Tilton School is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame honors. These distinguished alumni represent generations of leadership, service, creativity, athletic achievement, and devotion to the Hill. Their lives and careers reflect the enduring values of Tilton and the profound ways in which the School continues to shape its graduates.

This year’s honorees will be celebrated during Alumni & Reunion Weekend, May 29–31, 2026. We hope you can join us in person – register today! 

George L. Plimpton Award

Named for George Lincoln Plimpton, Headmaster of Tilton School from 1896 to 1929, this award honors alumni whose outstanding achievements and contributions to society reflect the values and vision that guided Tilton through decades of growth. Since 1953, it has been the School’s highest recognition of alumni distinction beyond the Hill.

Thomas L. Demakes ’60

Since graduating from Tilton in 1960, Tom Demakes has built a life defined by leadership, growth, and service. After earning his degree from the College of William & Mary in 1965 and serving in Vietnam until 1967, Tom entered his family’s business — where he would eventually rise to CEO. Under his leadership, the company grew from approximately $1 million in annual sales to nearly $300 million today.

Over the past two decades, Tom’s focus has turned toward community transformation, particularly in his hometown of Lynn, Massachusetts. Through rebuilding, renovating, and constructing facilities from the ground up, he has helped revitalize numerous organizations. His impact extends beyond bricks and mortar: he has worked thoughtfully to strengthen leadership teams and ensure capable boards are in place to carry missions forward. 

He has consistently demonstrated that meaningful leadership begins with investing in the communities that invest in us. That same commitment is evident in his support of Tilton through the establishment of the Demakes Family Scholarship. The scholarship creates life-changing educational opportunities for deserving students from the Lynn area who might not otherwise have access to a Tilton education — opening doors just as others once opened doors for him.

Tom’s example is one of leading by giving first, rallying others to join in shared purpose, and using his experience and resources to strengthen institutions that serve others. With his three sons now involved in the business, he looks ahead to continuing this work for decades to come.

Tom credits Tilton as a pivotal step in his education and personal development. He remembers with deep gratitude Dean J. Gordon Jeffries, who saw promise in him and encouraged his father to allow him to attend William & Mary — a decision that profoundly shaped his path. “I remember all the people along the way who helped me become the person I am today,” Tom reflects. By opening doors for others just as they were once opened for him, Tom has built a legacy that extends far beyond business success — one measured in opportunity, community, and lives changed.

John Charles Daly Award

This award recognizes an alumnus/a or friend of Tilton whose enduring commitment and exceptional support mirror the legacy of John Charles Daly. Through continuous and inspiring contributions in both word and deed, recipients exemplify deep devotion to the Tilton community.

Richard A. Stewart ’66

Rick Stewart describes his Tilton experience in two words: challenging and enriching. As a day student navigating a classical curriculum, he was stretched socially and academically. Yet the small classes, strong writing program, and dedicated faculty created an environment that left a lifelong imprint.

After Tilton, Rick attended Westminster College as a music education major and spent nineteen years teaching music in three New Hampshire public schools, while also performing professionally as a soloist with orchestras and choral organizations throughout New England.

In 1990, Rick returned to Tilton as a faculty member — a move he describes as life-changing. Boarding school life allowed him to design his own curriculum and engage with students on a deeply personal level. During his tenure, he served as the first elected faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, co-chaired a faculty committee, and led the beloved annual Community Messiah Sing for a decade. He also chaired the Youth Assistance Program serving Tilton, Northfield, and Sanbornton. In recognition of his enduring commitment to the School and the broader community, Rick was named Alumnus of the Year in 1998.

Of all his accomplishments, Rick is most proud of building a life with his wife and raising three children — all fifth-generation Tilton alumni.

“While my commitment to Tilton School and its mission to shepherd adolescents on their journey to adulthood has been unwavering, I never expected this important recognition,” Rick shares. “I am truly humbled by this award.”

Alumnus of the Year Award

Created in 1966, the Alumnus/a of the Year Award recognizes an alumnus/a who has made an outstanding contribution to Tilton — either through a significant impact over a short period or sustained dedication over many years.

Stan Rosenfield ’66

For Stan Rosenfield, Tilton represented a fresh start. After what he describes as a “mediocre” junior high record, Tilton offered both challenge and opportunity. He knew he had made the right choice when material that once took a full year was mastered in six weeks.

Encouraged by senior advisor Dave Smith, Stan applied to Occidental College in Los Angeles, launching a lifelong connection to California. He later built his career as supervising accountant at Cal Poly State University, helping guide the transition from manual to computerized accounting systems.

Stan has remained deeply engaged in community service — serving on nonprofit boards, mentoring youth through Big Brothers, and co-founding the area’s first running club, now in its 50th year. A lifelong distance runner, he has completed multiple Boston Marathons and competed across the country and internationally.

