Newsletter

Hello Everyone, the school year is coming to a close. We want to encourage all students to finish strong, which we know is often hard to do when energy is low. You will see the attached end-of-year schedule. As I have mentioned before, taking an end-of-year assessment helps develop skills for the future. Both college and career paths often require exams or certifications. The assessment week is designed to help with these skills. If you need support before final exams, please reach out to your teachers or counselors.

Good luck, and let's finish strong.

The yearbook staff would like to proudly present the 2025-2026 yearbook to Ms. Karen Yandow and Mr. Mike Campbell!!! We can't wait for everyone else to see the book!

Thanks, Mrs. Parent

Today (May 28th) is the BEST day of the school year. It’s the day when 400 people come to the Collins Perley complex to play the game of bocce. But it’s more than just a game.

It’s a day where barriers disappear — where everybody is included, respected, valued, seen, and heard. It’s the day my cheeks hurt because I smile so much. There are endless hugs, high-fives, fist bumps, laughter, and joy. It’s a day where we simply get to have fun together.

This year feels a little extra special because our team is playing for our friend, who is facing an even bigger fight right now. Today, we play with her in our hearts.

If you’ve never been to a Unified event before, I promise it will be one of the best days you’ve experienced in a long time. The kindness, teamwork, and pure happiness you’ll see today are something truly special.

There’s no way we could make a day like this happen without the support of so many people. Thank you to everyone who helped organize, volunteer, cheer, donate, and support us in making today possible. We are incredibly grateful.

Here’s a short video that helps show just how special today really is.

Posted by Kasia Bilodeau

"Team Adaley"

Thank you, Comet Softball, for setting up the fields for the Bocce Tournament!

The Bellows Free Academy Music Department presented a memorable evening of music on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, during the annual Spring Choral Concert held in the BFA Performing Arts Center. The concert featured performances by the BFA Chorus and Chamber Singers, showcasing the talent, dedication, and musical growth of the students throughout the school year. Special senior solos were also featured during the evening, performed by Daphne Stribit, Owen Scott, and Norah Gates.

Under the direction of BFA Choral Director Armand Messier, students performed a diverse program of choral literature that highlighted a wide range of musical styles and vocal artistry. The concert featured selections from jazz, contemporary choral music, African-American spirituals, and Broadway favorites. From powerful full-ensemble performances to expressive featured moments throughout the program, the concert reflected the hard work and commitment students have demonstrated throughout the year both in rehearsals and performances.

The evening also served as a celebration of the strong musical tradition at BFA and the continued success of its music program. Families, friends, faculty, and community members filled the Performing Arts Center in support of the student performers, creating an enthusiastic and appreciative atmosphere for the final major choral performance of the school year.

The BFA Music Department will continue its year-end celebrations with the annual Music Awards Night on June 1, recognizing the accomplishments and dedication of student musicians throughout the year. The department will conclude its 2025–2026 performance season with the final instrumental concert on June 8, bringing another outstanding year of music performances at BFA to a close.

On Wednesday, May 27, Nick Brant was recognized for his volunteer hours at Northwestern Medical Center. He enjoyed an evening of recognition and an amazing dinner with other NMC volunteers. Nice work, Nick.

Congratulations, May 2026 Visual Arts Students of the Month: Beau de Melogue, Kiley Whittemore, and Ashley Foisy!

Congratulations May 2026 World Languages Students of the Month Bonni Lunna, Beau de Melogue, Anna Willey, and Anastasia Couture!

Dance awards took place on May 28th! The dance department celebrated its students and seniors! Congratulations to our seniors Kyla Abair, Faith Ayers-King, Elizabeth Botting, Finnley Herron, Meredith Fiske, Chloe Smith, Daphne Stribit, and Kristina Pratt.

The 2026 BFA Fall Sports Registration is now open!

Visit BFAathletics.com and click on "Online Registration" on the left hand side. You will find all instructions there on how to register via Arbiter.

Or visit the following link: https://students.arbitersports.com/bellows-free-academy-st-albans/2026-fall-athletic-registration-6

If an updated physical is required, please send it to Assistant Athletic Director, Jordan O'Grady, at jogrady@maplerun.org.

