Blue Shirt Chapel – Grace Twomey
“The last 12 years I've spent here have certainly had highs and lows. But I would not change one single thing. Sure, I have some regrets, but in my mind those things don't matter. Because it all led me to today and to who I am standing here in front of you. I am cherishing this moment. And that is what I want to say to the Class of 2024 today. Don’t spend next year counting down the days to graduation. Appreciate your Parish journey – the bumpy, winding road that got you here today – and savor every day of Senior year. . . . The blue shirt means that you are now the leaders of the School, and as leaders set the example by being present and appreciating the time you are truly blessed to have left. . . . Wear these shirts with pride, they truly are something special. Enjoy being seniors and please keep the senior lounge clean.”
Blue Shirt Chapel – Mahi Koduri
“As we go our separate ways, we must remember the power our actions have on the world. Every action we take and every decision we make will have an impact on not only ourselves but also our families, friends and communities. Just like how the flutter of a butterfly's wings can set off a chain of events that leads to a hurricane halfway around the world, our actions have a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves. So, unlike the Legacy butterfly massacre of 2017, let us spread our wings, embracing the power of the butterfly effect and strive to make a positive impact on the world. Let us choose kindness, compassion and empathy in all that we do, and let us never underestimate the power of our actions, no matter how small they may seem. So, to the class of 24, go forth with confidence and purpose, knowing that you have the power to make a difference, and let us use that power to create a better future for ourselves and generations to come.”
Blessing of the Seniors – Annabel Everitt
“I started thinking about what I wish someone would have told me going into my senior year and what I can take forward into my freshman year [in college]. And the answer is this… You’re going to get humbled. . . . It’s really easy to get comfortable at Parish because we, as Parish students, are REALLY good at what we do. Not just good, we’re spectacular in our own individual fields. And coming together, we’re an awesome group, if I do say so myself. But that does not change the fact that we are going to fail and have some humbling moments. . . . But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my humbling moments during high school, it's this: it's okay… you can laugh. . . . when you’re stuck in the dark tunnel of a humbling moment, fighting for that light and that laughter will always pay off.”
Senior Dinner Blessing – Ava Pehrson
“Heavenly Father, we thank thee for gathering us today to celebrate the class of 2023. Today we come to celebrate our accomplishments, all of which would not be possible without thine unconditional love. We thank thee for giving us the strength to navigate the challenging circumstances of these past four years. We thank thee for the food before us, let it nourish and strengthen us, and the parents, teachers and friends around us, that they may feel thy grace. We humbly ask that the Holy Spirit be with us, to remind us, thy children, of thine unconditional, everlasting love. As we depart tonight and onto different paths, let us not forget the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We do not have to carry the burden of our lives. We do not have to carry the burden of our sins. Guide us by grace, wisdom and love, so that we may not be tempted by the growing fear of this world. In our newfound experiences, let us continually be guided by faith to serve thee and others with humility, love and charity. We are at peace because with thee, all things are possible. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”
“There’s a lot more I’d probably want to say to my 9th grade self, and I bet she would have a lot more she’d want to ask me. I think both that version and this version of me are asking the same question tonight: Have we changed? Are we the same shy, awkward freshman that entered high school without a clue of how impossible timed writings would be or how annoying geometric proofs are? I don’t think so. Now, we have a clue – we’ve figured out how to navigate high school and overcome challenges. We are confident and accomplished. . . . that doesn’t mean the fourteen year old girl with braces, streaky highlights and a fear of Mr.Abronowitz has completely gone away. I still desperately need my friends, my family and so many others to guide me. . . . as you read your letters, pay attention. Listen to that unsure yet excited freshman, faced with how to reinvent themselves without losing sight of who they are.”
Baccalaureate – Sufi Dezham“. . . I think we have no choice but to recognize the blood, sweat and many, many tears the class of 23 has shed because we wouldn't be in this beautiful space without them. . . . We weren't always this mature and poised. . . Any year before senior year we were the underdogs. . . . I don’t think any of us would have made it to where we are today if it wasn't for the community we were surrounded by at Parish, whether that be teachers, administrators, friends or even college counselors. . . . I urge everyone to always fight for your dreams, no matter how big they are. If your dreams don’t scare you, they probably aren’t big enough, and if they make you nervous then they're probably worth it. At some point we have to put our materialistic wants aside and truly fight for what will make us happy.”
