“Class of 2016, our Centennial class, your Country School journey is coming to a close, but the next step of your journey awaits,” Macrae said. “We have given you a strong academic preparation – you have been taught much more than facts. You have been taught how to think deeply, how to consider an issue from multiple angles, and how to apply knowledge to new situations. You have been taught to question everything.”
Ninth-grader Susanna Montgomery of New Canaan delivered the Class Salutation.
“Enjoy this moment,” she said to her classmates. “The most important people in your lives, family, friends, classmates and teachers, all of whom love you so much, are all in one place.”
Turner Ives of New Canaan presented the Class Reflection.
“This unique school and its faculty quietly pushed us to learn, change, and become better people and better friends," he said.
Christina Halloran of Darien received the Robert Gamble Award, which is presented to the student who “exemplifies, to the highest measure, the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Avery MacLear of New Canaan received the Paul Johansen Award, which is presented to the member of the graduating class who exemplifies the qualities which Paul embodied: “care and concern for others, compassion and a sense of community.”
Both the Gamble and Johansen awards are named in honor of two courageous students who waged inspiring battles against fatal illnesses while students at Country School.
The Class of 2016 included:
Justus Armstead, Emily Barnard, Cayden Brodnax, Andrew Butcher, Lucinda Carroll, Joia Criss, Portia Cummings, Harry DeLana, Holly Diomede, Anna Edwards, Quinn Galante, Alexander Hackett, Christina Halloran, Alexander Ivanov, Turner Ives, Jonathan Jean-Louis, Caitlin Lefferts, Avery MacLear, Jenna Macrae, Jackson McManus, Daltanette Mitchell, Anya Mohindra-Green, Susanna Montgomery, Tommy Murillo, Meghan Musto, Jack Neafsey, Grady Norton, Ashley Orser, Mimi Pastor, Wyatt Pastor, Jav Peters, Lilly Purkiss, Jeffrey Ramirez, Roan Scanlon-Black, Virginia Smith, Jack Spain, Tucker Stoops, Jack Truwit, Laura Velez, Christopher Zegarra and Henry Zinn.
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