Saints Celebrations
ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES SCHOOL
Graduates of St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, go forth into the world in peace, bear yourselves with uprightness and integrity, rejoice in God's Creation, love all people, and remember this school family in your prayers. Farewell and may God bless you.
THE CLASS OF 2025
Sandhya Rachel Augustine
Harrison Maxwell Barnes
Harrison Walter Biear
Jack William Biear
Griffin Alexander Boston
Dia Caroline Britto
Alexander Davies Brown
Indira Daria Brown
Kendle James Bryan
Sophie Dorothea Buckley
Lauryn Yong Burns
Elisabeth Grace Carroll
Samuel David Catlin
Ashley Centeno Fernandez
Haleyna Ryleah Clark
Tate Vincent Commission
Karina Constandy
Dimitri Aaron Criswell
Rex Joseph Charles Davis
Henrik Joshua Deininger
Elliot Laine Desautels
Farrah Zoelle DeVaughn
Jordon Victoria Dixon
Emerson-Belle Alice Dufault
Paul Jay Eisenberg
Mehdi Riyad El-Allagui
William Mysell Evans
Benjamin Redden Fenton
Nicholas James Fisher
Henry Garnett Foresman
Declan Francis Gaffney
Jack Alexander Gans
Loui-Jamar Felix Goin
Lilyrose Hermione Golden
Tristan Lucius Golden
Samson Derek Grinspun
Micah Mateus Gura
Claire Frances Hanley
Sophie Isabella Harding
Margaret Bennett Harrison
Katherine Caldwell Hartell
Ibrahem Hayat
Meaghan Anne Heath
Grace Anne Hendy
Charles Marion Hickok
Jamie Lee Hodgkinson
Tommy Hoskins
Grace Huntly-Gordon Hunsicker
Evan Murat Ingraham
Riley Donovan Jacobs
Emil Jafarov
Ellery Belle Johnson
Claire Hayden Joiner
Alexandra Katherine Jones
Anderson Christopher Tyler Jones
Makayla Diane Jones
Ella Menaka Berry Joshi
Finley Scott Knutson
Kathryn Bonner Kolton
Anne Louden Kostel
Carmyn Autumn Lee
Ethan Seung-Jun Lee
Haley Noelle Lehman
Garrett Sage Lian
Virginia Grace Lisaius
James Phillip London
Hayley Lookadoo
Nicholas Robert Lowe
Madison Sumayah McDowell
Charles Langston McElwain
Niels R. Merino
Emily Blair Montgomery
Finn Walker Moore
Madeleine Gray Lim Moore
Wyatt E. A. Morehouse
William Trabue Murphy
Amaya Nicholls
Catherine Elizabeth Nickson
Morgan Leigh Nielsen
Ian A. Niemira
Allison Brooke O'Connor
Bartholomew George O'Connor
Lydia Suzanne Penkiunas
Algis Kazimieras Penkiunas, Jr.
Catherine Kay Poersch*
Colin Doyle Pollock
Aiden Alexander Potholm
William Garrison Price
Zain Pushtoonyar
Simon Martin Rebstock
Jay A. Repke
Jack Aubrey Sibbald
Owen Brian Siegel
Campbell Rapier Spence
Ryan Stead
Carter Thomas Stimson
Sophia Duarte Stine
Taylor Xavia Storr
Marshall MacPhearson Strassberg
Anna Josephine Strauss
William Harrison Thissell
Patrick Lee Thomas
Oliver Paul Tineo Coppola
Tyler Penn Troy
Kate Allison VanDeVeer
Jonas Gray Vinson
Suri Wang
Jake Thomas Welter
Alison Lee White
Bryce Shannon Wilson
Ellis Justus York-Simmons
Website: sssas.org
Head of School
Kirsten Prettyman Adams
Director of Communications
Jen Desautels
Editor & Designer
Director of Design & Production
Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76
Director of Digital Media and Marketing
Mandi Sapp
Director of Brand Management and Marketing
Marcia Mallett
Photographers
Jameson Bloom '13
Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76
Marcia Mallett
Cory Royster
Johnny Shryock
Questions/Comments
Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76
mmaas@sssas.org
To Update Your Contact Information or Mailing Preferences
Please email atoman@sssas.org or call 703-212-2720.
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of
SPRINT, SOAR, AND SOAK IT ALL IN
Dear Saints,
It is hard to believe that it has only been a few short weeks since we sprinted through the finish line of the 2024-2025 school year. The end of every school year is rich with celebration, culminating events and projects, and final moments both bittersweet and joyful. And then suddenly, summer has arrived and new adventures await.
While summer can feel just as full as the school year, I hope the “busy” looks different—offering you space and opportunities to stretch and grow into a new passion or interest. Whether participating in a summer course, discovering a new author, biking around the city, catching up with old friends, or enjoying a night under the stars by a campfire, I hope this summer brings you both joy and renewal.
This summer, enjoy every moment. Lean in. Live big.
Happy Summer and Go Saints!
Warmly,
Kirsten Adams Head of School
VICE ADMIRAL JOHN MUSTIN '85
Meet the Commencement Speaker
Vice Admiral John Burton Mustin ’85 (USN, Retired) is a fifth-generation United States Naval Academy graduate. In fact, the Mustin family has such a long and esteemed history of service—from 1896 to the present—two Navy destroyers have been named in honor of them, U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mustin (DD-413) and the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89). John’s great grandfather, Henry Croskey Mustin (1874-1923), a Navy pilot often referred to as “The father of Naval aviation,” was the architect for the concept of the catapult launch. Continuing the tradition, John graduated from the Naval Academy
in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Weapons and Systems Engineering. He subsequently earned a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management (Cum Laude) from the F. W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Selected for command six times, and a decorated veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, in 2019 he became the first reserve officer to command a U.S. Navy Strike Group when he assumed command of Expeditionary Strike Group TWO in Norfolk, Virginia. His final assignment was as the 15th chief of the Navy Reserve
and commander of the Navy Reserve Force at the Pentagon. In this role, he commanded 59,000 personnel across the globe and managed a $3.7B annual budget. After serving in the Navy for 34 years, including as the vice commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command prior to his four years as the head of the Navy’s reserve force, John retired in October 2024.
