Celebrating the Class of 2024 at MKA’s 50th Commencement Ceremony

Montclair Kimberley Academy graduated 108 students during its Commencement on Saturday, June 8 in an outdoor ceremony on Van Brunt Field in Montclair. The Class of 2024 was celebrated as the 50th class that graduated from MKA, the product of the merger of Montclair Academy and The Kimberley School in 1974. The event officially launched a year-long celebration of MKA’s first 50 years, honoring MKA’s legacy and building toward a bright future.

Faculty and Board of Trustees members led the procession of the Class of 2024, followed by a welcoming address from Dr. David C. Flocco, Head of Upper School. He praised the graduating class members for their empathy, kindness, compassion, talent, hard work, and success. He urged them to enjoy the journey alongside their achievements, reminding them that “a good life should not simply be pursued but also enjoyed.”

Two seniors shared reflections at the ceremony. Stephen Hatfield kept the audience smiling and said, “MKA has taught us to question the world, learn from its mistakes, and build a better future. Our school and the wonderful teachers within it have provided us with the gifts of knowledge, experience, connection, and best of all, joy. From here on out, we will always be fellow alumni in a network that is both powerful and enduring.” Ellis Fertig passionately endorsed her classmates' future success. “As we step into the unknown, let's not just embrace change, let's chase it,” she said. “Let's be the architects of our own destiny…painting our lives with the vibrant hues of adventure and possibility. Remember, monotony is a pitfall of our own creation. So, let's break free from the confines of pre-written to-do lists and push the boundaries of who we imagine ourselves to be. Congratulations, Class of 2024, we are going to change the world.”

Head of School Nigel D. Furlonge, joined by Vice President of the Board of Trustees Paige Cottingham-Streeter ’79 awarded diplomas alongside faculty members and Trustees, who as parents of seniors, participated in the tradition of awarding their own children their diplomas.

Addressing the Class of 2024, Mr. Furlonge urged students to seek joy, which he described as flourishing through collaboration, mutual support during challenges, and witnessing personal growth. He continued, “For your families and the adults at MKA, also known as your biggest fans, our joy is in witnessing you do hard things. Our joy comes in cheering you on, in watching your passion, confidence, and commitment thrive – all as we weave the silken bands of community.”

Student Government President Matthew Bonarti and Senior Class President Devin Ramsay officially concluded the ceremony by ringing the historic Montclair Academy bell.

To view photos from the ceremony, please visit mka.org/photogalleries. You can also watch the ceremony on YouTube.

The Class of 2024 is matriculating to the following 71 schools:
American University, Arizona State University, Auburn University, Babson College, Bennington College, Binghamton University, Boston College (4), Boston University, Bucknell University, University of California Berkeley, College of Charleston, University of Chicago (2), Colby College, Colgate University (3), University of Colorado Boulder, Columbia University (2), Connecticut College, Cornell University (3), Davidson College, Duke University, Emerson College (3), Emory University, Fashion Institute of Technology, University of Florida, Fordham University (2), Franklin and Marshall College, George Washington University (3), Georgetown University, Harvard University, Haverford College, Howard University (4), Indiana University (3), Ithaca College, Johns Hopkins University, Lafayette College (2), Macalester College, University of Michigan, Montclair State University, New York University (3), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Northeastern University (4), Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, Oberlin College (2), Ohio State University, Pace University, University of Pennsylvania (2), University of Pittsburgh (2), Pomona College, Princeton University (2), University of Richmond, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, San Diego State University, Sarah Lawrence College, Skidmore College, University of Southern California (2), Spelman College (2), Stevens Institute of Technology (3), Syracuse University (3), Temple University, University of Toronto, Tufts University (2), Tulane University, United States Naval Academy Prep School, Vanderbilt University, University of Vermont, Villanova University, Wake Forest University, Williams College, Yale University.