June 04, 2025
Celebrating Commencement
305 in the Class of 2025 earn diplomasIn a spirit-filled Commencement ceremony— in the school’s 247th year—305 members of the Class of 2025 graduated on Sunday, June 1.
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-Wormley 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:
“I encourage you to tap your own creativity as you think about today’s complex issues. Challenges like those of artificial intelligence, mental health, social media, and political instability are just some of the issues that shape your lives. Your generation has grown up in an era of constant change and some truly big moments in our shared history ... Trust that the knowledge and goodness you have developed form the surest foundation for what you will do tomorrow, next year, and into the future.”
Kington also announced the five major prizes traditionally awarded at Commencement:
- Samantha Clare—Non Sibi Award: awarded to honor a student whose efforts on behalf of others reflect the non sibi (not for self) tradition of the Academy
- Emily Mara—Yale Bowl: awarded to the member of the senior class who has attained the highest proficiency in scholarship and athletics
- Valencia Zhang—Faculty Prize: awarded to a member of the graduating class with outstanding scholarship during the senior year
- Ozochi Onuaku—Madame Sarah Abbot Award: awarded to the student in the senior class who, in the opinion of faculty and fellow classmates, best exemplifies qualities attributed to Mme. Abbot: strong character, effective leadership, and outstanding scholarship
- Saraya Angbazo—Aurelian Honor Society Award: awarded to a member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of faculty and fellow classmates, is outstanding in sterling character, high scholarship, and forceful leadership
Commencement Weekend festivities kicked off Thursday, May 29, 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 Commencement Concert. Once the sun had set Saturday night, graduates and their families returned to Cochran Chapel for the candlelight Baccalaureate ceremony.
Photos by Gil Talbot
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