Looking Back at Spring 2020 Upper School Ceremony
At the end of the spring, the BFS community came together to celebrate our Class of 2020 in a myriad of ways, from featuring and profiling their achievements and accolades on social media, joining them in their jubilation as they learned of their respective college acceptances, to highlighting their transformative years at Brooklyn Friends leading up to their Commencement Ceremony. For our graduating seniors, many of whom started Brooklyn Friends in preschool, the Commencement Ceremony was bittersweet. The Class of 2020 is our largest graduating class of “Lifetime Friends” where their connections and friendships have helped shape who they are today. Each commencement speaker spoke from the heart, detailing what the BFS community has meant to them in their transformative years. Speakers Nicole Adriano, Otto Moran, and Anique Edwards were joined by a special performance from Francisco Verastegui on the flute.
8 Brooklyn Friends School Journal Fall 2020
Middle School Ceremony
The Middle School Moving Up Ceremony kicked off with displays of student artwork from ceramics, wood, and paintings to stained glass art pieces. Showcasing the wide breadth of talent, the slideshow ended with artwork centered around civic engagement and social justice. In a powerful reading, Kallie W. shared her poem, “My People are Dying” alongside student speakers, Isaiah S., Talia K.L, Eli G, and Eden B. A common thread of social justice was highlighted throughout the speeches with the Class of 2024 imploring everyone to take action against injustices in our world. We were treated to a performance of “For Good” from the musical Wicked by BFS colleagues Janet Villas and Stephen Buck, and students Pearl W., Austin P, Anne A., and George A. Commencement MC and MS Dean of Students, Kathleen Clinchy, spotlighted three Merit Scholarship recipients, Isaiah S., George A., and Simone H.. Merit Scholarships are awarded every year to recipients who demonstrate strength and consistency in service, scholarship,
