Small things, like family, are huge

June 20 was a big day for the members of the Class of 2018. But it was only great because of the millions of small events that led up to it.

This was made clear in the messages delivered by Headmaster Hal Hannaford and Valedictorian Luke Kalaydjian at this year’s graduation ceremonies.

In his address at the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2018, Luke Kalaydjian used words like “brotherhood,” “community,” “friends” and “family” to describe his peers.

He also marveled at the way in which his fellow students refused to be stereotyped, choosing to take part in diverse school activities.

“We have students who are pivotal hockey players, but then also take on the lead role of our play,” he said. “We even have wrestlers who run the Model UN team.”

“What makes our graduating class so special is that we all care and support each other and celebrate each other’s strengths. We’re all here together, and we have a million different things going on at once—academic championships, athletic tournaments, love for the arts— all under Selwyn House’s roof.”

Luke stressed that Selwyn is not a house, but a home, comparing the Selwyn House community to a big family. “Having a place to call home is special,” he said, “but having the right family inside makes it a blessing.”

In his message to the graduates, Headmaster Hal Hannaford began with a list of important historic events, such as the invention of printing, the abolition of slavery, the first powered flight and the first human in space. He wrapped up his list with a final historic date: Wednesday, April 18, 2018, the day one particularly shy student spoke in a class assembly for the first time, delivering a heartfelt message about the tragic accident that killed sixteen members of the Humbolt Broncos hockey team in Saskatchewan.

“Having a place to call “As he paid tribute to the victims of that awful tragedy…you could home is special, but having have heard a pin drop,” recalled Mr. Hannaford. the right family inside “Some of you might think that in the worldwide scheme of things makes it a blessing.” this was an insignificant moment, different from space travel or the discovery of penicillin,” Mr. Hannaford continued. “But these small things add up to make a difference.” “You see, without small things, there are no big things.”