. . . And They're Off to New Adventures
The Class of 2017 received a rousing sendoff on Graduation Day, June 3, 2017. McCalmont Gym rang with loud, heartfelt applause—for the 66 seniors as well as for keynote speaker Dean Emeritus Bill Simon (US’54), who received two standing ovations.
Simon’s message reinforced the ceremony’s opening readings: “Beloved children, the world has need of you, . . . it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 110). And lest these young adults be offended by being referred to as “children,” Simon reminded them that in neither the Bible nor Mary Baker Eddy's writings are there any references to “adults of God,” only to “children of God.”
These “children” are headed off to further their education at institutions ranging from King’s College, in London, England, to George Washington University in Washington, DC, to Cal Poly Pomona—and, of course, Principia College. The 66 students received 136 acceptances from 80 colleges and universities. Their graduation ceremony capped off a week of intense and enjoyable activity at the School, which started with the Tuesday morning Cum Laude chapel, at which six seniors—Caitlyn Demaree, Marshall Fielding, Greta Johnson, Grace Ndayishimiye, Madison Peticolas, and Zoë Wade—were inducted into the Principia chapter of this scholastic honor society.
Throughout the week, parents and families visited many Senior Project presentations as well as presentations by the freshmen and sophomores on their spring intensives and by the juniors on their class trip to New England, hosted by Longyear Foundation. On Friday evening, the Arts Revue provided highlights from the year’s array of impressive performing arts programs.
For those of you who couldn’t be here June 3, you can still be part of the celebration: watch the entire graduation ceremony, including the addresses by Head of School Travis Brantingham (US’94, C’98) and speaker Bill Simon.