This weekend we celebrated Proctor Academy's 175th Commencement alongside the Class of 2023 and their families. To the Class of 2023, we hope that we have taught you to live a life worth living, a life where you surround yourself with others who will challenge you, support you, love you, and that you will do the same right back.
All graduations feel special, but a Proctor Commencement is just informal enough to keep you on your toes, yet serious enough that all in attendance experience the full range of human emotions: pride, sadness, joy, support, appreciation, and so many more. Graduation day turns into a family reunion as alumni flock to campus to celebrate their former classmates and families of the Class of 2023 obtain a final glimpse into our imperfect Proctor family before officially becoming parents of alumni.
Following a delicious dinner prepared by Proctor's talented Dining Services team (who worked wonders all weekend serving well over 3,000 meals in less than 18 hours!), the entire community of families, graduates, and faculty migrated from the Brown Dining Commons to the tent on Farrell Field for Senior Recognition Night where we honored the accomplishments of the Class of 2023.
On Saturday morning, soon-to-be graduates and families gathered in Alice’s Garden for photos. As lines formed for the processional, the elation on both faculty and graduates faces radiated out to the audience under the tent. So much hard work, so much time, so much energy, so much perseverance from so many different people weave together a student’s Proctor experience. No journey through Proctor is linear, and at every twist and turn, and up and down is a group of unbelievably committed adults whose sincere pride in the graduating class mirrors the joy of the graduates.
Salutatorian Emma Do ‘23 stepped up to the podium and shared a humorous, meaningful speech with us. She reflected, “Let us not be deterred by setbacks or failures, but instead see them as gateways for personal development…Have the courage to explore. Even if you stumble along the way, remember that there will always be people to offer you their support and move you forward. Let us carry the lessons, the memories, and the friendships we have forged at Proctor Academy with us as we venture into the unknown.”
The Class of 2023 elected Ella Lowman ‘23 as its Senior Speaker. A four year senior, Ella ‘23 shared with her classmates wisdom gained throughout her life, “There’s a wooden plaque hanging in the coffee house that is painted with the saying ‘Live life to the point of tears.’ Whether that be tears of joy, of sorrow, of anguish, frustrations. Tears of accomplishment. Or maybe it’s not tears at all, but just an overwhelming sense of emotion. This community has taught us to live a life worth living.”
Valedictorian Grace Bean ‘23 concluded student speeches with her usual combination of joy, wisdom, and focused zest for life. Grace shared, “As we go on to life past Proctor, remember what it is like to have the support you had here. When we leave Proctor and are faced with a choice to take the road less traveled and an opportunity to learn, courageously take that path, but be reminded that it is ok to ask for help. Remember your supports. Remember your roots. And live a life filled with empathy, compassion, and drive. Most importantly, however, make a home out of wherever you are just like you did here. Make a home of never-ending support of and for others. A home where you are never afraid to fail, learn, or struggle.”
The Class of 2023 welcomed Commencement Speaker Sarah Cleto Rial, a 2014 Rotary Peace Fellow, a women’s human rights and humanitarian advocate, and recipient of the 2010 Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights. Sarah is a native of South Sudan, and has headed unprecedented grassroots peace building initiatives. She is passionate about programs that promote equal access to services and seek to change the lives of vulnerable populations to the better. Sarah is currently the Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Republic of South Sudan, as well as the mother of graduate Cleto Chol ‘23 and rising junior Chris Chol ‘25. Sarah her remarkable leadership journey with those in attendance, inspiring all of us toward action and reminding graduates that a good education is critically important, to find and pursue your passions, to learn as you go as a leader, and to recognize you cannot lead alone.
During Commencement Awards, recognition of faculty and staff were made including Elaine Rondeau of Housekeeping receiving the Nance Barrett Award for Community Service, while Kyle Connolly (History Department) received the Renaissance Teacher Award voted on by the senior class and Melanie Maness (English Department) was awarded the John H. O’Connor '79 Award for Excellence in Teaching voted on by alumni two and five years out.
Following the awarding of diplomas, the Class of 2023 recessed down the aisle into the sunshine with their smiles speaking a thousand words. High school is hard work. Not just the academic courses and challenges faced on the athletic fields or stage or studio, but the life part. The concept of growing up, of emerging from a global pandemic and a disrupted world into the vastness that lies before this year’s graduates can feel overwhelming, but as Ella ‘23 reminded us this morning, go out and live a life that brings you to tears. Class of 2023, we know you are ready to do so and cannot wait to see what lies ahead for you. Congratulations!
- Commencement
- Community and Relationships