Commencement 2016
Source/Author: Raffi Darrow, Ebytes Editor
June 27, 2016
On Sunday, May 15, 2016, Shorecrest Preparatory School held its Commencement Ceremony for the 84-member Class of 2016. Among the graduating class were a U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate, a grandson of a former Shorecrest Head of School, 7 students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program, 8 Global Scholars and 21 All-County Athletes. Collectively the Class of 2016 completed nearly 14,000 service hours over their four years of high school. But the reputation this class earned was for coming together as a tight-knit group over their senior year at Shorecrest. With nearly half the class honored as "Lifers," having been at Shorecrest for 12 years or more, and 9 members of the class as Legacy students, with a parent who also attended Shorecrest, it only makes sense that they would bond as a supportive community.
Sailor Commencement photos may be found/downloaded here.
More fun senior photos from the weekend may be found here.
A packed Janet Root Theatre watched as administrators, teachers and the Class of 2016 processed to their places on stage. The ceremony began with Salutatorian Josh Katz welcoming guests and encouraging his fellow classmates to immediately seek out a close group of friends in college. "Do everything you possibly can to replicate what we created here. And please don't wait unitl your last year to do so. That's certainly not a mistake to be made twice."
Josh’s advice was followed by the Valedictory Address, given by Jared Hirschfield. Jared came to Shorecrest in ninth grade, and notes, "as someone who came from the outside, I can confidently say there is something special here. I hope I can speak for the entire Class of 2016 today in saying that we are deeply thankful for the amazing opportunities and experiences Shorecrest has afforded us." Jared also gave a shout out to retired math teacher Dave Field. "Your no-nonsense style of teaching and unflinchingly high expectations are lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life." He too spoke about the class coming together as a unified whole. "Thank you all for letting me become a part of this family."
It is a tradition at the Shorecrest Commencement to name an Outstanding Senior. This member of the graduating class returns in ten years to speak at the Commencement of the group that is currently in second grade. Tom Dillow, Head of Upper School, named Peninah Benjamin the Outstanding Senior of the Class of 2016. She came back to campus this week to have a photo taken with the second grade.
A Commencement Address was then given by Ryan Milov-Cordoba, the Outstanding Senior of the Shorecrest Class of 2006. After graduating from Amherst, Ryan moved to Brooklyn to teach Latin and Ancient Greek at Saint Ann's School, and is loving it. Through his Ph.D. research, he is interested in the history of medicine in the Middle Ages. When Ryan was a Shorecrest student, Mr. Ahlin was convinced he would become a professional musician. That was until he observed Ryan win top accolades in just about every other academic endeavor.
Ryan addressed the seniors with a poetic description of spring starting in New York City, and just as the sugars in the seeds have come to term, the learning of the graduating class has come to term. "This is because that is," he recounted. Comparing his Shorecrest experience with theirs, but recognizing the 10 year gap leaving some distinct disparities, he noted, "it's like we walked into each other while traveling through time."
"The future is a story. ... What starts as an experience of reading becomes, gradually, even imperceptibly, an experience of writing. The future is a story that you read by dreaming, by imagining, and by fantasizing, and it's a story you write by acting in ways that tend to bring or not bring these dreams to fruition. So that's my challenge for you... Skip all the other reading if you like... You are the one text you have to learn to read, because if you don't you won't be able to grow up, not really, not deeply. You'll get bigger but you won't grow up.
Become for yourselves what you most deeply need, and you will be what the world needs. This is because that is. You are flying machines. You've learned to walk and run. Learn to fly."
Ryan addressed the seniors with a poetic description of spring starting in New York City, and just as the sugars in the seeds have come to term, the learning of the graduating class has come to term. "This is because that is," he recounted. Comparing his Shorecrest experience with theirs, but recognizing the 10 year gap leaving some distinct disparities, he noted, "it's like we walked into each other while traveling through time."
"The future is a story. ... What starts as an experience of reading becomes, gradually, even imperceptibly, an experience of writing. The future is a story that you read by dreaming, by imagining, and by fantasizing, and it's a story you write by acting in ways that tend to bring or not bring these dreams to fruition. So that's my challenge for you... Skip all the other reading if you like... You are the one text you have to learn to read, because if you don't you won't be able to grow up, not really, not deeply. You'll get bigger but you won't grow up.
Become for yourselves what you most deeply need, and you will be what the world needs. This is because that is. You are flying machines. You've learned to walk and run. Learn to fly."
One way we learn to fly is through dance, and that was the wish for the class by the Upper School Vocal Ensemble through an a cappella rendition of Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance."
Headmaster Mike Murphy then officially introduced the Class of 2016 along with many of their accomplishments and accolades over the years. He acknowledged the students he jokingly referred to as "the 13 original colonies" - the 13 students who have been with the grade for 15 years since Alpha class.
