6 minute read
Commencement 2022
from 2022 Summer Beacon
by Harbor Day
CONGRATULATIONS T
O THE CLASS OF 2022
DURHAM PELINKA
Our nine years have been full of many twists and turns, ending up in a completely different building than we started in. But we did it. The countless pages of Cornell notes, hours of perfecting essays, and lengthy play rehearsals. We finished. A successful school's “ goal is to be a place that sets you up for the next stage in life. To prepare you for the next step. And although the academics are amazing, I see Harbor Day as a place that gives you the best experiences possible before the next life stage starts. Where we learn not only to solve for x, but to forge new friendships and be confident in asking for help from adults. When most of us came to Harbor Day, we were 5-year-old kids surrounded by strangers, and we thought our school would create lasting friendships. But Harbor Day does so much more: It creates family. Because we truly are one big family, and we have formed amazing friendships and memories along the way. “
— EXCERPT OF A COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS GIVEN BY DURHAM PELINKA'22
Commencement 2022
It was a warm and picturesque day on June 17, 2022, as the class of 2022 graduated from Harbor Day School in the new school campus quad. It was a memorable event for our first graduating class in our new building!
Class of 2022, congratulations! I know that we all cannot wait one more minute for summer to begin, but it is important to be here today to celebrate you and your class… So, what is the class of 2022’s legacy?
First, the class of 2022 is known as an intellectual powerhouse. As a group, this class is impressive academically. This class can think, solve problems, conjugate verbs in different languages, debate, persuade, argue, hypothesize, analyze, and synthesize complicated information. And they stand out from other graduating classes. Many times, there has been a level of academic discussion that would rival honor-level classes at local high schools. Just walk into Mrs. Stockstill’s geometry class and hear all the ways to approach a problem, or Mr. Arkin’s literature class and hear a Harkness discussion on Fahrenheit 451 or Of Mice and Men, and you know our academically challenging curriculum is exceeding expectations with this group. It is our hope you keep learning and making education a priority; certainly, our world needs people who can think critically about complex issues, engage in civil discourse, and to problem solve creatively.
Next, your athletic competitiveness. Basketball has been a serious passion for many in this class. In fact, in lower school, your class had the reputation of having the NBA finals every recess, where emotions would run very high, often trickling into the classroom. The competitiveness and passion on the court has continued, but throughout the years, you have learned to focus that energy positively and for good. As Durham mentioned, the Harbor Day Boys’ Basketball team were runner-ups both during the sixth- and eighthgrade years, which says a lot about the talent, given how competitive our leagues are. But most impressively, were the eighth-graders who spoke to a group of younger students who were struggling with sportsmanship and some of the same issues they did as younger students; they talked about the importance of always having integrity and sportsmanship, and it hit home for those younger students. And as for the Girls’ Basketball team, you all had an incredible run. You were undefeated during your fifth-, sixth-, and eighth-grade years. This is only the second time in HDS history that the Eighth Grade Girls’ Basketball team has won the league championship. And you always demonstrated hard work, teamwork, and integrity…
…Finally, your class’s legacy will be your connection to your classmates. When asked what you will miss the most about Harbor Day, many of you cited “your classmates” more than any other option. Yes, you are a bonded group, and there are some strong friendships. Now, I’m not saying that all 47 of you are best friends or even move in the same social circles, but I see a mutual respect more than I have in other classes, one that embraces differences and uniqueness. You each have different strengths, interests, and talents, and you actually do recognize that you are “Better Together” ...
…Class of 2022, we will miss you tremendously. You have weathered all the challenges that have presented themselves with Covid and the construction of a new campus amazingly well. You have led us into a new chapter of Harbor Day’s history with enthusiasm, grace, and integrity. Please come back and visit often.
— SUSAN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
Susan Johnson
CLASS OF
20 20 2 2 2 2 Eighth Grade Awards
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!
SERVICE AWARD Gavin Klein, Connor Gapp, Bella Aftabi, and Mrs. Johnson
HISTORY AWARD Parker Johnson, Mrs. Stojkovich, and Juila Getter
MATH AWARD Russell Lee and Mrs. Stockstill
LITERATURE AWARD Estelle Karaba and Mr. Arkin
You did it ! You did it !
Art..................................... Jamie Yeung Ceramics....................... Emery Kanda-Gleeson English .................................. Julia Getter Head of School....................... Parker Johnson History .................................. Julia Getter Parker Johnson Mandarin............................. Sebastian Kern Mathmatics............................... Russell Lee Latin.................................. Sonali Tripathi Literature............................. Estelle Karaba Physical Education....................... Ana Cormac James Callaghan Performing Arts....................... Parker Johnson Montgomery Kanda-Gleeson Eden Newcott Service.................................. Bella Aftabi Connor Gapp Gavin Klein Science.................................. Russell Lee Spanish................................. Ana Cormac Spirit................................. Allison Cohen Dash D’Ambrosia Matteo Hernandez Durham Pelinka Makenzie Vovan
Technology........................ Benjamin Harrison
GRADS WITH ALUMNI FAMILY MEMBERS
