Westminster Celebrates Graduation of Class of 2013

Westminster School celebrated the graduation of 103 students in the Class of 2013 at commencement exercises May 25. Despite the rain and cool weather, hundreds of family members and friends were in attendance to recognize the accomplishments of the graduates in all realms of school activities.
 

“This morning’s commencement ceremony culminates another remarkable year in this school’s long history,” said Headmaster Bill Philip in welcoming everyone. “One hundred twenty-five years is an impressive milestone. Throughout the past year, we have intentionally celebrated academics, athletics, service and the arts.”
 

In his Salutatory Address Head Prefect Gage Kennie ’13, talked about the legacy of the Class of 2013. “It’s difficult to think that Westminster will go on without us,” he said. “A succession of new Sixth Form classes will take our place and fill our roles; however, to feed our egos we will leave Westminster believing that these future students will be successful because of us. The many forms to follow us will be successful in part because of the examples we set, the positive changes we made and the traditions we have both followed and those we started. We have played our role in shaping Westminster and participated in the school’s eternal evolution.”
 

In the Outstanding Scholar Address, Molly Mullen ’13 talked about Westminster’s mascot, the Martlet. “As a true Martlet, you’ll sometimes have to be the bird at the front of the ‘V,’ the one who softens the wind for those behind,” she said. “Lead by example and you’ll ease the way for others. Whether it’s stress before a race or the way people are treated, it takes courage to fly against a harsh cultural current. Know that every beat of your wings makes the trip easier for the flock following you — and a flock will follow. Be a drop of the right sort and you can change the balance of an ocean.”
 

The keynote speaker was longtime history teacher and dean of faculty Dick Adams P’93, who is retiring at the end of the academic year after 43 years on the faculty. In speaking about some lessons he learned early in college, he encouraged the graduates, “Don’t be afraid to question your opinions, your political views, what you might major in or do with your life. It is O.K. to be uncomfortable.” He also told them the greatest gift they have is time. “It is now time to step off the treadmill, not to step off and do nothing, not to step off at all, but to jump off into a world full of choices and discovery. That is what your next four years should really be about.”
 

In closing he said, “I imagine that most of us, you and me both — if we are honest with ourselves — are somewhat scared of what’s ahead. We have grown comfortable with life at Westminster and the prospect of changing — of becoming ‘first years’ all over again — is daunting. But both you and I have failed if we are not ready to leave. If the truth be known, I am equally scared by what is ahead of me; after all, I have defined myself for 43 years as a teacher and now that definition is no longer applicable. But just as you are ready, so am I. It is time to take a big jump together.”
 

The following faculty members and students received awards:
 

FACULTY PRIZES

Twenty-Year Service Pins

Raymond G. Gustafson, Jon C. Deveaux P’14, ’16 and Joyce M. Wilson
 

The Walter Edge Jr.’35 Master Chair:

This chair is awarded every five years to a “distinguished teacher whose performance sets a standard of excellence for others.”

Mark de Kanter ’91
 

The Swayze Award:

Presented annually in honor of distinguished alumnus, trustee and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Townsend Swayze ’55, this award is given to a member of the faculty for outstanding contributions to the life of the school.

Scott Duddy
 

The O’Brien Award:

This award is presented annually in honor of Marianna and the late Junie O’Brien P’81, who devoted their lives in service to young people and to schools. It recognizes a member of the faculty who has, over the course of the year, been especially selfless and generous with time and care in the nurture and support of students and whose extraordinary, ongoing personal commitment to young people sets an example to the Westminster community.

Todd L. Eckerson P’09, ’11, ’16
 

STUDENT PRIZES

Margaret A. Garrison ’13
 

Kayla A. Foley ’13
 

Samuel H. Matlick ’13
 

Alexandra L. Colon ’13 and Julie D. LeBlanc ’13
 

William M. Schmidt ’13 and Andrew J. Weinschreider ’13
 

Ronald M.H. Yeung ’13
 

Curtiss T. Brackett ’13
 

Molly R. Mullen’13
 

Zicheng Huang ’13
 

Alexander C. Dunn’13 and Cullen H. Matt ’13
 

Hansong Li ’13
 

Klara A. Lindstrom ’14
 

Madison J. Caan ’13
 

Charles M. Beck ’13
 

Morgan A. Rubin ’13
 

Molly R. Mullen ’13
 

John G. Rubino ’13
 

Hansong Li ’13
 

Molly R. Mullen ’13
 

Bridget M. Gorham ’13
 

Karlie K. Werdmölder ’13
 

Third in the Sixth Form: Hansong Li ’13

Second in the Sixth Form: Bridget M. Gorham ’13

First in the Sixth Form: Molly R. Mullen ’13
 

This award is presented by the faculty to a member of the Third Form for character and leadership.

Paige L. Capistran ’16
 

This award is presented annually to a member of the Fourth Form who best embodies the qualities of Richard and Barbara Adams, who gave devoted service to Westminster for over 40 years, showing outstanding personal qualities and concern for the community and unwavering dedication to students. Barbara served on the faculty from 1995-2011, and Dick served on the faculty from 1970-2013.

Hieu S. Do ’15 and Duncan R. Kellogg ’15
 

This award is presented annually to a member of the Fifth Form who best embodies the qualities of Geoffrey Wilbraham, who gave distinguished and loyal service to Westminster from 1958 to 1994: high personal standards, consistent respect for others, unswerving commitment to the common good, steady insistence on fair play and abiding human decency.

Yvonne J. Pruitt ’14
 

This award is given annually to the Sixth Form boy and girl who best exemplify excellence in athletics and who contributed to the character of the team. It is given in memory of Brian T. Bruyette ’77, who in his enthusiasm, sportsmanship, effort and skills, represented all that is best in this school.

Eleni M. Tebano ’13 and Vincenzo Gisonti ’13
 

This award is given annually to a member of the Sixth Form who exemplifies dedication to academics and loyalty to the school.

Ronald M.H. Yeung ’13
 

This book prize is awarded to a Sixth Former who has made an unusual commitment in both breadth and depth to the school’s programs and activities.

Eleni M. Tebano ’13
 

This award is presented to the Sixth Former who, in the opinion of the faculty, is the outstanding scholar of the class. The award is not necessarily determined by rank in class but is based, rather, on the attributes of the true scholar: curiosity, imagination, power to associate new observations with prior experience, thoroughness, appetite for ideas rather than for grades as an end in themselves and the ability to move easily in the realm of concepts.

Molly R. Mullen ’13
 

Established by the Class of 1966 and recognized as the school’s most prestigious commencement award, the Keyes Bowl is presented annually to a member of the Sixth Form and recognizes the qualities of loyalty, courage, leadership and humility.

Ryan M. Strange ’13
 

Following the remarks and awarding of prizes, Headmaster Philip and Chairman of the Westminster Board of Trustees Tread Mink presented diplomas to members of the class.

In closing Headmaster Philip congratulated the graduates and said, “I wish you all the best as you look forward to the new challenges which await you in the years ahead.”
 

The Class of 2013 then participated in the Westminster tradition of passing their diplomas. They formed a circle and passed the diplomas they received randomly during the commencement ceremony until they received their own diploma. They then stepped out of the circle signifying their graduation.