John is an advocate for military and veteran causes and speaks and writes regularly on national security topics and innovative technology applications. John has received numerous awards and recognitions for his service, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the
Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal.
Outside the Navy, John has enjoyed more than three decades of experience at the intersection of national security, emerging technology, and enterprise growth. His professional background spans a formidable cross section of military, digital and technology innovation, profit and loss management, goto-market strategy, brand strategy, team development and leadership, fundraising, and the successful launch of web-enabled technology enterprises. A frequent speaker, published author, and C-suite executive, he has led large, global enterprises and managed multibillion-dollar budgets.
In April of this year, John became president of Saildrone, a defense technology company that manufactures and operates unmanned surface vessels that conduct unclassified intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions for the U.S. Navy, the U.S Coast Guard, international navies, as well as a number of commercial clients.
The Mustin family make appearances in many of the chapters of our school’s history: both of John’s parents were Saints, Hank ’50 and Lucy Holcomb Mustin ’55, as were his siblings Kay ’79, Tom ’78, and Lloyd ’77, and his uncle Russell ’50, nephews Towny ’05 and Link ’02, and niece Elizabeth ’04.
Throughout the years, John has been very involved in class alumni functions and fundraising and milestone reunion events. He is a valuable member of the SSSAS Foundation Board, offering thoughtful and strategic guidance
on our school’s fiscal standing. Upon joining the board, John said, “I’ve always felt the opportunities to which I was exposed, and in many cases benefited greatly from; were the result of my interaction with the superb teachers, coaches, administrators, and schoolmates assembled at SSS and SAS. It’s an honor to contribute to shaping the school’s future so others may enjoy the same transformative experience I did while there.”
During his time at St. Stephen’s, John served as a monitor and a member of the Honor Council, and played on the football, baseball, and golf teams. He said that he especially loved playing football for Sleepy Thompson, who was as legendary a leader in person as his legacy has grown to become to this day. Sleepy had high expectations and taught the team to achieve. “We were never the biggest or fastest team in the league, but we were always the best,” John said. Additionally, he remembers Mrs. Linda Rogers, who taught Elementary Functions. She inspired him to learn and to love math, which served him well in college, in
graduate school, and in life. “Many of my greatest educational memories involve her class, my classmates, and the culture she instilled in all of the students,” John said. That’s the amazing legacy of teachers.
When asked about leaving his own legacy in a 2024 podcast, “How to LEVEL UP Your Leadership with Chief of Navy Reserve, Vice Admiral John B. Mustin,” John said, “The greatest legacy we’re going to leave is our children and the people that we trained. Twenty years of officers and sailors who have been part of my staffs and commands will be doing great things way after I’m gone. And if they continue to do great things, then that’s probably the best reflection of my contribution.”
John lives in New York City with his wife, Kimberly, and three children, Morgan, Sinclair, and Hank Mustin V. Kimberly is the regional senior managing director at Bernstein Private Wealth Management. In his free time, John enjoys adventure races, running, golfing, playing the guitar, and supporting and cheering on his family in all of their activities.
Members of the Mustin family attending Commencement: Kay Mustin Miller '79, Steven Miller, Lucy Holcomb Mustin '55, Lloyd Mustin II '77, and John Mustin '85
THE ASPIRATIONAL VISION OF HOPE
The Commencement Address given by Vice Admiral John Burton Mustin '85 (USN, Retired) on June 7.
Congratulations! You made it.
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and, of course, the graduating class of St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, welcome. It's certainly a privilege for me to be here as we honor a very special group of students, our soon-to-be graduates.
This is such a meaningful opportunity for me, I invited my mother Lucy, St. Agnes Class of 1955; my brother Lloyd, St. Stephen's Class of 1977; my sister Kay, St. Agnes Class of 1979; and
several dear friends and classmates from the great Class of 1985. Thanks for being here, folks.
To our graduates… you are soon to gain entry into an exclusive, consequential club—one whose members span the globe, representing the highest levels of leadership in corporate America, industry, academia, and the military—a multi-decade cohort of leaders who have been taught not what to think, but rather how to think. Yes, I'm talking about your St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School
alumni network. On behalf of those who have gone before you, I'm proud to offer a hearty “welcome aboard.”
Now, it's tradition for commencement speakers to offer perspective, wisdom, and maybe even a few words you'll remember years from now. I can commit to the first two expectations, but I'm not naive enough to believe you'll remember the details of this talk when one of you is in my position— which will be upon you before you know it. But I'm optimistic there are a few nuggets you'll value as
the sands of time pass through the hourglass.
As you heard, I'm a graduate of the Class of 1985, where I played football, baseball, golf, and wrestled. I have to add—my three years on the varsity football team included an 8-1 season, an undefeated season, and several victories over Episcopal. Just sayin'. And very candidly, given the person I was back in 1985, I can't help but think, “If only my teachers could see me now…”
I also recognize that 1985 sounds like a long time ago—to you—but I assure you it doesn't to the adults in the audience. In fact, I did some quick math and realized my being here is the equivalent of someone from the Class of 1945 coming to speak to our class. If I'd been in the audience then, I'd have thought, “Who's the old guy?” But I hope you're not thinking, “Who's the fossil?” as I speak to you.
