On May 26, 2026, awards earned by Delbarton underclassmen in Academics, Activities and Campus Ministry were presented during the Underclassmen Awards Convocation in the Fine Arts Center theater.  Headmaster Fr. Michael Tidd, O.S.B. distributed the awards during an event witnessed by Delbarton underclassmen and faculty. Current juniors in the Class of 2027 -- rising seniors -- sat on stage while their younger brothers filled the audience at this annual event. 

After a brief prayer offered by Director of Mission & Ministry Matthew White, Fr. Michael addressed the student body saying, "Some excellence is public...but much of the best work at Delbarton is quiet, and humble in the best Benedictine way." He referenced his favorite play, Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons, about English lawyer, judge and philosopher Sir Thomas More who is venerated in the Catholic Church as a martyr and saint. "He was respected by the greatest late Renaissance intellectuals of the day," said Fr. Michael.  "More's example continues to inspire us because he knew who he was, and he would not surrender that awareness for anything, to anyone." Fr. Michael reminded students that "every act of kindness, every moment you choose to do what is right even when no one else is looking, strengthens our community."

Next, Fr. Michael presented awards for academic achievements and activity, club and campus ministry leadership to students in grades 7 to 11 as announced by Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs Josh Hartle and Assistant Headmaster for Student Affairs Chuck Ruebling '79 .

Please take a moment to read this list of our recipients, all of whom deserve a round of applause from the Delbarton community for their sustained level of excellence during the 2025-2026 school year. 

In 2025, we introduced a new award, The Ahoua Scholarship of Excellence, presented to a rising senior to provide monetary support for the college transition and application process. The award recognizes a student who has displayed grit and mental toughness while excelling as a future leader within the Delbarton community. This year's Ahoua Scholarship was presented to Hans Clovis '27.

Finally, the young men pictured below, from left, with Headmaster Fr. Michael Tidd, O.S.B. earned the following science and college book awards, presented to juniors who demonstrated academic excellence and intellectual promise, exhibited outstanding personal character, made a significant contribution to the co-curricular life of the school, and who have earned the respect of both the faculty and their peers. 

• The Hobart & William Smith Colleges Book Award was presented to HOLDEN LEIDL
• The Cornell University Book Award was presented to CHRISTOPHER CONLEY
• The Dartmouth College Book Award was presented to AIDAN SEGERSON
• The Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award was presented to LUCIEN BRET
• The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award was presented to JAKE CARAVELLO
• The St. Michael’s College Book Awards was co-presented to VINCENT ACHILARRE
• The St. Anselm College Book Award was presented to MATTHEW FIC
• The University of Pennsylvania Book Award was presented to PJ TERRANOVA
• The University of Virginia Book Award was presented to DYLAN ROSS
• Ahoua Scholarship of Excellence recipient HANS CLOVIS '27
• The St. Michael’s College Book Awards was co-presented to MICHAEL WEST
• The Princeton University Book Award was presented to DEAN ZARRO
• The Brown University Book Award was presented to CARTER BAKER
• The Yale University Book Award was presented to RYAN DOOLEY
• The Bowdoin College Award was presented to WOLFGANG LACZ
• The Columbia University Book Award was presented to TANNER KOSS
• The University of Chicago Book Award was presented to THATCHER WIGGINTON
• The Columbia University Book Award was presented to TANNER KOSS

Fr. Michael encouraged today's award recipients to appreciate their achievements, saying, "Accept these awards with gratitude and humility. Use your gifts well not only for yourself, but for others."