LI Announces the Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Lyndon Institute Head of School Dr. Brian Bloomfield is pleased to announce the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Lyndon Institute Class of 2026. 

The valedictorian of the graduating class at Lyndon Institute is the student who receives the highest weighted grade point average during their tenure at the school. The student to realize that accomplishment for the Class of 2026 is Amelia Cornelius. In her role as valedictorian, Amelia will present the valedictory address during the school’s commencement ceremonies in June. 

While many students are hardworking and strive for good grades, Amelia has consistently distinguished herself with her genuine passion for learning. English teacher David Stahler Jr. notes that “Amelia is the epitome of a scholar, one who lights up in discussion and savors the exchange of ideas and the development of her skills. Anything I ask her to accomplish, she will not only complete but take to a level of sophistication rarely seen in high school students.”

Social Studies teacher Nikki Berry echoes Stahler’s observations: “Teachers are always looking for the kind of enthusiasm for new learning and experiences that Amelia embodies. She has a genuine desire to expand her horizons and shows appreciation for every single opportunity that comes before her. From taking photos of the sunrise on Lake Champlain because it was the first time she had been to New York to finishing her Vermont History Day project weeks ahead of time so that she could qualify for the extra awards she ended up winning, Amelia is truly an academic at heart.”

A self-described “news junkie” and an avid daily reader of the New York Times, The Atlantic, and The New Yorker, Amelia engages with the world in a way that is as deep as it is rare for a person her age. 

During her time at LI, Amelia has participated in numerous clubs and activities that reflect her range of passions. She served as reporter for the LI Design Studio club, the Yearbook Club, and FBLA her sophomore year before becoming secretary and treasurer for all three organizations her junior year. She also held the role of secretary in both LI’s Environmental Club and its chapter of the National Honor Society, to which she was inducted as a junior. She is the recipient of the Dartmouth Club of the Upper Valley award.

Her love for politics and culture has led her to further endeavors. She recently spent a summer volunteering as a teacher aide with the CATCH Summer School program in St. Johnsbury. For the last two years, she participated in Vermont’s National History Day, winning the “Disadvantaged Communities Award” her junior year and taking second place overall in this year’s event, earning a trip to Washington D.C. to compete at the national level. She also took part in this year’s Model UN event.  

A recipient of the prestigious Green and Gold Scholarship, Amelia will attend the Patrick Leahy Honors College at the University of Vermont where she will pursue a double major in political science and marketing and a concentration in pre-law with the aspiration of becoming a constitutional and human rights lawyer. She is the daughter of Kimberly and Joseph Cornelius of Lyndonville, Vermont.

The salutatorian of the graduating class at Lyndon Institute is the student who has earned the second highest weighted grade point average during their time at the school. The student to realize that accomplishment for the Class of 2026 is Griffin Lawson. In his role as salutatorian, Griffin will present the invocation address during the school’s baccalaureate ceremony in June.

During his time at LI, Griffin has distinguished himself in athletics, having served as catcher for the varsity baseball team for all four years, and was inducted into the National Athletic Honor Society his senior year. He has participated in LI’s Lyndon Learning Collaborative program and will be receiving an associate’s degree from Vermont State University in addition to his LI diploma. He is the recipient of a book award from the Rochester Institute of Technology, received a HOBY leadership nomination, and was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior.

One of Griffin’s primary passions is flight. He was the first ever recipient of the Vermont Pilot’s Association scholarship for flight training, has studied as a student pilot through YTSERA at Caledonia County Airport in Lyndon, and cites taking to the skies in his family’s Cessna 150 as one of his favorite hobbies. He plans on becoming an airline pilot. 

Math teacher Tim Ulrich praises his affinity for math and science: “Griffin has taken advantage of academic opportunities from the moment he arrived at Lyndon Institute. He was in Algebra 2 Honors as a 9th grader, reflecting his commitment to STEM work and his future career as a commercial pilot.  He studied Calculus his sophomore year, before joining the Lyndon Learning Collaborative.  I know he will continue to push himself as he aspires to his career goals.”

Social Studies teacher Nikki Berry notes Griffin’s other academic talents: “Even though Griffin is very much a math and science guy, he still has taken advanced offerings in the humanities including AP US History. His natural curiosity for new learning is regularly shown through the questions he asks in class. Griffin has strong opinions and enjoys bantering with his peers and teachers; he is not afraid to disagree with someone.”

Griffin will attend VTSU Lyndon next fall where he will focus on the study of history and play for VTSU’s baseball team. He is the son of Rebecca and Jeremiah Lawson of Lunenburg, Vermont.