I continue to date myself, but I was a student at St. Stephen's before the merger with St. Agnes. This year, our SSSAS family celebrates a remarkable milestone: the 100th anniversary of our school's founding. Established in 1924 as St. Agnes School, a girls' school, and later joined by St. Stephen's School for boys in 1944, these two institutions merged in 1991 to form the co-educational St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School we know today.
Over the past century, our school has been a cornerstone of the Alexandria community, nurturing generations of students with a commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to others. From its Episcopal roots to its current status as a leading college preparatory institution, the school has certainly evolved with the times—and yet has
never deviated from its core values.
As we celebrate a century of tradition and transformation by looking in the rearview mirror, we also look forward with faith, hope, and determination to the future our graduates will shape.
It wasn't that long ago that my siblings, friends, and I were walking these very halls. Even recognizing that the enhancements during Mrs. Adams' tenure are majestic and have made some areas almost unrecognizable, we share many collective memories and experiences very similar to yours. In fact, this hallowed ground is where we all cultivated a lifelong love of learning, of questioning, and striving to improve the world—just as I know each of you will do.
So, I'm going to continue on this historical journey with a bit of a comparison. Specifically: how the world has changed in the 40 years since the year of my graduation.
Parents, back me up here. This is as much for your benefit as it is for our graduates.
In 1985, our phones were attached to the kitchen wall with a 40-foot cord—long enough to lasso a cow—that we stretched around corners and into different rooms for privacy. If you missed a call, that was it. It was just gone forever. In 2025, your phones are more powerful than the computers that sent our astronauts to the moon and returned them safely to Earth. They track your steps, detect your heart rate, translate Mandarin, alert you when Mercury is in retrograde, and interrupt your parents when a TikTok, Snapchat, or Insta notification pops up.
In 1985, “streaming” was something a creek did. In 2025, you can stream live sports, 10 seasons
of anything, in any language—even this graduation speech—on TV or on a phone small enough to lose in a couch cushion.
In 1985, we made lovingly handcrafted mixtapes, painstakingly waiting for the radio DJ to stop talking so we could hit “record” at just the right moment. In 2025, your playlists are curated by artificial intelligence that knows your emotional state before you do.
In 1985, “AI” was the abbreviation for Allen Iverson—who, by the way, didn't like practice. In 2025, AI is your practice, your tutor, your playlist curator, your therapist—and possibly your career competition. AI answers your questions, and is one firmware update away from replacing your future job.
In 1985, you actually had to go to the library, use a card catalog, and pray the hardcopy book you wanted wasn't already checked out. In 2025, you ask ChatGPT and get 14 paragraphs, three emojis, and a list of sources in under two seconds.
In 1985, we passed notes in class folded into elaborate triangles we called footballs. In 2025, you send encrypted texts, memes, and probably bitcoin stock tips during third period.
How about our military—the envy of every other nation on the planet—and an area of selfish interest to me?
In 1985, our Navy's cutting-edge technology was the Aegis Combat System, so big it occupied rooms full of computers on every ship, and a team of sailors just to operate it. Today, a middle school student with an iPad can launch a drone from a backpack that can loiter for hours, recognize people with facial recognition algorithms, and stream
“Aim high and pursue your wildest dreams. Commit to a noble cause— and contribute to changing the world for the better. In short, be good Americans— and good global citizens. ”
HD video back to five continents halfway across the planet—legally or not. And your iPhone camera has better resolution than our Cold War spy planes.
In 1985, “cyber warfare” was science fiction because there was no Internet. In 2025, it's just another Tuesday. The words “Do you want to play a game?” still send chills down the necks of those of us who grew up during the Cold War era. For the laymen, that was Matthew Broderick even before he was Ferris Bueller.
So, to the Class of 2025: yes, the world has changed. So yes, the tools have changed. The pace has changed. And even the global threats have changed.
But here's what hasn't changed: the call to serve, the need for people who lead with integrity, act with courage, and serve with purpose. That never goes out of style.
Fortunately, for two and a half centuries, this country has been
blessed with citizens who have embraced their civic responsibility— and the responsibility to capture this moment in time by contributing to make the world a better place.
A country that is the envy of the world. Despite some provocative headlines, there's no mistaking the facts. Oppressed people around the world aspire to come here, to become Americans, and to experience firsthand the American dream. Why? Because whenever and wherever the nation has called—in times of darkness and danger, as well as in times of peace and prosperity—America's youth have proudly carried the torch of liberty as a shining beacon for all the world to see. That's where you come in.
And while there's no test at the end of my remarks, there is an assignment for each of you as you head off into the world.
So, what's my ask?
I ask you, when able, to vote in every election; write letters to the
editor of your local paper; volunteer your time for a worthy cause; fulfill your civic duty as a juror; be a mentor; represent your country well while abroad; and consider serving your country—whether in or out of uniform. Where's our future Naval Academy midshipman? Great choice, and congratulations. [Editor: reference to Colin Pollock '25]
Be kind. Help others in need. Do hard work, and work hard. Be responsible—and accountable. Look up the difference. Don't settle. Aim high and pursue your wildest dreams. Commit to a noble cause— and contribute to changing the world for the better.
In short, be good Americans— and good global citizens. All of us, as well as your own children and grandchildren, may be the beneficiaries of your impact on the future of the American dream originally envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
You're graduating into a world of
staggering complexity. Geopolitical tensions are high. Authoritarianism is on the rise. Domestic discourse is more divided—and often more toxic—than any time in recent memory.