National Arts Honor Society finished out their year with this amazing 3-part mural!!! Contributing artist members are Kyla Abair, Ariana Marshall, Cassandra-Ayn Webber, Isabella Chappelow, Lindsey Johnson, Morgan Barnett, and Gavin Smith. Amazing job, all of you, and well wishes to the 3 graduating seniors!!

BFA Modern Band Rocks the House!

This past Tuesday night, BFA St. Albans’ Modern Band put on an absolute clinic of a show.

Things kicked off with a killer opening set from Class of 2023 alumni Will Austin and Nic Farinaccio, who brought the house down with some classic Elton John and Billy Joel tunes.

From there, the current student combos took over the stage and kept the energy soaring through a massive, genre-spanning setlist. From heavy grooves and alt-rock anthems to student originals, they covered it all:

• War Pigs (Black Sabbath)

• Santeria (Sublime)

• Beer (Reel Big Fish)

• Perfect Pair (beabadoobee)

• Roommates *

  Big Burn Hand *

  Feel Good Inc (Gorillaz)

• Wolf at the Door (Radiohead)

• Trouble * Puente * Creep (Radiohead)

• John the Fisherman (Primus)

• Tommy the Cat (Primus)

• My Name is Mud (Primus)

• Back Come Back (player) *

  Rosanna (Toto)

Huge shoutout to all the musicians, crew, and directors who made the night happen. If you missed this one, you definitely missed out!

Seniors & Families:

Below, please find graduation details. As we get closer, I’ll include the link info for photos and for the live streaming of graduation.

Cap & Gown Distribution

Date/Time: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 9: 30 am - 1 pm

Location: Principal’s Office

Details:

• The cost of the cap and gown is $26. Cash or check made payable to Scholastic Achievements.

• Balfour representative, Paul Trono, will be on-site to ensure proper fittings.

• Note: This is the only time to pick up and purchase caps and gowns.

Rehearsal

Date/Time: Friday, June 12, 2026, 1 - 3 pm MANDATORY FOR SENIORS

Location: Collins Perley Sports Complex

Details:

• Graduation rehearsal is mandatory! Please report to the rink at 1 pm.

• Seniors do NOT need to wear caps and gowns for rehearsal.

• Seniors will practice lining up, walking in, marching down the aisle, sitting and standing on cue, partial speeches and music for sound checks, etc.

• Seniors receive graduation tickets at the rehearsal. When seniors practice walking across the stage, they will be handed an envelope with their tickets.

Graduation

Date/Time: June 13, 2026, 2 pm

Location: Collins Perley Sports Complex

Details:

• On June 13th, seniors are to arrive at the Complex no later than 1 pm and promptly report to the rink to line up.

• Please dress comfortably for graduation, as it can be very warm regardless of whether the graduation is outdoors or indoors. If graduation is outdoors, seniors will be walking on turf and sitting on the bleachers, so ensure shoes are appropriate (i.e. high heels can get caught in the grass and on the bleachers). Seniors should arrive with their caps and gowns on.

• Please ride with your families to limit the number of vehicles for parking. Traffic in and around CPSC is congested. Carpooling is encouraged.

• Once families and guests have parked, they will be directed to the graduation entrance. Please have your (4) tickets ready to present, and you will keep your tickets with you. Seniors will each be given 4 tickets for reserved seating. Other family members/guests may sit in the open seating area. Families and/or guests will be ushered to the seating area(s).

• If you, a family member, or a guest has accessibility requirements (wheelchair, hearing impaired, etc.), please contact me. I’ll assist you with your needs and ensure that an usher assists you upon arrival at graduation.

• At 2 pm, the seniors will walk in and march down the middle aisle and the commencement begins.

• Whipple Photography will be at graduation. Photographs will include the presentation of the diploma, followed by a portrait holding the diploma. Images from graduation will be posted for graduates and families to view on the Monday after graduation. Here is the link: INSERT LINK

• Northwest Access TV will be live-streaming the graduation. BFA Graduation YouTube Link: INSERT LINK

  
  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 802-527-6400 or email me at tcallan@maplerun.org.

Sincerely, Theresa Callan, Graduation Coordinator

Congratulations Jacoby Soter, Lilah Powers, Nora Tatro, Kaitlyn Lumbra,

and Ethan Barbieri!

Congratulations seniors Blake Halbach, Brody Tatro, Carson Neveau,

Jonas Wagner, and families.