128th Commencement for Class of 2014

128th commencement exercises for The Cambridge School of Weston were held on Friday, June 6 for the Class of 2014.
128th commencement exercises for The Cambridge School of Weston were held on Friday, June 6 for the Class of 2014.

The class processed to the sounds of Pachelbel’s Kanon on a Groundin D Major on a warm, sunny day from the Garthwaite Center for Science and Art to the graduation tent. Today, out of 79 graduates, 50 attended CSW for four years, and five hailed from as far away as China, South Korea and Taiwan.

In her opening remarks, Jane Moulding, Head of School, spoke of “winning and influencing friends,” her popular afternoon teas with seniors in which she became closer with the members of the class, what she referenced as ‘the classic social network,’ and how fitting that last month’s launch of the Walrus Series featured the power of connectedness and influence of social networks.

“Many of you are only just realizing the power or influence that you hold,” said Jane. “Embrace it, nurture it and make things happen – for you and for your friends.”

CSW Board of Trustees Chair and CSW parent Christian Nolen P ’10, encouraged the class to remain in contact with one another and with the entire CSW community.

Jane’s introduction to Mark Santa Maria, chair of the English department and dorm associate, LeeAnn Brash, mathematics teacher and dorm parent, as chosen faculty speakers by the Class of 2014 was met with cheers filling the tent.

Well known for his Moby-Dick class and as a Melville enthusiast, Mark began his address with anecdotes about Melville’s life, and sprinkled in a few from Vonnegut, another author whom his students are familiar with. He made the parallels between these well-studied author’s banal lives and that of their celebrated works.

“Do not separate yourself from greatness,” Mark said to the class. “Even the great ones have moments of just silliness.”

He read passages directly out of his beloved personal copies of books by both authors and asked the Class of 2014 to consider themselves as an “unwavering band of light,” and to have faith in something.

“You can thank us by defining yourself with great actions and with great character.”

The crowd erupted into laughter when LeeAnn said “Guess what? I want to talk to you about math.” She spoke of the influence of math teachers and “math anxiety,” and about a research study that illustrated how those people with negative expectations about their math competence tend to be mathematically competent individuals, but their emotional responses to math stimuli impaired their brains, and they tended to actually do poorly on math tasks.

LeeAnn drew a comparison to the job of a teacher who encourages intellectual discovery, rather than impedes it.

“Some people come in already knowing their strengths, and some people come in not knowing that they have any at all,” LeeAnn said. “Our hope is as CSW graduates today, that you are ready to proclaim your competence to the rest of the world.”

The senior class selected fellow classmates Ruby Rose ’14 of Roslindale, Mass. and Owen Sanders ’14 of Nantucket, Mass. to speak on their behalf at graduation.

“Here, we have given the information, and been asked to question it, prove it, or definite it on our own,” shared Ruby. She tried to explain the “pivotal piece of CSW’s magic,” and asked the guests to consider that the hard skills learned in high school cannot exist without the so-called “soft skills.”

Ruby will attend Washington University in St. Louis in the fall, to pursue design, advertising and communications.

Owen began his speech as a “self-proclaimed seeker of truth.” He shared several top ten lists to a cheering class, including his most memorable courses at CSW. He shared the ways he found to connect the type of learning and “truth-seeking” he did in each class across all disciplines.

“Learning should be an obsession,” as he shared his passion for examination and creation that took place throughout his time as a CSW student. Owen will attend Champlain College next year, and plans to focus on computer science.

Rachel Hirsch and Ryan Jacobs had the honor of being selected by the class to read the graduate’s names as they received their diplomas. Based on a long-standing CSW custom, the senior class chose members of the faculty to present the diplomas. This year’s presenters were Tom Evans, visual arts; Nailah Randall-Bellinger, dance; Sonia Sitja, Spanish; Gary Hawley science; Diana Baruni, French; Awa Diop, French and Spanish; Alma Baumwoll, science and mathematics; Brian Walker, English.

Several students ran into tight emotional embraces with the presenting faculty members.

Jane shared a farewell poem from Maya Angelou, who passed away very recently.

‘…I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

She concluded the ceremony by telling the class that “CSW is your school, please come back often.”

The graduated Class of 2014 processed to “More Than A Feeling,” by Tom Scholz, embraced family and friends and enjoyed a reception held in the Cheek Dining Hall.

On behalf of all of us at CSW, we wish you lots of luck Class of 2014!

The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.