2015 Commencement Remarks by Head of School Rebecca T. Upham Today is an important day for the Class of 2015. This graduation
draw on what is here. This yearning I have to pause and look
and the diplomas these students will soon receive mark the end
around I “blame” on the group sitting in front of you. They
of one journey and the beginning of another. It marks a milestone
remind us what a neat place their school is; they have made
for all the faculty, family, and friends assembled here. This is
“cool” things happen here.
a moment when everyone here is suspended between the terra firma of BB&N and the world of new adventures.
The other night, at our closing dinner together, your parents told us that your experience at BB&N has shaped your “hearts
In the past few weeks, there have been many opportunities to talk
and minds and souls.” That’s a wonderful testament to your
about this class. We certainly applaud our soon-to-be graduates
teachers and coaches and advisors—but, of course, it is you and
for their many accomplishments in classrooms and studios, for
you alone who get the credit for actually working through the
their work in the local and global community, and for their spirited
challenges.
competitions, be it with an ISL rival or each other in their color wars.
Still, you have been shaped here. Today marks a point where BB&N’s
There’s something about this group,
formal role in the formation of your
though, that you should know.
character, in the formation of your
Whenever we speak privately about
habits of heart and mind, is done.
the Class of 2015, be it in a faculty
Not done are the connections you
meeting or among a small group of
have made. Not ever finished are
colleagues, a note of admiration and
the bonds forged by common
wistfulness sidles up to the exchange.
experiences—by Senior Spring Project,
The other evening, the Senior Class
Sophomore Debates, the Junior
Dean Ms. Makrauer said of this group
Profile, Biv, Color Wars, Spirit Week.
that for all their remarkable, truly remarkable, accomplishments, this is
And as I think about the attributes I
a group in which the whole is greater
hope you will carry with you beyond
than the sum of the parts. At least,
the walls of BB&N, I can’t help shake
that’s how we’ve experienced it. The
a vignette. It’s about a day in March,
esprit de corps of this entire group
right before you embarked on Senior
has infused the entire Upper School
projects. For this head of school, it
with pride, spirit, goodwill, and an
was a day made magical. The sun was
element of playfulness. The Class of
out and the snow sparkled. (The
2015 is a smart and talented, friendly
sparkling snow was NOT the magical
and spirited, and distinctly, decidedly,
part.) As is my wont most mornings,
inclusive group. Put simply, this is a class that has made BB&N a
I was on the Lower School campus and I was leaving to go to the
better school. And in so doing, they have earned our respect and
Upper School. Kindergartners careened across a playground
captured our hearts.
blanketed in three feet of snow with one youngster running pell-mell towards the teacher: “Come quick, I’ve found dinosaur
…..
tracks in the snow!!” Dinosaur tracks in the snow. Said with conviction. Wow.
Graduation is oft times an occasion to look outward, to gaze forward and talk about horizons and things to come. But today, for just a few minutes, I want to turn in the other direction, to 2
I left the Lower School and slogged my way through
6
mountains of snow to arrive on this campus. Headed to my