The Gerlach Award is granted each year to a senior who has demonstrated transformative growth through their community service learning project, in the areas of service, love of learning, and seeking of God.  

This year's recipient was deeply affected by her service with members of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. In her CSL paper, she wrote: 
"Rice gave me the foundation. My service experience gave me the practice. And the people I met in all places, the teachers who pushed me, the elders who trusted me, the communities that let me in, gave me something I will spend the rest of my life trying to deserve. They let me into their lives, and in doing so, they reshaped mine.

At Rice, in Montana, and in the communities that welcomed me, I learned that showing up with humility, listening before speaking, and valuing the experiences of others is often the most meaningful way to serve."

This year's Linda Cataldo Gerlach award for best Community Service Project is awarded to Josie Chauvin.

The Male Commitment to Learning Award is presented to a student who in the estimation of the faculty, truly exemplifies what it means to be a learner. If you were to choose a student to represent the pillar of Rice’s mission that describes “academic excellence” you would choose this young man. Transferring to Rice as a sophomore, he quickly demonstrated an incredible work ethic and impressive abilities in the classroom regardless of the academic discipline. Over his three years at Rice, he took on a record-setting 13 AP courses across various subject areas; excelling in them all. He is a student that every teacher is excited about having on their roster. He is a leader in our building and carries himself with a humble and appreciative attitude each day. 

When asked about his presence in the classroom, his Calculus BC teacher, Kevin Giron shared:  “This student consistently contributes to class discussions and approaches problems from multiple perspectives in pursuit of the most efficient solution. His curiosity and passion for learning continued to grow throughout the year, leading him to pursue a major in engineering.”  

This year’s Male Commitment to Learning Award goes to Ryan Jeonghun Jin.

The Female Commitment to Learning Award is awarded to a student who has distinguished herself as an intelligent, curious, kind, and compassionate young person whose passion for learning is evident in every aspect of her life. Her academic journey has been exceptionally impressive as she embraced one of the most rigorous academic course curriculum our school offers with enthusiasm, determination, and curiosity. However, what makes this student stand out is not simply the number of advanced courses she has taken, but the breadth of subjects she has pursued and the thoughtful and engaged approach she brings to each one. Whether in biology, economics, English, or art, this student consistently challenged herself to think deeply and ask insightful questions. She is not motivated simply by grades or recognition, but is driven by a true love of learning and a constant desire to grow. In AP Biology, she demonstrated an exceptional understanding of complex concepts, critical thinking, and genuine enthusiasm for research and learning. Her success not only reflected her academic ability, but also the effort and dedication she brought to class every day.  She is equally impressive for her character and compassion as she sets an example for her peers through her humility and willingness to help others succeed. 

This year's Female Commitment to Learning Award goes to Lilly Swan.

The Commitment to Service Awards are named in honor of Matthew W. Gieger, who graduated from Rice in 1991. Mathew’s love of faith and service was deep, and he inspired many high school students whom he taught to be faithful and to serve others. He passed away in 2016, and leaves a legacy of love and compassion.

The Male Matthew W. Geiger Commitment to Service Award is presented to a student whose dedication to service has left a lasting impact on our school and community. An exceptional scholar and leader, he has distinguished himself through his intellectual curiosity, adventurous spirit, and commitment to helping others. As an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow, he has demonstrated perseverance, character, and a deep dedication. One example can be found right here at school. Recognizing a need in the band room, he took the initiative to design and build custom shelving to provide secure storage for student instruments. He not only created the shelving himself, but also raised funds for the supplies and organized volunteers to complete the installation. It may not have been the most glamorous project, but it was one that made a meaningful difference for countless students. 

As Vice President of the Outing Club, he coordinated numerous hikes for his peers, demonstrated environmental stewardship through his work with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, led the band program and drumline, and captained the Northern Vermont High School Sailing Team. He is an altar server and participated in service-learning work in Peru.  

It is with great pride and deep admiration that we present this service award to Benjamin Edwards.

The Female Matthew W. Geiger Commitment to Service Award recognizes a student who has the uncanny ability to elevate the tone of an entire school simply by the way she shows up each day. She is a quiet force and the kind of person who makes every environment she joins a better, calmer, and more purposeful place. 

She also embodies compassion in action. For the past two summers, she has volunteered as a counselor at the Catholic Totus Tuus Camp, guiding third and fourth graders as they learned about faith, friendship, and kindness. She also devoted time each week to the Book Buddies program at the King Street Center in Burlington, where she mentors an elementary student, reading together and playing games. She understands that leadership is not about recognition; it’s about service.
She was one of only two students selected to serve on our school’s Institutional Review Board, a position that requires maturity, discretion, and a thoughtful moral compass. She was also appointed Co-Leader of the Wellness Leadership Council, where she helped design and promote initiatives that encourage healthy habits among her peers.  

She is everything we hope a student will become. She is a natural leader, a careful listener and her impact here has been profound. We are pleased to present this year's Service Award to Sarah Biggins.

