Lakeside School

On Tuesday, June 9, as the Board of Trustees and a cohort of 50-year-reunion classmates led the black-robed processional from Red Square, a stiff wind shook the leaves and ruffled the roof of the enormous white tent covering half of the Quad. The afternoon was chilly — more autumn than spring, fleece jackets and down parkas mixed in with the blazers and colorful dresses beneath the tent — but no one was complaining: following a grim, wet start to the morning, the sun was shining on Lakeside’s 101st commencement.

In the shadow of the tent, flanked by two large video screens, Student Government President Gresham Crone ’26 addressed the members of the Class of 2026 and told stories of the impact they had made on him over the past four years. He had written personal cards of appreciation to each and every one of his 144 classmates, and taped them beneath their chairs.

Class speaker Sonia Patten ’26 urged her classmates to not let the fear of rejection stop them from taking risks. “Lakeside has given us the chance to succeed,” she said. “Now let’s take that confidence and go learn how to fail.” Class speaker Matt Keller ’26 — who had surprised himself by being sentimental about leaving Lakeside, even before graduating — reflected on themes of memory and excellence. Upper School Assistant Director Whitney Suttell described how this class embodied different parts of the school’s mission — and finished with a nod to former Head of School Kai Bynum and his love of poetry by reading “Home” by Nancy Wood.

The graduates were decked out in colorful stoles and tassels, honor cords and hand-decorated mortarboards and bright yellow chrysanthemum boutonnières pinned on by their advisors. Separated into three groups, they crossed the stage and received their diplomas and congratulations from Interim Head of School/Upper School Director Ryan Boccuzzi and Board of Trustees Chair Sean O’Donnell ’90.

Boccuzzi gave the valediction. He focused his remarks on the importance of spending time intentionally. “We seem to be in a world where everything is vying for less meaningful versions of your time,” he told the graduates. “Apps and devices designed with the sole purpose of stealing time from you, and content built to keep you engaged in order to sell you a product… It is more important than ever to monitor how you purposefully spend the time you have.”

Boccuzzi and the members of this class had started at the Upper School together, in 2022. He pointed out that special bond and thanked the class for the memories — and for the time they had been fortunate enough to spend together.

When the class marched back out into the cool afternoon sunshine, they were led by two classmates carrying the new Class of 2026 alum banner.

You can find the valediction of Interim Head of School/Upper School Director Ryan Boccuzzi, as well as speeches from Whitney Suttell and the three Class of 2026 speakers, on our blogs and reflections webpage. Find more pictures from commencement below, and on Instagram, Facebook, and the "Stay Connected!" section of our News and Announcements webpage.