Commencement

Admissions

"Westminster School seeks curious and engaged students who want to grow and learn in a challenging and supportive environment. Students who are motivated to become their best selves both in and out of the classroom, taking advantage of the myriad of opportunities Westminster has to offer."

Miles Bailey ’94

Dean of Admissions

About

“At Westminster, we aspire to an extraordinarily ambitious commitment to secondary education, a commitment to nurture the participation of our diverse school community across our entire program — from academics, to studios and labs, gyms, fields and rink, and service to our Hartford community partners. Westminster students are inspired by opportunities to make a difference in all their endeavors.”

Elaine White

Head of School

Arts

"Visual and performing artists at Westminster gain an understanding of traditions and methods while gaining confidence, analytical thinking and public presentation skills. Students also learn self-expression, collaboration and leadership while supportive faculty instill a lifelong appreciation of the arts."

David Chrzanowski
Head of Visual and Performing Arts Department

Athletics

"Athletic success at Westminster is measured not only by wins and losses, but through the bonds created between teammates and coaches, individual and team improvement, and personal growth. When students learn how to be competitors and how to cooperate with one another, they are better prepared to be citizens of the global world."

Tim Joncas '00
Director of Athletics

Hartford Partnerships

"Driven by a desire to serve young people and aware of the obligation of a private school to serve a public purpose, Westminster School's mission statement concludes with the call ‘to commit to a life of service beyond self.’ Westminster's Hartford partnership programs are the outgrowth of that mission with a direct impact on the young people of Hartford."

Kathleen Devaney
Executive Director, Hartford Partnerships and Horizons at Westminster

Student Life

“Involvement will be the key to your success at Westminster School. Get involved with the arts, try a sport you've never played, start your own club, run for student council. You will get out of this experience exactly what you put into it. Do these things early in your life — keep seeking more opportunities for growth.”

A-men Rasheed

Dean of Student Life

Class of 2023 Commencement Weekend Schedule

Thursday, May 25, 2023

7:30 p.m.

Spring Festival of the Arts, Werner Centennial Center
Required school appointment for all students (exam dress). Parents are invited to attend.

Friday, May 26, 2023

2 p.m.	Spring Awards Ceremony, Commencement Lawn Required school appointment for all students (classroom dress). Families are invited. Visit Westminster Live to view the livestream.
7 p.m.	Baccalaureate Service, Andrews Memorial Chapel Required school appointment for all Sixth Form students. Sixth Form parents are invited. Visit Westminster Live to view the livestream.
7:45 p.m.	Lawn Ceremony, Sixth Form Lawn Required school appointment for all Sixth Form and Fifth Form students (classroom dress). Fifth and Sixth Form families are invited. Visit Westminster Live to view the livestream.
8:30 p.m.	Sixth Form Receiving Line, Sixth Form Lawn All students are invited to attend. Refreshments for Fifth and Sixth Form Parents, Armstrong Atrium, Armour Academic Center
10 p.m.	Boarding Students Check In on Corridor, Day Students Depart Campus

Saturday, May 27, 2023

8 a.m.	Presentation of Sixth Form Flowers, Commencement Rehearsal and Family Photos, Keyes Porch Required school appointment for all Sixth Form students (commencement dress). Families and graduates are invited to take photos with a professional photographer before or after Commencement rehearsal.
9:30 a.m.	Sixth Form Class Photo, Cushing Hall Required school appointment for all Sixth Form students.
10 a.m.	Commencement, Commencement Lawn Required school appointment for all students. Visit Westminster Live to view the livestream. Photographers will be available for family photos after Commencement.
Noon	Buffet Lunch Available, Armstrong Dining Hall
1 p.m.	End-of-year departure for Sixth Formers

Commencement Speakers

Departing faculty members Kathleen Devaney P’19, ’22 and Mark de Kanter ’91, P’19, ’22 will co-deliver the commencement address for the Class of 2023.

Together they will share reflections from their 51 years of collective service to the Westminster community. They are the parents of Emmett ’19, a junior at Harvard University, and Samantha ’22, a freshman at Boston College.