"When senior interviews started last July, I heard a few themes. 1) They wanted to win Homecoming. They had never been even close to winning. 2) They wanted to be closer, 3) They wanted to have a great senior year. During my 20 years as a Headmaster, I have heard other senior classes make the same wishes. Honestly, I had never seen a group follow through. They would start out with a bang and fizzle out right after Homecoming. But anyone who has been around the Class of 2016 knows that they did win Homecoming, they showed up to support each other throughout the year, and while senioritis did settle in for a few, they did not fizzle out."
Mr. Murphy was not the only speaker over the weekend who made reference to the Class of 2016's Homecoming performance or Powder Puff Cheerleading routine. A video of that moment may be found here.
Perhaps Mr. Murphy's most metaphorical recounting was of how the 4x800 track team won the State Championship. On the day of the Regional Championship, which allowed them to qualify for the State meet, their lead runner, Luke, was sick. Justin drove to Devin's house and got him out of bed in time to run with the team for Regionals. Devin had a great run, and the team qualified. When the team won at the State meet, Devin also received a medal. This is a great lesson in that you never know when your chance to make a difference will appear.
Headmaster Mike Murphy then officially introduced the Class of 2016 along with many of their accomplishments and accolades over the years. He acknowledged the students he jokingly referred to as "the 13 original colonies" - the 13 students who have been with the grade for 15 years since Alpha class.
"When senior interviews started last July, I heard a few themes. 1) They wanted to win Homecoming. They had never been even close to winning. 2) They wanted to be closer, 3) They wanted to have a great senior year. During my 20 years as a Headmaster, I have heard other senior classes make the same wishes. Honestly, I had never seen a group follow through. They would start out with a bang and fizzle out right after Homecoming. But anyone who has been around the Class of 2016 knows that they did win Homecoming, they showed up to support each other throughout the year, and while senioritis did settle in for a few, they did not fizzle out."
Mr. Murphy was not the only speaker over the weekend who made reference to the Class of 2016's Homecoming performance or Powder Puff Cheerleading routine. A video of that moment may be found here.
Perhaps Mr. Murphy's most metaphorical recounting was of how the 4x800 track team won the State Championship. On the day of the Regional Championship, which allowed them to qualify for the State meet, their lead runner, Luke, was sick. Justin drove to Devin's house and got him out of bed in time to run with the team for Regionals. Devin had a great run, and the team qualified. When the team won at the State meet, Devin also received a medal. This is a great lesson in that you never know when your chance to make a difference will appear.
Mr. Murphy awarded diplomas along with Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Tom Andrews, while Charles Reynolds ’81, President of the Alumni Association and also a Trustee, presented Alumni pins.
The first to receive a diploma was the incomparable Janet Root, the first honorary alumna of Shorecrest. Her support and volunteer efforts help make Shorecrest the amazing place it is today. (The final member of the class to receive a diploma was Taylor Anne Nelson '16, who then donned the golden mortar board.)
The first to receive a diploma was the incomparable Janet Root, the first honorary alumna of Shorecrest. Her support and volunteer efforts help make Shorecrest the amazing place it is today. (The final member of the class to receive a diploma was Taylor Anne Nelson '16, who then donned the golden mortar board.)
The ceremony concluded with Honor Council Co-Chair and Outstanding Senior Peninah Benjamin telling the Class of 2016 that they proved life is about the journey, not just the destination. "As we took our first freshman steps we were so lucky to walk in Shorecrest's supportive environment. This year stands out like that concept called synergy. It's clear that we've accomplished more together than we could ever accomplish apart. Thanks to our experiences, we leave Shorecrest with a strong foundation and ready to jump into college and life."
After the recessional, the graduates stood on the steps outside of the theatre and participated in a final tradition - the cap toss!
Unfortunately, three seniors missed Commencement. The timing overlapped with a National sailing competition. The senior sailors who helped earn the third place Mallory National Trophy were honored on Monday with a shortened Commencement amongst family and friends -- and a surprise balloon drop!
Good luck to our newest alumni, the Class of 2016!
WATCH A FULL RECORDING OF COMMENCEMENT 2016 HERE.
Note: the following photo slideshow does NOT contain our professional photos, but simply some snapshots from Commencement which may be downloaded. Professional photos will be available for purchase online shortly (some are available low resolution here, thanks to Charger mom Leslie Mathews.)
Unfortunately, three seniors missed Commencement. The timing overlapped with a National sailing competition. The senior sailors who helped earn the third place Mallory National Trophy were honored on Monday with a shortened Commencement amongst family and friends -- and a surprise balloon drop!
Good luck to our newest alumni, the Class of 2016!
WATCH A FULL RECORDING OF COMMENCEMENT 2016 HERE.
Note: the following photo slideshow does NOT contain our professional photos, but simply some snapshots from Commencement which may be downloaded. Professional photos will be available for purchase online shortly (some are available low resolution here, thanks to Charger mom Leslie Mathews.)
Sailor Commencement photos may be found/downloaded here.
More fun senior photos from the weekend may be found here.
