Congratulations to MKA's Class of 2016!
Photo credit: Phil Cantor
Montclair Kimberley Academy graduated 106 seniors, 26 from Montclair, during its Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 12 at 3:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Montclair.
Faculty and Trustees led the procession of the Class of 2016 graduates, and Upper School Campus Head of School Dr. David Flocco gave the welcome address, noting that: "I think your classes story is about a coming of age: a truly gifted, fun-loving, hard-working, unique bunch of individuals who came together as a class to wow us with your abilities inside the classroom and out. Each of you brought your own special talents, revealing those individual gifts that collectively helped to make your class the special group of people that will receive diplomas today. "
Seniors Ross Turkington and Audrey Lane then addressed their class. Speaking to the importance of the friendships that he made while at MKA Ross said: "We made our mark on MKA and we've influenced the school greatly but one thing that sets our Upper School experience apart from other classes is our ability to be there for each other when those close to us needed it most. Not once throughout my Upper School career did I ever feel alone. What's important is not the amount of friends we have when leaving the school, but the fact that there are people we can turn to in our time of need and know they'll be there for us. It is the action of helping others overcome their challenges that creates truly remarkable individuals like those I see in front of me."
Audrey reflected back on her time at MKA, saying: " Being part of this class and growing beside all of you, I've learned not to be afraid. All of you and this school as a whole, are so accepting of ideas, beliefs and identities. I have grown from hearing your diverse outlooks and am grateful to have been able to share my own ideas with you."
Headmaster Thomas W. Nammack, was the last speaker to address the Class saying: "Your many accomplishments are evidence of a capacity for a passionate engagement with life. Those of us in your audiences, on your sidelines, in your galleries and classrooms have occasionally been swept up and away by this evidence. What a privilege it has been to witness your growth and what a source of pride it is to send you out into the world."
He then joined President of the Board of Trustees Michael Johnson in awarding the diplomas, together with faculty members and Trustees, who as parents of seniors, participated in the tradition of awarding their own children their diplomas.
Student Council President Charles Rilli and Senior Class President Jack Besser officially concluded the ceremony by ringing the Montclair Academy bell, which dates back almost a century.
The Class of 2016 is matriculating to the following 69 schools:
Albright College, American University, Babson College, Bates College, Boston College (4), Brock University, Brown University, Bryn Mawr College, Case Western Reserve University (2), Champlain College, College of the Holy Cross, Colorado College, Columbia University (2), Cornell University, Dickinson College, Drew University, Duke University, Earlham College, Elon University (2), Emory University (2), Florida Atlantic University, Fordham University (2), Franklin and Marshall College, Georgetown University, Gettysburg College (2), Gordon College, Harvard University (2), Haverford College, Ithaca College, James Madison University, Johns Hopkins University, Kenyon College, Lehigh University (4), Loyola University Maryland, Michigan State University (2), New York University (3), Northeastern University (2), Northwestern University (2), Oberlin College, Pennsylvania State University (2), Pitzer College, Princeton University, Providence College (2), Roanoke College, Rutgers University, Honors College, Skidmore College (2), Smith College, Stevens Institute of Technology (2), Syracuse University (6), Tufts University, Tulane University (5), United States Military Academy - Army, University College Dublin, University of Alabama (2), University of California, Los Angeles, University of Chicago, University of Delaware, University of Exeter, University of Maryland, University of Miami, University of Notre Dame, University of Southern California, University of Vermont, Villanova University, Washington University in St. Louis (2), Wellesley College (3), Wentworth Institute of Technology, Wesleyan University (2)
For photos from Commencement click here.
Photo credit: James Demaria, David Hollander
To see a live video of Commencement click here.