COMMENCEMENT 2020-Ode to the Class of 2020

Go light up the world, and make us all proud.

FFrom Shrewsbury she came, arriving junior year Next is Alex Balduzzi, who is simply fantastic Squealing tires announced, when Bella Army was here A social justice champion, they’re beyond enthusiastic

Volleyball and basketball, she helped her teams win A three-season athlete, between swimming and crew And now she’s off to Florida, to study at Lynn Not to mention an artist, and an amazing one, too

Her humor will be missed, by many of us here

Especially Mrs. Cranford, who holds her so dear Transcript of the Ode to the Class of 2020 by Dr. PJ McDonald Next off to Warren Wilson College, due north in Vermont

In a student and a person, what more could you want?

Miss Isabel Barner, is known for her heart

And the way she expresses herself, pure beauty through art Always so determined, she sets her own bar very high In classes, and in fitness, how hard she does try

Next stop is a gap year, and then to Colorado she goes How lucky for U Denver, the school that she chose

From Australia, then New Jersey, to Hardwick she came

A very serious student, Lily Beitle is her name She’s empathetic and caring, we know that for sure Her support for the underdog, will always endure The College of Charleston, where she’s headed next year Best of luck my friend Lily, you’ll always have fans here

He hails from Pittsburgh, the Steel City, PA Carter Benninghoff is a robotics whiz, that we can say He is also a rower, working hard in crew A great student and friend, he always remains true He’s off to great things, we can’t wait to see All that he’ll accomplish, next year at RIT

Lucas Blocher came from Houston, escaping Texas heat Funny fact, he’s never full, you should see him eat

His enthusiasm is infectious, eager to learn and to do He’s also a great singer, and speaks several languages, too A gap year to start, and then when that is through He’ll keep on being awesome, down at Hofstra U

And now Sasha Brown, who is a cybersecurity pro Using digital forensics, he’s always in the know Also on ski club, and for a while he played Ultimate Frisbee but then stopped, leaving Mr. Geary dismayed Heading to Champlain College, where he’ll continue to pursue All of his many passions, and succeed he will do

Another one from Texas, the gentleman Chance Curd He’s quiet and thoughtful, sometimes speaking not a word Thank goodness he’s a gentleman. Trust me, if you had seen Him work the heavy bag, you’d know what I mean New Mexico Military Institute, next where he will go They’re lucky to have him, that much I know

Taryn Del Valle is from Belchertown, just down the street Basketball, soccer, tennis . . . she loves to compete Compassionate and kind, and always with a smile For her teammates and her friends, she’ll go the extra mile Queen’s University in Charlotte, is getting a star With such a positive outlook, she’s bound to go far

Hailing from Concord, an easy shot down Route 2 Of Damon DeMarco I speak, a fine young man through and through He loves anatomy and physiology, a huge fan of Mr. Ward He came into his own this senior year, when his academics really soared

A future in veterinary medicine, looks like the path he may choose This talented lacrosse player to Becker, we’re sorry to lose

Lauren Dietz is a worker, always pushing for her best She’s quiet but strong, her example leading the rest Hailing from Bermuda, a two-hour flight away She’s turned into quite a squash player, man can she play Meteorology her goal, she’s off to Northern Vermont U Best of luck in your studies, and order some sunny weather, too

Young Olivia Gordon, has been here since freshman year Her amazing athletic prowess, causing other teams fear Persistent and strong, yet caring and kind She’s loyal and compassionate, and always with an open mind Mrs. Coughlin will miss her, she helped run our sports scene She’ll be joining my son Griffin, next year at Dean

Everett Healy is from the Vineyard, the town of Chilmark A friendly debate, he’s always willing to spark He loves politics and the Patriots, always yearning to discuss Politely, and respectfully, never causing a fuss He’ll be staying in Mass, off to intern from here Then to Clark University, after his gap year

Chumani Heard yearns, for a more equitable society Starring in social justice classes, she’s taken every variety A dedicated student, all four years she’s been here

She won the diversity and social justice award, in just her sophomore year She is also an athlete, we’re sad to see her depart But we know she’ll do wonderfully, next year at Sacred Heart

Sawyer Hurley had no problem, when learning went online You see he’s a computer guy, so he settled in just fine He’s creative, and a maker, the STEM Center his station

Where his great mind was free to create, many a creation Staying in Massachusetts, where he’ll attend Merrimack We’ll miss you young Sawyer, make certain you come back

An artist, a friend, and with academic acumen there's no one better

Apt descriptors of Avery Judge, once they’ve met her A top-tier student, she was tailor-made for IB We are on pins and needles, to see what her future might be Her vast knowledge and potential, has never been in dispute She’ll amaze them this fall, at Pratt Institute

Hailing from the Badger State, this Wisconsinite did arrive Hannah Kolsky’s honesty and candor, ensured she would thrive She tells it like it is, no mincing of a word And from both Leyva and Bonica, many a word she heard.

