CSW Graduates the Class of 2012

Under the rumble of thunder and increasingly darkening sky, The Cambridge School of Weston awarded diplomas to The Class of 2012 at its 126th commencement exercises on June 8.
Under the rumble of thunder and increasingly darkening sky, The Cambridge School of Weston awarded diplomas to The Class of 2012 at its 126th commencement exercises on June 8.

Despite a pending downpour, family, friends, faculty and staff who gathered for the ceremony cheered as 86 seniors, 58 of whom have been at CSW for all four years, received their diplomas.

“No single ceremony can honor or account for all that these seniors have experienced during their time here,” said Jane Moulding, Head of School. “No single embrace can fully thank the teachers and staff who have challenged and befriended them during that time. No single statement can truly acknowledge all the love, effort and devotion of parents and family.”

The senior class comes from all across the United States, from as close as Weston to as far flung as California, and 13 of the graduations count their home in four other countries: China, Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Each year members of the senior class ask two fellow classmates to speak on their behalf at graduation. This year, students chose Eli Dalven ’12 of Arlington and Kate Scrimshaw-Hall ’12 of Sherborn.

“CSW is precious in its uniqueness,” Eli told the graduating class and guests. “It comes from the students here, and an overall sense of independence which we share. It’s the passionate, quirky faculty, who care so much about us.”
He encouraged the rising students to continue to explore all the opportunities that CSW has to offer. Eli will attend Oberlin College this fall.

Kate shared a sentiment of loss during graduation, but a loss that leads to growth. “I like that a little piece of me will always be lost here,” said Kate, who will attend Smith College in the fall.

“So let’s let ourselves drift but always remember we were once one big land mass,” she said. “We will grow our way out of the grave, give away our baby clothes, and leave our sweatshirts, lost and half buried on the quad.”

Two faculty members were selected to address the class: Awa Diop, a beloved French and Spanish teacher and Brian Walker, English teacher, who for the past 20 years has also held roles as an admissions officer, coach, and a residential life faculty at CSW.

“Whether you attended a public or private institution, an Ivy league or a Big Ten school,” Brian told students. “In the grand scheme of things, those things don’t matter nearly as much as how you treat the people you meet, how you treat yourself and the world we all share.”

Awa’s address was an emotional one, as she too, began her relationship with CSW four years ago along with the incoming Class of 2012.

“I wish you to keep an open mind and an open heart and may you continue to love,” Awa told the seniors. “You will always remain my senior class. I bow to you in honor your accomplishments.”

Both Brian and Awa received standing ovations from the crowd for their moving addresses.

Every year the senior class chooses a group of teachers to award them their diplomas. It is a great honor for these teachers to represent their faculty colleagues in presenting the diplomas. Also, this year the class has chosen Lee Ann Brash, mathematics and Tad Lawrence, science and visual arts; to read their names.

The chosen presenters were Tom Evans, Dean of Faculty & visual arts; Evelina Galper, mathematics; Doug Healy, history; Jane Berkowitz, English; Todd Bartel, visual arts; Awa Diop, French and Spanish; Craig Dorfman, English; Marilyn Del Donno, science; Ted Munter, English and Anne Rearick, visual arts.

As a traditional farewell for the class of 2012, Jane closed with some words from Nikki Giovanni, one of her favorite poets.

“There is always something to do,” Jane quoted. “There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don’t expect you to save the world, I do not think it is asking too much for you to ... share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary, and remove from your life those who offer you ... despair and disrespect.”

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CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.