June 03, 2026
Celebrating Commencement
319 in the Class of 2026 earn diplomasIn a spirit-filled Commencement ceremony— in the school’s 248th year—319 members of the Class of 2026 graduated on Sunday, May 31.
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:
“As you think about your Andover stories, know that you have power. It’s a great skill to be able to tell stories well and authentically, especially in a time of AI-generated noise. Your stories are distinct. Your lived details are irreplaceable and uniquely yours. You have control of your stories in ways that can never be mimicked by a computer. And sometimes stories can be magical, they have the power to allow you to reconnect with and savor the past, even with people who are no longer here, but are alive again, at least for the duration of your telling the story.”
Kington also announced the five major prizes traditionally awarded at Commencement:
- Ainsley Muldoon—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
- Julian Rios—Yale Bowl: awarded to the member of the senior class who has attained the highest proficiency in scholarship and athletics
- Cindy Yang—Faculty Prize: awarded to a member of the graduating class with outstanding scholarship during the senior year
- Anny Wang—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
- Gracie Aziabor—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 28, 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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