2017
During Memorial Day weekend, the class of 2017 graduated from Brooks. The 103 members of the form took time to celebrate, reflect and look back over their time on campus before setting their sights on their next accomplishments.
GRADUATING
WITH HONORS
THE MEMORIAL DAY weather may have been chilly and unsettled, but clouds and coats didn’t put a damper on Brooks’s celebration of the academic year and the class of 2017. Lawn Ceremony, which was held on Sunday, May 28, highlighted student accomplishment in the arts, athletics and academics. Prize Day, which took place the following morning, allowed the school community to recognize the enduring achievements of the class of 2017. Head of School John Packard began Lawn Ceremony by commenting on the heights Brooks students reached over the 2016–2017 academic year. “The hard work, exceptional leadership and superb citizenship so many students have shared and provided leaves us proud of the year we have had together,” he said. Lawn Ceremony was broken up into three areas of focus. First, Chair of the Arts Department Rob Lazar presented prizes in the arts. Gio Vargas ’17, who spoke on the arts at Brooks, said that the ability to create and appreciate art is a universal prerequisite to being a human being. Second, Director of Athletics Bobbie Crump-Burbank awarded prizes in athletics. Gabi Hillner ’17 — who, along with classmates Alexia Ames and Bridget Cifuni, was recognized for having played on 1st teams for each of her 12 seasons at Brooks — spoke on the value of teammates. Third, Associate Head for Academic Affairs Lance Latham awarded academic prizes that ranged from recognition of outstanding
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A group of soon-to-be graduates after Boo Hoo Chapel.
papers in the humanities to recognition of notable work in physics and Latin. Kyle Helfrich ’17 then relayed his thoughts on his academic journey at Brooks. Boo Hoo Chapel followed Lawn Ceremony. As always, the service ended with the faculty and younger forms processing out of Ashburn Chapel, past a waiting line of sixth-formers who received and gave hugs and well-wishes. The next morning brought Prize Day, and with it, the sixth form’s receipt of its diplomas. Mr. Packard spoke on the form’s time at Brooks, and said that he hoped its members would view Brooks as “a port of sorts throughout your life, and a place that reminds you of who you are at your very best.” He stressed that “it is important that this class of 2017 knows that this school, more theirs today than anyone else’s, will always be there for them.” Mr. Packard conducted a moment of silence — on, he noted, Memorial Day — for Alexi Whitney ’96, who was killed in December 2016 while on a mission for our country in Afghanistan. As the ceremony continued, Sixth-Form Speaker Jack Yang contemplated the way in which, over four years on campus, Brooks brought the individuals of the class of 2017 together through shared experiences and memories. Mr. Packard then awarded the form its diplomas, assisted by President of the Board of Trustees Steve Gorham ’85, P’17, P’21, before School Minister the Rev. Julie A. Mavity Maddalena concluded the ceremony with a benediction.
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