The Barat Medal recognizes leaders who have make a significant difference and helped shared the school's destiny. It is the highest honor Stone Ridge presents to any non-student.

This is always one of my favorite nights of the year, as it offers a chance to gather with significant leaders in our community for a night of gratitude and celebration.

Every single person gathered in this room is a Stone Ridge leader. Whether you are a parent, past parent, current or past board member, or employee, you have supported and strengthened Stone Ridge through your philanthropic support, your volunteerism, your intellect, your work.

BRIAN FRIEL

Brian Friel has exhibited unwavering dedication and made significant contributions to Stone Ridge since becoming part of our community in 2012, when his daughter Delia ’16 enrolled as a First Academic and Mary Kate ’25 enrolled as a Kindergartener.

Always engaged in the parent community and as generous donors, Mr. Friel and his wife, Mary Margaret, have been incredibly supportive and engaged parents.

Mr. Friel served on the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2023 and, for five years, was also Chair of the Development Committee and a member of the Cor • Unum Campaign Executive Committee.

This was a particularly important stage in the School’s history, as we were engaged in the largest master planning effort in more than 20 years and the largest capital campaign in its 100-year history.

Mr. Friel led by example by making a generous contribution and then met with many prospective donors to encourage them to contribute. He played a major role in Stone Ridge, raising $26.5 million for that capital campaign.

Mr. Friel’s natural ability to connect with people, his deep commitment to building relationships and community, and his unwavering belief in the benefits of a Sacred Heart education make him a spectacular ambassador for our School.

When asked about his role as a Trustee, past Board Chair Kristen Hohman remarked: “Brian was incredibly impactful as a board member. He always kept the School’s mission at the forefront and asked deep, insightful questions that led to active debate and well-informed decision-making. His passion for Stone Ridge’s success was inspiring to witness.”

Mr. Friel also has a day job and four kids. Nestled in age between the two Stone Ridge girls, the Friels also have two terrific boys—Declan and Rory. As one of the founders and partners of Miller Friel, a law firm that specializes in insurance recovery, Mr. Friel juggles a robust calendar, but he always generously gives to Stone Ridge his time and expertise.

BILL AND ANA MARIA BALFOUR

For more than five decades, the unwavering commitment of Bill and Ana Maria Balfour to Stone Ridge has been nothing short of extraordinary.

They are the parents of three wonderful Stone Ridge alumnae: Michele ’84, Valeria ’88, and Alexandra ’95.

Since first enrolling in 1971, they have dedicated their time and philanthropic endeavors to our institution—but more importantly, they have given us their hearts.

The pivotal roles they have played in numerous transformative capital campaigns, including the Upper School Academic Building and, most recently, Cor • Unum, have been instrumental in shaping the Stone Ridge campus and elevating our students’ educational experience.

Throughout their tenure as Stone Ridge parents, Dr. and Mrs. Balfour served with distinction in various capacities. Dr. Balfour was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1992 to 1998 and served on several leadership committees.

For many years, Mrs. Balfour volunteered in the campus greenhouse, at the Used Book Sale, and with Christmas Bazaars.

Their leadership and community investment have propelled Stone Ridge forward, supporting generations of students and fostering an environment of excellence.

Sister Anne Dyer ’55, headmistress from 1984 to 2006, says this of the Balfours:

“Ana Maria embodied the mission of the School as a consummate parent volunteer, a fearless advocate for her children, and a clarion trumpet for the school. Bill was always my pediatrician on call for advice or emergency care. We were blessed to have a person of his caliber as a member of the Board. Above all, with pride, I can say the Balfours are wonderful personal friends.”

In their personal lives, the Balfours live the Five Goals of Sacred Heart education with an uncommon dedication. Though their third daughter graduated from Stone Ridge almost 30 years ago, they still remain incredibly involved.

They continue to spread the word about Stone Ridge in the community, have recruited many families to join us over the years, and have been surrogate grandparents to a number of students over many decades. ❤