Stoneleigh-Burnham alumnae continue to inspire through their accomplishments and outstanding contributions in their chosen field. The Alumnae Awards Committee and the Alumnae Relations Office announce award recipients during reunion weekend.

The Emerson Medal

Created for the School’s 150th Anniversary, The Emerson Medal recognizes Susan Mabel Hood Emerson, who rescued her alma mater, the Mary A. Burnham School, in 1938 and brought it back to its former glory. Mrs. Emerson and her family served the Mary A. Burnham, Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill, and Stoneleigh-Burnham schools for many years, and the recipient of The Emerson Medal demonstrates the grace, tenacity, and humility with which Mrs. Emerson lived her lifetime of service.

RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE EMERSON MEDAL

2019: Laura Richards ’60 SPH 
The inaugural awarding of the Emerson Medal was presented to a woman who not only demonstrates these traits but inspires those around her to do likewise. Laura Richardson has served SBS as a Class Agent, a Trustee, and for 5 years as Board Chair (2003 to 2008). Her quiet leadership, unwavering support, service, and stewardship set an example for the entire school community. Throughout her time at and in service to SBS, Laura has earned the love and respect of thousands of Stoneleigh-Burnham sisters.

The Distinguished Alumna Award

Created in 2010 to honor alumnae who have stood out amongst their peers. This award is presented annually and bestows institutional recognition on one alumna who has distinguished herself in her personal or professional life, intellectual pursuits, or her dedication to service of community, country or society.

RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD

2021: Charlotte Prescott Newton ’71
Charlotte was in the last freshman class at the Mary A. Burnham School, and after the School’s move to Greenfield, she became a very active member in the newly formed SBS Community and held significant leadership roles.


Charlotte stayed in the Boston area after college, working in neonatal research and intensive care nursing. She has been a breeder, owner, and exhibitor of AKC Clumber Spaniels. And, in the early 1990’s, Charlotte shifted careers to work in financial services. Now retired, Charlotte, along with her two French Bulldogs, Liza and Tuggie, enjoys her new home and community in Sedona, Arizona.


As a Stoneleigh-Burnham trustee, Charlotte was active in the School’s 2014- 2016 major capital initiative. Her generous gift allowed for the creation of the Newton Hub, which has given the SBS community a central place to gather. The Hub is a campus crossroads, abuzz with students before meals, between classes, and in the afternoon before athletics. Having stepped off the Board in 2020, Charlotte continues to stay involved with her school as a member of the Leadership Council.

2019: The Members of the Class of 1969
Presented to the class representing the 50th Anniversary of the merged Schools of Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill and Mary A. Burnham. The 2019 Distinguished Alumnae Award acknowledges the strength and determination found among the members of the Class of 1969 who rose to the challenges presented to them in 1968.

2017: Mary E. Maloney ’69, MD
Director of Dermatologic Surgery and Chair of Department of Dermatology, UMass Memorial Medical Center
Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School  

2016: Holley Chant ’81, LEED AP, GSAS CGP
Green Building, Sustainability and Design Professional Executive Director – Corporate Sustainability
KEO INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS

2015: Susan Lawson Farmer ’60 SPH
First woman elected to statewide office in Rhode Island in 1982 as Secretary of State.
President, Rhode Island PBS Foundation

2014: Carissa Tudryn Weber ’96
Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Developed technology for the Mars Curiosity Rover and was the detector system engineer and the engineering technical authority for the Euclid Flight Instrument Detectors Group.

2013: Joan Hutton Landis ’47 SPH
Poet, published in the Transatlantic Review, the New York Times, Parnassus, Poetry in Review, The Gettysburg Review, Salmagundi, Spoon River, and Poetry.
Former chair, Liberal Arts Department at Curtis Institute of Music.

2012: Judith Howard Whitney-Terry ’56 MAB
Peace Corps volunteer
Former Member, Board of Directors of the National Peace Corps Association
Local and international volunteer

2011: Denise Bruner ’70, MD
First female Fellow of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP)
Speaker, noted television and radio guest.

2010: Karen Van Lengen ’69
FAIA; Kenan Professor of Architecture Former Dean of the School of Architecture, University of Virginia.

The Distinguished Young Alumna Award

Presented for the first time at Reunion 2019, this award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions in her chosen field or to Stoneleigh-Burnham.

RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNA AWARD

2021: Two alumnae were presented with The Distinguished Young Alumnae Award at the Reunion Gala.