But here's the good news: you are exactly the generation we need right now. And you're ready.
Because while my generation built the tools—the applications, the satellites, networks, information systems, and autonomous systems— it's your generation that must decide how to use them.
• Will you use AI to solve food insecurity, or to manipulate opinion?
• Will you use your platforms to spread truth, or amplify outrage?
• Will you tear down, or will you build up?
Social media gives voice to the voiceless—and sometimes just more noise. Remember what Eleanor Roosevelt famously said: “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”
And here's the most important truth I can offer you today:
The most powerful force in a fractured world is not innovation— it's unity.
Now, I know long speeches get blurry, especially when I'm the only thing between you and Beach Week and other celebrations. In addition to my ask, I want to leave you with a nugget of wisdom that's easy to digest. Something simple. Four letters. Easy to remember.
They spell HOPE—and that's exactly what I want you to carry into the world. In this context, I'm talking about the noun, not necessarily the verb. Let's break it down:
H – Humility No one has all
“May you walk into this next chapter with curiosity, courage, and compassion— and carry the aspirational vision of hope in all you do.”
the answers—not even Google. Be humble enough to listen. To learn. To change your mind. Humility is the foundation of wisdom—and the antidote to arrogance.
O – Ownership Own your actions, your words, your future. Blame is easy. Accountability is rare. Be the kind of person who steps forward when others step back.
P – Purpose Don't just chase success. Chase significance. Live with purpose—whether in military or public service, private innovation, teaching, creating, or caring for others. A paycheck can pay your rent, but purpose will feed your soul.
E – Empathy In a divided world, empathy is power. Understand before you argue. Connect before you correct. Leadership without empathy is just authority in a better suit.
Humility. Ownership. Purpose. Empathy. That's HOPE
And when you forget everything else I've said today—which is historically and statistically likely—I hope you'll remember that.
So, get ready. The pace of change
is unfathomable. You likely cannot begin to consider what the world will look like when one of you is standing at this podium.
The world doesn't need another viral video or another hot take. It needs people who can build bridges between countries, cultures, and communities.
It needs leaders who know that compromise isn't weakness—it's maturity.
It needs citizens who show up, speak up, and lift up others. Complaining—and hiding behind inflammatory social media posts— never resolved a complex scenario.
And the world needs graduates— like you—who are ready to take what you've learned and been granted here, all this knowledge, all this history, all this opportunity, and turn it into progress.
So, to the Class of 2025: may you walk into this next chapter with curiosity, courage, and compassion—and carry the aspirational vision of hope in all you do.
May you remember that the tools have changed, but the mission remains the same: to leave the world better than you found it.
Congratulations. Good luck. And now we pass the torch to you. Make no mistake—our expectations are high I'll paraphrase Luke 12:48 in saying, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
You've each been given much. Now it's up to you to go change the world.
May God bless you. May God bless our great St. Stephen's and St. Agnes families. And may God continue to bless our great nation.
Go Saints! Thank you.
AN OUTPOURING OF EVERYTHING GOOD
The Valedictorian Address given by Dimitri Criswell '25 on June 7.
Good morning. Thank you Mr. Mallett, Head of School Mrs. Adams, Board Chair Mr. Adams, Vice Admiral Mustin, esteemed faculty and staff, families, friends, and my fellow graduates for being here. It is a tremendous pleasure and honor to stand here before you today.
This day, graduation, has been a long time coming, so long that it is crazy to think that it is finally here. I have been a member of the Saints community for a very long time. My face has appeared in the school yearbook for the past 16 years, ever since I joined the nursery at a time
before this year's Freshmen were even born. I barely remember my early days in the nursery here, back when there were no exams and AP classes.
At that time, we played games all day, had nap time, and essentially did zero actual work, or, in other words, it was kind of like the Senior Lounge. However, there also weren't all of the special members of this graduating class who are here today. As a result of joining this school two years before the next oldest member of this class, I think I can say I was the first to join the SSSAS Class of 2025. It is because of my time
here at this school that it is such an incredible, unbelievable honor to speak here today, to share the impact this Class of 2025 has had on my life and my journey.
Of course, I would like to again thank the many people who have helped my classmates and me get this to this point. To all of the parents, siblings, and other family members of this class, it has been with your sacrifices, your time, and, most importantly, your love that we have made it this far and have become such an amazing class. Whether it was providing us with food after a long musical rehearsal
or cheering us on at our games, without you we all wouldn't be here. Additionally, I must thank all of the teachers, administrators, coaches, and other staff members that have guided and taught us for all of these years. Not only has your commitment to education helped prepare us for the next step in our lives, but your personalities have made the learning experience that much more special.
Class of 2025. Many of us have shared almost our whole lives together, and I can definitely guess that for most of us, some of the greatest experiences of our lives so far have been connected in some way to this class. This class means so much to me, but saying that alone doesn't cut it. I couldn't possibly share every reason why I love this class, however, one reason is what this class has taught me. This class
“This class has taught me things that can't be taught in a classroom, read in a book, or even found using ChatGPT. This Class of 2025 has taught me how incredible of an impact that people can have by spreading love and support for one another, unconditionally. ”
has taught me things that can't be taught in a classroom, read in a book, or even found using ChatGPT. This Class of 2025 has taught me how incredible of an impact that people can have by spreading love and support for one another, unconditionally.
