Commencement 2017
Saturday, June 10th, 2017
During a beautiful outdoor ceremony, we celebrated the Class of 2017.
After Head of School Tom Wilschutz welcomed everyone, Macio Sexton '17 was the first of our senior speakers to address the audience. "First and foremost, I would like to send my sincerest thanks and appreciation to the entire Solebury community. From the faculty and staff to the board of trustee members to the friends and family of the entire 2017 graduating class, without you all, this day would not be possible."
Senior speaker Eliza Mlodzinski '17, who began at Solebury School in the 7th grade, thanked her peers and wished them success. "I count myself incredibly lucky that I got to be in the same place as all of you while you were here. I’d like to thank all of you for making my six years here amazing, and to wish all of you the best of luck in wherever you go next."
Andrew Underwood '17, our final senior speaker, reflected on his personal growth as a student and urged his peers to seek their passions and go for it. "When we all leave here today and move on with our lives, make sure you are moving toward some purpose, something that drives you and makes you want to live for more than just the sake of living itself. And when you find that thing, don’t continue to follow someone else’s path.... just find your purpose and follow it, that is truly the fast track to happiness."
Watch the Ceremony
Prizes Awarded to the Class of 2017
Mike Mullen Award: George O'Connor
Dorothy MacBrien Award: Josh Poole
Frank Ammirati Mathematics and Science Prize: Chris O'Brian
William Pendleton Orrick Senior Prize: Sam Benson
Highest GPA in the Class of 2017: Kate Gregory
Frank Ammirati Most Valuable Senior Athlete Award: Vikki Rueda-Juarez and Jongwook Jeon
Director of Studies Award Prize: Andrew Underwood
Dean of Students Prize: Jessica Randolph and Adam Mlodzinski
Diversity Award: Vikki Rueda-Juarez
Song Craft Award: Ashton Freeman
Duke Ellington Award for Excellence in Music: Josh Poole
Home and School Community Service Prize: Vikki Rueda-Juarez
Julian L. Lathrop Academic Award for Social Science: Macio Sexton
Laurie Erskine Academic Award for Literature: Kate Gregory
Founders Academic Award for Language: Kate Gregory
Karline Holmquist Academic Award in Visual Arts: Alex Babicki
Arthur H. Washburn Academic Award for Science: Chris O'Brian
Arthur H. Washburn Academic Award for Math: Chris O'Brian and Andrew Underwood