Fenn 2011 Graduation by The Fenn School

Graduation 2011

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e all have challenges in front of us, and that makes life worth living,” declared school President Will Royal as he addressed the audience at the 82nd Graduation Exercises held on June 10. Sixty-nine students—twenty-nine ninth graders and forty

Chorus performed. Headmaster Jerry Ward provided personal reflections of the graduates, capturing each

eighth graders—received diplomas, and prizes were awarded for excellence in character, service, academics, athletics, and citizenship. Additional awards and citations were presented at Prize Day on June 8 in Robb Hall. The Fenn Concert Band played a rousing rendition of the overture “Abington Ridge“ by Ed Huckeby, and the Treble

boy’s character and experiences at Fenn, and the outgoing school president and vicepresident spoke to their classmates, teachers, Fenn staff, families, and friends. The audience applauded retiring faculty members Joseph Hindle, who has taught science for thirty-two years and served in a variety of other roles, Kirsten Gould, who has directed drama productions and been a guiding hand behind the Arts program at Fenn for twenty-seven years, and Lorraine Ward, who has been an English teacher and department chair for eleven years. This special publication captures the highlights of Prize Day and Graduation and the eighth and ninth grade celebration dinners.

GRADUATION 2011 Each year, before diplomas are awarded at graduation, the headmaster presents, on behalf of the faculty, six prizes that recognize in different ways members of the eighth and ninth grade classes for their exceptional character, effort, achievement, and growth, all vital elements of a Fenn education. The recipients are chosen on the basis of recommendations and votes of the Fenn School faculty. FACULTY PRIZE The Faculty Prize is Fenn’s highest honor. It recognizes a ninth grade student or students whose breadth, character, and consistency of involvement in the life of the school have best exemplified the faculty’s ideals for Fenn students. This year the Faculty Prize was conferred upon Sisowath K. Chea and Miles H. Petrie. Faculty Prize winners (left to right): Miles Petrie and Kennedy Chea

LOVEJOY PRIZE

Recipients of the Lovejoy Prize (left to right): Parker Zimmerman, Matt Hrabchak, Alaric Krapf, and Johnny Lamont 2

Created in 1998 by Trustee Emeritus Frederick H. Lovejoy Jr. ’51 and his family, the Lovejoy Prize honors a graduating eighth grade student or students whose exceptional character, effort, and achievement have so enriched the life of the school as to merit special recognition from the faculty upon their departure from Fenn. The prize is awarded only in years when there are students of extraordinary merit. This year the Lovejoy Prize was presented to four members of the Class of 2012: Matthew R. Hrabchak, Alaric M. Krapf, John L. Lamont, and Parker G. Zimmerman.

DR. SAMUEL C. FLEMING MEMORIAL PRIZE Established by members of the Class of 1965 on the occasion of their 25th Fenn reunion, the Dr. Samuel C. Fleming Memorial Prize honors their classmate and friend who wore a “wonderful, ever present smile.” The prize is awarded each year to an eighth or ninth grade student or students who merit recognition for their determination and perseverance in meeting the academic challenge, whose efforts never languished, and who contributed to the school through qualities of friendliness, unselfish conduct, and sensitivity and warmth to their classmates. This year the faculty honored ninth graders Blaise C. Foley and Paige I. Sanderson, and eighth grader Angelo P. Eliopoulos.

Receiving the Fleming Prize (left to right): Blaise Foley, Angelo Eliopoulos, and Paige Sanderson

WALTER W. BIRGE III PRIZE FOR PHILANTHROPY AND SUPPORT OF THE FENN COMMUNITY Nominated by the faculty and selected by the headmaster, the recipient of the Birge Prize demonstrates qualities that were championed by Walter Birge, Fenn’s fourth headmaster (1983-1993). The prize recognizes one or more members of the ninth grade class who have continually distinguished themselves through their support of Fenn School community service projects, their helpfulness to teachers, and their support of their peers. The prize was awarded to Miles H. Petrie.

