The Strength of Episcopal: Commencement Weekend 2018

In a Commencement Weekend where almost a foot of rain fell across the D.C. metro area, a perfect window of summer weather opened just long enough on June 2 for the graduation exercises to take place on Hoxton Circle without a hitch.
“What was once a motley crew of unfamiliar individuals at the start of our first fall together, now sits a true family of 114 young adults,” reflected Head Monitor Taylor Redd ’18 at the opening of Commencement. “The strength of our Episcopal community comes from our ability to support and love one another in each and all of our pursuits. The strength of Episcopal comes from the multifaceted, close-knit bonds we have created. The strength of Episcopal comes from our community of individuals, not one individual of the community.”

The Class of 2018 began their final celebratory days as Episcopal students with a Thursday filled with presentations/”defenses” of their senior externship experiences. On Friday, events began in full with an afternoon Baccalaureate Service in Callaway Chapel, where the Rev. John Barrett, father of Henry ’18, delivered a message centered around a single question asked along four perspectives. “Why are we here?” he asked, exploring answers along the personal, institutional, theological, and existential dimensions.

“What is our purpose? What is your purpose, seniors? How should we live our lives? What moral compass do we live by?” he asked. “In the years ahead, when you try to remember your purpose, if you, as Dante said, you get lost in the woods in the middle of your life, it will help to think back upon how this community lived out its purpose in you and for you. Education is very intensive.”

At the evening’s Valedictory Address, following the recognition of several outstanding leadership groups and the presentation of awards and honors across the many aspects of school life, valedictorian Anna Smith ’18 offered remarks reflecting on her experiences as a starting Episcopal student entering — in her mind — in the shadow of a successful brother she long admired (Max ’16 was also named valedictorian of his class).

“It seems like our older siblings and their friends are always stronger, more experienced, and more knowledgeable,” she noted, reflecting on the pressures she placed on herself in her first years at Episcopal. “The point of my sharing this is that being surrounded by talented people can be incredibly inspiring, but sometimes it can also amplify our own insecurities. Personally, it’s not that I was bitter about the great qualities and accomplishments of my brother or others around me, or that I was actively trying to compete with them.

“Instead, to me it seemed like all around me people were setting standards that were so high, I felt as though I could never live up to them. But over the course of my time at Episcopal, I’ve learned to get outside of my head and enjoy myself without worrying about every little detail. It’s taken time, but I’ve learned to feel energized by other people, and not just stress over my weaknesses instead of focusing on my strengths.”

On the morning of June 2, following the beloved Rose Ceremony tradition at the entrance to the Chapel, where rising seniors give a rose and a hug to their graduating friends, the final step along the journey to an Episcopal diploma began. The Class of 2018 lined up, walked one at a time through the more than 600 members of the extended community in attendance, and awaited their opportunity to walk across the stage at the entrance to Hoxton House.

Head of School Charley Stillwell reflected on his own experiences with this class, which includes his daughter Janie ’18, and appreciated their lively spirit and “creative flair.”

“As this group leaves us this morning and heads out for new adventures and challenges, I’m excited to know that they will be guided by the many lessons they have learned through building close and meaningful relationships with all the adults here and each other,” Stillwell said in his opening remarks. “These seniors understand the importance of personal honor, hard work, collaborative problem solving, curiosity, and the pursuit of chances both great and small to make a positive difference in the lives of others. They have also gained confidence through their many experiences in Washington to handle all kinds of situations.”

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