Class of 2017 Begins a New Chapter
Episcopal High School's 172nd Commencement was held on Hoxton Circle on Saturday, June 3, 2017.
On a near-perfect June 3 morning, the 109 members of Episcopal’s Class of 2017 walked across the stage located on Hoxton Circle to receive their diplomas from Head of School Charley Stillwell.
In his remarks, Stillwell made reference to the wide range of talents, achievements, and awards embodied in the graduating students. “You have been remarkable in supporting one another in endeavors on and off campus,” he said. That show of support was part of EHS being named the VISAA’s first-ever “Best Student Cheering Section,” Stillwell noted.
He also reflected on the words and messages many of the graduates shared with the School community in chapel over the year “in what have been some of the most outstanding senior chapel talks I have ever experienced.”
“I hope you will follow Abigael’s advice to be ready to fight for what is important to you; Alexander’s advice that you are all capable of great things; William’s advice to be open to personal paths and journeys that will shift over time as you learn who you are meant to be; Louis’ advice about always leaning into the process of understanding and appreciating the experiences and perspectives of others even when uncomfortable; the two Laurens’ advice about being true to yourself.”
The weekend’s speakers included former EHS Chaplain Rev. Gideon Pollach, who returned to the Hill as the guest speaker for the Baccalaureate Service on Friday. He centered his message around three bits of advice: Remember who you are; Love your people; and Being a good friend is at the heart of being a good person and being a good Christian. At the conclusion of the service, Pollach was presented a special gift from Episcopal — an art and photo collage from David Douglas — thanking him for his eight years of service as chaplain.
Valedictorian Evan Lyerly '17 offered a vulnerable message about his own rude awakening. After a high school career centered around the highest levels of achievement, requiring an intense work ethic, he was forced this spring to cope with being denied admission to seven different colleges. He worked through a bout of self-doubt and frustration thanks to the support of classmates and teachers. Lyerly specifically thanked his basketball coach Jim Fitzpatrick, who urged Evan to remember how fortunate he was despite his disappointments around college acceptance letters.
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“It is with great pride and sadness that we say goodbye to such an outstanding group,” Stillwell said during his introductory remarks at Commencement. “This class personifies our school mission to develop both intellectual and moral courage.”
In his remarks, Stillwell made reference to the wide range of talents, achievements, and awards embodied in the graduating students. “You have been remarkable in supporting one another in endeavors on and off campus,” he said. That show of support was part of EHS being named the VISAA’s first-ever “Best Student Cheering Section,” Stillwell noted.
He also reflected on the words and messages many of the graduates shared with the School community in chapel over the year “in what have been some of the most outstanding senior chapel talks I have ever experienced.”
“I hope you will follow Abigael’s advice to be ready to fight for what is important to you; Alexander’s advice that you are all capable of great things; William’s advice to be open to personal paths and journeys that will shift over time as you learn who you are meant to be; Louis’ advice about always leaning into the process of understanding and appreciating the experiences and perspectives of others even when uncomfortable; the two Laurens’ advice about being true to yourself.”
The weekend’s speakers included former EHS Chaplain Rev. Gideon Pollach, who returned to the Hill as the guest speaker for the Baccalaureate Service on Friday. He centered his message around three bits of advice: Remember who you are; Love your people; and Being a good friend is at the heart of being a good person and being a good Christian. At the conclusion of the service, Pollach was presented a special gift from Episcopal — an art and photo collage from David Douglas — thanking him for his eight years of service as chaplain.
Valedictorian Evan Lyerly '17 offered a vulnerable message about his own rude awakening. After a high school career centered around the highest levels of achievement, requiring an intense work ethic, he was forced this spring to cope with being denied admission to seven different colleges. He worked through a bout of self-doubt and frustration thanks to the support of classmates and teachers. Lyerly specifically thanked his basketball coach Jim Fitzpatrick, who urged Evan to remember how fortunate he was despite his disappointments around college acceptance letters.
MULTIMEDIA:
- VIEW PHOTOS from the weekend's big events on Flickr.
- LISTEN AND WATCH all four key events — Baccalaureate, Valedictory, Rose Ceremony, and Commencement — at LocalLive (registration is free). You can also order download copies of these services for $15 each.
- VIEW PDF copies available of:
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