Class of 2023 Commencement

Parish Episcopal School SUMMER 2023

Commencement Edition

CLASS OF 2023

Graduation Speeches 3-7 Class of 2023 8-11 All Acceptances, Matriculations & Scholarships 12-13 Highlights from Commencement Season 14-17 More About the Class of 2023 18-19

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.”

“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

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Blue Shirt Chapel – Mahi Koduri

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can set off a chain of events that leads to a hurricane halfway around the world, our actions 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.”

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have a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves. So, unlike the Legacy butterfly massacre

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

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our lives. We do not have to carry the burden of our sins. Guide us by grace, wisdom and

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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.”

Senior Dinner Address – Meg Steinhart “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.”

Commencement 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.”

“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

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Commencement Welcome – Samantha Ward

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parents, you have been dreaming of this day longer than we have. . . . We couldn’t have done 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.”

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it without you. . . . Today is not only a celebration of everything up to this point, or an exodus

Commencement Faculty Charge to the Graduates – Fallon Ahearn “ . . . 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 | C L A S S 2 0 2 3 commencement edition

many people. . . .

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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.

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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 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

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“So, now that our final seconds are ticking down, what will we do when the clock strikes

myself somewhere in between, but I know at least one thing. I won’t be alone. . . . as we prepare

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to close out our final moments in high school, as the seconds tick down on our time here and

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Parish prepares for a new freshman class, . . . I know that we will be prepared for whatever but for the rest of our lives it is just getting started, and the clock is ticking.”

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comes next. So, all I have to ask is: what will you do with your next hour? Our time here is up,

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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

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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!

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American University Dean's Scholarship

Elon University Presidential Scholarship

Loyola University Maryland Loyola Presidential Scholarship

Rhodes College Rhodes Grant

Appalachian State University

Emory & Henry College

Rochester Institute of Technology

Arizona State University President's Award Academic Achievement Scholar Provost's Award

Florida Gulf Coast University

Loyola University New Orleans The Crescent City Scholarship Loyola Scholarship

Auburn University* Academic Presidential Scholarship Academic Heritage Scholarship True Blue Scholarship Baylor University Dean's Scholarship

Florida Southern College Florida State University Out-Of-State Tuition Waiver Scholarship Fordham University Furman University The George Washington University

Macalester College Marquette University Pere Marquette Award McMurry University Metropolitan State University of Denver Miami University RedHawk Excellence Scholarship

Belmont University General Academic Scholarship

Grayson College Greensboro College

Michigan State University Merit Scholarship

Blinn College

Hardin-Simmons University Texas Scholarship

New York University* Merit Scholarship

Hendrix College Athletic Scholarship

Newberry College Athletic Scholarship

High Point University

North Carolina State University Provost Scholarship

Butler Community College Academic Scholarship Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University University Scholarship Centre College Founder's Scholarship

Hobart and William Smith Colleges Academic Excellence Scholarship

Northeastern University

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

Howard University

Northwestern University

St. Edward's University Presidential Scholarship

Chapman University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Clemson University

Indiana University Bloomington* Dean's Scholarship Hutton Honors College Scholarship

Oberlin College Art & Sciences Scholarship

Stanford University Athletic Scholarship

Occidental College Presidential Scholarship

Stephen F. Austin State 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

Ithaca College

The Ohio State University National Buckeye Scholarship Trustee's Scholarship

Jackson State University

Ohio University

Kansas State University

Oklahoma State University Non Resident Academic Achievement Scholarship

Iowa State University

Lake Forest College Merit Scholarship

Stetson University University Scholar Temple University Scholarship Syracuse University Founders Scholarship Success Award Texas A&M University* Sul Ross Scholarship

Lewis & Clark College Oregon Maple Scholarship

Oregon State University

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Pace University

Lipscomb University Flagship Scholars Nonresident Award Transformation Merit Scholarship

Paul Quinn College

Texas Christian University* Deans Scholarship Founders Scholarship Provost Scholarship TCU Scholarship Chancellors Scholarship

The Pennsylvania State University

Louisiana State University

Portland State University Trustees Scholarship

Loyola Marymount University LMU Achievement Award

Purdue University* MET Kazem Scholarship

Loyola University Chicago Dean's Scholarship Presidential Scholarship Trustee Scholarship

