennsylvania, has embraced opportunities across disciplines during her time at CVA, transitioning from Alpine to Backcountry while remaining deeply involved in campus life and academics. Ali plans to attend Colorado College to study Biochemistry.
Please join us in congratulating the members of the Class of 2026:
Lilly Mae Awamleh, Bremen, Maine**
Derek Barbie, Yarmouth, Maine
Alexander Bateman, Falmouth, Maine
Tanner Bland, Stratham, New Hampshire**
Jake Bock, Outremont, Quebec, Canada
Madeline Bruguier, Marly-le-Roi, France
Ali Bruno, Leechburg, Pennsylvania (Salutatorian)*
Aidan Butler, Carrabassett Valley, Maine
Kenadie Dickey, Belgrade, Maine
Tristan Healey, Bristol, Rhode Island
Jack Hepburn, North Yarmouth, Maine
Jamison Hering, Carrabassett Valley, Maine**
Rocco Lazzaro, Moultonborough, New Hampshire
Lucia Littlefield, Yarmouth, Maine
Abigail Manson, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada*
Sofia Murray, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada*
Joshua Paquette, Kennebunk, Maine
Bridget Sapak, Bethel, Maine
Giancarlo Stien, Park City, Utah
Trenton Wadas, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania*
Lauren Waskowitz, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania (Valedictorian)*
Walker Wolfe, Carrabassett Valley, Maine**
*National Honor Society Member
**Certificate of Attendance
Families and supporters unable to attend commencement in person may request access to the livestream by contacting Head of School Alex Godomsky ’91 at agodomsky@gocva.com.
-
-
-
Introducing the Big Dog Class of 2026: Back row (left to right): Derek Barbie, Jake Bock, Aidan Butler, Tristan Healey, Jack Hepburn, Trenton Wadas Front row (left to right): Joshua Paquette, Rocco Lazzaro, Giancarlo Stien, Kenadie Dickey, Lauren Waskowitz, Sofia Murray, Abigail Manson, Lucia Littlefield, Ali Bruno, Bridget Sapak, Madeline Bruguier Missing from photo: Lilly Mae Awamleh, Alexander Bateman, Tanner Bland, Jamison Hering, Walker Wolfe
-
-
-
-
Suggested Articles
List of 3 news stories.
-
A Message from CVA's Head of School
Dear CVA Community,Read More
As we move into the final stretch of the school year, there is much to celebrate across campus. Spring is always an exciting time at CVA as we honor the progress our student-athletes have made and look ahead to important milestones still to come. -
Celebrating the CVA Class of 2026
Carrabassett Valley Academy will celebrate the Class of 2026 during Commencement Weekend on June 5 and 6. The weekend will honor a group of student-athletes whose dedication, perseverance, and growth have left a lasting impact on the CVA community.Read More -
CVA Welcomes New Coaching Staff
CVA is pleased to announce several coaching additions and leadership updates across the Alpine and Freestyle programs for the coming year. These changes strengthen athlete development pathways and reinforce collaboration between the Weekend Program and Academy teams.Read More
Inquire
Visit
Apply
Carrabassett Valley Academy prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any member or group based upon age, gender, race, color, religion, disability, categories sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic predisposition, ancestry or other categories protected by Maine or federal law. CVA does not discriminate on these bases in the administration of its admission process, scholarship and aid programs, educational policies, athletics, or other school-administered programs.
©2024 Carrabassett Valley Academy