Last year, I was presented with the chance to go on our school's Normandy Exchange Trip. When I was considering going on this trip, I was initially very worried and reluctant to go. The idea of living with an exchange family, communicating substantially in French, and being away from my home and family for so long worried me and made me uncomfortable. However, I knew that my classmates would be there with me, even those who I didn't talk to often, and it was the thought of being with my classmates which helped push me
to go, even when I was still worried. In the end, it was indeed those very classmates who shaped my experience in France, whether it was randomly having a full conversation with Nick Lowe, Harry Barnes, and Father Cavanaugh about the Biblical concept of the rapture while walking the streets of Paris at night, or simply bonding with people at a McDonalds in Bayeux, Normandy, like Emerson, Sophie Harding, Haleyna, and Cate Nickson, who I didn't normally talk to. All of my classmates on that trip, those who I already mentioned in addition to Elisabeth, Jamie, Karina, and Jack Sibbald, made that trip one of the most incredible experiences of my life. More importantly though, I can truly say the genuine joy and support my classmates shared with me on this trip didn't just allow me to step into discomfort, but helped me expand my comfort zone itself.
My experience with my classmates on that French exchange trip changed who I was as a person and how I saw myself. By helping me and rewarding me for stepping
outside of my comfort zone, my classmates helped me begin to move away from my comfortable but very reserved and shy personality. As I entered and went through senior year after that trip, my classmates continued to give me the confidence to be more open and step outside of my comfort zone more socially, even if they didn't realize it. I talked to more people who I hadn't before, I made new friends, and began going to more social events. I was still sometimes uncomfortable when I was doing all this, but my classmates showed me time and time again that stepping out of my comfort zone was so important. I am not saying that you have to be fearless, but this class has taught me to seek discomfort, because there will be people there for you like my classmates were there for me to help you expand your horizons.
Back in October, I gave a chapel talk about my experience on JV baseball in my Freshman and Sophomore years. I talked about how no matter how hard I struggled
with my ability to perform on the field or in the batters box, my teammates, the brotherhood as we call ourselves, continued to support me and share their love with me as a member of the team. Well, at the time of giving that chapel talk, I still thought I had retired from baseball after Sophomore year as a fellow IAC JV baseball champion, but in February this year, I decided to play one final year on Varsity. While I can assure you that I was still not very good at baseball, the brotherhood was still there waiting for me, reunited for one last ride. Owen, Campbell, Patrick, RJ, Aiden, Will, Kaz, Henry, and Nick Fish were all there to spread even more joy and love as a brotherhood than they had even on JV.
Across my years of playing baseball with the brotherhood, from rushing the field after winning the JV championship or laughing hysterically seemingly every bus ride, I can truly say that it was my classmates who made baseball, one of my greatest loves already, so
Dimitri Criswell's family in attendance: great uncle Alan Brown, mother Anastasia Criswell, Dimitri, sister Adriana Criswell '22, father Jim Criswell (Upper School Music Teacher), and great aunt Jane Brown.
much more special than it ever could have been. I will never forget crying on the field together and hugging one another after our final game this year, even those who would continue playing in college, because we knew that our bond was beyond the sport itself.
In a gesture I will forever cherish and which continues to make me emotional just thinking about it, during our last breakdown as a team, Aiden Potholm, a leader on the team who had played on varsity all four years and who will play baseball in college, gave me, someone who had barely even played in the games, the honor of breaking down the team one final time with the chant that had united us: “Saints on 3, Brotherhood on 6.” As our name implies, all of the members of the brotherhood loved each other like brothers, a kind of love that could be felt everyday in every interaction we shared together. It is bonds like those of the baseball brotherhood through which this class has taught me how meaningful of an impact you can have on others by spreading love, joy, and appreciation for one another unconditionally.
This class is everything you could ever want it to be, particularly because of this ability to share love. That's why the class means so much to me. It is a friend, a family, a home, an identity, a teacher, and simply love itself. It is united by the love, compassion, support, and joy that everyone in this class spreads to one another, even if the effects are unseen.
When I was in sixth grade, I suffered from depression,
“This class is everything you could ever want it to be, particularly because of this ability to share love... It is a friend, a family, a home, an identity, a teacher, and simply love itself.”
and I went through one of the most challenging points mentally that I have ever experienced. Although I didn't tell my classmates what I was going through, that I was going to therapy every week or that I had to miss school a few times, going to school and simply being in the presence of my classmates helped lift my spirits and helped me fight through that challenging period of my life. In 10th grade, as I was torn apart emotionally at home watching my childhood dog suffer from cancer, it was going to school everyday and having people make me laugh and simply spend their time with me as classmates that helped cheer me up and keep me moving.
Even this year, as I went through a brief period of extreme stress and anxiety over the college process, I couldn't wait to go to school everyday to just be with my classmates because their presence made me forget about all the things I was worried about, even if just temporarily, and helped me keep moving forward. Even without sharing my struggles with this class, I never failed to feel their love in whatever form it reached me. Keep spreading your love, because your love spreads further than you
will ever realize.
To my classmates, I cannot truly express how thankful I am for all of you and how much you all mean to me. You have helped shape me into who I am today, you have been there to support me for my entire life, and I can only hope that I have been able to return at least a fraction of the incredible love, support, and happiness that you have shared with me and with each other in this class over the course of my time here. From the big things like Shrine Mont or Sleepy Thompson to the little things like team trivia during advisory or watching the new Pope get announced together in the Senior Lounge, every moment I have shared with you all means the world to me, even if I haven't always openly shown my gratitude and appreciation for all of you. You will all always remain in my heart for the rest of my life, and I will continue to be shaped and guided by the experiences that I have shared with you. As John Steinbeck once wrote:
“There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you—of kindness and consideration and respect—not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn't know you had.”