MARK BISCOE AWARD Named for retired master teacher Mark Biscoe H’95, who gave thirty-six years of service to the school, the Mark Biscoe Award honors the extraordinary example that Mark set for his colleagues and students. The award is presented to a ninth grade student or students, who, through their personal growth in their years at Fenn, have come to value and live out the ideals of school citizenship which Mark Biscoe, as teacher and coach, inspired generations of Fenn students to embrace. This year these students were honored: Conor S. Ingari, James J. Jennings, and Thomas R. Morrison.

Burbank Prize winnters (left to right): Conor Ingari, Carter Reed, and Morgan Brennan

BURBANK PRIZE The Burbank Prize is awarded by the teacher-coaches of Fenn to those graduating athletes who have distinguished themselves through their generous and unselfish spirit, which fostered the success, happiness, and self-esteem of their teammates. This year the prize was awarded to Morgan S. Brennan, Conor S. Ingari, and Carter B. Reed.

Biscoe Award recipients (left to right): James Jennings, Conor Ingari, and Tom Morrison

PRIZE DAY 2011

P. G. LEE MEMORIAL PRIZE

P.G. Lee Prize winners with Leslie Warner (left to right): Will Royal, Conor Ingari, and Alex Hreib

P.G. LEE MEMORIAL PRIZE Each year, the P.G. Lee Memorial Prize is awarded at Prize Day to honor a member or members of the graduating class who contributed outstanding determination, hard work, positive spirit, and cheerfulness to their athletic teams. Established in memory of P.G. Lee ’87, the award honors the spirit of a boy who was a true competitor but is perhaps best remembered for “his smile and his ability to make people laugh, and the happiness he brought to people around him.” This year’s eighth and ninth graders voted to honor Kamal A. Hreib, Conor S. Ingari, and William J. Royal III. Leslie Warner, P.G. Lee’s mother, attended the Prize Day ceremony to congratulate the winners.

AUSTEN FOX RIGGS AWARD First awarded by the Class of 1951 as their parting gift to Fenn, the Austen Fox Riggs Award is given in memory of Austen, a Fenn student from the Class of 1955 who lost his life attempting to save his younger brother from drowning in the Concord River. Determined by vote of the Lower School faculty, the award is given to the student or students who most resemble “Autie” in the helpful effort he contributed in work and in play. This year the Austen Fox Riggs Award was presented to fifth graders Walker L. Davey, Charles J. Fitzsimmons, and Paul P. Michaud.

Recipients of the Austen Fox Riggs Award (left to right): Paul Michaud, Walker Davey, and Charlie Fitzsimmons 4

