THE SENIOR DINNER: WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

On Tuesday, May 23, the Class of 2023 celebrated their time under the Mountain with their advisors and the faculty at the annual Senior Dinner. It was a beautiful spring evening for an outdoor reception in front of Geier Library, followed by a celebratory dinner in Benson Commons dining hall.

Bermudian Ahriá Simons ’18, a Division I scholar-athlete who graduated from Dartmouth in 2022, was this year’s keynote speaker. Simons is currently pursuing a graduate degree in global studies and international relations at Northeastern University, while playing for the Huskies’ men’s soccer team thanks to additional years of eligibility as a result of COVID-19 and a medical redshirt year.

Simons began his remarks by offering his congratulations to the Class of 2023. “We are here today because each and every one of you made a commitment—a commitment to learn, to believe in yourself, and to your future.” He then asked the class to think about the challenges they had faced at Berkshire. “No matter how you were challenged here, all of you found a way to succeed,” he said.

Simons shared some of his own challenges, including struggling with anxiety, living in a different country and away from family, navigating academic and athletic life at an Ivy League institution, and rupturing his Achilles tendon before his senior year at college. He attributes his perseverance and belief in himself to his time spent at Berkshire. “I thank Berkshire for giving me a safe space at a young age to challenge myself and find my voice.”

One of the highlights of his time as a student under the Mountain was being in the cast of the winter musical, “Hairspray.” The experience helped him realize that while opportunities for personal growth abound, if you never take a chance, you’ll never dare to be great at anything. He added, “‘Being comfortable with the uncomfortable is something I remind myself every day.”

Simons closed by welcoming the Class of 2023 into the Berkshire alumni family. “There is something truly special about this place and the friendships you create and the experiences you share with those around you … I hope you keep a special place in your heart for Berkshire—I know I have.”