Commencement

A Senior Class, Nuanced and Powerful Awards

On Friday, June 9, we celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2023. As we gathered on the Hopelands lawn, Head of School, Diane Rich, noted “Seniors, today is about you… but it’s not all about you. Relationships matter to living a life of meaning.” Throughout their senior year, and during their Upper School journey, this group certainly demonstrated a strong commitment to each other, to community, and to striving to achieve their very best in pursuit of the activities and friendships they care about most.

Presenting the Class Gift, newly elected 22-23 Alumni President, Katie Kerachsky, shared: “The people in the class of 2023 are what have made my Rocky Hill journey what it is. We have grown up together and pushed one another to be the very best versions of ourselves.” “We are so passionate about what matters to us … [w]e challenge each other … and voice our opinions…”

Brady Wheatley, Head of Upper School, reflected on the senior class of 2023 as both nuanced and powerful. “This ability to hold each other accountable, to show up in genuine support of peers, and to remain resilient …sets your class apart.”

Closing our Commencement event, referencing Helen Keller, Rich invited the Class of 2023 to always consider their actions and the things in their control, to do the best they can in life, and to see what miracles await them!

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

Valedictorian

• The Richard S. Barker Sr. ’54 Community Service AwardJustine Johnson

• Class Gift Presenter - Katie Kerachsky

• The Lifer Awards

Preschool - Derek Block, Savannah Burnett, Isabel Guastella, Benjamin Lawson, Francesca McCaughey

Kindergarten - Alexis Cote

• The Rocky Hill Country Day School Community Service AwardBenjamin Lawson

• The Dumas Family World Language Award - Caroline Moonan

• Henry and Peggy Sharpe English Award - Chase Kirwan

• The Roberta Wintersteen Knight ‘61 History and Social Sciences

Award - Deirdre Stockdill

• Flynn Award for SportsmanshipKatie Kerachsky and Benjamin Lawson

• Lillian Boynton Hale Art AwardKaz Bradley

• Howland Music AwardGiancarlo D’Agostino and Isabel Guastella

• Lieutenant Governor Leadership Award - Jayci Izzi

• The Mauran BowlGiancarlo D’Agostino

• Class of 2023 - Commencement

Speaker - Benjamin Lawson

Derek Block. This year’s Valedictorian demonstrated remarkable academic ability and a fierce analytical mastery in a variety of disciplines. Teachers remarked on his inquisitive nature, passion for discussion, and newfound leadership of Quiz Bowl. Thoughtful in his approach - listening intently to differing perspectives while articulating nuanced complexities with easeDerek has made every space at Rocky Hill better by being a part of it. Congratulations to Derek Block!

• The Valedictorian AwardDerek Block

Contributions by the Class of 2023

• 9 Conference Semifinals

• 5 Conference Quarterfinals

• 2 back-to-back Field Hockey Championships

• A first ever NEPSAC appearance for Girls Basketball

• A Boys Lacrosse Championship appearance and a win

• 2 Tennis Doubles Championships

• 7 students completing Art Portfolios

• 9 Musical productions (3 directed by seniors)

• 7 seniors as Nathan Hale Ambassadors

• 10 Clubs run by seniors

Next Year:

• The Gregor/Coes Award in Mathematics - Giancarlo D’Agostino Almanny

• 33 different universities, in 12 different states

• 49% outside New England

Jeffrey Ellis. My youngest son graduated from Officer Candidate School last June. June was also our 50th wedding anniversary. I’m President (also known as “King Lion”) of our local Lions club.