Class of 2018 Heads to New Adventures
On a beautiful, sunny Saturday in May, Principia School families, faculty, staff, and friends gathered in a packed McCalmont Gym to give the Class of 2018 a resounding send-off.
Appreciative applause greeted the faculty processional and the entrance of the seniors—in twos and threes, arm-in-arm with friends. The choir then performed a variety of songs ranging from Hymn No. 148 (from the Christian Science Hymnal) to a well-known praise song from southern Africa that celebrated the class’s sense of global embrace and gratitude to God.
After readings by Dean of Innovation and Academics Peter Dry, Head of School Travis Brantingham (US’94, C’98) congratulated the students on their accomplishments, noting, “We have been very intentional in our efforts to prepare you for life after Principia—and you’ve risen to all of the challenges we have thrown your way.” Quoting Principia’s founder, Mary Kimball Morgan, Brantingham urged the students to “live a life that ‘turns other people to God,’ to good,” and to place love at the center of their lives—“not a passive form of love, but a love steeped in action.”
He then introduced the commencement speaker—new Principia College President, Dr. Jolanda Westerhof (US ’77, C’82). She explained that her lifelong devotion to widening access to education “started right here, on this campus” during her Upper School May Project (as Senior Projects were then known). Westerhof went on to enumerate three key principles she learned while working with renowned Principia preschool teacher Dr. Carol Freund—principles that have shaped Westerhof’s philosophical framework:
- Self-government
- Personal responsibility
- Respect for others
“The capacity to exercise those three qualities is innate,” Westerhof said. “The role of the educator is to facilitate that kind of growth.” Westerhof also described practical examples of these qualities at work, leading, ultimately, to what Brantingham had earlier referred to as “love steeped in action.” In Westerhof’s words, moving from respect for others to an active expression of love keeps us “engaged, open, interested . . . and willing to postpone judgement.”
The moment then arrived: seniors walked down the dais one by one to receive their diplomas. Once each of them had a diploma in hand, they tossed their caps in the air and headed outside to mingle with family and friends on the Green and take photos to capture the moment forever. (Enjoy viewing this Facebook album.)
The 76 members of the graduating class have received 151 acceptances from 80 colleges and universities from coast to coast—including the College of William & Mary, Missouri S&T University, Texas A&M, UC San Diego, and Principia College.