June 04, 2024
Celebrating Commencement
334 in the Class of 2024 earn diplomasIn a spirit-filled Commencement ceremony—the school’s 246th—334 members of the Class of 2024 graduated Sunday, June 2.
Some 3,000 guests attended the exercises, which took place in front of Samuel Phillips Hall on the Richard T. Greener Quadrangle. The traditional procession of trustees, faculty emeriti, faculty, and seniors along the Chandler-Wormly Vista was led by the stirring sounds of Clan MacPherson Pipes and Drums. Many jubilant seniors carried a red rose in honor of Abbot Academy.
Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27, imparted the following to the graduates:
“It is a gift to you—your ability to rethink, to reconsider, to not jump to the conclusions that have been presented to you. To reconsider or to affirm, or even to reject these ideas or assumptions or practices. This has always been the case, and that ability can and will make many of us, your elders, uncomfortable. So be it. It is the price we pay for societal growth and progress.”
Kington also announced the five major prizes traditionally awarded at Commencement:
- Michela Rowland — Non Sibi Award: to the student who has honored Phillips Academy’s non sibi (not for self) tradition through their efforts on behalf of others
- Max Huang — Yale Bowl: to the member of the senior class who has attained the highest proficiency in scholarship and athletics
- Max Berkenblit — Faculty Prize: for outstanding scholarship during the senior year
- Eleanor DeHoog — Madame Sarah Abbot Award: to a young woman for strong character, leadership and outstanding scholarship
- Sakina Cotton — Aurelian Honor Society Award: for sterling character, high scholarship and forceful leadership
Commencement Weekend festivities kicked off Thursday, May 30, with Community Convocation, where seniors reflected on the past four years. Friday saw students celebrate at Promenade, while Saturday afternoon offered one last chance for student musicians to perform in Cochran Chapel at the Senior Concert. Once the sun had set Saturday night, graduates and their families returned to Cochran Chapel for the candlelight Baccalaureate ceremony.
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