This class has wholeheartedly embraced that second kind of love.
COMMENCEMENT
Despite a bit of rain and a 30-minute thunder break, spirits were high and our seniors graduated June 7, 2025, on Moss Field.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THE CLASS OF 2025 ARE ATTENDING
Auburn University (2) F Baylor University F Bentley University F Boston College F Bowdoin College F Brown University
Bucknell University F California State University—Fullerton F Case Western Reserve University
Christopher Newport University F Clemson University (2) F College of Charleston F College of William & Mary (9)
College of Wooster F Colorado College F Connecticut College F Cornell University (2) F Dalhousie University
Denison University F Dickinson College F Duke University F Elon University F Emory University F Fairfield University (2)
Florida A&M University F Forest University F Franklin & Marshall College (2) F George Mason University (3)
Georgetown University F Gettysburg College F Grinnell College F Hampden-Sydney College F Hampton University
High Point University F James Madison University (3) F Johns Hopkins University F Lehigh University
Loyola University (MD) F Morehouse College F Northeastern University (2) F Purdue University F Rhode Island College
Rhodes College F Rochester Institute of Technology F Rutgers University F Southern Methodist University
Syracuse University (2) F Temple University F The George Washington University F The Ohio State University (2)
Trinity College (CT) F Trinity College Dublin F Tulane University F United States Naval Academy
University of Maryland—Baltimore County F University of Alabama F University of Arizona
University of California—Los Angeles F University of Chicago F University of Colorado—Boulder
University of Georgia (3) F University of Maryland—College Park (3) F University of Notre Dame
University of Pittsburgh (3) F University of Richmond F University of South Carolina F University of Tennessee
University of Utah F University of Virginia (5) F University of Wisconsin—Madison (2) F Ursinus College
Virginia Tech (2) F Wake Forest University (3) F Wesleyan University F Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2)
CLASS PHOTO BY JOHNNY SHRYOCK
CLASS OF 2025 COLLEGE STATS
111 NEW SAINTS ALUMNI
were accepted to 190+
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE U.S., CANADA, AND EUROPE are enrolling in 77 IN 28
are sticking together with 51
COLLEGES STATES
SENIORS ATTENDING COLLEGE with at least one other Saint.
31
SENIORS ARE GOING NORTHEAST
51
SENIORS ARE GOING SOUTHEAST
5
SENIORS ARE GOING WEST
3
SENIORS ARE GOING SOUTHWEST
1
SENIOR IS GOING TO CANADA
11
SENIORS ARE GOING MIDWEST
1
SENIOR IS GOING TO IRELAND
FOUR YEARS OF JOY
Mehdi El Allagui '25 was selected by his classmates to give the Farewell Address at Prize Day on June 6.
Ladies, gentlemen, teachers, seniors, senior citizens, and DMAC. Good afternoon. My name is Mehdi and it is my pleasure to be standing in front of you all on this decorated day. A special thanks to my fellow classmates for selecting me to be up here, and I would like to return the favor by allowing a moment of applause for the Class of 2025 for reaching this point.
This weekend is about us. However, we would not be in this position had it not been for all the adults in this room right now. Thus,
I would like to begin this address by acknowledging them.
The one thing about this school that has always separated it from the rest is the care that our faculty provide us, across every department.
History, you guys have armed us with the lessons of the past to prepare us for the uncertainty in the future. But I do believe that it is time to take your own lessons. Despite preaching democracy for a living, Mr. Garikes is the same person who stepped up as director of the Upper School, gave himself a nice salary, and stepped
back down to triple what everyone else's making. Sounds pretty totalitarian to me. I'm just joking he would never.
English, you've all taught us to identify metaphorical trauma in everything. You all also for some reason swear by Harkness discussions as meaningful, but in reality, they are just social experiments plotted by Ms. Nadler.
Math — thank you all for your dedication in teaching us to think critically and solve problems with clarity and logic. However, what still
boggles my logic is how someone as nonchalant as Mr. Summa can be so prosperous doing the same job as the happy camper that is Mr. Cortez.
Science, thank you for sparking our curiosity and teaching us to question anything and everything.
And to the departing faculty. Ms. Hardwick was sick and tired of being sick and tired at the hands of Mr. Garike's corruption. Also, it took Señor Gluzman one year of managing our senior projects to know it was time to pack it up. There are many, many more members of this community that will be leaving us this year, and I wish you all the best of luck through whatever is next. But let's not pretend you all didn't wait for our gorgeous class to graduate
before making your grand exit.
Beyond the four core departments, I would like to thank every member of our faculty for shaping our class to being the young men and women that we have become. Let's clap it up for the faculty.
Parents! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to go to a school like this, and for all the sacrifices you had to make while supporting us. I know it wasn't easy to look at the school store bill at the end of every month, stopping work to sign us out for a “dentist appointment,” and all the other ramifications that came with parenthood. I hope our presence here today provides the fulfillment you all are ever-so deserving of. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Let's give a
hand to our parents!
Now, back to the Class of 2025. Today is about the journey that we all endured throughout these last four years. So, let's take a trip down memory lane.
Freshman year we came into the school as little immature guppies in a sea of sharks, during the pandemic. Mr. Mallett used to stick poles in between us to maintain the six feet needed. Luckily, that did not have any longterm effects. Loui would lose a tooth every other day, Mason “Charlie Kirk” Warsham would come into school every day with one goal in mind: argue about vaccines. Kaz would bring dried mango peels to school and start outright wars in Ms. LaFever's geometry class. We would all throw 4s up listening to Yeat, thinking we were the kingpins on campus. We had guys shoot
their homecoming proposals over Google chats, and mask fishing accusations ran rampant all year long. It was a year defined by hilarity and immaturity. It is not a coincidence that the school came up with freshman bridge program the very year right after us. Ultimately though, the year set the fertile ground needed for all of us to grow out of the inflictions set forth by the pandemic.
