COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

from Trinity Hall Class of 2020

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS

Commencement

Justin Gmelich, Trinity Hall co-founder, board member, and parent, addressed the Class of 2020. Here are a few excerpts from his commencement address:

I am so thrilled for us to be able to meet here today in person. It was not easy to get here; we refused to accept a virtual version and we are happy to recognize the culmination of these girls’ time at Trinity Hall.

ADDRESS

Notably, this is our last founding class. Remember, when we started Trinity Hall, we started with just a freshman class. So the ladies here today matriculated as freshmen and we had our first complete school. The Class of 2020 is comprised of 65 strong, independent women, and they have done an incredible job.

Let’s reflect on what you have seen directly or tangentially in your roughly 18 years of life: Your birthdates bracketed the horrific 9/11 event, and tragedy was around you right from the start. Not an easy beginning to say the least but thank God for our families who carried us through it. When you were about 10 years old, the Jersey shore and the eastern seaboard encountered superstorm Sandy – the second worst hurricane in US history. I am sure many of you were displaced from your homes, endured black outs, and learned to live on generators. And yet again your family circled the wagons keeping you safe.

Fast forward to the spring of 2020; a global pandemic and the largest social justice movement in 50 years happened concurrently, in the last semester of your high school career. Forcing you and us to table a normal last semester of high school. And like every other time in your life, your parents and family have been there to help. Life has already thrown the Class of 2020 a lot of curves. You have persevered both individually and as a group. Take confidence in your ability to face adversity. It’s been around you from the start.

I took the liberty of asking my daughters about the class of 2020 and my second-oldest described it pretty well: “You know dad, they have their cliques just like every other high school, but they all really respect and get along with each other. Kind of like the Olympic rings.” I thought that was pretty cool - each group distinct, overlapping but inextricably linked.

The Class of 2020 has accomplished many things, like starting the ice hockey program and the gymnastics team. You excelled on the courts, on the stage and on the fields. Our school won the illustrious ShopRite cup last year, given to a high school that scores the most cumulative points which are earned by the performance of our athletic teams. It is simply unheard of that a school in existence only six years could win this coveted award. I am pleased to announce that Trinity Hall has won it again this year. Back-to-back cups. Hard to argue with success.

The Class of 2020 is also adventurous. About five percent of our girls are heading to my home state, California, for college. They have taken more risk in their college selections than preceding classes by picking schools all over the country. Simply put, this class is comfortable with being uncomfortable.

You have started numerous clubs and organizations, and after chatting with some of the seniors, I have determined my personal favorite is the A.C.E. organization, which stands for acceptance, compassion, and empathy.

Empathy - the E in the A.C.E. acronym - is a relatively new word in the English language. It was introduced just over 100 years ago while its analog sympathy has been around since the 1500s. I find it shocking that one of the most important words in society today is so ‘new.’ Perhaps it is telling.

Many pundits have reflected on the empathy gap in the United States. And I think they are right. We as a society have the inability or lack of willingness to put ourselves in other’s shoes. We have grown intolerant. We can do better.

I worked on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs for over two decades. I currently work at King Street which is a money manager. In both of these roles, the use of information is vital. Data is critical. I am an early riser. I typically get up around 4:45 a.m. and spend three hours reading news, current events, economic data, research reports, op-eds and the like. I tend to read a wide range of material. Every day I read articles from the far right of the media spectrum to the far left. Why do I do this? I fear that society is narrowly focused on seeking information that reinforces their previously held views. In essence, many are in an echo chamber. Unfortunately the message received from traditional media and social media is literally a curated view.

As a society, we need to work harder to see other people’s positions. If you get your news from only one TV channel, tune into a different one. If you are getting tweets from only a list of people that share similar views, then subscribe to some new sources of information. You just might learn something from your efforts.

I will not advocate a position here today on politics, but I will advocate that the new alumnae of Trinity Hall seek a higher standard for themselves around empathy and perspective around tolerance. Finally, since the entire class will be 18 or older by November, I will advocate that you vote. Make it a priority. Raise your voice.

To the Class of 2020, the Class of Champions, the Class of Scholars, to the Class of the “Olympic Rings” I will say to you the Olympic motto - citius, altius, forties. Faster, higher, stronger.

closingprayer

Read by Class of 2020 co-salutatorian Sophia Marie Hegel:

Dear God,

As we anticipate new experiences that will shape each of us, we know that we will be faced with decisions that will demand our attention and deliberation. May we make these decisions guided by your love and image. We pray... May the power of the father lead and protect us.

As we are exposed to ideas inside and outside of the classroom, we know that we may feel overwhelmed or shocked. However, may we take comfort in the truth that it is in uncomfortable times when we will grow the most. We pray... May the wisdom of the son teach and enlighten us.

As we meet new people who have had distinct experiences and view the world in a different way, we look to you to open our hearts and minds so that we will gain the most out of our college environment. We pray...May the love of the Holy Spirit renew and guide us.

Finally, as we move beyond the walls of Trinity Hall, may we always rely on the bonds we have made with the Trinity Hall community, especially those that unite us as the Class of 2020. We pray...May the blessing of the father, son, and Holy Spirit be with us now and forever.

Amen.