The Williams School Honors Class of 2026 at Senior Night

The Williams School honored the Class of 2026 during its annual Senior Night celebration on June 2, bringing seniors together for an evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration as their time at Williams drew to a close.

Throughout the evening, students were recognized for achievements across academics, leadership, and the Williams community. The program included the induction of new Cum Laude Society members and recognition of students completing the Interdisciplinary Certificate Program and College Acceleration Program, as well as the School’s Head Ambassadors.

Members of the Class of 2026 were also welcomed into the Williams alumni community. Director of Development and Alumni Engagement Brian Mezzi led the induction into the Alumni Association, followed by the induction of Class Agents. Senior Parent Gift Fund Chairs Doug Jastremski and Mia Hammack also presented the Senior Parent Gift.

Student performances were woven throughout the program. Jay Lui ’26 performed his original piece, Sandcastles and The Ebb and Flow of Memories, Zara Asim ’26 performed The Beatles’ Yesterday, and Gus van Berkel ’26 performed Yiruma’s River Flows in You.

A longstanding Senior Night tradition, senior citations provided an opportunity to recognize each member of the graduating class individually. Following an introduction by Chelsea Rallis, citations and senior books were presented by Upper School advisors Louis Cohen, Sarah Marvel, and Melissa Moss.

Senior Class Representatives Julia Battista ’26, Claire Butler ’26, Henry Champagne ’26, and Maddie Tousignant ’26 also shared reflections as they said goodbye to Williams, thanking their classmates, friends, and the school community for the experiences and relationships that shaped their time together. The evening concluded with the Williams Alma Mater.

Senior Night also recognized students with senior and departmental prizes honoring achievement, growth, leadership, creativity, service, and scholarship.

Senior Prizes

Head’s Award: Claire Butler ’26
Senior Class Prize: Zara Asim ’26, Claire Butler ’26
Eugene Atwood: Calvin LaFrance ’26
DAR Good Citizens Award: Calvin LaFrance ’26
Raymond V. Payer Memorial Scholarship: Madelyn Tousignant ’26
Eunice Waller Award for Social Justice: Claire McGuinness ’26
The Michael D. Shapiro Elie Wiesel Humanitarian Award: Calvin LaFrance ’26
Colin S. Buell Memorial Prize: Calvin LaFrance ’26
Williams School Ann Dickson ’49 Memorial Prize for Improvement: Ally Iacobellis ’26
John K. Knudsen Award for Passion in Learning: Julia Battista ’26
Marion H. Hamilton Bowl: Jadiel Thomas ’26

Departmental Prizes

Prize for Excellence in Photography: Henry Champagne ’26
Prize for Distinction in Dance: Vanessa Noble ’26
Eleanor S. Cranz Memorial Prize for Distinction in Music: Julia Battista ’26
Joan D. Newbury Memorial Prize for Excellence in Theater: Sydney Caplan ’26
Catherine Oakes Memorial Prize for Excellence in English Literature: Sydney Caplan ’26
Prize for Excellence in Expository Writing: Zara Asim ’26
Edward T. Wheeler Prize for Poetry: Julia Battista ’26
Elsie DeWitt Memorial Prize for Excellence in Classics: Zara Asim ’26, Henry Champagne ’26, Connor Gingras ’26
The Prize for Excellence in Spanish: Connor Gingras ’26
Spanish Dedication Prize: Ally Iacobellis ’26, Gus van Berkel ’26
Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Classical and Romance Languages: Connor Gingras ’26
Jean M. Watson Memorial Prize for Excellence in Mathematics: Calvin LaFrance ’26
Math Dedication Award: Claire Butler ’26
Excellence in Computer Science: Calvin LaFrance ’26
Leonard J. Bodenlos Memorial Prize for Excellence in Physical Science: Calvin LaFrance ’26
The Prize for Excellence in the Natural Sciences: Jay Lui ’26
Charlotte Rea Science Award: Claire Butler ’26
Evelyn Page Memorial Prize for Excellence in History: Henry Champagne ’26
Richard P. Dauer Memorial Prize for History: Sydney Caplan ’26
Upper School Athlete of the Year:  Ally Iacobellis ’26, Jadiel Thomas ’26
Richard P. Dauer Scholar-Athlete Award: Zara Asim ’26, Henry Champagne ’26