Sophomore year came rolling around before we knew it. We had an underground network of fox chase migrators get shut down. The academic rigor started to overwhelm people, causing Patrick, who had given up, to spend math class firing paper airplanes at Mr. Karsten. DMAC threatened to file restraining orders on Jack Bryan in AP World History. Dr. Blaker taught a six-student English class, which he claims still turned out to be the loudest class he had ever taught— considering our class included Henrik and I, that tracks. We had also started driving, which meant the street and junior strips became live-action demolition derbies, where the biggest hazard wasn't the traffic—it was trying to park next to Kate's tank of a pickup truck. Or heaven forbid, parking within a mile radius of Jamie.
Then came around the dreaded junior year. It was another year of transition, not just for us, but for the school as well. For starters, we all plowed through bio in a glorified tin can that Mr. Mallett surely bought off Etsy. The cheapskates didn't stop there—we had to endure YAY Lunch, do not let the name fool you. Instead, some of us chose to drop our tuition in the school store. Others just so happened to have a doctor's appointment everyday at 11 a.m. sharp, and it seemed as if their doctor would prescribe them Chipotle bowls
every visit! Lunch basketball grew more competitive than any sports team that year, headlined by stars like LeSamson and Stead Curry. Henrik was handing out concussions like it was candy. And we abused the power of democracy to vote for our friends for the Honor and Disciplinary Board. According to Ms. McGuire, we are the first (and will be the last) class ever to do HDB voting twice.
And finally, senior year. We were given a space for us to be ourselves in the form of the senior lounge. During the fall semester, it became the site of an underground gambling ring until Ms. McGuire put a stop to it. Ryan Stead was a pioneer, having infinite free periods and serving as the blackjack final boss. In the spring, the “slounge” turned into a full-on war zone for Senior Assassin. Ryan Stead once again fulfilled the mandate the senior lounge placed upon him and shape shifted into an arms dealer supplying all types of water guns to the populace. Shrine Mont further bonded us as a grade. The gender based conversations served as catalysts for our uniting, even though the boys pulled off a 10-minute performance while the girls went for two whole hours. Athletics were headlined by girls soccer having a super team, and the boys having the complete opposite. And of course, varsity boys basketball, led by Samson and I. I would've included Simon, but he used his 45 seconds of playing time this year to score on the wrong basket. I kid you not, everyone in this room, even you, Mr. Yoder, has more varsity basketball points than him. Beyond our big three, super seniors Colin and Riley were also fairly adequate weapons. Shout out to them as they will be receiving their seventh and hopefully final
high school diploma tomorrow. This year, Claire and I also had the pleasure, or rather the experience, of being the senior class presidents. Claire held the girl's seat all four years using her greatest hustle every election season— bribing the electorate with brownies. I only served this past year. Even with Claire and I performing a picture perfect job, we were met with great opposition. Whether it was Evan calling my mom to complain about Senior Assassin, the Wellness Center warriors launching an invasion on Claire, or Alex Brown firing glaring images every time I spoke in the senior group chat, we realized just how passionate our class can be. I hope you all continue to use this sense of conviction throughout your next chapters in life. Just please keep me out of it next time around.
Those were our four years here. For a class that had all the odds stacked against it with a global pandemic stunting the prime time for any child to grow, we came out of it better than anyone could have ever imagined. We came out of it as leaders. Will and Elliot, you were the ones who helped revive the school spirit that had been missing ever since we got here. Emily, you helped raise north of $65,000 for the fight against leukemia. Bryce and Sandhya, you created a gateway into an evolving field through Girls who Code. Haleyna and Meaghan, you worked year round enriching childhoods through reach for the stars. Even Gans gets a mention with his Pickleball Club, which conveniently had 40 vice president positions during college application season. Ella, Anne Louden, Dia, Makayla, Farrah, Taylor, and Indira, you all cultivated spaces for your respective affinity groups that
have allowed our students to feel empowered in ways that will leave a lasting legacy far beyond our time here. And to Ms. McGuire's request, I must mention the Period Club. Though not immersing myself, as one might expect, I know that Cate, Indira, and Grace all helped promote awareness and provide the ample resources needed.
We were also as accomplished as ever. Tate, you wrote world class sonatas before you could even vote. Micah, and apparently Ibrahem, Ethan, and Declan, you all have produced music albums. Riley, you were the first and only 1000 point scorer throughout our time in Upper School. Assuming I don't reclass, that should hold. Haley, you smashed the school record in the 200. You, alongside Garrett, Ben, and somewhat Gans, are also State Champs. We had four National Merit Finalists in Paul, Anne Louden, Dimitri, and Tate. We had a robotics team make it to Worlds. We had nominations for having the best pit orchestra, who performed in the Kennedy center
“Let's not forget the greatest God-given prize that we have all carried with us throughout the last four years. The ability to smile and the ability to laugh, for it is that joy that has made this journey not just memorable, but meaningful.”
this past Sunday. Kate, Maddie, Anna, and Bennett: you all, some more than others, helped propel girls lacrosse to a top ten national ranking. Even Emil gets a shout, as he holds the Guinness world record on consecutive nosebleeds!
