COMMENCEMENT | 2022

Keynote Speaker

AMINATTA FORNA, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR

Aminatta Forna captivated with her address, advising, “People say, ‘Find the thing you love and make it your job, and then you’ll always be happy.’ I’d say discover what makes you curious, because life is about more than what you do for a living or even just being happy. It’s about living a good life, a decent life.”

In her first Commencement as Head of School, Kristy Kerin began the day’s joyful ceremony by saying, “At our first All-School meeting of the year, we gathered here on Brown Field at sunset. As the sun cast an orange glow and we came together after a summer apart and a year of COVID distancing, it was one of those evenings that felt impossibly perfect. Serene and electric at the same time.” She then encouraged the students to be curious—Brewster’s theme of the 2021-22 school year—and practice gratitude to invite joy into their lives. She repeated this request on Commencement Day: “Because no matter what may be going on in the broader world or in our lives, we are all here, on this day, at this incredible school, in this amazing location, so I know we all have reasons to be grateful as we celebrate with the Class of 2022.”

Just The Facts

WEATHER REPORT: Overcast with a mild breeze (in other words, perfect!)

GRADUATES

MUSICAL MOMENT: Jaila Richards ’22 and Morgan Johnson ’22 performing “How Far I’ll Go,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda

VALEDICTORIAN: Levi Brekke “COVID rocked our world. Due to limited travel, my sister and I spent multiple trimesters in Saudi Arabia with our family and attended school online. Although we cherished the unexpected time at home, we missed our Brewster family terribly. If anything positive has come out of the worldwide pandemic, it’s that it has forced us to take a deeper look at ourselves and ask, what’s really important? My answer is this: Human connections. The deep bond formed between people when they are seen, heard, valued, and understood.”

SALUTATORIAN: Morgan Johnson

POSTGRADUATE AWARD: Teshinee Kukamjad

MILITARY APPOINTMENTS: Axel V. Keller, United States Air Force Academy

AS IS TRADITION…The Winnipesaukean dedicatee and reader of the graduates’ names was retiring Assistant Athletic Director Kate Turner!

EXTRA-SPECIAL MOMENT: Kerin recalled the shocking accident earlier in the year when Hiba Al-Nabhani, a senior from Oman, was hit by a truck while riding her bike. “Hiba was airlifted to Maine Medical Center, had surgery, and spent weeks recovering from her injuries. The night of her accident, Hiba’s friends helped me gather her belongings to bring to the hospital. They then made it clear that they were determined to travel with me to be by her side. I explained that COVID regulations were in full force at the hospital—only a school nurse could get in. But that didn’t stop them from nearly blockading my car, insisting that I take them along. It’s hard to describe how proud I was of those students in that moment as they held their ground and told me, ‘You don’t understand, we are her family here in the U.S.’ ” Many heads turned toward a well-healed Hiba, who sat smiling among her friends awaiting her moment to walk across the stage and receive her diploma.

FINAL MESSAGE: “Seek to find ways to be part of something larger than yourself. Be persistent about the things you care most about. Stay curious and keep growing and learning, always. And stay connected. We look forward to seeing you back here at Brewster as often as you are able.” —Kristy Kerin