Alumna of the Year Kimberly Carey Rochford '86, P'18,'26

The Alumnus/a of the Year Award is presented annually at the Alumni Association Annual Meeting, which takes place during Reunion Weekend. This award recognizes alumni who have displayed steadfast loyalty, dedication, and service to the Academy over the past year and have shown an unwavering commitment to the place that means so much to them. Candidates for this award are nominated by the Office of Advancement and are presented to the Head of School and President of the Alumni Council for review.  

This alumna is a steadfast and steady supporter of The Governor's Academy. There has not been a year since she entered the Academy that she has not participated in the life of the school in some way. 

Her involvement and passion for Govs were evident when she was a student. As a tour guide, she showed off the school to prospective students. She chronicled life in Byfield for both the Milestone and The Governor. Artistically, she explored dance and photography; athletically, she played lacrosse. She was also a part of the Commencement Committee, which led nicely into one of her most substantial alumni volunteer activities.

You see, as an alumni volunteer, she has been instrumental in rallying her classmates for their reunions. Just as she is dedicated to Commencement exercises, where everyone says goodbye to Byfield, she is dedicated to making sure they return. Involved as a Reunion volunteer for every year her class has gathered over the last 40 years, including this year, she has ensured that class members feel informed and included in events. She makes sure her classmates' ideas are taken into account in planning, and is excited to see everyone gather for the festivities.

Her continued involvement in Governor's is not just limited to Reunion. She attends receptions and both virtual and in-person events. By participating in focus groups, she has provided useful feedback to the Academy's administration on various topics, including Governor's new strategic plan.

She is well-versed in the Academy's past, present, and future because she has also invested in the school as a parent of two alumni: her son Max jumped the wall just two weeks ago, and her older son Kyle graduated in 2018. 

Her parent days echoed her student days, with her serving as a parent volunteer in the Admission office, helping welcome prospective families and answering parents' questions. 

Life in Byfield has been better because she has been involved with it for over 40 years. 

For her dedication to the Academy and her fellow alumni, it is my pleasure to present the Alumna of the Year award to Kimberly Carey Rochford, from the Class of 1986. 

There has not been a year since she entered the Academy that she has not participated in the life of the school in some way.