Newsletter

Hello Everyone,

Last week I was at a loss for words, so I would like to take this time to communicate our sadness and pride for our community. We lost a dear student last week. This hit our school hard, and we are incredibly sad. What comes out of times of sorrow is a sense of community like no other. We witnessed our community support each other with care, empathy, and heart. While my heart aches, I am so proud of our community.

Thank you, and take care all.

Polly Rico

BFA is pleased to announce the Class of 2026 Valedictorian is Leah Jamison!

Leah has a love of learning and problem-solving, as well as a deep care for her peers and an interest in engaging with relevant global issues in today’s world.

Leah has been a member of BFA Theater throughout her four years of high school. She has choreographed for both BFA and SATEC musicals, is a member of the Theater Council, and has attended One-Act festivals, including New England's. Leah is also part of the National Honor Society, Book Club, and BFA’s student newspaper, The Mercury. Outside of school, Leah is part of the Dance Team at Vermont Performing Arts Foundation.

Leah has grown her academic and career interests in STEM as a student in the Engineering Program at Northwest Career & Technical Center over the past two years. She will be headed to UVM in the fall as a Green & Gold Scholar to study Mechanical Engineering.

Leah Jamison, Class of 2026 Valedictorian

BFA is also pleased to announce the Class of 2026 Salutatorian is Olivia Ventura!

We are happy to announce that the BFA St. Albans Class of 2026 Salutatorian is Olivia Ventura.

Olivia is a student who strives for excellence in all that she does. She has participated in the National Art Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, and the BFA Mercury.

She has a rich volunteer background at Camp Rainbow, Operation Happiness, and Northwest Counseling & Support Services. Olivia has a deep passion for painting, drawing, writing poetry, and dancing. She is a Governor’s Institute of the Arts alumnus and won gold in her category. She participated in the Educators Rising Conference at Champlain College. This school year, Olivia has been an intern in Mrs. Tourville’s Freshmen AC Writing Workshop class. She wants to thank Mrs. Tourville for being an absolutely amazing mentor.

Olivia is excited to report that she will be attending Champlain College in the fall to work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Olivia Ventura, Class of 2026 Salutatorian

Congratulations go out to this year's Bobwhite Comet Scholarship Competition winners!

1,000 dollar prize- Alex Courtois, Ella Dunigan

750 dollar prize- Norah Gates, Ethan Barbieri

500 dollar prize- Brady Trivento, Eleanor Demore

In addition, many thanks to all competitors, Alan Steele for Sound, Lilly Duffy for lights, Leah Jamison and Lindsey Johnson for hosting, Leah Jamison for choreographing, and our judges: Mayor Trudy Cioffi, Karlie Gunderson, and Martina Newell.

It was a great display of BFA talent and pride!

On May 15th, the Vermont Principals' Association celebrated the extraordinary individuals who have shaped education-based athletics and activities across the state. The Class of 2026 represents decades of dedication — coaches who built dynasties, administrators who opened doors, officials who showed up year after year, and student-athletes who carried Vermont onto national and Olympic stages. Together they embody what the VPA stands for: character, community, and students always first.

Congratulations, Coach Michael Mashtare, Class of 2026 VPA Hall of Fame!

Mike Mashtare and VPA Director Jay Nichols at the Hall of Fame banquet.

Join us for an inspiring evening of music at the BFA Choral Concert on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the BFA Performing Arts Center (PAC). This special performance will feature the BFA Chamber Singers, Senior Soloists, and the BFA Chorus presenting a diverse program of contemporary and classical choral works.

The evening will showcase the talent, dedication, and musical growth of our student performers through a variety of powerful and engaging selections. From moving classical literature to contemporary favorites, audiences can expect an unforgettable celebration of choral music and artistry.

The concert is free and open to the public. We hope you will join us in supporting our student musicians for this memorable evening of song.

The Spring Dance Show on April 30th featured the Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Dance Company Classes. Students showcased their technique, creativity and put on a phenomenal show! Photo credits to Elliot Neabar.

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.

Congratulations to the Junior Jam Winners!

Seniors defeated the Juniors with their production of Don't Fear the Reaper directed by Norah Gates and Leah Jamison.

Freshman defeated the Sophomores with their production of Cinderella Wore Combat Boots directed by Joseph Missouri, Quentin Brooks and Cee Cee Walent.

Thank you to our adjudicators: Nate Archembault, Julie Shaffner, Kristi Waite and Sara Kattam, and to all who came out and supported us!

We are excited to share and congratulate sophomore Carina Casarrubias-Hernandez of Fairfield, one of the 2026 recipients of the Learning to Fly Music Education Program & scholarship for young Vermonters, a program of the Friends For A-Dog Foundation.

Carina will receive a full year of weekly piano and digital music production lessons along with the tools to support her musical journey. What an incredible opportunity. Congratulations, Carina!

Attention Seniors & Families,

Please RSVP to the 2026 BFA Senior Athletics Banquet.

Respond only once for your family and/or party within the form. If you need to make corrections after your response, please contact Assistant Athletic Director, Jordan O'Grady at jogrady@maplerun.org.As a reminder, the banquet is scheduled for Sunday, June 7th @ 1:00 PM inside the BFA Gymnasium.

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 Comet Tennis Seniors!