Graduation a Testament to “Grit and Courage”
It was an Upper School graduation ceremony unlike any other at Principia School. Two classes—the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020—shared the McCalmont stage together on May 23, pouring out support for each other and marking the passage from high school to new adventures.
With local pandemic restrictions lifting just before graduation weekend, it was also a chance to see things we haven’t seen a lot of lately—the wide, unmasked smiles of the graduates, faculty, and families.
Notably, about half of the Class of 2020 was able to return from across the country (and even from other countries) to celebrate the culmination of their School careers. The graduating classes did not need to look far and wide for a graduation speaker, however. The classes got to hear a heartfelt message from outgoing Head of School Travis Brantingham who helped guide their Principia experience each step of the way.
Head of School Travis Brantingham asked the students to take all that they have learned at Principia and pour it into three main facets of their lives: democracy, family, and God.
“My simple message today is ‘you are loved,’ and I mean this sincerely. You are loved—more than you will ever know,” Brantingham said. “Please take a moment and look around you. I know you are anxious to get out of here. But slow your thought down for a moment and embrace all of the love that is being poured forth today. Think about the richness of your Principia experience: the classes, sports, trips, dorm life, performing arts . . . think about all the effort and commitment that you put into your Principia education . . . pause and reflect on all those who helped you along your way. . . . Ultimately, the whole reason for your Principia experience is to take what you’ve learned here and bless the world. As Jesus said, ‘To whom much is given, [from him] much will be required’” (Luke 12:48, NKJV).
Assistant Head of School for Innovation and Strategy Peter Dry also shared a short message with the students. “It’s been a year of extraordinary challenges,” he said, “and your ability to overcome them . . . has been a testament to your grit, your courage, and your love for each other and for others. You rose to the challenge the world threw at you, and it was a challenge like none other before. You showed resilience. You showed determination to make the most of the year. You were able to thrive—truly. With so much being canceled and changed and shifted, you persevered. And you sit here today (without a doubt) as one of the most resilient classes that we’ve seen. You’re a once-in-a-lifetime set of students. So, congratulations on your willingness and ability to step up and overcome.”
Of the 57 members of the Class of 2021, six students were recognized for exceptional academic achievement as inductees into the Principia chapter of the Cum Laude Society: Emma Franklin, Charley Hoffman, Amanda Jennings, Dylan Ouderkirk, Mack Packard, and Jacob Warrick.
Senior Class Representatives McKinsey Bosman and Ryton Havi announced a new senior class fundraising record of $55,000 for a team room in the new Bill Simon Field House, which is currently under construction. Keyomri Jordan announced the 2020 gift, which will be a bust of Bill Simon that will be housed in the new field house.