Hilltopper Honors - Awards and Recognition

Elizabeth (Betsy) graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1973 with a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in Journalism from Northwestern University in 1974 before deciding to pursue a career in law. She earned her J.D. at Temple University School of Law in 1979 and became the 75th female lawyer admitted to the Delaware Bar and only the 5th female attorney to serve as a Delaware Deputy Attorney General in the Criminal Division. 

A recognized and celebrated lawyer, Betsy regularly counsels U.S. corporations regarding the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and international banking anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering regulations. She also has served as counsel to U.S. advocates for foreign governments and served for fifteen years as corporate secretary and general counsel to the board of directors of the Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund, a $100 million equity fund created by the U.S. government that invested in small and medium-sized companies in eleven Sub-Saharan countries. In addition, she served on the Advisory Board of the South Africa Washington International Program, an NGO that brings together promising young South African leaders of diverse backgrounds and exposes them to government and business in the United States. 

Closer to home, Betsy was elected an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in 2008 and 2010. She and her husband, Richard, have raised four children together and now team up in the office to run The Sandza Law Firm. Betsy is an avid runner who has completed six marathons, and she enjoys skiing.

The Distinguished Alumni Award will be given each year to an alumnus/a who has had a positive influence on their communities and who has been a steward of the school's mission following graduation, embodying its core values of global citizenship, respect, compassion, integrity, self-discipline, and intellectual curiosity. The award will honor alumni who have excelled in their personal achievements, professional lives, or service to society, and whose accomplishments have brought credit to the school.

• 2015 - John Ribarich '53
• 2016 - Thomas Miller '54
• 2017 - Hon. John DeSanto '64
• 2018 - Joan McNamara '76
• 2019 - Dr. John Knoedler '69
• 2021 - Professor Tadd Johnson, Esq. '75

Misha graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2011 with a B.F.A. in Furniture Design and has been creating category-defying works since his early days in the art room. In 2008, Misha’s work was included in 20 under 20 at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN. Misha was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Tel Aviv in 2011, and his work, in addition to numerous international exhibitions, is in the permanent collection of museums such as the Corning Museum of Glass, NY; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX and Speed Museum of Art, Louisville, KY. Misha lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

A Distinguished Young Alumni Award will be given each year to an alumnus/a who has received recognition as an emerging leader and shows potential for continued success while additionally having a positive influence on their communities. The Distinguished Young Alumni Award will be given each year to an alumnus/a who has been a steward of the school's mission following graduation, embodying its core values of global citizenship, respect, compassion, integrity, self-discipline, and intellectual curiosity. The award will honor alumni who have excelled in their personal achievements, professional lives, or service to society, and whose accomplishments have brought credit to the school.

• 2015 - Nora Cross '08
• 2016 - Abby Crisostomo '02
• 2017 - Carolyn Roby '99
• 2018 - Alyza Bohbot '04
• 2019 - Nathan Olson '04
• 2020 - Linnea Betzler Mirsch '97

Peter earned his B.A. in Psychology from Macalester College and his Masters Education Framingham University before moving to Saipan, the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth in the Western Pacific. He works as a General Education Elementary Teacher and was selected as both the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Teacher of the Year and the Pacific Island Teacher of the Year in 2013. In 2016, Peter received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, or PAEMST, for his outstanding contributions in teaching or mentoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM. His other awards for teaching include the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Fellow and the International Discovery Award.

The Global Citizenship Award will be given to a Hilltopper alumnus/a who embodies the call to global citizenship which is a central part of Marshall School's mission. They will have made a distinct and recognizable effort to contribute to global society while carrying out the core tenets of respect, compassion, and integrity.

The Global Citizenship Award is not confined to any geographic region, and nominees' accomplishments and contributions will be considered equally whether they are made domestically or abroad.