Each year two graduating seniors are recognized for their commitment to faith and to serving God. These awards are named in honor of Mr. Robert L. Wright, who taught religious studies at Rice for over 30 years.

Commitment to Faith will be expressed somewhat uniquely by each soul, but at the same time retain what it truly means to trust in the Lord.  According to the Catechism, Faith is a theological virtue by which we believe in God and all that He revealed.  This year’s Commitment to Faith Award is being given to a young man who is humble, speaks with clarity, provides honest and reverent written responses, and has a heart of gold.  When tested, he was present, and quite simply and beautifully, he believes.  We have all seen him in the Halls of Rice for four years and being faith-filled, he in turn has been faithful to the mission of Rice as a leader of the school. He shows up. He carries himself joyfully and through many different answers in Religion class over the years has verbalized sentiments that echo Simon Peter’s answer to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the Words of Eternal Life.”  His steadfast faith and gentle manner are perfect representations of a follower of Christ. 

This year's Male Commitment to Faith Award recipient is Evan Bretton.

The Female Robert L. Wright Commitment to Faith Award recipient is a student who radiates the Christian values of compassion and service, openly sharing the love and joy of Christ with everyone she meets. You may recognize her from various school and parish events, where she has shared her incredible gifts through her lectoring and singing ministries. Each and every day, we have been witnesses to how she has chosen to put God first in her life, and the fruits that come from making such a deliberate choice. She has exhibited grace during trials, and has joyfully spoken for and about Christ through it all. She has embodied the Rice pillar of Faith through her words, deeds, disposition, and willing discipleship. 

This year's Female Robert L. Wright Commitment to Faith Award recipient is Laural Callan.

The Mr. and Miss Rice Awards are in honor of Father Francis Grogan, who was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Chosen by the faculty and staff by vote. These are students who lead by example, participate in extracurricular activities, and on a daily basis show RICE’s values.

The recipient of our Mr. Rice award is a young man who has distinguished himself as an outstanding student, challenging himself academically while approaching every opportunity with humility and perseverance. In a time when many students feel pressured to fit into a particular mold, he had the courage to pursue the passions that mattered most to him. He has lived his Rice experience with authenticity. An accomplished student, talented athlete, gifted singer, and theater performer, he embraced every part of who he was. In doing so, he not only found confidence in himself but also became a role model for others, demonstrating that leadership comes from being genuine.

What makes his accomplishments even more remarkable is the spirit in which he has pursued them. His success has never been driven by recognition or personal gain, but rather by a sincere desire to serve something greater than himself. As his religion teacher, Patrick Welsch, observed, “This student's unrelenting pursuit of the greater good is grounded in the desire to do these things for God and others, not for self. In this way, he truly lives out his Catholic faith.”

He left his most enduring mark within the Fine Arts Department.  While he excelled in many areas, it was on the stage and through music that his talents, leadership, and authenticity shone most brightly.  Over his time at Rice, he participated in eight drama productions, performed in countless concerts, and was selected as a vocalist for both the All-State and All-New England Music Festivals in each of his four years.

He has demonstrated that excellence is not simply about achievement; it is about using your gifts in service of others, and having the courage to be yourself. Through his example, he has made our community a stronger, more welcoming place.

For his commitment to the Rice community, it is our great honor to present this year’s Mr. Rice award to:  Mr. Markus Hammer.

The recipient of our Miss Rice award is truly an exceptional young woman whose impact reaches far beyond what can ever be captured by grades, accolades, or leadership titles alone. Schools can create mission statements, establish values, and build structures intended to foster curiosity, resilience, and growth, but those ideals only become meaningful when they are lived out daily by the students within the community. The truth is that the culture and spirit of a school is shaped, strengthened, and brought to life by rare students like her whose character elevates everyone around them. 

One of her most admirable qualities is her reflective nature. She is constantly thinking about how she can continue to grow and get better. She does not fear failure or discomfort because she sees challenge as an opportunity for development. That mindset, combined with her natural curiosity and willingness to step outside of her comfort zone, has allowed her to thrive in every space she enters.

She is deeply grounded and mature well beyond her years. In a world increasingly shaped by superficial connection, she has chosen to build her relationships authentically and face-to-face. She has a rare ability to make people feel valued, included, and understood. She is competitive in the best sense of the word, driven not by ego or recognition, but by an internal desire to improve herself and contribute meaningfully. 

Despite an incredibly demanding academic schedule that included nine AP courses, she simultaneously served as a three-sport captain and Student Council President while maintaining a sense of balance, perspective, and joy that is uncommon even among high-achieving students. She is the student who instinctively includes rather than excludes, and who strengthens the fabric of the entire community every single day. 

This student is a force to be reckoned with — the kind of person who leaves a permanent mark on a community long after she graduates. She represents the very best of Rice, and in many ways, she will always be part of the heart and spirit of this school.

We're pleased to name this year’s Miss Rice award recipient, Miss Kate Larkin.