Congratulations to MKA's Class of 2017!
Faculty and Trustees led the procession of the Class of 2017 graduates, and Upper School Campus Head of School Dr. David Flocco gave the welcome address, telling the students that: "You all deserve 'thanks' for making us a better school – for being the "people" of MKA. When someone asks, "What is MKA all about?" I think we can safely say it is about the people. It's about each and every one of you who have shared yourselves with us; it's about the faculty who have been critical in your development; and it's about your family, who are the reason you are who you are today. As we participate in today's ceremony and you gather for the last time as a class – a very special and talented class - remember the people who have made your lives so special and who have shared their gifts and talents with you – I know I will."
Seniors Brian Bonds and Will Higgins then addressed their class. Speaking to the importance of the MKA Community Brian said: " MKA isn't just a place of learning, but a community marked by its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Evidence of this bond can be found at all levels, from peers to faculty and staff. Some schools have not realized the potential that a tight-knit community can have for innovation and collaboration. That is certainly not the case for MKA. I have lost track of the times I've witnessed or participated in a conversation with teachers outside of class, it creates this sense of friendship as both parties tease out common interests, passions and hobbies all of which makes for a seamless transfer of knowledge in the classroom. You have played an instrumental role in some of the most monumental moments of our lives. I, along with the rest of the graduating class, have navigated these experiences and challenges with one goal in mind: to be global thinkers who are smarter and kinder than when we first arrived at MKA. What's truly impressive about this family is that we genuinely care for one another and our school. We built a community based on a mutual expectation of respect and understanding."
Will reflected on his time at MKA, saying: " Here's what I know about the Class of 2017: we are blessed. We move ahead with the love and confidence of our families, friends and faculty that we are surrounded by here today. Not everybody can say that, which is something we need to understand. We've won the blessing lottery. Just look around you. We're facing our futures with the knowledge and integrity that comes from a special place like MKA."
Headmaster Thomas W. Nammack, was the last speaker to address the Class saying: " Your family will be your engine of renewal as you make your way in college and beyond. As alumni, I urge you to make MKA part of your broader family. Like a family, we have celebrated together, we have laughed together and we have mourned together.
MKA is a place to which I hope you will return many times in the years ahead, and some of you will return to MKA as our future colleagues, parents, volunteers and trustees. You will be a source of renewal for the School and MKA will be a source of renewal for you – a place to come back to – where we will always take a great interest in your lives. 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 Kate Logan 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 Kojo Simmons and Senior Class President James Modica officially concluded the ceremony by ringing the Montclair Academy bell, which dates back almost a century.
The Class of 2017 is matriculating to the following schools:
Albright College, Amherst College (3), Auburn University, Bates College, Boston College, Brown University, Bucknell University, California Institute of the Arts, Case Western Reserve University, Colgate University (2), College of William and Mary, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Dickinson College, Drew University, Elon University (2), Fairleigh Dickinson University, Fordham University, Franklin & Marshall College (2), Furman University, Georgetown University, Gettysburg College (3), Grinnell College, Hamilton College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Indiana University (Bloomington), Johns Hopkins University (2), Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Miami University (Ohio)(2), Michigan State University, Middlebury, Muhlenburg College, Naropa University, New York University (6), Northeastern University (2), Oberlin College, Pennsylvania State University (University Park), Pomona College, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (3), Rhode Island School of Design (2), Royal Holloway (University of London), Rutgers University (New Brunswick)(3), Siena College, Skidmore College, Smith College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University, Texas A&M University, The George Washington University, The University of Tampa, Tufts University, Tulane University, University of California (Berkeley), University of California (Davis), University of Chicago, University of Colorado (Boulder), University of Delaware, University of Hartford, University of Massachusetts (Amherst), University of Miami (5), University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)(2), University of Pennsylvania, University of Rochester, University of South Carolina (Columbia), University of Southern California, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin (Madison), Vanderbilt University, Villanova University, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest University, Wesleyan University, Yale University.