Joyhdae Albert ’01
Joyhdae currently serves as office manager in the New York City office of Roth Capital Management. Following graduation from SBS, she earned a degree in Business from Tufts University, where she was a Goldman Sachs Scholar. She continued her education at Berkeley College in New York, NY, earning an Associate’s Degree in Business-Administration Marketing. Joydhae has also held positions at the Harlem Arts Alliance, the 40/40 Club, and the Hall Company. At SBS, she was a member of Student Council, was part of the Debate Team, sang in Octet, served as a Blue Key Guide, and was chosen as Sweater Girl. Joyhdae served on the SBS Alumnae Board and is a founder of FundBLACKWomen, an organization that crowdfunds and counsels black women founders.

Mary Dooley ’03
Mary graduated with a PhD in School Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill. Her dissertation, titled "We're Here Too: The Black Female Experience in North Carolina Schools," explored systemic, institutional, and direct racism these students face with the least amount of support. She is a pediatric psychologist in integrated primary care settings, working within the community and schools to support marginalized and oppressed children and families. She is an advocate for structural, systemic changes. Mary presents at conferences, in schools, and for a variety of organizations, focusing on topics including abuse, mandated reporting, trauma, anti-racist/anti-bias practices, and white supremacy.

2019: Jessica K. Meese ’04
Jessica attended Carnegie Mellon University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, a Minor in Vocal Music, and a Master’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. After relocating to New York, Jessica found time to continue performing. In 2011 Jessica joined The Blue Hill Troupe, wrote and performed a one-woman cabaret 2013: Don’t Tell Mama, in New York, and in 2015 was invited to join Uncommon Chord: New York.

Field engineer on contracts renovating elevated train stations for New York City Transit, continuing as Project Engineer at Longi Engineering working on the East Side Access project on systems, civil, and architectural contracts from bid to close-out.

Part of the Construction Management team on the East Side Access project for Long Island Railroad, building new tunnels and a new concourse in Grand Central Terminal, NYC.

Deputy Construction Manager at Jacobs Engineering as part of the team on the East Side Access project for Long Island Railroad, building new tunnels and a new concourse in Grand Central Terminal, NYC.

Acknowledged professionally with the 2018 Jacobs Engineering Systems Managers of the Year Award.

The Ferdon Award

    The Elinor Johnstone Ferdon, Mary A. Burnham Class of 1954 Alumnae Leadership Award is presented to an alumna who, like Ellie, has demonstrated outstanding leadership within our community.

    RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE FERDON AWARD

    2019: Charlotte Lewis-Hankus ’72
    This award is presented to an alumna who, like Ellie, has demonstrated outstanding leadership within our community. For anyone who has met Ellie, or gazed upon her portrait in the Blue Room, her grace, poise, and determination are apparent. Those qualities serve one well in when active in leadership roles that benefit alumnae and the School as a volunteer for and representative of Stoneleigh-Burnham. Charlotte exudes the same grace and poise, while her fierce loyalty to SBS fuels a drive and purpose for which others strive.

    2016: Melissa McKallagat ’96

    2010: Pam Brewster Bensen ’64 SPH

    2005: Janet Spencer ’50 SPH

    2004: Maureen P. McCarthey ’77

    1997: Laura Richards ’60 SPH

    1992: Melissa Leach Dickson ’72

    1989: Elinor Johnstone Ferdon ’54 MAB

    Equestrian Wall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame

    Created in 2010 and 2012 respectively, the Equestrian Wall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame honor equestriennes, athletes, coaches, teams, and others who have made outstanding contributions to riding and athletics during their time at Stoneleigh-Burnham or in life thereafter.

    We are accepting nominations for the Equestrian Wall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame. Click here to submit a nomination form. 

    RECENT INDUCTEES TO THE EQUESTRIAN WALL OF FAME

    Caroline Roffman ’06

    Alexandra Linscheid O’Toole ’03

    Samantha Pleasant ’02

    The 2001 IEA National Championship Team including:

    Ashley Grant ’04

    McKenzie Rollins ’01

    Emily Wood Thompson ’01

    Naomi Gendron-Waidlich ’01

    Flora Wu ’01

    Vicky Castegren ’94

    Kimberly Cartier Dome ’94

    Vicki Humphrey Oliver ’91

    Alexandra Warriner ’90

    Amy Stegall ’86

    Jerilyn Jacobs ’85

    Libby Cowperthwaite Schmittdiel ’84

    Mina Payne ’78

    Abby Fuller ’77

    Suzanne Bell Fraser ’72

    Margaret “Gigi” Altmiller McIntosh ’72

    Joannah Hall Glass ’59S

    RECENT INDUCTEES TO THE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

    Chinwe Okorie ’13

    Nimpa Lonlack ’08

    SBS 2000 New England Champion Softball Team

    Emily Kiablick ’97

    Sonya Lamonakis ’93

    Colleen Bannister ’92

    Mina Payne ’78, Riding Instructor

    Anne Quantrell Dennen ’70

    Victoria “Tori” Askerberg ’69

    Ann Sorvino, Dance Instructor