photo by Paul Fixx
Tod Delaricheliere receives the 2024 Hardwick Humanitarian Award from Sherry Lussier of the Kiwanis Club.
by Paul Fixx
HARDWICK – Hazen Union students were called to the gym at 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, March 11, for a pair of ceremonies recognizing outstanding contributions to the school and wider community.
Tod Delaricheliere was recognized with a 2024 Hardwick Humanitarian Award.
Sherry Lussier, presented the award for the Kiwanis Club. She read from the nomination submitted by Hazen Principal, Jason Di Giulio and Assistant Principal, Kasey Potter, referring to Delaricheliere as, “a pillar of the Hardwick community.” He is “always looking for ways to better our school and our community.
“Over the past few years, he has taken a student on as part of the custodial staff to help them build life-long skills that will better their current life situation. He has taught them not only how important it is to show up to work on time, how to give your all and follow directions, but he has taught them how to look out for each other and trust the adults you are working with. Tod has high expectations for himself and those who work for him. You can see this in our building every day.
“During the 2023 floods, Tod was the first one here ensuring that Hazen was ready to provide relief.”
photo by Paul Fixx
Randy Lumsden introduced Hazen Union’s Lady Cats who display State Championship trophies at a school assembly on Monday, March 11, after their 66-56 win over Thetford on Saturday, March 9. The team includes (left to right): coach Randy Lumsden, managers Kennidee Gouin, Chloe Moodie, players Sadie Gann, Kelsie Rivard, Ava Renaud, Mya Lumsden, Caitlyn Davison, Taylor Thompson, Tessa Luther, Isabelle Gouin, assistant coaches Dorothy Hill and Sue Rivard.
Next up, Di Giulio invited Coach Randy Lumsden to introduce a group of young women who, on Saturday, March 9, as the Hazen Union’s Lady Wildcats, won the Vermont Division III Girls Basketball Championship with a 66-56 win over Thetford.
The team is bringing home the championship for the first time since 1991, 35 years ago.
Lumsden called each player up to thunderous applause as they displayed a permanent trophy and a perpetual one that will stay at Hazen just for the year. Lumsden did mention the trophy could become permanent with three consecutive championships.
The middle school, junior varsity and varsity boys teams lined the hallway as the girls escorted their trophys to be prominently displayed in the trophy case.
Di Guilio, noting that the dual ceremonies hadn’t taken quite as long as planned, dismissed students to return to class with just a few minutes left in the school day.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