Kathleen is currently the Executive Director, Hartford Partnerships & Horizons at Westminster, and has been appointed Head of School at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. Kathleen's service at the Hill School will begin on July 1, 2023. Kathleen joined the Westminster faculty in 1998. During her tenure, she has served as a dean of students, history teacher, coach, corridor supervisor and advisor. She served as a dean for the Classes of 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2015. Kathleen also worked as the director of student life for five years and served as assistant head of school for seven years. In 2002, she won the O’Brien Award and also became an honorary member of the Class of 2002 and 2018. Kathleen has served as the founding Executive Director of Horizons at Westminster since 2018. Through it all, Kathleen has been a committed teacher and coach, having taught various core and elective courses in the history department and serving as the head coach of the varsity lacrosse team for 12 years.

Mark, who is currently the Associate Head of School, was appointed to the faculty at Westminster in 1997. Beginning with his years as a Westminster student, Mark has always deeply respected Westminster’s strong sense of community and the manner in which the school strikes a healthy balance of academics, athletics and service. At Williams College, he continued to combine athletics and academics into his daily schedule, double majoring in English and biology, while competing on the varsity swim and crew teams. He began his teaching career at Eaglebrook School, and during his tenure at Westminster, he has served as dean of faculty, a dorm head, a department head, director of the Westminster Teaching Initiative, director of academic technology, and head coach of three varsity sports. Mark taught AP® Biology for nearly two decades as well as other courses within the science curriculum. True to his character and Westminster education, Mark is grit and grace personified, always willing to step in wherever and whenever help is needed.

Certainly no couple has held as many leadership positions as Kathleen and Mark have during their tenure, and they have been community role models in balancing those leadership positions and raising a family. Both have been remarkable mentors for so many at Westminster; they have listened thoughtfully, dispensed advice, offered help and provided solutions. They have cared deeply and fully for every single person on the Hill and we are such a better place for having had them in our midst for these many years.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 11 frequently asked questions.

Who may attend Commencement?

Immediate family members, approximately 10-12 people, are welcome to attend.
When should we arrive?

Commencement festivities begin with the Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 26 at 2 p.m. Additionally, everyone is welcome to attend the Spring Festival of the Arts on Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m.

The Commencement Ceremony begins promptly at 10 a.m. on May 27. Please arrive no earlier than 8 a.m., and no later than 9:30 a.m. for ample time to park and find seats.
Where should guests park?

Guests will be directed to park behind Armour Academic Center. Please do not park around the Sixth Form Lawn during Commencement Weekend.
Are there reserved seats for Commencement?

Graduates and special guests will have seats reserved at the front of the tent. Seating for families and other guests is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families or students who wish to hold seats may place a placard on individual seats beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday. Any placards placed before 7 a.m. will be removed.
What is the dress code for graduates?

Friday: Classroom Dress
Saturday: Girls - white summer dress, proper footwear. Boys - suit, white shirt, tie, proper footwear (formal navy blazer, dark dress slacks would also be appropriate).
Sneakers and flip flops are not considered proper footwear.
Where can we stay? Where can we have dinner on Friday evening?

Please click here to see a list of area hotels and restaurants. Make dinner reservations early and plan to be back to campus before 7 p.m. for the Lawn Ceremony.
Where can we have lunch on Saturday?

Following the Commencement Ceremony, everyone is welcome to enjoy a buffet lunch in Armstrong Dining Hall.
Will photographs be taken of each student?

Highpoint Pictures will be taking candid and formal photos throughout Saturday morning. A professional photographer will take a photo as the diploma is handed to the student and after the student leaves the stage. Guests are encouraged to request a family photo from a photographer before or after the Commencement Ceremony. An email from Highpoint Pictures will be sent to Sixth Form parents about two weeks after Commencement, when the photos are ready to be reviewed and purchased.
Will the events be livestreamed?

The Awards Ceremony, Baccalaureate Service and Lawn Ceremony on Friday will be livestreamed. Commencement Exercises will be livestreamed on Saturday morning. All livestreams can be accessed at www.westminster-school.org/live on the day of the event.
When do Sixth Form students depart?

Sixth Form students are depart campus at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 27. Families can pack up before Commencement, or immediately following the event.
Can the school accommodate guests with mobility issues?

Guests with mobility issues should be dropped off at the entrance to Armour Academic Center. Golf carts will be available for guests who need assistance getting to the Lawn Ceremony on Friday evening or the tent on Commencement Lawn. Please contact Kerry Masiero, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, at kmasiero@westminster-school.org or 860-408-3012 to address any additional issues. We will make every effort to accommodate your request.

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