CLASS OF 2020 COMMENCEMENT

For the first time in the school’s history, a GSB alumna received the prestigious Chair of Excellence in Teaching Award . Noreen Syed ’10, former STREAMS director and beloved science teacher, was honored as an outstanding instructor .

At the 2019 Convocation, members of the Class of 2020 contemplated how they could contribute to the life of our school. Adrian Massuet ’20 read the inspiring children’s book, Say Something, and Head of School Sid Rowell noted, “What does it mean ‘to find your voice, your very own voice?’ It takes courage for sure, to speak up when others are silent. Speaking up also reflects your gifts; the many talents you possess, some of which you may not yet have discovered.” Each student signed the Senior Registry, vowing to “Work at all times for the good of the school, and strive to exemplify the characteristics of faith, honor, and consideration in keeping with our school’s worthy traditions.”

Little did our seniors know that following their pledge, GSB would face the most challenging event in our school’s 120-year history. As spring break arrived, so did a global pandemic, closing the campus, moving instruction to distance learning, and leaving rites of passage and signature milestones in abeyance. The Class of 2020 voiced its strong desire to hold an in-person commencement when conditions allowed. The long-awaited socially distant outdoor gathering took place on August 2, 2020. Our graduates lived up to their collective commitment by facing a year of unforeseen disruptions with resiliency. They showed us what it means to come together as a community to honor an important milestone.

Teresa Zimmer received the Elizabeth Gill Award . Adrian Massuet and Allison Zhao received the Jean Loizeaux Award .

Zach Martini received the Harold D . Nicholls Memorial Award

Upper School Director Dr. Joel Coleman is proud to announce that seven members of the Class of 2020 were named Commended Students in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented by Dr. Coleman to these scholastically talented seniors: Robert W. Brandl, Kerry P. Colford, Luke A. Mariak, Adrian Massuet, Karoline C. Nerone, Evan R. Portnoi, and Allison L. Zhao.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise, and were placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2020 competition by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“Those named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

Robert W . Brandl

Adrian Massuet Kerry P . Colford Luke A . Mariak

Karoline C . Nerone Evan R . Portnoi