School President Zane MacFarlane receives the School’s highest honor, the William A. Fisher Medallion.
grade and the Daniel Baker, Jr. Memorial Award, given to the senior who, through thoughtfulness and by reason of his character, has contributed most to the general welfare of his fellow students. A full list of student awards given on Founders Day is located on page 74. Schmick told the assembled crowd that he was personally glad to be going out with the Class of 2013, one of the closest classes he could remember and “a class of characters, filled with character.” He noted that the class and its leaders had plenty of ideas that were “brilliant, diabolical, and crazy,” but all designed to celebrate classmates and raise school spirit. Though the day was about celebrating the graduation of 115 seniors, it was also about celebrating Mr. Schmick, who first came to Gilman as a fourth-grade student in 1958 and began his 39-year career in teaching and administration in 1974. Schmick’s special remarks to the graduates focused on the lessons he's learned from his Gilman mentors and from his family, and they also focused on character — Honor, Respect, Integrity, Humility and
Excellence — The Gilman Five that will be his long-lasting legacy at the School. In introducing Mr. Schmick, Board of Trustees President McBride told the graduates to “reflect on the example set by your Headmaster, who sought out the strength of each person around him” throughout his career. Bedi, in thanking Mr. Schmick for his service to Gilman, said that “it was inspiring to be led by somebody who is so fundamentally decent.” Before the graduates received their diplomas, Schmick presented a host of faculty awards for outstanding teaching and longevity of service. The faculty awards are also listed on page 74. Once again, as has become tradition, members of the Traveling Men sang a rendition of “The Parting Song,” a 17th century Scottish tune of departure. This year’s singers were seniors Jordyn Hawkins-Rippie, Zane MacFarlane and Jibri McLean, each of whom also won a student award during the ceremony.
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