Senior Presentation

from Winter 2022—1953: The Magazine of St. Johns Country Day School

Lower School News

St. Johns Presents the Class of 2022

In a ceremony almost as old as St. Johns itself, right before Thanksgiving Break, the School was honored to present the class of 2022 to the School community. In November 1962, St. Johns’ Founding headmaster, Dr. Edwin P. Heinrich, introduced the first Senior Presentation—of the class of 1963—to St. Johns. He had attended a similar event for his daughter at Agnes Scott College, and liked the idea of acknowledging the seniors’ coming of age and presenting them to the community as adults in their own right, ready to face the world.

It all began with a beautiful brunch at Timuquana Country Club (TCC) for the seniors, their advisors and just a few members of administration. It was an opportunity for them to spend time together as a class and just enjoy being together. After photos and food at TCC, the Senior Presentation ceremony began at 1:00 p.m. in St. Johns’ Performing Arts Center.

After a trumpet solo by Sophomore Timmy Jackson, Student Council President Walker Cowherd ’22 read the invocation and the Singers Treble Chorus delivered a rendition of “Durme Durme.” Senior Class President Mary Beth Garrison read an excerpt from Lincoln’s Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation and introduced Head of School Valorie Baker. After a short greeting, Mrs. Baker turned the podium over to Homilist Kinley Hall ’22, who read from the Book of Proverbs.

“One of St. Johns’ newest traditions,” said Head of School Valorie Baker, “is for the senior class to nominate their own speaker for Senior Presentation, and this year’s class has elected School Registrar Ms. Dana Goode.”

“After the news was shared with me about being your speaker,” said Goode, “I decided that I would share with you what I think are three important qualities, all of which you possess, but I would like to remind you of: be kind, be present, and be you.” Goode’s talk touched on both observations and advice in each of these categories.

Be Kind.

“I have witnessed a kindness in you that is not often seen these days,” Ms. Goode continued. “I know that you rally around a classmate who perhaps did not do so well on a test, or encouraged them during a sporting event when selfdoubt may have crept in; that is a kindness that is needed. You put your own matters to the side because there is someone else who needs you, and at that moment that is what you do. I would suggest that you love the person in front of you. Sorry to put that pressure on you, but don’t worry, you always rise to the challenge.”

Be Present.

“It says so much to the people you are standing around talking to when you can put your phone away for just a few minutes,” said Goode. “It shows those around you that their presence at that moment is important; that again, they matter.”

Be You.

“You are a gift to your family and a blessing to your friends,” summed Goode. “Each morning provides a new opportunity to show yourself and the world what you have to offer.”

With nary a dry eye in the auditorium, the seniors stood as Head of Upper School Jackie Lentini read each of their names and, finally, Mrs. Baker read the words of founding headmaster Dr. Edwin P. Heinrich, presenting the Class of 2022 to assembled family, friends, and classmates:

As a teacher I present you to the academic world that you may enter it and meet its demands honorably and successfully.

As your Headmaster I present you to your schoolmates so that they may accept you and look up to you as their leaders and their shining example.

As your friend I present you to your parents so that they may accept you as adults who have come into their own and who are to be dealt with from henceforth on an equal basis.

As your fellow human being I present to you your calling in life that you may always have the wisdom to recognize it and the strength to live up to the divine calling in your life.

Members of the Class of 2022

Angela Cristina Arellano Sanaa Anyai-Shantel Bass Ethan Jodel Beauvais Julia Oliveira Boaventura Andrew Michael Britts Kassie Ann Burton John Francisco Cabrera Abigail Bree Campbell Kaiya Lee Cooper Lauren Nicole Correia Stanley Walker Cowherd IV Dru David Detlefsen Zion Judah Dugan Addison Elizabeth Ellis

Mary Elizabeth Garrison Emma Nicole Gonzales Susannah Parker Goodwin Sean Michael Gregson Kinley Spencer Hall Evelyn Luisa Hanson Adan Quinn Herrera Bradley Eugene Hodges Finn Garrett Howell Jude Lawson Howell Cooper Lucas Hunt Josiah Ercell Jones Hannah Catherine Lemieux Jeramy David Lewis

Jaidy Alejandra Mejia- Andrade John Edward Minners Kiera Morgan Moisan Dalton Tyce Moore Jonathan Donald Moore Mia Imelda Morin Robert Brent Morris Emelia Patrice Morton Riley Madison Myers Lillian Elliott Ouattara Luke Phillip Pardo Anh-Khoi Pham Clayton Rusty Philpott

Margaret Schley Pizzi Owen William Roth Nathan Lenarde Rowan II Noelle Jessica Sanford Ariel Gil Sauer Justin Michael Shipman Callum Michael Steiner Matthew Gregory Stratton Jordan Emilio Taylor Kamryn Ainsley Towers Trevor Grayson VanKempen Serenity Tamya Williams

Congratulations, Class of 2022 and families!