The Pennington School held a graduation ceremony on June 3 for 46 students completing studies in its Middle School. After an invocation from Chaplain David Hallgren, Head of School William S. Hawkey, PhD, presented opening remarks, inviting each member of the Class of 2030 to recall their very first day on campus and compare that memory against the person they are today. Regardless of when they first joined the Pennington ranks—as a sixth-grader or just ten short months ago as a new eighth-grader—Hawkey categorized this past school year as one of remarkable growth for these students, stating, “I’m confident that you are equipped with the skills, habits of mind, and interpersonal abilities to continue on the path to fulfilling what individual excellence means in each of you.”

Following Hawkey’s remarks, the audience was treated to the Middle School Vocal Ensemble’s rendition of “The Climb,” a song popularized by pop-star Miley Cyrus. Amy L. of Pennington, NJ was this year’s Grade 8 Speaker, selected for exhibiting excellence across three categories: scholarship, citizenship, and community engagement, and she spoke warmly about the lessons she and her peers have learned at Pennington. “Middle School taught us how to take risks in new places, how to make friends with people we don’t know, and how to become a community that supports one another,” said Amy.

With a nod to the families that support their children at home and the faculty members who champion those same students on campus, Head of Middle School Maria Capelle-Burny told the Class of 2030 that, “This entire space is filled with people who are here for your academic journey, your confidence, and your sense of self and purpose.” She thanked the eighth-graders for sharing their gifts and for, “making our community as exceptional as it is.” 

A second musical interlude followed, featuring eighth-grade pianist Daniel K. of New Hope, PA performing Polonaise in A-flat major (WN 3) by Frédéric Chopin. In introducing Daniel, Director of Instrumental Music Dr. Donald Dolan had this to say about Daniel's choice of music: “This piece really represents Daniel quite a bit; in his words, it’s expressive, it’s heroic, and it’s kind.” 

Presiding over the diploma ceremony were Ms. Capelle-Burny and Director of Middle School Student Life Tracy Kuser; eighth-grade faculty advisors offered remarks about each student as their names were called. Head of Upper School Scott Peeler then welcomed the graduates to Pennington’s Upper School, and Rev. Hallgren offered the benediction. 

Following the ceremony, friends, family, and faculty members headed outdoors for light refreshments and many, many photographs. 

The members of the Pennington School Class of 2030 (in alphabetical order):
Diya Attray, Lila Batra, Benjamin Betaneli,  Julianne Boyce, Logan Cerutti, Gilbert Cooper, Marbella Dauer, Wyatt Ditnes, Eleanor Ehret, Nolan Epstein, Aiden Fratangelo, Nathan Hall, Madelyn Howe, Adam Janas, Elizabeth Jeffers, Jane Johnson, Daniel Klayman, Alice Klukowski, Emily Knowles, Julia Lawrence, Madeline Levine, Amy Li, Anna Manasson, Lily Materasso, Giuliana Mavellia, Thomas McGinnis, Grady Meader, Allyson Moreno-Corrales, Gavin Nutt, Sydney Nutt, Logan Prutkin, Faye-Mimi Purtuc, Jiahan Qu, Reed Sanchez-DiManno, Arden Shi, Yuke Shi,  Jonah Silverstein, Eleanor Snyder, Gavin Spell, Levi Upton, Sophia Vogia, Christine Wang, Stephanie Waskovich, Jack Weintraub, Bicen Xiao, and Emily Zoll.

A Flickr album with photos can be found here!