On October 5, 2026, IHA recognized and celebrated the academic achievements of students during the 2025-26 academic year. Mrs. Amy Baskin, assistant principal of academics, welcomed the student body to the ceremony and led the IHA community in an opening prayer. Clare McCarthy ’27, president of the National Honor Society, then shared her thoughts on the students being recognized at the Honors Convocation and noted the impressiveness of their achievements, given that students are also managing numerous commitments outside of the classroom. Clare concluded by saying, “Whether you count your accomplishments through test grades or wins, always remember that your worth is more than a grade or a game. Your worth and dignity are found in God who created you to lift others up and to do everything with love, compassion, and determination.”

During the 2025-26 school year, 54 students earned Distinguished Honors for the year by earning averages of 95% or better each quarter, and 233 students were recognized with Honors by earning averages of 90% or better each quarter. These students were commended for their hard work and perseverance at the ceremony and then presented with a certificate.

Special awards were also presented to members of the junior and senior classes from various colleges and universities, in addition to several in-house IHA awards. Congratulations to the following award recipients:

College Recognition Awards
The University of Rochester Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award – Clare McCarthy ’27

The University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award – Juliet Fisher ’27

The University of Rochester Xerox Award – Elizabeth Cetina ’27

The University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award – Anne Maciejewski ’27

The Student Sage Award – Kaitlyn McCormick ’27

The Brown University Book Award – Madeline Schlereth ’27

The St. Bonaventure University Bonnie Scholarship – Harper Eddy ’27, Gabriella Tarinelli ’27, Carolina Guardascione ’27, Riley Marino ’27, Sophia Freire Lafuente ‘27, & Alexandra Jacobsen ’27

The Tulane University Book Award – Elizabeth Doolan ’27

The Bowdoin Book Award – Elysia Chae ’27

The St. Anselm Book Award – Maeve Dorfler ’27

The Rensselaer Medal Award – Kristina Ahn ’27

The St. Michael College Book Award – Marley Digby ’27 & Skylar Blake ’27

The Hart Family Award for Mathematics  
Madeline Schlereth ’27

The Promising Young Scientist Award

Amara Villareal ’28

In recognition of the extraordinary rigors of our curriculum, IHA believed it was also essential to honor our junior students with in-house awards for academic distinction. These awards recognize students who have excelled in the following subject matters through a combination of academic excellence, superior skill, and genuine interest in the subject area. 

In-house Awards for Academic Distinction
Social Studies: Taylor McGuire ’28
English: Emilia Reilly ’28
Science: Alyssa Lo ’28
Technology: Ashlee Waldron ’28
Business: Riley Mitchell ’28
Communications: Giada Laiolo ’28
Fine Arts: Stella Chan ’28
Performing Arts: Alicia Eldridge ’28
Physical Education: Katherine Montesano ’28
Spanish: Lyra Duta ’28
French: Althea Villareal ’28
Italian: Emily Schlereth ’28
Latin: Lyla Murphy ’28
Mathematics: Pavni Patel ’28
Theology: Addison Porod ’28

Click here for a photo album of IHA’s Honors Convocation Ceremony.