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Tipping Caps to Those Who Guided Them, Class of 2017 Readies for Next Step 4
By Melody Guyton Butts Assistant Director of Communications
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riting skills have been honed, historical events committed to memory, scientific and philosophical curiosities sparked. But perhaps of even greater significance for Durham Academy’s Class of 2017, suggests Zoe Pharo ’17, are habits of kindness and a “commitment to people” that are hallmarks of the school community. “While I did expect the academic rigor, I never expected to be so struck by the kindness of this community,” Pharo said from the stage of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Memorial Hall, where she addressed classmates, faculty and graduates’ family and friends gathered for DA’s 43rd commencement exercises on May 26. “Once you’ve had Mr. Cullen transition seamlessly from a lively discussion of derivatives to Lumosity to ‘keep the brain sharp;’ had Mrs. Throop stay after class to listen to our thoughts on a recent event; had Mr. Murray tell you his ‘Murray code of wellness;’ and had Mr. Hark and Mr. Ulku-Steiner tackle the ‘happy, moral, and productive’ part of our mission statement; you realize just how much dedication goes in day in and day out,” Pharo continued. “The most important thing about my four years, not always easy years, has been the role models I’ve found in teachers, students and parents.” continued on page 2 2 1. Family members, teachers and friends packed UNC-Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall to wish the Class of 2017 well. 2. Liza Aldridge waves to family members as she processes to the stage of Memorial Hall. 3. Isaac Arocha and his 103 classmates are headed to 64 colleges and universities around the country. 4. Daniel Wallace, a best-selling author and English professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, delivered the commencement address. 5. Graduate Zoe Pharo reflected on her years at DA and looked ahead to what's to come in college. 6. Victor Harpe receives his diploma from Head of School Michael Ulku-Steiner. P H OTO S B Y K E N H U T H A N D C O L I N H U T H
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