BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Paige B. Plash - Chairman Ashleigh Cooper Leland - Co-Vice Chairman Frank J. Lott, III - Co-Vice Chairman

Walsh Lott Arendall • Robert C. Baird, III • Joel B. Bullard, III • Cele Cushing Cameron • Angus R. Cooper, III Kristen Beard DeLaney • Curran D. Foose • Elizabeth Damson Freeman • Mara Bronstein Gipson • Alvin K. Hope, II Robert M. Hope, Jr. • R. Bradford Israel • Virginia Stimpson Jeffery • Don P. Kelly, Jr. • Abby Grodnick Kennedy Allen H. Ladd • M. Bancroft McMurphy, III • Brooks P. Milling • Hilton Billingsley Mostellar • P. Bradley Murray W. Davis Pilot, III Benjamin M. Radcliff, Jr. • Mikell W. Taylor • Sarah Luce Watkins • John F. Weston, Jr.

Dates to Remember

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - AUGUST 10 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY - SEPTEMBER 5 THEATRE GUILD FALL SHOW - SEPT. 29, OCT. 1 & 2 FALL HOLIDAY - OCTOBER 17 HOMECOMING - OCTOBER 21 MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL SHOW - OCTOBER 29 & 30 DOGS ON THE HUNT - NOVEMBER 3 GOLF CLASSIC - NOVEMBER 7 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - NOVEMBER 21-25 CHORUS AND BAND CONCERT - DECEMBER 8 HOLIDAY BREAK - DECEMBER 19 - JANUARY 4 CLASSES RESUME - JANUARY 5 PROJECT ENGAGE - JANUARY 5-13 MLK DAY (SCHOOL HOLIDAY) - JANUARY 16 MIDDLE SCHOOL SPRING SHOW - JANUARY 27 & 28 MARDI GRAS BREAK - FEBRUARY 20-24 THEATRE GUILD SPRING SHOW - MARCH 3-5 SPRING BREAK - MARCH 27-31 SCHOOL HOLIDAY - APRIL 7 SPRING BAND CONCERT - APRIL 13 GRADUATION - MAY 25

2022 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

On behalf of the UMS-Wright Board of Trustees, it is my pleasure to welcome all of you to this special night as we honor and celebrate the UMS-Wright Class of 2022. Class, we recognize that you are an accomplished group of actors, artists, athletes, musicians, and scholars. Your awards, scholarships, community service, and college admissions are very impressive. But perhaps even more noteworthy is the high regard in which the faculty, staff, and entire UMS-Wright family hold you. They recognize you for the positive energy that follows you and spreads wherever you are; for the care and interest you show to the Lower School students; for your zest for life and balance of work and play that keeps you grounded; and for the special way you treat the faculty and staff. You love UMS-Wright and UMS-Wright loves you back.

We also acknowledge and thank everyone who has raised you. Parents and families, you have given our school wonderful students to educate. We appreciate you choosing UMS-Wright and all of the love and support you have given this class and our school.

Whenever I attend a UMS-Wright graduation, my thoughts turn to Julius T. Wright, who was only 22 years old when he founded our school in 1893. One cannot help but be impressed and appreciative of his vision, innovation, skills, and leadership. He created a school that quickly became and continues to be one of the premier preparatory schools in the South. For 129 years, our school has focused on the education of the whole person: mental, moral, and physical. This intensely tailored curriculum has stayed in great demand, and has helped our school to grow and thrive. As clearly evidenced by this class, UMS-Wright continues to produce incredible graduates who positively affect people and communities throughout the US and abroad. Graduation marks the completion of the school’s mission and a major milestone in your life’s journey. At UMS-Wright, we often talk about those who were before us and those who follow after. In my time as a parent, grandparent, and board member at UMS-Wright, I have learned a great deal about the character of those who went before you. There are two qualities I believe have helped them to experience successful, happy, and fulfilled lives. I hope to see you emulate them as you continue your journey.

First, UMS-Wright graduates are prepared to face not only challenges in their lives, but also opportunities. At major life milestones, such as graduation, the focus is often on facing future challenges. But it can be just as daunting to face opportunities. It is hard to move outside your comfort zone, but this is where growth happens. To thrive, you must recognize and accept the opportunities in your life. Your education at UMS-Wright has given you the knowledge and skills to be successful. As you go forward, have confidence to embrace equally your challenges and your opportunities.

Second, UMS-Wright graduates have character of the highest possible order, demonstrating life guided by the Golden Rule and the second Great Commandment: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and love thy neighbor as thyself. By conducting their lives guided by these principles, they better the lives they touch, and are in return respected, cherished, and loved. I ask you to live your life by these decrees. By disciplining yourself to keep others at the core of your life, you will live a rich, fulfilling, and rewarding life.

Graduates, it is a significant accomplishment and honor to receive a diploma from UMS-Wright - one you have earned. Continue on your journey, set the example for those who follow after, and live well. Congratulations.