The Class of 2010 Graduates!
6/1/2010
On Sunday, May 30, more than 1,200 family members, faculty, friends, alumni, and guests came to celebrate and honor eighty-three seniors – the Class of 2010 - graduating from St. Andrew’s.
The Class of 2010 is the ninth class to graduate from St. Andrew’s Upper School. Under a large tent on the Nazro Green, Head of School Lucy Nazro lauded the students’ many talents in the arts, athletics, academics, and community service, and commended the 26 “lifers” (students who have attended St. Andrew’s since the first grade) and the many seniors whose special talents, service to others, and commitment to excellence made a positive impact on the school.
The faculty and staff at St. Andrew’s will fondly remember the Class of 2010. In his sermon at the eucharist service before the graduation ceremony, faculty member and Associate Chaplain Clint Hagen said, “As you go, I hope you sense how deeply you have been loved by your parents, your friends, and the faculty and staff of this school. Although none of us have ever demonstrated it perfectly, we have all loved you. Whether we showed it by giving you a shoulder to cry on, or challenging you to do more than you thought you could, serving as a sounding board or giving you advice, we have done so because we love you and want the best for you.”
Alex Wolford ‘10, who was elected senior graduation speaker by her classmates, had five pieces of wisdom to pass on to them: “Spread love through acts of kindness; break your comfort zone and travel; connect with teachers; defy stereotypes; and always know that you have a community to fall back on.”
Collectively, this year's seniors received almost $5 million in merit scholarships, not including the full scholarship awarded from West Point, the most any senior class has received to date. In addition to being accepted to some of the finest colleges and universities across the country, members of this class were also honored by both the National Merit Corporation and the National Achievement Scholars. Twenty-five percent of the class was honored by the College Board: five National Merit Finalists, two Hispanic Scholars, nine Commended Scholars, and many AP Scholars. Two members of this class signed Division I letters of intent - one to run track and cross country at Rice University and the other to row at Old Dominion University.
In his parting words at the chapel service, Mr. Hagen described the new relationship of the St. Andrew's faculty and staff with this special senior class: “Everything we know to teach you, we have taught you. Today, you are no longer our students. You have become our fellow adventurers. Today, you join us on our quest to understand the nature of the cosmos, to build up cities and nations and families, to produce sublime music and art, to better understand the human mind and soul, to write and read and speak the truth, and to make the world better for all people. And so, I am pleased to say to you: You are no longer our students. You are our friends.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2010!
Graduation Awards List
More graduation photos here
Graduation Speeches and Remarks
Sermon from Associate Chaplain Clint Hagen
Opening Remarks from Head of School Lucy Nazro
Speech from Faculty Speaker Jennifer Tollefson
Speech from Senior Speaker Alex Wolford