Five accomplished alumni will be inducted into the Canandaigua Academy Graduates of Distinction program this fall, joining a select group of former students recognized for their professional achievements and service.
The Canandaigua City School District announced that Jennifer Aronson, Class of 2004; Ryan Lavner, Class of 2005; Michelle (Ribaudo) Vasilinda, Class of 1977; Alison Wood Brooks, Class of 2003; and Sarah Wood Kearney, Class of 2003, have been selected as the 2026 Graduates of Distinction.
The induction ceremony will be held Oct. 1 at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center as part of Canandaigua Academy’s Homecoming Week celebration. The honorees will also be recognized during halftime of the Braves’ homecoming football game against Fairport on Oct. 2.
Since establishing the program in 1994, the district has recognized 90 alumni whose accomplishments have brought distinction to Canandaigua Academy and their communities. The five new inductees represent a range of professions, including law, journalism, public service, education, business, and philanthropy.
Aronson is a partner at Hodgson Russ LLP in Rochester, where she specializes in corporate law and nonprofit organizations. She is also president of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys and is recognized for extensive pro bono legal work.
Lavner has built a national reputation as a golf journalist and on-air analyst with Golf Channel. He covers major tournaments, including The Masters and U.S. Open, and has earned a Sports Emmy Award along with numerous honors from the Golf Writers Association of America.
Vasilinda served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2016 and developed the Legal Studies Program at Tallahassee State College. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park in Canandaigua.
Brooks is a professor at Harvard Business School whose research focuses on communication, negotiation, and emotional intelligence. She is the author of the book “TALK” and is known for translating academic research into practical communication strategies.
Kearney is the founder and chief executive officer of Prime Coalition, a nonprofit organization focused on directing investment capital toward climate solutions. Her work has earned recognition from organizations including MIT Technology Review and Forbes.
The induction ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 and is open to the public. A reception will precede the event at 5:45 p.m. at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center.
