Thayer Commencement celebrates the Class of 2024
Thayer Academy held its 146th Commencement exercises today (Saturday, June 8) on the front lawn of Main Campus where sunny skies matched the pride and optimism of the Class of 2024 and their families. In all, 137 seniors received their diplomas.
Allison Feaster, vice president of team operations & organizational growth for the Boston Celtics, delivered the day’s Commencement Address.
“Savor this moment,” she advised. “Be in no hurry to get to the next destination,” she added, reminding the graduating class that there would be many more banner moments in life, and that the time will fly faster than they think.
It was a day for reflection on how far the seniors had come since they first joined the Thayer community, and for gratitude for all the family members, faculty, coaches, and staff who had helped them reach this day of celebration.
As she looked ahead, senior speaker Ella Barry ‘24 predicted that there will be times when the graduates will feel daunted by the challenges of meeting new teachers, making new friends, and exploring new communities. But she trusted that her classmates would be well prepared by all that Thayer had taught them, citing examples of the many ways they have already made dreams a reality in their time at the Academy, from breaking athletic records to founding affinity groups and raising thousands of dollars for charities.
“Here we’ve learned that when you think you’ve given it all, you still have more to give,” she said.
In his remarks, Head of School Chris Fortunato P ‘26, ‘28 further encouraged the graduates to embrace life’s opportunities and challenges, reminding them that it’s a good thing when life doesn’t go according to plan.
“Those moments can be life-changing and eye-opening in the best possible ways,” he said.
Fortunato facilitated the awarding of recognitions with Upper School Dean of Students Kristan Gately P’ 29, and James Coughlin P ‘24, ‘26, chair of the Thayer Academy Board of Trustees, oversaw the conferral of diplomas to the class. Three faculty were also recognized in the ceremony. Receiving the Eric M. Swain Award for Teaching Excellence were Middle School English Faculty
Brian Cibelli, Upper School History Faculty Krista Ferraro, and Upper School English Faculty Adam Kuhlmann.
After the alma mater was performed by the Thayer Student Chorus, Josette Chenaur ‘24 sang an original piece, “Soar”, which she had composed in collaboration with Fortunato, who accompanied her on the keyboard.
Lindsey Bennett ‘24 closed with a fitting benediction:
“Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.”
Thayer Academy's 146th Commencement exercises included awards to the following seniors:
- The Nancy DiNatale Taylor Award (Best Female Athlete): Celia Benson
- The Thayer Academy Outstanding Male Athlete Award: Conrad Langenhagen
- The Maureen E. Bucken Girls Athletic Award: Coco Hauck
- The Thomas J. Berry III Award: Ella Barry
- The Gilbert A. Booth Awards: Nadia Cassamajor and Lenny Tangishaka
- The Ward S. Donner Awards: Jack McCarthy and Katelyn Sentnor
- The Phoebe Lee Hosmer World Language Prizes: Alexa Hartman (French); Seneca Wallace (Latin); Jaden Smith (Spanish); and John Hoffman (Chinese)
- The Leighton S. Tower History Prize: Teddy Cohen
- The Louise E. Saul Award for English: Grace Coughlin and Hannah Sullivan
- The Maurice R. Seymour Prize for Mathematics: Jake Crowley
- The Charles R. Mangat-Rai Prize for Computer Programming: Haoyu "Jason" Sima
- The Helen Alden Breen Dramatics Awards: Julia Fiorello, Alexa Hartman, Catherine Sheehan
- The E. Ione Lockwood Music Awards: Josette Chenaur and Ryan Noreke
- The John M. Rodacanachi Art Prize: Charlie Gavin
- The Nathaniel Augustine Thayer Scholarship: Sebastian Keleher
- The Jotham B. Sewall Prize: Razzi Masroor
- The Walter & Prudence Abell Distinguished Service Awards: Julia Fiorello and Eli Lukens
- The Head of School Awards: Jack Regan and Rebecca Rudolph