Enjoy full photo and video coverage of the 2021 commencement ceremony here.
Wellington’s 33rd commencement, on Friday, June 4, was an inspiring tribute to the extraordinary resilience and determination of the Class of 2021. During an unprecedented year of learning and living, these seniors were able to look past the limitations placed on them due to COVID-19 and see opportunities for growth and transformation that distinguished them as leaders of positivity and perseverance at school and in the world beyond.
In spite of the challenges they faced, the class was able to create a culminating experience at Wellington that was distinctly their own. Some were award-winning artists while others were state champion and Olympic-hopeful athletes. Many were exceptional scholars of government, neuroscience, and engineering. Their incredible hard work and focus led to acceptances and matriculations at an impressive array of colleges and universities throughout North America, from Princeton and Dartmouth to University of California, Davis and McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
Held outdoors on Wellington’s campus, the graduation ceremony began with seniors, adorned with robes and smiles from ear-to-ear, making their way through a balloon arch walkway while Pomp and Circumstance played. Marionna Hanna ’21 opened the program with a stunning rendition of the national anthem before Head of School Dr. Jeff Terwin addressed the class. He provided an introspective look back at all they had accomplished, as individuals and as a group, to reshape a world that had been seemingly upended overnight. He marveled at their growth, agility, and evolution as people.
“Seniors, over these last four years you were unapologetically you,” Terwin said, “while also taking care of one another along the way. You have taken our school values of Be Yourself and Be Ambitious to new heights and you truly believe that anything is possible...This group has taught us that pushing forth with reckless abandon, a spirit of adventure and confidence that you will figure it out often leads to figuring it out. Don’t bend to wind; push headlong into the gale. You’ll be stronger on the other side.”
The Class of 2021 included 10 Lifers, those students who have attended Wellington since prekindergarten, kindergarten, or 1st grade. To honor their commitment to the school, these students were given a blue honor cord at the Senior Celebration Dinner earlier in the week to wear at commencement. The upper school had also previously hosted an early ceremony for Chinese students graduating this year but returning home before June 4. It was a moving celebration in which faculty, students, and families watching via Zoom from China could all feel included in this important milestone occasion.
The outstanding talent of the class was exemplified by Music Award recipient Isaac Brown ’21, who performed on the trumpet “The Debutante” by Herbert L. Clarke, and Rory O’Sullivan ’21, elected class speaker by his peers. In his address, O’Sullivan wanted to turn the focus away from COVID and instead highlight the special moments and incredible people who made Wellington unforgettable, global pandemic aside. “I want our class to be remembered by what we brought to the community here at Wellington,” he said. “We deserve to be remembered for the sense of togetherness and joy we brought to the art room, the soccer field, the theatre, the robotics team, all communities at Wellington.”
Head of Upper School Rishi Raghunathan P ’27 ’30 imparted to students a few of the pivotal life lessons he had learned through the years. From accepting that failure is not fatal to knowing you are never alone, he encouraged them to be agents of their own destiny. “Life is challenging,” Raghunathan said. “The only way out is through. Your attitude, your effort, your smile, your heart, will make the difference. When you get to college, choose to show up. Choose to be present in your journey.”
The legacy of the Wellington Class of 2021 will be not just their individual stories, powerful as they are, but also the tremendous impact they made together during a critical time in world history. “No matter where you roam,” Terwin said to Wellington’s newest alumni, “continue to believe in the power of you. You are Jaguars. Anything is possible."
Enjoy full photo and video coverage of the 2021 commencement ceremony here.