Commencement activities began Friday evening, as 1000 friends and family joined seniors and school staff for Senior Dinner. This gala event included the presentation of awards and displays of student talent.
As students approached the stage to receive awards, customized musical themes prompted lots of laughs. The Ocean Classroom Prize was accompanied by the theme from Gilligan's Island; the Woodlands Award by Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, and the Polar Swim Prize by the theme from Jaws! We don't take ourselves too seriously.... The jazzband entertained:
A personalized, congratulatory video from environmentalist/author Daniel A. Goleman set a tone for the weekend: Proctor's leadership in environmental education. Goleman specifically cited this year's accomplishments: the voluntary ban on bottled water, adoption of the carbon-neutral goal within the Environmental Mission Statement, and the geothermal HVAC system in Peabody House. Goleman announced that each senior would receive a hard-cover copy of his book Ecological Intelligence with his/her diploma.
For the first time, we held graduation under an immense tent on Farrell Field.
Saturday was ideal, with mild breezes and partly cloudy skies. Senior gathered for their processional in Alice's Garden.
They marched--followed by faculty--to the front of the tent, as parent snapped photos and applauded.
The proceedings began with Board Chair Mark Loehr, father of three graduates, who cited the unique qualities that distinguish Proctor within American education.
The presentation of diplomas began with a special moment, as Mark Cangiano was inducted as an honorary alumnus of Proctor. Mark's father, Leon M. Cangiano, served as a Trustee from 1945-1986. In 1971, as David Fowler assumed the position of Head of School, Mark joined his father on the Board. His years of service include serving as Chair of the Campaign for Proctor, which raised in excess of $30,000,000. Just moments before, Mark's sister, Brenda Godwin, had received the O'Connor Award for Excellence in Teaching. Mark's wife, Karen, is a Trustee, and now Mark joins his son, L.J., as a Proctor graduate.
The ceremony included stellar--and hilarious--speeches by seniors Kate Homan, Tucker Pearson (who should consider a career as a stand-up comic!) and Nick Aiken. Soon, Allegra Zimmerman received the final diploma, and we poured out into the bright sun on Farrell Field.
Almost as amazing as the number of alumni/ae who work for Proctor (fifteen), is the number of students whose parents are graduates of the school. I failed to capture images of Emma Jones's family (Trustee Everett Jones '57 teaches metalshop) and I hope that they will forward a photo for inclusion here.
The legacy of Andover's Johnson family goes back a long way; Hannah's grandfather, Amos graduated in 1934! Here she is with parents Neall and Steve '71:
Here is Reed Von Gal '09, with his dad, Peter '75 and family.
Below, Christopher Mitchell '78 with Emily '09 and Ali '11.
Below, Ham Niles '84 with Jeremy '09.
Congratulations, grads and families of grads!
