Science Week 2025 | News | Worcester Academy

On May 2, Worcester Academy marked the culmination of a yearlong celebration honoring 50 Years of Coeducation with a day of reflection, recognition, and camaraderie on the Hilltop. We welcomed alumni, former faculty, and friends to campus for a milestone event that honored the pioneering women of Worcester Academy’s past and the inclusive, mission-driven school community they helped build.

The day started with a special all-school assembly, where students and faculty gathered for the premiere of Fifty Years Forward: Celebrating 50 Years of Coeducation at Worcester Academy. The student-produced documentary traces the school’s coeducational journey through the voices of those who lived it.

The afternoon schedule for alumni and guests included an optional tour of the Capozzoli Athletic Center construction site, the annual Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame induction in Warner Theater, a screening of the student documentary, the closing of the Alumnae Art Show in Walker Gallery, and a celebratory dinner in the Capozzoli Family Megaron.

The May 2 signature event followed a series of special programs held throughout the academic year, including alumnae guest speakers, an alumnae career panel, a masterclass with Jessa Campbell, a distinguished alumna in the arts, and the historic retirement of Aliyah Boston’s #00 jersey, the first such honor in school history.

Honoring the Women Who Lead

Worcester Academy’s annual Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame ceremony recognized ten outstanding women whose lives and work exemplify the school’s call to Achieve the Honorable.

The Young Alumna Award was presented to Kassia Davis ’06, a Boston-based entrepreneur and CEO of KADA, a sustainable fashion brand. A former executive at New Balance and current executive chairwoman of PF Flyers, Davis was recently named one of Boston Magazine’s 150 Most Influential Bostonians.

The Distinguished Alumna Award honored Kelly M. Fay Rodríguez ’99, a leading voice in international labor rights and diplomacy. She most recently directed the U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Labor Affairs and has built a career advocating for global equity and workers’ rights.

The Cole Porter Arts Recognition Award went to Jessica Phillips ’89, a Broadway and television actress whose credits include Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, and Law & Order: SVU. Phillips is currently appearing on Broadway in Redwood at the Nederlander Theatre.

The Varsity Club Award was awarded to Aliyah Boston ’19, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year and standout player for the Indiana Fever. Boston’s athletic accolades include multiple gold medals with USA Basketball, a national championship at South Carolina, and a host of collegiate honors.

The ceremony concluded with the Hall of Fame induction of the Women of the Class of 1975—Kathryn Bard, Denise Brennan, Nadine Hill, Carole Hilton, Donna Kayarian, and Margaret Prunier—who were the first women to graduate from Worcester Academy after the school became coeducational. Their courage and leadership helped redefine what it meant to be a Worcester Academy student and left a lasting legacy on the Hilltop.

Students Bring History to Life Through Film

The film, Fifty Years Forward: 50 Years of Coeducation at Worcester Academy, was produced by a talented team of Upper School students—Peyton Darling ’25, Junyu (Tina) Fang ’27, Ashley Li ’27, Isabella Lyons ’27, Neema Mwihia ’26, Makhena Ngumo ’27, Aekem Singh ’26, Florida Sur Pen ’28, An Tran ’26, and Carolyn Zheng ’28—in collaboration with Emmy Award–winning filmmaker and Worcester Academy parent Harbaldeep Singh P’18, ’26.

As part of a yearlong oral history project, the students conducted interviews with alumnae, former faculty, and administrators whose personal stories helped bring this era of change vividly to life. The project was also guided by Megan Blomgren Burgess, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, and Amy Herlihy, faculty member. Both women served as co-chairs of the Coeducation Committee and played a vital role in shaping the storytelling process, helping students develop interview questions and refine their narratives.

The documentary is now available to watch on YouTube.

An event photo gallery offers a look back at all of the day’s memorable moments.