Challenges “Make Life Worth Living” By Will Royal ’11

things in a safe or the past year I have been honored to serve as The Fenn environment. Back in School’s president, along with my great vice president, Jack fourth grade, I was a Barron. It seems astonishing that we are now about to be nervous, scared, and graduating, so on behalf of my fellow students, thank you so much unsure ten-year-old. I for coming to celebrate this day with us. would never have With so many competing ideas and feelings about the year that expected that I’d turn out my classmates and I have, putting every single one of them in a the way I have. I’m still speech would stretch a light year. I know that all of us feel the same not sure if that is a good way; we are ready to graduate, happy for what we’ve accomplished thing or not, but I have during our time at Fenn, but we are also excited for what lies ahead. enjoyed the ride so far. This year has seen major changes at Fenn with the construction I remember many things about Fenn, but one that stands out is of the new Meeting Hall and turf field. It seems strange to think the Eaglebrook Soccer Tournament this year. It was in the final back to when there were no bulldozers and trucks everywhere on game that I realized that it had never been about me; it was about the Fenn campus. everyone else. We ended up losing 1-0, but our Fenn team played as Starting the year in September, I was nervous. I remember our hard as anyone can play. By the second half of the game, due to calf first All School Meeting, with me injuries I could barely take a step without pain, but I kept going. looking around thinking, “Are we Not for myself, however. I looked around at the team and saw that I really seniors?” It was a strange just couldn’t stop playing. and interesting feeling. Just as the Now that we are graduating, our future holds much in store for school has undergone changes, so us. It’s very exciting to move on because I know that our class is have we as a graduating class. going to be just fine. Some of us might be living close by, in Whether we’ve liked it or not, surrounding towns, while others might be we’ve learned how to think and “We’ve learned how to in boarding schools in different states. act in an organized manner, to think and act in an organized While we might change, one thing will reach out and try new things, and to be stay the same: We all went to Fenn. We comfortable with who we are as individuals. manner, to reach out and try new had a ball here, and we always remembered This year I’ve also felt much closer to all the things, and to be comfortable with not to throw snowballs on Fenn grounds, teachers at Fenn. Now they’re people whom who we are as individuals.” because it’s just not safe. I don’t just see as teachers, but as friends. All of us have mixed feelings about Our ninth grade class was special. I don’t leaving. It is sad to say goodbye to everyone, but at the same time, believe I’ll meet another group of guys as different and as fun to be we’re ready for new things. Fenn has been a good portion of our around as they have been. Every one of them has played such an childhood, and I’m proud to say that. important part in my life, and in the lives of everyone around him. The skiing legend Warren Miller, whose dramatic films you may Everything that happened this year, in my opinion, was a great time. Even the times that weren’t have seen, once said, “If you don’t do it this year, you’ll be one year so great were fun. How can older when you do.” I believe this holds true for everyone. We will all have challenges ahead of us, and that’s what makes life worth that be? I’m not sure, but I living. If nothing was hard, we’d all be sitting around wondering can tell you this: when you when it was time to take the Hot Pocket out of the microwave. walk into school and you That’s why we try new things; we push ourselves because that’s find your locker has been taped shut, you either learn living right there. If you fail once, that doesn’t mean that failure is your thing. Keep moving. That’s how greatness occurs in life. to see the funny side of it I want to thank everyone for coming today. It’s been an honor or you realize you should speaking to you, and I hope all of you have an enjoyable summer. reconsider your friends. Thank you, Fenn. Thank you, Mom, Dad, and Spencer. And thank Fenn has taught me a you, the Class of 2011. lot, and it has also been a President Royal welcomes his place where I’ve tried new successor, Max Gomez ’12.

ACADEMIC HONORS 2011 Alaric Krapf (left) and Miles Petrie were honored with the Alan S. Moats Mathematics Prize.

ALAN S. MOATS MATHEMATICS PRIZE

Patrick O’Brien (left) and Miles Petrie were awarded the Eleanor B. Fenn Modern Language Prize.

ELEANOR B. FENN MODERN LANGUAGE PRIZE Originally a prize for achievement in French, the Eleanor B. Fenn Modern Language Prize commemorates the many contributions of Eleanor Fenn, the school’s first French teacher and the dedicated wife of founder Roger Fenn. Today, with this prize, Fenn recognizes its most accomplished Spanish students for their talent and interest in the language and culture of Spain and for their exemplary academic work in the Spanish language. This year, ninth grader Miles H. Petrie and eighth grader Patrick H. O’Brien were honored with the prize and each presented with a copy of Miguel Cervantes’ epic novel Don Quixote.

The parents of Alan S. Moats ’62 established the Moats Mathematics Prize in 1966 out of their appreciation for Fenn’s excellence in preparing their son for the rigors of Phillips Exeter Academy. In its first year, the prize was given “for the curiosity which raises questions, the perseverance which sees through to the answers, and the thoroughness which is the mark of excellence in any field.” This year, the Moats Mathematics Prize was awarded to ninth grader Miles H. Petrie and eighth grader Alaric M. Krapf.

Receiving the Lennox Lindsay Latin Prize were (left to right):Alaric Krapf and Samuel Stogdon.

LENNOX LINDSAY LATIN PRIZE Lennox Lindsay was Fenn’s first Latin master, who taught at the school from 1929 to 1939. Mr. Lindsay, according to Roger Fenn, “made Latin a living language, not a dead one” through his explorations of Roman manners, culture, and artifacts. Initially conferred on the boy who shared Mr. Lindsay’s passion for these areas of the curriculum, today the Lennox Lindsay Latin Prize is awarded for overall excellence in the study of Latin. This year the prize went to ninth grader Samuel P. Stogdon and eighth grader Alaric H. Krapf.

MILLAR BRAINARD SCIENCE PRIZE The Millar Brainard Science Prize was established by Edward C. Brainard II ’46 in memory of his father, an old friend of Robert Fenn’s at the time the school was founded. The prize is awarded to a member or members of the ninth grade class who have not only demonstrated an outstanding knowledge of science but have also displayed enthusiasm, creativity, and an impressive understanding of the scientific method. This year the winner of the Brainard Science Prize was Miles H. Petrie.