• 2016 - Perrin Banks '03
• 2017 - Jane Letourneau '77
• 2018 - Martin Malley '71
• 2019 - Hilary Bown '98
• 2020 - Christa Knudsen '92

Anna graduated from the University of Calgary with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and from the University of British Columbia with an M.S. in Renewable Energy Systems. During her time at Marshall, she was a multi-sport athlete, participating in basketball, soccer, track and field, and cross-country running, all while she set her intentions on speedskating. Anna was a member of the U.S. National Speedskating Team from July 2007 to August 2014, when she ultimately represented the United States at the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Long Track Speedskating.

After her retirement from speedskating, Anna has pursued a career as a Chemical Engineer and Senior Policy Analyst for the Government of British Columbia. She and her husband, Tad Beavers, reside in Victoria, British Columbia, and enjoy hiking, backpacking, backcountry skiing. She believes that “If there is still a chance, never give up.”

Brendan studied at Steven's Point College, University of Minnesota-Duluth, and University of Wisconsin-Superior to earn his Bachelor's degree in Education and his Master's Degree in Education and Administration. His career as an athlete included hockey, football, and track, and he returned to Marshall in 1996 to coach the Boys’ Hockey team. During his tenure as coach, Brendan led the team to seven state tournament appearances, where they claimed second place in state in 2006, 2007, 2008 and third place in state in 2005. He won the 3M Excellence in Coaching Award in 2006 and 2009 and the Minnesota Section Head Coach of the Year in 1996, 2005, and 2007. As the Executive Director of Mars Arena, Brendan was also awarded the James Padgett Memorial Award from the Minnesota Ice Arenas Managers Association for The Achievement of Excellence in Ice Arena Management and Operations in 2018.

Outside of coaching and running the arena, Brendan was active, running Grandma's full marathons and competing in inline skating full marathons. Spending time with family and friends was a priority.

Brendan’s coaching career came to an abrupt end in April 2019 with a cancer diagnosis that changed his life. He passed away in June 2021. When asked how he would have felt about his nomination to the Hall of Fame, his daughter Morgan shared: “My dad would have been honored. He took great pride in how he coached and the relationships he formed with the young athletes at Marshall and the program that he had built. The school was lucky to have him for 22 years.”

This award, started in 2003, has honored at least one alumnus/coach/athletic director per year since its inception. It was created as a way to celebrate athletes, coaches, and others who have excelled in their athletic and community achievements.

• 2003 - Frank Napoli
• 2003 - Bernard Pfeffer '32
• 2003 - John Vucinovich 
• 2003 - Del Genereau 
• 2004 - Dr. Len Sarvela '41
• 2004 - Leo Spooner '47
• 2005 - Phil Letourneau '48
• 2005 - John (Jack) Horner '60
• 2005 - Bob Pokorney
• 2006 - Tom Cartier '68
• 2006 - Richard (Stitch) Martin '49
• 2006 - Carol (Newman) Barnstorf ' 55
• 2006 - Joe Nowak '46
• 2007 - Bob Kelly '48
• 2007 - Jim Morrissey '49
• 2008 - John (Rip) Ribarich '53
• 2008 - Kevin Hoene '68
• 2009 - Dave Krmpotich '73
• 2010 - Brian Murphy '76
• 2011 - Jake Muhvic '56
• 2012 - Bill Gooder '29
• 2013 - Mari Casserberg '90
• 2013 - Mitch Corbin '74
• 2013 - Katherine (McGee) Koski '91
• 2013 - Tom Paul '68
• 2014 - Dave Erickson '59
• 2014 - Jack Farrell '58
• 2014 - Dana Grandmaison -Gilligan '98
• 2015 - Dave Katoski '77
• 2015 - Meghan (Overom) Law '99
• 2015 - Bill McBride '72
• 2016 - Joe Benda '23
• 2016 - '65-'69 Hockey Team
• 2017 - Dr. Michelle (Gross) Lilly '97
• 2018 - Adam Freed '96
• 2019 - Tyler George '01
• 2020 - Jack Connolly '07