Senior Dinner Address – Meg SteinhartCommencement Invocation – Grace Twomey
“Dear Lord, Thank you for the class of 2023. Thank you for all the memories. Thank you for the moments that shaped us into the men and women we are today, ready to enter the world. As we go forward, allow us to remember the lessons we learned here at Parish. The lessons of hard work, integrity, friendship and service. I pray that as this special group goes forward into the future that they know they are loved by so many. Help us as we go through life and experience success and failures, and help us learn from both. Instill in us the mindset that this is a new beginning and that the best is yet to come. Lord, help us go into adulthood as kind, caring, compassionate, empathetic people. I pray for our safety and happiness as we all go our separate ways. Your plan for our lives is perfect. May we lean on you in good times and in bad. And may your will be done in each of our lives. Lord, remind us not to rush through life; let us take in each special moment and appreciate how incredibly blessed we are. Bless these 110 students and watch over us. I know our futures are bright and full of opportunity. I pray for my classmates, each and every one, and I pray that you will guide us all through this next stage of our lives. In the Lord's name we pray, Amen.”
Commencement Welcome – Samantha Ward
“Well everyone, we made it. Even though it might not have looked like the movies and TV shows with impromptu musical numbers and dancing on cafeteria tables. It was instead filled with Friday night lights, Hymn sings of our favorite songs, two Spring Football Classic wins, competitive rounds of senior assassin, and many other unforgettable moments. . . . And dear parents, you have been dreaming of this day longer than we have. . . . We couldn’t have done it without you. . . . Today is not only a celebration of everything up to this point, or an exodus from our high school lives. It is a celebration of the moment - a time to take pause between two great things. . . . To dwell in the past or to fixate on the future would be silly. . . . So, take this day to celebrate yourselves, each other and all of the memories you have created these past four years. I cannot wait to see all the great things we will accomplish.”
Commencement Faculty Speaker Introduction –Milo Longfield & Tre Williams
“The realest. No cap. The GOAT. On God. Him. . . . we are just describing our speaker today in our own words. For the broader audience, you might describe him as: Authentic, Passionate, Laugh out loud funny.
Tre: . . . he has not only made me think about the world as a whole, but my role in it as well. He has made me push myself to be better, and he has definitely made me laugh!
Milo: [He] sees us for who we are as humans, not for what grades we get or how well we play in a game, instead he treats us as equals.
Tre: Without further ado, I am honored to introduce Mr. Fallon Ahearn as the class of 2023’s keynote speaker.”
“ . . . circling back to the beginning of your educational experience and paying homage to Sesame Street with “the Letter and Words of the Day.”
Today’s letter of the day is “P.” . . .
The first word of the day – unsurprisingly - is Parish. . . . ‘The body of people . . .’ understand that [your] accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of many people. . . .
The second word of the day is Purpose. . . . You and you alone can determine not only what is the purpose of a college education but also what is the purpose of your life. . . .
The third word of the day is Process. . . . Education is a never-ending process of self-realization and improvement. . . . Your graduation from Parish is just a part of the journey.
The fourth word of the day is Pressure. As unseemly and incongruous as it sounds, stress and pressure are necessary for a person to become their authentic self. . . . it is through the act of suffering that we develop the last word of the day.
The last word of the day is Personality. Personality is the quality or character of a person and I think the seniors chose me to speak today in large part because of my personality traits. Here are some traits which start with the letter “P” that I try to practice and believe will serve you well throughout life.
Make it a point to speak plainly with people.
Make time to play and have fun!
. . . don’t play around with your persona. Don’t pretend to be something you are not! [references words of the rapper 23 Skidoo] Practice patience with both yourself and others . . .
. . . when you do fail, persist throughout the process
If you need help, then practice humility and ask for assistance!
When success finally comes to you, remember to practice gratitude!
Now, it is the time for the class of 2023 to act! . . . Put people first! Be productive and take advantage of the privileges graciously bestowed upon you. Persist throughout the process of learning and life. . . . And may Peace be with you all, now and forever more!”
