Celebrating Commencement

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.