GOULD ARTS AWARD The Arts Award was renamed this year for Kirsten Gould, who retired in the spring after twenty-seven years at the school, for her “visionary shaping of Fenn’s Arts program in its rich and full dimensions.” The award is given by vote of the Arts department faculty, and in its first year was presented to three students who have demonstrated throughout their careers at Fenn exemplary dedication and accomplishment respectively in music, drama, and the visual arts. This year, from the Class of 2011, the following students were honored: Joseph D. Pacheco for distinction in music; Miles H. Petrie for distinction in drama; and Morgan S. Brennan for distinction in the visual arts. Winners of the Gould Arts Award were (left to right): Joseph Pacheco, Morgan Brennan, and Miles Petrie. 6

THE CARTER PRIZE FOR HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES The Carter Prize for History and Social Studies, named in honor of Jim Carter ’54 for his distinguished forty years of teaching history and social studies at Fenn, is awarded to a graduating student or students who in their years at Fenn have shown exceptional interest, knowledge, and diligence in their study of history and social studies. This year the recipients of the Carter Prize were ninth grader Daniel Meyerhoff and eighth grader Alaric M. Krapf.

CITIZENSHIP PRIZES

Recipients of the Carter Prize for History and Social Studies with Jim Carter were (left to right): Daniel Meyerhoff and Alaric Krapf.

BAND AWARD The Band Award is presented for leadership and dedication. This year’s recipients are ninth graders Nicholas P. Demsher, Joseph D. Pacheco, and Carter B. Reed.

Awarded by faculty to students in their divisions, Fenn School Citizenship Prizes honor boys who show exceptional citizenship traits: they are especially hard working in their school activities, they are particularly cheerful, positive, and supportive to other students, and they are relied upon by faculty to lend a hand when important jobs need to be done. This year, the following students were honored with Citizenship Prizes on Prize Day:

4TH GRADE

7TH GRADE

Kadin O. Ali Kevin C. Ewing Samuel J. Farley Samuel E. Winneg

Jackson T. Boyle Edward J. Fitzsimmons Austin W. Hoey Gavin T. Kennedy Lucas Mundel Leo J. Saraceno Ethan J. vanderWilden Cole R. Winstanley

5TH GRADE Winners of the Band Award with Instrumental Music Director Maeve Lien were (left to right): Joseph Pacheco, Carter Reed, and Nicholas Demsher.

JOSEPH A. HINDLE JR. SCIENCE RECOGNITION PRIZE The Joseph A. Hindle Jr. Science Recognition Prize was established this year in honor of Mr. Hindle, who retired this spring after thirty-two years at Fenn. The prize is awarded to the ninth grade student or students who consistently demonstrate mastery of laboratory skills and who creatively apply critical thinking skills to the field of biology. This year the recipients of the first annual Hindle Science Recognition Prize were John R. Barron and Samuel P. Stogdon.

Nathan P. Cunningham Nicholas E. Schoeller Nicholas R. Steinert Conor A. Zachar

6TH GRADE Joseph E. Conroy Alexander W. Czarnecki Ryan A. Ewing Alec M. Reiss

8TH GRADE Andrew C. Anderson Timothy R. Joumas Jivan H. Purutyan

9TH GRADE Matthew A. Boudreau Morgan S. Brennan Samuel P. Stogdon

WILLIAM O. TRAVERS WRITING CONTEST

Winners of the William O. Travers Writing Contest were (left to right): Alaric Krapf, Jack Tyrie, and Daniel Kramer.