Commencement Student Address – Ren Staveteig
“One of my first memories of Parish is from 3rd grade when Ms. Cotten handed out our logins for Reflex Math. . . . I remember staring at that number at the end of my name - 23. 2023 seemed unfathomably far away to my smaller self . . . How much has changed! Now, it feels like a lifetime ago that I learned my times tables with that dancing crab and ice cream minigames. High school came and went far faster than I ever expected, so I want to take a step back, to be a fly on the wall of my freshman self, and tell them a few things: Trust the process.
. . . Own this time. . . . Be curious. . . . Spend time with yourself. . . . I’m only 18! I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I will face it with determination, trusting the process, taking ownership of the next phase of my life while remaining curious and in touch with myself. . . . as we leave this space and scatter across the globe, cherish these people. . . . Our perspective is totally unique, just as our time together was. We are and always will be the class of 2023, so go and be excellent to each other.”
Commencement Farewell – Owen Kisner“So, now that our final seconds are ticking down, what will we do when the clock strikes midnight? Starting over can be really scary. We’re going to go across the country into new environments, new schools, new lives. For some, it is exciting. For others, it’s terrifying. I find myself somewhere in between, but I know at least one thing. I won’t be alone. . . . as we prepare to close out our final moments in high school, as the seconds tick down on our time here and Parish prepares for a new freshman class, . . . I know that we will be prepared for whatever
Walker King Anderson
Kamsi Isaiah Arinze
Annabelle Catherine Besgen
Conrad Goodwin Binkley
Bryson Lynn Blackmore
Thomas George Boren
Sarah Victoria Bransky
Robert Chase Burton III
Daniela Canavati
Ellie Kate Carter
James Montgomery Cave
Easton Johnathon Charles
Srivishnu Cherukuri
Sumith Chittimalla
Harper Noel Cooper
Erin Layne Cotten
James Patten Crosland
Andrew Morgan Daggett
Dylan Lynch Davis
Julia Elizabeth Davis
Lauren Kelley De La Vergne
Daniel Micah Demery
Sophia Violet Dezham
Brooke Taylor Dial
Reese James Dreyer
Derek Cole Eusebio
Annabel Dianne Everitt
Katherine Taylor Fargo
Emerson Greer Fenerty
Eli Sidney Fielkow
Margo Ann Flint
Ella Catherine Forson
Ryan McAnelly Forson
Christopher Howard Foster
Porter Elise Gaunt
Tori Morgan Gervis
Joe Wells Giles
Aidan Michael Gilmore
Erica Rivers Glover
Leslie Ruth Gonzalez
Alaena Doris Haddock
Benjamin Wycoff Hughston
Marcus Bernard McKay Humplick
Hank Gabriel Immerman
Alexandros Costas Jacoby
Azhar Shiraz Jivani
Brendan Miles Jones
Dhruv Datta Kantamsetty
Noah Elliott Kashar
Margaret Elizabeth Kaufman
Fiona Grace Kelly
Saira Aliya Khatri
Owen Weatherby Kisner
Abigail Bea Knize
Mahi Om Koduri
William Henry Koonsman
Holden William Linderman
Teagan Samantha Loehr
Annie Leigh London
Milo David Longfield
Paige Diana Ludlow
Cooper William Mailand
Sloan Nicole Malleck
Benjamin Josiah Matthews
Cedric Myron Mays II
Abigail Elizabeth McGarrity
Nicole Emily Melgarejo
Grant Newman Metten
Samuel Weber Monaco
Graydon Elizabeth Moore
Ava Vose Morash
Hanna Ilyse Newberger
Mukti Rahul Patel
Ryan Jennings Pearson
Ava Jane Pehrson
Riley Jayne Phillips
Sarah Elizabeth Pickett
Audrey Diane Platt
Alexa Grace Plumlee
Lauren Elizabeth Porray
Kendall Brynn Quadling
Paige Katherine Radle
Grace Elizabeth Ramsey
Fletcher Reynolds Ratliff
Alexander Robert Ray
Haneen Jawad Riaz
Joshua Max Saland
Diego Roman Santellana
Austin Willie Sattler
Seth Cameron Scott
Ellen Lucille Shanks
Julia Virginia Sheahan
Lindsay Ashleigh Shiller
Ryan Hugo Shiller
Abby Rose Shulman
Thomas Euclid Smith III
Roman Sky Solis
Lauren Alyse Staveteig
Julia Elizabeth Steckler
Meg Elaine Steinhart
Amelia Grace Whitehead Stotland
Cullen Grace Twomey
Ian Lamar Ussery
Matthew Loy Veal
Samantha Renee Ward
Peyton Avery Wartell
Ethan Samuel Weinger
Jordan Nicole Whitaker
Grant Everett Williams
Thomas Earl Williams III
Congratulations to the 110 members of our 17th graduating class on their college acceptances. We celebrate our graduates, who have grown in Wisdom, Honor and Service, as they look toward the future as bold leaders and creative learners set to impact our complex global society.