She’ll stay right here in Mass, furthering her knowledge Next year as a freshman, she too to Dean College

Jacqui Krotman is worldly, she’s lived overseas In cross-country and triathlon, she covered miles with ease

Her friendship with Izzy, is sure to endure And she never misses a chance, for a fresh manicure

Next up, Manhattanville, a great school indeed We will miss you, dear Jacqui. Best of luck and godspeed

Livy Larson commutes, from nearby Charlton, Mass. She is a soccer standout, who can run, shoot, and pass The hardworking daughter, of parents Dawn and Rob A testament to her work ethic, while at school she held a job Staying close to home, just down the road at Quinsigamond CC Where she’ll continue to star, her diligence the key

Lana Lauer has been a gift, all the way from L.A. She’s super involved, and works hard every day Leading all school meetings, commanding the stage Leading student council, her guidance and wisdom were sage She’s off to Chapman University, back to the west coast Her work is now done here, of her time we will boast

His presence and stature, of the intimidating kind But nothing compares, to Penn Lehman’s incredible mind A history buff first-rate, he knows all the worldwide conflicts and dates

He also knows tonnage, with Mr. Macdonald lifting weights He’s headed to St. Lawrence, where he’ll continue to learn

Miss Alwis’s “ ‘little’ ray of sunshine,” will brightly burn

The hardest part, of Ash LoConte’s verse Is that six lines for her time, just might be too terse Starring in soccer and basketball, plus robotics she did do And oh by the way, she got a D-1 scholarship in crew Plus woodworking and a prefect, the list can’t be beat Taking her talents to Loyola Maryland, where in rowing she’ll compete

My dear friend Angus Lodge, just saying his name makes me smile A cross-country superstar, racing mile after mile But the single greatest thing, about this incredible young man Is the absolute pureness in his heart, I’m a huge fan He’s traveled the world, the pictures we’ve seen I expect frequent updates, next year from you at Dean

A throwback to the past, with his vintage typewriter, But of Amin Lotfi’s future, it has never been brighter An inquisitive young man, with interests galore He likes catching fish, and maybe cooking them more He’ll be attending Emerson come fall, as he said it’s “his dream school” About Amin doing great things, not the exception but the rule

Peter Mahoney is independent, not much guidance he requires He’s always on the right path, to succeed he desires A swift runner in cross-country, the young man has real speed Mrs. Nahorniak will miss him, both on the course and in math, indeed

Hardworking, mature, never one to complain He’ll be a model college student, next year at Champlain

Chris Malley from Jersey, he’s a racquet sports guy Played squash and tennis, and gave acting a try He Instagrams and he Tik Toks, two things I don’t know And he motors around in his Jeep, he handles it like a pro Be careful in that Jeep, Chris, keep it on all four tires Best of luck at Providence, we all chant Go Friars

Nelson Mallick has capped off, an impressive four years He always does what’s right, and expects the same from his peers A three-season athlete, with plenty of stamina to spare In cross-country, triathlon, and swimming , you can’t catch him I swear Student council and prefect, not simply a jock Go keep being awesome at Lynn, our faculty think you rock When Julia Martin arrived from Brooklyn, we had no way to know

The remarkable impact she would have, this community so sad to see her go. An IB student, an athlete, and so very talented in art

You’ve made us all proud, as you will at Sacred Heart Julia and I share a birthday, on May thirty-one of each year

And as her honorary godfather, today I join her actual godfather AB Whitfield in shedding a tear

Clare McCartin came to Hardwick, from beautiful Cape Cod To her academic achievements, an honor cord is a nod

She worked very hard, and as a tutor helped others do the same On crew, swimming, and soccer, many meets and many games Your EHS time is over, but your journey is not Good luck in the next chapter, next year at Endicott

Some rules can be broken, but some you should never break

Like don’t get between Ashley Mintz, and her post-workout shake Hours lifting weights, all that time in the gym Mr. Macdonald will miss you, I think you inspired even him Never judge a book by its cover, inside so caring and kind Lasell is getting a good one, much success you will find

Adam Montgomery came north, from Springfield VA Ever so cheerful, never seems to have a bad day

He’s a positive force, a role model at this school And a talented swimmer, blazing laps in the pool Headed off to Merrimack, to study in the fall

Stay true to who you are, Adam, and go have a ball

Fierce and competitive, is young Kenzi Morein Watch her play her three sports, you’ll see what I mean She’s also loyal, and genuine, a true confidant When it comes to being a friend, she’s all you could want

It’s been an exciting five years, isn’t that right, Karan and Mark? Now go tackle the world, Kenz, for High Point you embark

And now Spencer O’Brien, from Wilton, CT He puts a smile on the face, on whoever he does see A stalwart on the swim team, ever setting the pace And he ran cross-country, always eager to race Also in the movie club, a legit cinema buff Off to Mansfield Hall, where no doubt he’ll do great stuff