Queens University of Charlotte Merit Scholarship

SCHOOLS HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE INDICATE MATRICULATIONS (*) REPRESENTS THAT MORE THAN ONE PARISH GRADUATE WILL BE ENROLLING

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Dean's Excellence Scholarship

Texas State University Texas Tech University Presidential Scholarship Texas Wesleyan University Trinity College Dublin

Tulane University Leadership Award

University of Glasgow

Union College Presidential Scholarship

University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign

The University of Alabama Capstone Scholar Scholarship

The University of Kansas* KU Excellence Scholarship KU Access Scholarship

University of Arizona* Excellence Award

University of Houston

University of Kentucky

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Texas Academic Merit Scholarship

The University of Texas* The University of Texas at Arlington* The University of Texas at Dallas

University of Notre Dame Academic Merit Scholarship

The University of Tulsa

The University of Oklahoma Award of Excellence Legacy Scholarship Honor Scholar Scholarship Legacy Scholars Award

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Julian Burruss Scholarship

The University of Vermont

University of Wyoming Athletic Scholarship

University of Arkansas* New Arkansas Non-Resident Tuition Award

University of Louisville

University of California, Los Angeles Athletic Scholarship

University of Maryland President's Scholarship

University of Oregon Minds Move Mountains Scholarship Summit Scholarship

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Miami* President's Scholarship

University of Pittsburgh

Wake Forest University*

University of Portland

Washington State University

University of Puget Sound Faculty Scholarship

Washington University in St. Louis

University of Colorado Boulder* Chancellor's Achievement Scholarship University of Connecticut University of Denver* Chancellor Scholar Merit Scholarship University Scholarship Rocky Mountain 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

University of South Carolina University of South Florida University of Southern California* The University of TennesseeKnoxville*

Western Oregon University Westminster College Wilberforce University Wofford College Xavier University Yale University Yavapai College

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EXTERNAL Scholarships Earned Mary Loving Blair College Scholarship 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 Rhode Island

Villanova University

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University of Georgia Classic Scholarship

University of Maine

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HONORS/ SPECIAL PROGRAMS ACCEPTANCES

SARAH BRANSKY University of Maryland, Carillon Communities Program

ELLIE PORRAY University of Mississippi, Excellence in Teaching Program

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUITION

HANEEN RIAZ Southern Methodist University, Rotunda Scholar

Private In-State

12

Public In-State

16

Public OOS

50

Private OOS

32

Other/International

0

Undecided/Gap Year

0

GRANT WILLIAMS Purdue University, Research Accelerator Learning Community

Number of students

Total

110

COLLEGE ATHLETES KAMSI ARINZE University of Houston

BEN HUGHSTON Hendrix College

CONRAD BINKLEY Newberry College

BEN MATTHEWS Yavapai College

BRYSON BLACKMORE Southwestern Oklahoma State University

COOPER MAILAND University of Wyoming

JAMES CAVE Yale University CHASE BURTON Texas A&M University HARPER COOPER University of California, Los Angeles

CEDRIC MAYS II University of Mount Union AUSTIN SATTLER Hardin-Simmons University SETH SCOTT Louisiana State University THOMAS WILLIAMS Stanford University

DYLAN DAVIS The University of Mississippi

COLLEGE ARTISTS

DEREK EUSEBIO Arizona State University

as defined by acceptances into special programs beyond admission standards

AIDAN GILMORE Iowa State University

FIRST-TIME MATRICULATIONS Colgate University Newberry College Paul Quinn College University of Portland

DANIEL DEMERY The University of Mississippi

RYAN FORSON Washington State University

Out of State: 75 In Texas: 25

ALEXA PLUMLEE Texas Christian University RILEY PHILLIPS Wake Forest University

Sarah Lawrence College Southwestern Oklahoma State University University of Mount Union Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Yavapai College

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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

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WHAT IS A “LIFER?” A student who has spent 12 or more years at Parish. But, more than that, a “Lifer” represents the

CLASS OF 2023

Commencement Edition 4101 Sigma Road Dallas, Texas 75244 parish.org