Congratulations, Class of 2023!
American University
Dean's Scholarship
Appalachian State University
Arizona State University
President's Award
Academic Achievement Scholar
Provost's Award
Auburn University*
Academic Presidential Scholarship
Academic Heritage Scholarship
True Blue Scholarship
Baylor University
Dean's Scholarship
Belmont University
General Academic Scholarship
Blinn College
Butler Community College
Academic Scholarship
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
University Scholarship
Centre College
Founder's Scholarship
Chapman University
Clemson University
Colgate University
College of Charleston
Presidential Scholarship
Colorado School of Mines
CSM Merit Scholarship
Provost Award
Colorado State University*
Green and Gold Scholarship
Dean's Scholarship
Dartmouth College
Denison University
Alumni Award
DePaul University
Dean's Scholarship
Drexel University
University Scholarship
Duke University
Alumni Award
Eckerd College
Trustee Academic Achievement Scholarship
Elon University
Presidential Scholarship
Emory & Henry College
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Southern College
Florida State University
Out-Of-State Tuition Waiver
Scholarship
Fordham University
Furman University
The George Washington University
Grayson College
Greensboro College
Hardin-Simmons University
Texas Scholarship
Hendrix College
Athletic Scholarship
High Point University
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Howard University
Illinois Institute of Technology
Indiana University Bloomington*
Dean's Scholarship
Hutton Honors College Scholarship
Iowa State University
Ithaca College
Jackson State University
Kansas State University
Lake Forest College
Merit Scholarship
Lewis & Clark College
Oregon Maple Scholarship
Lipscomb University
Flagship Scholars Nonresident Award
Transformation Merit Scholarship
Louisiana State University
Loyola Marymount University
LMU Achievement Award
Loyola University Chicago
Dean's Scholarship
Presidential Scholarship Trustee Scholarship
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola Presidential Scholarship
Loyola University New Orleans
The Crescent City Scholarship
Loyola Scholarship
Macalester College
Marquette University
Pere Marquette Award
McMurry University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Miami University
RedHawk Excellence Scholarship
Michigan State University
Merit Scholarship
New York University*
Merit Scholarship
Newberry College
Athletic Scholarship
North Carolina State University
Provost Scholarship
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Art & Sciences Scholarship
Occidental College
Presidential Scholarship
The Ohio State University
National Buckeye Scholarship
Trustee's Scholarship
Ohio University
Oklahoma State University
Non Resident Academic
Achievement Scholarship
Oregon State University
Pace University
Paul Quinn College
The Pennsylvania State University
Portland State University
Trustees Scholarship
Purdue University*
MET Kazem Scholarship
Queens University of Charlotte
Merit Scholarship
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Dean's Excellence Scholarship
Rhodes College
Rhodes Grant
Rochester Institute of Technology
San Diego State University
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence Scholarship
SCAD: Savannah College of Art & Design
Sewanne: The University of the South
Southern Methodist University*
J. Lindsay Embrey Scholarship
Templeton Scholarship
University Scholar
Southern Oregon University
Southwestern College
Athletic Scholarship
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern University
St. Edward's University
Presidential Scholarship
Stanford University
Athletic Scholarship
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stetson University
University Scholar
Temple University Scholarship
Syracuse University
Founders Scholarship
Success Award
Texas A&M University*
Sul Ross Scholarship
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas Christian University*
Deans Scholarship
Founders Scholarship
Provost Scholarship
TCU Scholarship
Chancellors Scholarship
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
Presidential Scholarship
Texas Wesleyan University
Trinity College Dublin
Tulane University
Leadership Award
Union College
Presidential Scholarship
The University of Alabama
Capstone Scholar Scholarship
University of Arizona*
Excellence Award
University of Arkansas*