At graduation in 1979, the Fenn School Board of Trustees established an English prize to honor the long and dedicated service of William O. Travers, English teacher and assistant headmaster from 1956 to 1979. Mr. Travers’ keen interest in writing and his long-held desire for a composition prize prompted a contest to be created in each division of the school for which submissions of imaginative, creative, and descriptive writing were sought. This year, in the Lower School, Jack C. Tyrie, a fifth grader, received the Travers Prize, with Honorable Mention awarded to fifth grader Paul P. Michaud. In the Middle School, the winner was sixth grader Daniel P. Kramer, with Honorable Mention awarded to seventh grader Zahin S. Das. In the Upper School, Alaric M. Krapf, an eighth grader, received the prize, with Honorable Mention awarded to ninth grader August M. Voelk. 7

E N N

R A D U A T I N G

L A S S

O F

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Ryan S.F. Alipour St. Mark’s School

Sisowath K. Chea Lowell High School

Daniel Meyerhoff Boston University Academy

William J. Royal III Concord-Carlisle High School

Alexander S. Amorello Concord-Carlisle High School

Nicholas P. Demsher Brooks School

Thomas R. Morrison Noble and Greenough School

Paige I. Sanderson St. Sebastian’s School

Jacob B. Amorello Concord-Carlisle High School

Blaise C. Foley St. George’s School

Joseph D. Pacheco Sebastian F. Sidney Acton-Boxborough High School Lawrence Academy

John R. Barron St. Mark’s School

Kamal A. Hreib St. Mark’s School

Miles H. Petrie Middlesex School

Nathaniel D. Sintros Brooks School

William C. Black Governor’s Academy

Conor S. Ingari St. George’s School

Lucas A. Randle Holderness School

Samuel P. Stogdon Concord Academy

Matthew A. Boudreau Brooks School

Samuel L. Isaacs Kimball Union Academy

Carter B. Reed Concord-Carlisle High School

August M. Voelk St. Mark’s School

Morgan A. Brennan Lawrence Academy

James P. Jennings Rivers School

William C. Reynolds St. Mark’s School

Andrew R. Wilson Cushing Academy

Benjamin R. Marchand Middlesex School

Graduation Moments

“A Place Where Boys Become Men” by Jack Barron ’11

up when you are down. On behalf of myself and the entire s I look out to my right and see all of the young faces, I graduating class, I would like to thank all the teachers and think back to when I was sitting out there thinking, advisors in the audience who have had an impact on our “Man this is boring.” Well, to start, I would like to inform lives.Teachers and parents are always reminding us that we are you that my speech will be short, to the point, and, I hope, not too blessed to get such a great education here. They say boring. “Being Fenn boys, we all it is important to give thanks and acknowledge our As I was writing this speech, I was having have the capability to opportunities. I believe that it is even more trouble filling up the space on the paper. This important to take advantage of is not because I had a lack of things to write achieve almost these opportunities. Being Fenn about, but that I had an abundance of them. anything we set boys, we all have the capability to The memories and friends that you make at our sights on. ” achieve almost anything we set our Fenn are countless and unforgettable. Just last sights on. In the spirit of the week I was talking to my uncle [S. Devlin school’s motto, Sua Sponte, it is up Barron ’82], who recalled several memories about his Fenn career to us to reach out and grab those in vivid detail. opportunities. From my first day at school, when I stepped out of the car I have memories from every grade, and each is clearer than with a lack of confidence and an excess of swag, to this very the previous one. While I have far too many memories to speak second, as I stand before you, surprised that I have not yet of here, I will say to all of you that you should cherish each and botched this speech, I have felt at home at Fenn. This feeling of every one. I would encourage you to talk to someone you know community could not have been possible without the spirit and about his time at Fenn or at any other school. I can guarantee charisma of the students and faculty here. that he will be more than happy to talk, for telling another about While I can think of at least one hundred people I would like a memory is re-living it yourself. to thank and talk about, it would be unfair to every student, While putting pen to paper, I thought back to last year when teacher, and friend in the school to single out anyone. I will, Gabe Arnold said, “Fenn has been an amazing dream and sadly I however, say that I could not have made it through my years here have just woken up.” Unfortunately, this could not have been without all the help I received from my advisors. Advisors are truer for me this year. It seems as if we don’t realize how magical here to push you on, yell at you, and most important, to pick you Fenn is until we’re gone. I remember hearing something very similar to this statement every year I have been at graduation. I also remember disregarding it as unimportant. Well, this year I would like to urge all of you returning students to love every moment and appreciate Fenn before it’s too late. I sincerely hope that you all take this to heart. And if not…I hope you are not too angry at me for lecturing you hours before summer vacation. Fenn is a place where classes become bearable, work becomes doable, years become months, teachers and peers become friends, and school becomes fun. Fenn is a place where boys become men. Even though I will not be a Fenn student forever, the memories that I have made here will always be with me in my heart, in my head, and in my soul. To all graduating students, I would like to wish you good luck in life, wherever it may take you. And to the other students and to the teachers, I look forward to seeing what comes next for you all personally and for the school as a whole. I thank you for your time and, more important, I wish you all Outgoing Vice President Barron hands the gavel to his successor, Jonathan Tesoro ’12. an exciting and happy summer.

