News Detail
192nd Commencement Celebrates 99 Graduates
Scholars, multi-sport athletes, gifted artists, and global citizens who collectively notched thousands of service learning hours, the 99 graduates in New Hampton’s School’s Class of 2013 began a new journey on Friday.
The School celebrated their accomplishments and awarded diplomas at the 192nd Commencement. Despite weather that pushed the ceremony into the Lower Gymnasium, the graduates celebrated their time at New Hampton with family and friends from around the globe.
Graduates from over 11 different countries and 15 different states finished their New Hampton careers with reflection, celebration, and some inspirational remarks before heading off to matriculate to some of the finest universities in the world.
Commencement speaker Alan Khazei brought a special connection to his Commencement Address. The Co-founder of City Year and the Founder of Be the Change, Khazei spoke to a graduating class that included his niece Hayden Huff, a native of Winchester, Massachusetts, who will attend the University of Missouri. Khazei challenged the graduates to think outside themselves.
“You all are coming of age in a turbulent time. The problems we face are serious,” Khazei said. “But they are also only half the story. The other half is what you can do about them, and what many are doing already.”
Eighth-year Head of School Andrew Menke saluted the class for their hard work and dedication throughout their years, and shared with the crowd the reflections the Class of 2013 that he gathered in senior exit interviews. He pointed to the small community and family atmosphere as a recurring them from the Class of 2013.
“The magic here is relationships,” Menke said.
Ben Cecil Speaker Briana Cardwell ’13 of Everett, Massachusetts, reminded her classmates and fellow NHS community members what her four years meant to her. She addressed the change in setting she endured as a student of color arriving on a bucolic campus in Central New Hampshire, and the people who helped her along the way.
“We have teachers here who hold you and hug you like parents when you cry,” Cardwell said.
Cardwell was also recognized for contributions to the community with a Faculty Citation.
Valedictorian Jason Alexander offered an incredibly thought-provoking speech, urging his classmates to “customize and continue to conquer the challenge.”
Alexander — a four-year student from Rumney, New Hampshire who will attend Colgate — was also awarded The Meservey Medal, the School’s most prestigious award which recognizes outstanding contributions to the academic, co-curricular, and community life of the school.
Alexander was one of 15 students in the class who are part of the School’s second class of International Baccalaureate Diploma Program candidates.
The following students received awards at the Commencement ceremony:
Valedictorian: Jason Alexander (Rumney, New Hampshire) Colgate University
Salutatorian: Ryder Arsenault (New Hampton, New Hampshire) Colby College
Faculty Citation: Rachel McMenaman (Belmont, New Hampshire) Hobart William Smith College
Faculty Citation: Briana Cardwell (Everett, Massachusetts) Bowdoin College
Meservey Medal: Jason Alexander
Academic and Personal Growth Medal: Marci Weinstein (Greenwich, Connecticut) Lafayette College
Intellectual Curiosity Award: Amandine Lemonnier (Rabot, France) Syracuse University
Citizenship Medal: Ryder Arsenault
Awards presented by department at Baccalaureate on May 23 were:
English Department, Yuchi Wang (Wuhan, China) Franklin and Marshall College
English Department, Yuchi Wang (Wuhan, China) Franklin and Marshall College
Golden-Tilton PG Athlete, Todd Collier (Salem, Massachusetts) Hobart William Smith College
History Department, Jason Alexander (Rumney, New Hampshire) Colgate University
Mathematics Department, Tharathep Sangsawang (Muang Pattani, Thailand) Pitzer
Joe Plaia Outstanding Male Athlete, Ryder Arsenault (New Hampton, New Hampshire) Colby College
Joe Plaia Outstanding Female Athlete, Abby Rutt (Scarborough, Maine), Wesleyan University
Science Department, Yuchi Wang;
Performing Arts, Amanda Brady (Andover, Massachusetts) Muhlenberg College;
Visual Arts Award, JaeHoon Jang (Jeonju, Korea) Rhode Island School of Design;
World Languages, JaeHoon Jang
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