Celebrating Graduation 2013
It was a proud day May 19 as seventy-five seniors walked down the ramp in McCalmont Gym to receive their Principia Upper School diplomas. The commencement ceremony capped off a week of intense activity celebrating the achievements of our students, the support of their families, and the entire School community.
The week began with the Cum Laude chapel on Monday morning, where eight seniors were inducted into the Principia chapter of this scholastic honor society. Principia dad and best-selling author Ridley Pearson delivered witty and insightful remarks, and Georgette Hoffman spoke on behalf of the initiates, who included Cassidy Alford, Claire Douglas, Gage Edgar, Stephen Hanlin, Austin Moyle, Claire Smith, and Kayleigh Wood.
In the days preceding, as out-of-town families arrived on campus, many were able to listen to their students’ senior project presentations on activities as diverse as our student body: building a Ruben’s tube, which makes use of flame to demonstrate the relationship between sound waves and sound pressure; handcrafting an acoustic guitar; helping construct homes in Joplin, Missouri, and helping cook nutritious, internationally-themed meals at a St. Louis shelter; and internships in business, technology, and sustainable farming enterprises.
On the Friday before graduation, a “Big Bash” on the green included Lower and Middle School students, as well as upper schoolers, and provided a perfect opportunity for parents and alums to mingle and catch up while children made good use of the slip ‘n’ slide and inflatable climbing wall. The atmosphere was that of a relaxed family barbecue and sing-along—just with an extremely large family!
Campus Sing the next evening was a hit and provided a dazzling mix of the year’s performing arts highlights. Our concert and jazz bands received loud ovations, as did our dancers, singers, and the seniors who delivered their monologues. Another highlight was a short recap—including the requisite rain showers!—from our spring musical, Singin’ in the Rain.
The loudest applause was, of course, reserved for graduation day itself. The commencement address by Bible scholar Kristy Christian was a perfect send-off to our seniors—underscoring that consciously endeavoring to do those things that “please God” and to “be about [our] Father’s business” brings fulfillment. You can listen to a recording of the address on Principia Internet Radio.