CHS Laker Hall of Fame

CHS Laker Hall of Fame Induction

Welcome to the CHS Laker Hall of Fame!

You can click any year to the right and see who has been voted in. ---->

The purpose of the Colchester High School Hall of Fame is to honor those alumni who have gone on to significant success in life as well as other individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Colchester High School or the Colchester School District. Members are inducted each fall during homecoming weekend and are enshrined in the Hall of Fame with a plaque bearing the members' likeness and reason for induction.

Criteria

Criteria considered for selection include secondary and post-secondary achievements, professional or lifetime accomplishments, recommendations and community involvement. While high school performance is important, it is not solely determinative. The committee gives consideration to those who successfully unite noteworthy accomplishments in school and life.

Eligibility

For Hall of Fame status, former Colchester students, staff, or teams are eligible for membership. In addition, honorary membership may be granted to those individuals who, although never attended the Colchester School District, distinguished themselves by their contributions to Colchester High School or the greater Colchester School District.

Nominees are eligible for membership in the Hall of Fame after their tenth year of graduating from CHS.
Nominees for honorary membership should have contributed significantly to Colchester High School or the greater Colchester School District.

Inductee Selection

Nominating one's self or individual does not guarantee induction selection. All nominees go through a screening process. Selections for induction are made by the Colchester High School Hall of Fame Committee. The committee includes the CHS Principal, Assistant Principal, Athletics and Activities Director, Teacher, CABA representative, two community members, and a representative from student council and athletics council. Nominations may be made throughout the year. To be considered for fall induction, the nomination form must be received by April 1st at midnight. The committee will select up to six nominees per year. Nominations will carry forward for five consecutive years from the original date of nomination. If the nominee has not been selected for induction during that time frame, the individual must be re-nominated for further consideration. Announcement for induction will be made in June via school communications and the official induction will take place the following fall during Homecoming weekend.

CHS Laker Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2025

	Merrit David Janes During his time at Colchester High School (95-99), Janes was an integral part of the Colchester Theatre Company and its productions exhibited onstage. Janes went on to attend the University of Maine to become a music teacher, then found his calling when at Circle in the Square Theatre School to train to be on Broadway. He has been in countless shows and productions on Broadway; most notably including tours for School of Rock, Phantom of the Opera, Catch Me If You Can, and The Wedding Singer. During COVID, Janes started a traveling show called "Broadway Rocks”, bringing songs and dances from a variety of shows back to communities including Colchester. A portion of the proceeds from the show gets donated back to the school's music and theater departments to keep the love of the stage alive for the next generation. Janes’ showcases his dedication and talent not only in his accomplishments onstage, but by the commitment to his community. He continues to inspire students to strive for their dreams while working hard with passion and determination to get there.
	Alan Laroche During his time at Colchester High School (88-92), Laroche achieved a D1 Soccer State Championship, led in back-to-back D1 Basketball State Finals, and tutored his peers while maintaining his own academic excellence. Laroche moved on to Castleton State College. During his career as a Spartan he scored 1170 points, made a Castleton record of 527 assists, and was honored multiple years in a row as the team’s Most Valuable Player. He was inducted into the Castleton Hall of Fame in 2007 for his achievements as an athlete and skills in leadership. Since then, Laroche has been teaching 6th Grade Math and coaching high school basketball in Massachusetts. He continues to pass along his passion, knowledge, and hard working values to the next generation.
	Leigh Mallory During his time at Colchester High School (75-08), Mallory was a staple around the school for students and teachers alike. He started his career as a PE teacher, quickly adopting the roles of Coach and later on Athletic Director. Striving to cultivate a strong and connected community, Mallory developed the PE program into what it is today by modernizing multiple units including, but not limited to, building the ropes course and starting the mountain biking program. He also brought together the Colchester community and larger Chittenden County area as one of the founders of the Ski Skate Sale, providing an accessible way for folks to purchase new and used equipment while also raising proceeds in order to continue growing the PE department and supporting students. His values of connection and drive to keep students active and engaged helped him lead the Nordic Ski Team to multiple State Championships and were leading factors to being awarded the honor of Teacher of the Year. This sense of community and the relationships built by Mallory continue to last past his retirement and make an impact within the school to this day.
	Lindsay McNall During her time at Colchester High School (09-13), McNall upheld the standards of being a Laker in both her academic and athletic pursuits, participating in both school organized sports and specialized swimming and diving programs throughout her four years. McNall moved on to Saint Michael’s College where she became the lone member of their swimming and diving teams to compete at the NCAA Championship. She won a school-record 102 races during her career at Saint Michael’s, along with claiming eight other school records, and was a three-time champion at both the Northeast-10 Conference Championship and New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Associations (NEISDA) Championship by the time of graduation. Since then, McNall has returned to her alma mater as the top assistant coach for the men’s and women’s swimming and diving program while also teaching Math at Stowe Middle School. She continues to help shape the next generation with her drive, knowledge and dedication both in and out of the water.
	Jennifer (Guerin) Riordan During her time at Colchester High School (88-92), Riordan was a true representation of a Laker, approaching each day with such a spirit of positivity and spreading that message during the daily announcements. Riordan moved on to Champlain College for an Associate's in Communications and then completed her undergrad in Public Relations at the University of New Mexico. Since then, Riordan received numerous awards for her work in Public Relations and Philanthropy in Albuquerque. Her vibrancy, passion, and message to always be “Kind, Loving, Caring and Sharing” live on through her foundation; The Jennifer Riordan Foundation supporting community, financial literacy, childhood education and women’s empowerment.
	Daniel Westover During his time at Colchester High School (88-92), Westover qualified for the National Junior Olympic Nordic Ski Championships representing New England, while also being a top competitor for cross country and track. Westover joined the Vermont National Guard after graduation, where he served an active-tour duty in Afghanistan. Upon his return he skied for the National Guard Biathlon team. Rising through the ranks, Westover qualified for the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. He then relocated to Utah to train for the Salt Lake Olympics, narrowly missing the qualifying by one shot even though many believed he out performed his competitors. To this day, Westover continues to serve in the National Guard with distinction.