Graduates of Distinction 2026

Induction Class of 2026
Reception & Ceremony – October 1, 2026
Homecoming – October 2, 2026

Since 1994, the Canandaigua City School District has recognized the lifetime achievements of distinguished alumni and named them Graduates of Distinction. Ninety graduates have been recognized previously, and five additional alumni will be named Graduates of Distinction in October. This year’s honorees are Jennifer Aronson ‘04, Ryan Lavner ‘05, Michelle (Ribaudo) Rehwinkel Vasilinda ‘77, Alison Wood Brooks ‘03, and Sarah Wood Kearney ‘03. The ceremony will be held at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, formerly Canandaigua Academy, on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as part of Homecoming Week.

Picture of five Graduates of Distinction

2026 Inductees

Jennifer Aronson, Class of 2004

Jennifer Aronson

Canandaigua Academy Class of 2004
Attorney • Advocate • Leader

Attorney, Partner at Hodgson Russ LLP
Specializes in corporate law, nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, governance, regulatory compliance, and mergers & acquisitions
Recognized with numerous honors, including Rochester Business Journal’s Top Women in Law for Pro Bono Excellence (2024), Nixon Peabody LLP Pro Bono Champion (2022–2024), ATHENA Young Professional Honoree (2023), and Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 (2022)
President of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA), 2025–2026
Host of the “She Talks Law” podcast
Active in local boards, women’s organizations, and pro bono initiatives supporting education, entrepreneurship, and charitable causes
Provides over 300 hours of pro bono legal service annually, assisting nonprofits and community groups with urgent legal needs, governance, mergers, and operational stability.
Admitted to practice in New York; earned her B.A. in Communications from Florida State University and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law

Ryan Lavner, Class of 2005

Ryan Lavner

Canandaigua Academy Class of 2005
Journalist • Golfer • Broadcaster

Accomplished golf journalist and on-air analyst, widely recognized for in-depth coverage of professional golf
Senior writer and on-air contributor for Golf Channel, providing both written and on-air analysis
Covers top-level professional golf, including the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, focusing on player performance, tournament developments, and insider stories
Reports on major championships such as The Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, delivering real-time course insights
Known for combining clear, accessible analysis with feature stories that highlight the human side of golf
Frequently provides on-site coverage during tournaments, capturing atmosphere, strategy, and pivotal moments
Recipient of the 2019 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Short Feature and 2024 Sports Emmy nominee
Recipient of 31 awards from the Golf Writers Association of America
Elected Vice President of the Golf Writers Association of America by its 500 members
A graduate of the University of Georgia, where he developed the foundation for his journalism and reporting career

Michelle (Ribaudo) Vasilinda, Class of 1977

Michelle (Ribaudo) Vasilinda

Canandaigua Academy Class of 1977
Attorney • College Professor • State Representative

Served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2016, representing the Tallahassee/Capital City area
Served on legislative committees including Energy & Utilities, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Education/Higher Education, Rules and Calendar, Finance and Tax, Cybersecurity Working Group
Initiated Big Bend Anti-Bullying Task Force, Clean Energy Congress 1&2, Film & Television Caucus
Developed and led the Legal Studies Program at Tallahassee State College
Worked as Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation
Earned a B.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences from New College/ University of South Florida and a J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law
Serves on the Board of Trustees for Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park

Alison Wood Brooks, Class of 2003

Alison Wood Brooks

Canandaigua Academy Class of 2003
Professor • Researcher • Author

Teaches at Harvard Business School, specializing in negotiation, communication, and emotional intelligence
Research focuses on how people manage emotions, have difficult conversations, and build stronger connections
Recognized by Harvard Business School as a Hellman Faculty Fellow for scholarship and leadership and as a recipient of the Wyss Award for Excellence in Mentoring
Author of TALK, which explores the science of effective communication and conversation
Known for translating academic research into practical strategies for everyday interactions
Her work has been featured in major media outlets and is widely used in business and leadership development
Recently returned to Canandaigua to speak to students and staff about her TALK strategy
Earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania

Sarah Wood Kearney, Class of 2003

Sarah Wood Kearney

Canandaigua Academy Class of 2003
Entrepreneur • Innovator • Philanthropist

Founder and CEO of Prime Coalition, a first-of-its-kind nonprofit organization that has transformed how financial capital flows to climate solutions through innovative investment approaches
Founded Prime to use charitable funding to support market-based climate solutions and help philanthropists take smart, high-impact risks
Under her leadership, Prime has helped drive billions of dollars toward companies, infrastructure projects, and investment funds with significant potential for climate impact that may not otherwise have launched
Prime’s catalytic capital model has influenced efforts in other sectors, including poverty alleviation, economic development, women’s health, and education
Previously led the Chesonis Family Foundation, supporting science, engineering, and energy technology research
Recognized by MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35, Forbes 30 Under 30, the Echoing Green Fellowship, and ImpactAlpha’s Agent of Change
Earned a B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an M.S. in Technology and Policy from MIT

Full List of Graduates of Distiction

The event reception will be at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, 20 Fort Hill Avenue. If you are interested in attending, please contact Deb Sundlov, District Clerk, at 585-396-3710 or sundlovd@canandaiguaschools.org. The induction ceremony at 6:30 pm is open to all, and the reception, beginning at 5:45 pm, is $25 per person. The Graduates of Distinction will also be honored at halftime of the Homecoming football game on Friday, October 2. Canandaigua Academy will play Fairport at 7 pm at CA Stadium.

Graduates of Distinction 2026

Induction Class of 2026 Reception & Ceremony – October 1, 2026 Homecoming – October 2, 2026

Induction Class of 2026
Reception & Ceremony – October 1, 2026
Homecoming – October 2, 2026