A scholarship student at Tilton, Stan has consistently given back in gratitude. “The Tilton experience was an influential part of my life and a rewarding experience that has stayed with me since graduation,” he reflects. Stan’s steadfast support of Tilton through 43 consecutive years of giving—beginning with his first gift in 1984—speaks volumes about his dedication to the School’s mission and community. He later established the Elaine & Stanley Rosenfield ‘66 Scholarship, which further reflects his deep and lasting commitment to future generations of Rams.

Distinction in Arts & Humanities

Established in 2011, this award honors alumni who have made meaningful contributions to the arts, humanities, and creative expression.

Benjamin W. Didsbury ’96

After graduating from Tilton in 1996, Ben Didsbury earned a double major in Television & Radio Communications and Political Science from Ithaca College. His early career included work in politics and philanthropy before pivoting fully toward audio engineering.

Now a freelance audio engineer based in Boston, Ben specializes in sound for video production. His work includes Emmy Award–winning documentaries such as HBO’s Murder in Boston, championship coverage for the Red Sox and Patriots, interviews with Nobel Prize winners, and global storytelling projects. He has also helped develop innovative technologies including Harvard Business School’s Live Online Classrooms.

Ben’s commitment to Tilton extends beyond his professional achievements. Through his contributions to the Artist in Residence program, he has mentored students in the art and craft of audio recording and mixing, offering hands-on experience that sparks creativity, inspires exploration, and empowers the next generation to shape the world through artistic and intellectual pursuits.

“Tilton was my home before it was my high school,” Ben reflects. “It has never stopped feeling like home. It was a supportive place that encouraged me to pursue the arts, leadership, service, and curiosity. That spirit continues to guide me in telling the stories of others.”

Athletic Hall of Fame

Established in 1986, the Athletic Hall of Fame honors alumni or coaches recognized for significant athletic achievement at Tilton or beyond.

Al Luciano ’76

Al Luciano’s athletic journey began in the early 1970s, helping to organize his school’s first intramural soccer program. At Tilton (1974–1976), he competed in soccer, lacrosse, and basketball, earning tri-captain honors and MVP recognition in soccer during the 1975–76 season. He was also selected to the New Hampshire Soccer Coaches Association All-State Private School Team. Beyond athletics, Al was an engaged campus leader—serving as a tour guide, member of the chess club, and President of the Class of 1976.

Al continued his soccer career at Flagler College on a full athletic scholarship, earning MVP and captain honors his senior year. In 1978, he was selected by the NAIA Southeast Division for tryout sessions for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team — an opportunity cut short when the Games were canceled.

Following his playing career, Al transitioned to a successful 40-year career in the hospitality industry. He later coached youth soccer and today enjoys golf and retirement.

Athletics run deep in the Luciano family. Al is part of a proud Tilton lineage that includes sisters Marta Caldwell ’88 and Margee Luciano ’78 (deceased), brothers Frank Luciano III ’74 and Dan Luciano ’83, and his father, Frank Luciano ’50 (deceased). The family’s legacy in Tilton athletics is longstanding — Frank Luciano ‘50 was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992, while Dan and Marta were inducted in 2003. With his own induction, Al now joins the ranks of a family whose contributions to Tilton athletics span generations.

Joy Page ’81

“Tilton was my playground, my classroom, my field of competition, and my foundation.”

For Joy Page, Tilton was more than a school — it was home. Her connection to the Hill spans eighteen formative years, beginning when her family lived on campus during her father’s tenure as faculty and later serving as Head of the Math and Science Departments.

As a student, sports were central to Joy’s experience. She was a multi-sport athlete in soccer and skiing all four years and served as captain in both. In the spring she played varsity softball her freshman year, varsity tennis her sophomore and junior years, and varsity lacrosse her senior year. After graduation, she earned the starting goalkeeper position as a freshman at the University of New Hampshire before injuries ended her collegiate playing career. She transitioned into recreation leadership, earning New Hampshire’s Assistant Recreation Director of the Year honors, officiated high school soccer for 30 years through the New Hampshire Soccer Officials Association, and has spent decades in education. She currently serves as a high school assistant principal.

“Receiving this award is especially meaningful because it reminds me that even difficult moments can teach us something — and that we can be given the chance to grow from them,” Joy shares. I thank my classmates for recognizing that and appreciate their kindness for nominating me for this recognition.

The Hall of Fame recipients will be honored in an Athletics & Arts Ceremony at Hamilton Theater on Saturday, May 30 at 12:30 PM. Alumni Award recipients will be honored during the All-School Meeting at the Fred A. Smart Chapel on Saturday, May 30 at 5:00 PM.