St. Johns Presents the Class of 2023

Congratulations to the Class of 2023, which was presented to the School community on Friday, November 18, in a ceremony almost as old as the School itself. The ceremony was brought to the School by founding Headmaster Dr. Edwin Heinrich after he attended a similar celebration when his daughter was a senior at Agnes Scott College. Dr. Heinrich liked the idea of acknowledging the seniors’ coming of age and presenting them to the community as adults in their own right, ready to face the world.

The day kicked off with a brunch just for the seniors and senior sponsors, which this year took place at Orange Park’s waterfront Azaleana Manor. The seniors enjoyed each other’s company, took plenty of photos, and heard some inspiring words of wisdom from Board President Mr. Gene Nichols before returning to the School for the formal presentation ceremony in front of classmates, friends, and family.

In a newer tradition, the seniors choose their own speaker for the event, and the Class of 2023 chose U.S. Government and history teacher Mrs. Gayle Garrison.

“I’ve titled this talk, ‘It’s Time to BeReal,’” said Garrison, referencing the social media app that encourages users to post “real” snapshots of the “real” you.

“You guys know what I’m talking about,” said Garrison. “You wait to take the picture when it is a little more interesting, you wait for the right lighting, the right people in the background, etc.” After pausing to take a selfie with the class (for her BeReal, of course), Garrison continued, “So what does it look like to BeReal? What does it mean to live in that reality?”

Referencing a passage by E. E. Cummings read by Senior Jeffrey Henry and The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, read by Kennedy Brown, Garrison called out some universal truths about how to live a real life. “To be poor in spirit,” she said, “is to be more concerned with appearing good than in being good.”

In closing, she said, “these principles require vulnerability. They require you to be willing to risk. But the reward is great. The reward is a full life. You are some of the most talented, dedicated, intelligent, compassionate, driven, and hilarious people I’ve ever had the privilege to teach. I have no doubt that you will make a difference in the world. I am already so proud of you. I can’t wait to hear about all your amazing accomplishments. But most of all, I want you to be content, happy and joyful people. I want you to be, as E. E. Cummings said, ‘Nobody But Yourself.’ I want you to be real.”

After these inspiring words, Head of Upper School Jacqueline Lentini read the phrases that have accompanied Senior Presentation since 1962:

As a teacher I present you to the academic world that you may enter it and meet its demands honorably and successfully.

As your Headmaster I present you to your schoolmates so that they may accept you and look up to you as their leaders and their shining example.

As your friend I present you to your parents so that they may accept you as adults who have come into their own and who are to be dealt with from henceforth on an equal basis.

As your fellow human being I present to you your calling in life that you may always have the wisdom to recognize it and the strength to live up to the divine calling in your life.

Class of 2023

Annie Boatwright Afflick

Unaysah Ali

Shawn Michael Andrade II

Gavan Price Bradley

Kellen William Brown

Kennedy Yvonne Brown

Brandon Alexander Bunn

Brooks Thomas Burson

Javier Alejandro Coll-Román

Noah Scott Cone

Emerson Roland Cooper

William Conrad Cooper

Alexandra Marie Desguin

Josephine Grace Dinkins

Richard Frank Dubnansky III

Madison Rose Erwin

Bridger Douglas Espinosa

Margaret Anne Fackler

George Lawrence Friedline

William Thomas Gibbs II

John Dennis Hay

Jeffrey Michael Henry Jr.

Andrew Lester Hightower

Shannon Allison Hodges

Antonio Ulrik Holmberg

Jacob Gamble Holyer

Hunter H Hopkins

Samuel Lea Hopkins

Stella Kate Hyatt

Paul Christian Janeczko

Ava Joleen Johnson

Owen Jameson Johnston

Thomas Michael Keenan

Anna Marie Lei Kemp

Talon Daniel Luster

Abigail Lee Maierhoffer

Isaiah Tai’au Mamea

Marshall Gaines Martin

Lauryn Ashley Mateo

John Matthew McNulty

Juliet Alexandra Moody

Jack Freddie Mooneyham

Camelia Katherine Myers

Hunter Scott Noble

Mary Halina Nowicki

Daniela Sophia Oceguera

Kaitlyn Mae Phillips

Thomas John Pounds

Avery Lynn Raimondo

Aidan Nicholas Rice

Emma Katherine Schultz

Taliah Michelle Scott

Chloe McCrea Smith

Mason Andrew Terry

Jacob Riley Thomas

Marlen Jeffrey Vogt III

Patrick Robert Walsh

Lily Eliza Weldon

Ella Grace Wilkes

Semaj Tamira Williams