New Arkansas Non-Resident
Tuition Award
University of California, Los Angeles Athletic Scholarship
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Colorado Boulder*
Chancellor's Achievement
Scholarship
University of Connecticut
University of Denver*
Chancellor Scholar
Merit Scholarship
University Scholarship
Rocky Mountain Scholarship
University of Georgia
Classic Scholarship
EXTERNAL Scholarships Earned
Mary Loving Blair College Scholarship
University of Glasgow
University of Houston
University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign
The University of Kansas*
KU Excellence Scholarship
KU Access Scholarship
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Maine
University of Maryland
President's Scholarship
University of Miami*
President's Scholarship
The University of Mississippi*
Academic Excellence Award
Academic Excellence NonResident Scholarship
Excellence in Teaching Program
Athletic Scholarship
University of Missouri
Columns Award
Mark Twain Scholarship
University of Mount Union
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Beasley Foundation Technology Scholarship
The Allen and Linda Meyer Award for the Outstanding Graduate
Paul Forrest Dixon Engineering Scholarship
sySTEMs Engineering Award
sySTEMs Technology Award
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Texas
Academic Merit Scholarship
University of Notre Dame
Academic Merit Scholarship
The University of Oklahoma
Award of Excellence
Legacy Scholarship
Honor Scholar Scholarship
Legacy Scholars Award
University of Oregon
Minds Move Mountains Scholarship
Summit Scholarship
University of Pittsburgh
University of Portland
University of Puget Sound
Faculty Scholarship
The University of Rhode Island
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Southern California*
The University of TennesseeKnoxville*
The University of Texas*
The University of Texas at Arlington*
The University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Tulsa
The University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wyoming
Athletic Scholarship
Villanova University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Julian Burruss Scholarship
Wake Forest University*
Washington State University
Washington University in St. Louis
Western Oregon University
Westminster College
Wilberforce University
Wofford College
Xavier University
Yale University
Yavapai College
HONORS/ SPECIAL PROGRAMS ACCEPTANCES
SARAH BRANSKY
University of Maryland, Carillon Communities Program
COLLEGE ATHLETES
KAMSI ARINZE
University of Houston
CONRAD BINKLEY Newberry College
BRYSON BLACKMORE
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
JAMES CAVE Yale University
CHASE BURTON Texas A&M University
HARPER COOPER
University of California, Los Angeles
DYLAN DAVIS
The University of Mississippi
DANIEL DEMERY
The University of Mississippi
DEREK EUSEBIO
Arizona State University
RYAN FORSON Washington State University
AIDAN GILMORE Iowa State University
ELLIE PORRAY
University of Mississippi, Excellence in Teaching Program
HANEEN RIAZ
Southern Methodist University, Rotunda Scholar
GRANT WILLIAMS
Purdue University, Research Accelerator Learning Community
BEN HUGHSTON Hendrix College
BEN MATTHEWS Yavapai College
COOPER MAILAND
University of Wyoming
CEDRIC MAYS II
University of Mount Union
AUSTIN SATTLER
Hardin-Simmons University
SETH SCOTT
Louisiana State University
THOMAS WILLIAMS Stanford University
COLLEGE ARTISTS
as defined by acceptances into special programs beyond admission standards
ALEXA PLUMLEE
Texas Christian University
RILEY PHILLIPS
Wake Forest University
Colgate University
Newberry College
Paul Quinn College
Yavapai
WHAT IS A “LIFER?” A student who has spent 12 or more years at Parish. But, more than that, a “Lifer” represents the support, comfort and challenge that is the Parish family, evident throughout the entire student body, prekindergarten through 12th grade. Over the past 17 graduating classes, Parish has had 393 Lifers. Here we feature our 22 Lifers from the Class of 2023!
(Left to Right)
Front Row: Sufi Dezham, Ellie Porray, Annabel Everitt, Grace Twomey, Margaret Kaufman, Jordan Whitaker
2nd Row: Ren Staveteig, Paige Radle, Abbey Knize, Laney Haddock, Riley Phillips
3rd Row: Ben Hughston, Ethan Weinger, Owen Kisner, Marcus Humplick, Ryan Pearson, Grant Williams
Back Row: Conrad Binkley, Sam Monaco, Joe Giles, Grant Metten, Christopher Foster