E N N

R A D U A T I N G

L A S S

O F

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Garnet Alex-Barton Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall

Angelo P. Eliopoulos Concord Academy

John L. Lamont Groton School

Owen W. Sette-Ducati Brooks School

Aneesh S. Ashutosh Phillips Academy, Andover

James D. Emello Suff ield Academy

Benjamin S. MacShane Hotchkiss School

Matthew H. Simon Concord Academy

Griffin R. Bishop Concord-Carlisle High School

Max F. Fitzgerald St. John’s High School

Michael B. McLean Groton School

Jordan D. Swett Phillips Academy, Andover

Frank M. Bruni Groton School

Austin R. Galusza Pomfret School

Alexander S. McNulty Concord-Carlisle High School

Neel A. Taneja Milton Academy

Daniel P. Carlson Middlesex School

Calyton S. Gilmour Winchester High School

Ryan S. Metro Groton School

Christopher T. B. Thomas Brooks School

Joseph C. Crowley Concord-Carlisle High School

Matthew R. Hrabchak Deerf ield Academy

Henry B. Dalby Belmont High School

Wilson R. Indermuehle Concord-Carlisle High School

Brandon C. David Lincoln-Sudbury High School

Andrew J. Kielar Concord-Carlisle High School

Asher B. Dawson Noble and Greenough School

Paul A. Kinard Phillips Academy, Andover

Sameer Duddu Concord Academy

Alaric M. Krapf Groton School

Yoon Kun Nam Jonathan P. Trusheim Gyeonggi Suwon International Acton-Boxborough High School School Cole R. Turissini Patrick H. O’Brien Rivers School Concord-Carlisle High School Stefano Viacava Vera Tyler D. Parke Groton School Concord Academy Erik C. Zimmer Robert M. Reardon Jr. Concord Academy St. Sebastian’s School Parker G. Zimmerman Matthew S. Richman Francis Parker School Lincoln-Sudbury High School 11

EIGHTH GRADE CELEBRATION

uring graduation week, eighth graders and their parents and teachers gather for an evening celebration of the class, to honor those students who are leaving Fenn and to allow those who are returning an opportunity to come together and look towards their future as seniors at the school. Headmaster Ward offers a personal reflection about each student, capturing memorable moments from that boy’s years at Fenn. This year, four student speakers, two departing boys and two returning ones, were chosen by their classmates to address the gathering. Derek Boonisar, head of the Upper School, welcomed the guests and spoke to the eighth grade, saying “You have successfully navigated the most challenging part of a boy’s life, the middle school years, and you have won the hearts of people along the way.” He offered three pieces of advice: “Be nice, for kindness and respect are essential measures of character and should not be compromised. Give your best at all times, for whatever you are doing, it is important and deserves your best effort. Be resilient, for life can be disappointing, challenging, and confusing. Hang in there and keep going.” The four students who addressed their classmates were Max Gomez, next year’s president of the school, John Lamont, Jivan Purutyan, and Matthew Simon. Here are excerpts from their speeches:

CONTINUING THE TRADITION by Max Gomez ’12

t’s about time to part ways with many of you, most of whom I have known for five years. It is going to be tough to say goodbye, especially because, whether I like it or not, you guys are going to be my childhood memories. This has definitely been a memorable class, and we are going to continue that tradition. I will always remember being in the ILP (Intensive Language Program), a crazy class of eight students who spent half their classes together for two years. I remember being appalled in sixth grade when I was mercilessly separated from my comrades and thrown into classes with a whopping sixteen students. Somehow I was able to get acquainted with the overwhelming masses of people, and I will remember every one of them. Though we hope to be great leaders next year, we will never forget our teachers and peers who have enriched our lives and made us better people. Plato said, “People are like dirt. They can either nourish you or help you grow as a person, or stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.” Keeping this quote in mind, I think that the people of Fenn have been rich and fertile soil for me. I have grown so much since I was a wild fourth grade child, and I cannot stress enough how much I cherish the opportunity to have done so with the rest of you here. I hope to continue growing with the senior class as we move on and make more great memories here at Fenn.