Connor Ryan’s a young man, with some serious skills On the court and on stage, the audience he thrills But far more importantly, he’s an all-around great guy With the foundation he built here, his ceiling is high In only a few moments, he’ll deliver his departing speech Then off to Muhlenburg College, for greater heights he will reach

Vitalyi Schreuer is quiet, humble, and even reserved And among the most reliable, and honest I’ve observed A hardworking tech intern, he played multiple sports Loves cribbage and backgammon, a renaissance man of sorts Vitalyi gets involved, and gets active you see This will serve him well, next year at N-E-I-T

Play her in tennis, and you’re in for a shock

There’s just too much talent, to beat Thana Schrock A serious young woman, she took her academics to heart She impressed the faculty, even with the late start One piece of college advice, as I know you like to sleep late Make sure the alarm clock is set, and at Assumption you’ll do great

Is there a finer young man, than Weston Schumacher A leader of his peers, but not a big talker Rather he led by example, he let his hard work do the talking On the court and on the field, he sent many an opponent a-walking A life journey made for a movie, when on this earth he first arrived Parents Gayle and Michael now crying, how their little baby has thrived

Charlie Shoemaker has acquired, quite the long list Of sports that he’s played . . . there aren’t many he’s missed He’d run cross-country, and swim in the pool Then compete on the triathlon team, representing our school He also gave squash a try, and he golfed on the team He’ll be busy at Champlain College, if you’re getting my theme

When fatigue or exhaustion, should be taking their tolls Harrison Stern just looked about, for more leadership roles Student council, an intern, and leading orientation He has come further than all, when considering his start in relation And, oh yeah he’s the endangered turtle ambassador, and a traveler to boot

Great things ahead at the University of New England, the next place he’ll take root

Even in Hardwick winters, you could see for a mile

The radiance and joy, of Lorenzo Suarez’s grand smile His good nature and willingness, to help those in need Makes friends seek him out, his advice they do heed

He brought both warmth and cheer, from his home in Puerto Rico First doing a gap year, then he’ll decide where he wants to go

They say everything is bigger, in the Lone Star State The home of Harrison Torrans, who determined his own fate

I’m proud of you, Harrison, for when you were at a fork in the road You determined your own future, and from that moment haven’t slowed

After six years on the Hill, you’re fully prepared to achieve Next stop U of Denver, in you we believe

From the island of Puerto Rico, we had another fine man Sports of all types, always a part of Robbie Trapaga’s grand plan Mrs. Nastasi can attest, that his imagination never waned When discussing delayed work, always creatively explained But alas he did his assignments, he completed them all Which is why he’ll find success, at Hofstra University come fall

Right out of Central Casting, is this young man from Jersey Shore Griffin Veazey definitely looks the part, but he has proven so much more A phenomenal athlete, starring in soccer and lacrosse And he swims like a fish, his departure our loss. Now he’s off to Marist, where they will soon find That Griffin is amazing, legit one of a kind

From the island of Bermuda, from where Kipp Wharton came Impeccably tailored, high style is his game He takes in art, and literature, and museums he peruses And he speaks freely and intelligently, on any topic he chooses. Always on the honor roll, he’ll bless them at St. John’s Kipp is a legit rock star . . . all pros and no cons

And last but not least, we’ve reached the final student right here Of Tyler Whitman I speak, who arrived just this year. But the short window of time, did not lesson his impact Reinforcing Dr. Riendeau’s love of teaching, you became one of his all-time favorites, in fact. From one Hill to another, choosing Eagle over Primrose a wise choice Best of luck at Catholic University, go find your own voice

So there it is, my ode to twenty-twenty So many great seniors, character and talent aplenty This is not how we imagined it, getting short shrift this pandemic year But our love for you is boundless, that much is clear Go light up the world, and make us all proud And we await your arrival back on campus, as soon as we’re allowed.

SCHOOL HONORS AND TRADITIONS

Prefect Stoles

The white stoles, presented at the baccalaureate ceremony, designate those students who are graduating with Prefect status. Prefect is the highest level of the Eagle Hill privilege system and is an honor that can be held by only ten percent of the school population. Prefects are chosen by vote of the entire Eagle Hill School faculty and are leaders within the Eagle Hill community. The stoles are marked with the Eagle Hill School seal and the designation of Prefect.

Honor Cords

The gold honor cord, presented at the baccalaureate ceremony, is worn by a student who has maintained academic excellence throughout his or her Eagle Hill School career. To achieve academic excellence a student must have made honor roll in every term that he or she has been enrolled at Eagle Hill School.

IB Medals

The International Baccalaureate medal, presented at the baccalaureate ceremony, is worn by students who have completed the IB Diploma Programme, a rigorous, challenging, and balanced two-year university preparation program.