THE TIES THAT BIND by John Lamont ’12

ince I joined the sixth grade here at Fenn, I have met new friends in the classroom, on the sports field, and in the hallways. Now I’m leaving those classrooms, fields, and buildings, and I’m leaving the friends I made here. With only a few days left in my Fenn career, my mind has constantly flashed back to my first days at Fenn, when I was a shy new boy. The first kid I met was a boy with a head of long, curly red hair that made my jaw drop. After my time at Fenn with that boy and his hair, my jaw no longer drops at the sight of it. Every one of you was a stranger to me at that time, just as strange as that curly red hair. But now, I can’t even remember speaking to you guys when I didn’t know you. I felt welcomed by everyone, as if I knew you as soon as I walked through the doors of Fenn. The ties I made with all of you that first year have only strengthened as we have moved up through the grades. Our class was close when I came to Fenn, but I feel that it is an even closer one as I leave. Every one of us has grown and matured from a small, trouble making sixth grader to a member of the class we are now. We’ve developed into a group of kids that I’m proud to be part of. You guys will always be missed. I’ll make new friends at high school, like we all will. But the friends I have here at Fenn can’t be replaced. When I see you again, whether it is on the street or at a reunion, I’ll remember the great group of friends with whom I spent my time at Fenn.

A CLASS OF LEADERS by Jivan Purutyan ’12

ver since fourth grade our class has been growing like a family. We have gone from being shy fourth graders who barely knew each other to eighth graders who will never forget each other. I will miss everyone who is leaving and I hope that you are happy at whatever school you have chosen to attend. All of you are the reason I have so many memories from my years at Fenn. I remember my first field day relay, when I raced against a speedy Cole. I remember Mr. Thompson’s seventh grade Integrated Studies class, in which Brandon and I wore the same colored shirts for over a hundred days. I remember going to restaurants with Mrs. Hernandez-Skayne’s Spanish class, and perhaps my most memorable experience is the Galapagos Islands trip. My time at Fenn has been extremely enjoyable, but I know it is not done. The future senior class will have to take the responsibility of leading the school. We need to lead each in our own way, no matter if it is big or small. I hope that those of you who are leaving will take the values and lessons that you have learned at Fenn and apply them in your new school community. I look forward to seeing how my classmates and I use what we have learned over our time at Fenn to help lead the school to what I know will be one of its best years yet.

“THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” by Matt Simon ’12

home is a place where you spend most of your time, a place where you learn the lessons of life and turn from a child into an adult. A home holds the people that you love and care about most, and a home is a place that you have hundreds of fond memories of. For most of us in this room tonight, Fenn is our home. Many of us will have spent four, five, or even six years here. That is the most time that we will ever spend at any single school. And well, there’s no place like home. I remember arriving on New Boys’ day and meeting my first advisor group ever. My fourth grade advisor, Mr. Smith, will always have a special place in my heart. Under his command, our advisor group learned the ins-and-outs of Fenn. However, if there is one thing that I will never forget about Fenn, it is the friendships that I’ve made. I will forget the hundreds of All-School Meetings that I grudgingly sat through, anxious to get to recess. I will forget what Mr. Giles was trying to teach me on May 25th, as bright, warm sunshine poured through the windows of his classroom. I will forget the super-irregular verbs that I tried to learn as Andrew Kielar pleaded with Mrs. Hernandez-Skayne, “PLEASE, Mrs. Gisela, can’t we watch the Con Bro Chill video just one more time?” But I will never forget the people at Fenn. The connections that I’ve made here, from students, to teachers, to athletic directors, to division heads, will last forever. These bonds are truly what make Fenn a special place. The friendships that I’ve had make me feel as if I am part of a giant family, which makes sense, because Fenn is truly my home. 13

Graduation Moments

Congratulations, Graduates! 64