So I'll leave it with this. As we head into whatever is in store for us next, you will miss the various aspects that have made St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes home for the last four years, and for some, their whole lives. You will miss being in class with Niels or Jamie, and how they have 10 times the questions than answers. And even in the rare occasion where they do have an answer, they only lead to 100 more questions. You will miss having your class disrupted every morning because Alex is allergic to being on time. You will miss seeing Evan volunteer for the game at every Morning Meeting, yet never coming out on top. You will miss being rationed prison food after a long day of “Mama Mia!” rehearsal. You will miss suffering a paper cut and Coach Frost finding a way to diagnose you with heart disease. You
will miss Macphearson blasting his bagpipes, or Ms.McGuire blasting her megaphone to clean up after ourselves. You will miss seeing two 6'8” guys get married four hours after we dunked our principal into his own pool. You will miss being here.
So as we continue celebrating a day defined by the issuing of prizes, let's not forget the greatest God-given prize that we have all carried with us throughout the last four years. The prize that has gotten us through the ups and downs, the prize that has bonded every single one of us, the prize that has allowed us to capture every moment I have mentioned, and will continue to allow us to create even more memories throughout the next chapters of our lives. The ability to smile and the ability to laugh, for it is that joy that has made this journey not just memorable, but meaningful. And I'll forever cherish that meaning.
Thank you all and farewell.
Mehdi also received the Macondray Trophy—from last year's recipient, Theo Weiman '24—awarded annually to a senior elected by the students of the Upper School as Best All Around Student.
UPPER SCHOOL PRIZE DAY
On June 6, two faculty members and 71 students were recognized for their achievements in academics, the arts, athletics, citizenship, and service.
FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARD
Elise Canfield
Director of Upper School Learning Support
YEARBOOK DEDICATION
Mark Cortez
Upper School Math Teacher
Senior Editors: Emily Montgomery and Taylor Storr
The following awards were presented to underclassmen:
GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL RECIPIENTS
Jackson Sipple-Asher ‘27, Latin
Charlotte Reynolds ‘27, French
Georgia Neaderland ‘26, French
Kaia Corens ‘27, Spanish
Ali Rouse ‘26, Humanities
Ramtulai Jalloh ‘26, Humanities
Charlotte Secrist ‘27, Humanities
Gabriel Swinton ‘26, Instrumental Music
THE JOHN MORROW STANTON MEMORIAL ATHLETIC AWARD
Meg Adams '26
THE ESTHER CARROLL MURPHY AWARD FOR CREATIVITY
Ella Schneider '27
THE SENIOR CLASS AWARD
PJ Wolf '26
The following awards and recognitions were presented to seniors:
LESLIE JONES LATIN PRIZE
Paul Eisenberg
MICHALOT CUP
Emerson Dufault
MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE IN SPANISH
Ella Joshi
WORLD LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES
Sandhya Augustine, Spanish and Chinese
Elisabeth Carroll, French and Latin
Haleyna Clark, French and Chinese
Henrik Deininger, Spanish and French
Emerson Dufault, French and Spanish
Mehdi El Allagui, French and Chinese
Will Evans, Spanish and French
Jack Gans, Spanish and French
Claire Hanley, French and Latin
Bennett Harrison, Spanish and French
Katy Hartell, Spanish and French
Jamie Hodgkinson, French and Spanish
Maddie McDowell, Spanish and Chinese
Kaz Penkiunas, Spanish and Chinese
Catie Poersch, Latin and Spanish
Aiden Potholm, Latin and Spanish
Owen Siegel, Spanish and Latin
Patrick Thomas, Spanish and French
Suri Wang, French and Chinese
Bryce Wilson, Spanish and Latin
MATHEMATICS AWARD
Dimitri Criswell
STEM CERTIFICATES
Sandhya Augustine, Claire Hanley, Tristan Golden, Jamie Hodgkinson, Ella Joshi, MacPhearson Strassberg, Suri Wang, Bryce Wilson
COURTENAY MARSHALL COCHRAN
AWARD FOR SCIENCE
MacPhearson Strassberg
ROY EDWARD BYRD AWARD
Lydia Penkiunas
COMPUTER SCIENCE AWARD
Tristan Golden
O'CONNOR HISTORY PRIZE
Cate Nickson
KARIG WRITING PRIZE
Anne Louden Kostel
CHARLES JAMES SHELL MEMORIAL PRIZE IN ENGLISH
Karina Constandy
ANN G. LINDSEY POETRY PRIZE
Ariya Harrington '26
MARJORIE M. NORRIS AWARD
Dimitri Criswell
MONTGOMERY AWARD FOR THE HUMANITIES
Charles McElwain
VISUAL ARTS AWARD
Ella Joshi
MICHAEL HOLT AWARD
Makayla Jones
THE FINE ARTS CERTIFICATES
Tate Commission, Performing Arts
Ella Joshi, Visual Arts
Makayla Jones, Visual Arts
FRANK NIEPOLD ARTS PRIZE
Tyler Troy
PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS
Charles McElwain, Dramatic Arts
Elliot Desautels, Vocal Arts
Tate Commission, Instrumental Arts
EDWARD E. TATE SENIOR RELIGION PRIZE
Sandhya Augustine
PERKINS CUP
Indira Brown
SALUTATORIAN
Paul Eisenberg
VALEDICTORIAN
Dimitri Criswell
FAREWELL ADDRESS
Mehdi El Allagui
HELENE HASKIN KRAUSE AWARD
Morgan Nielsen
Faculty Excellence Award: Elise Canfield, husband Neil, sons Teddy '38, Kavanaugh '33, and JJ '35
Salutatorian and Valedictorian: Paul Eisenberg and Dimitri Criswell
Arts Awards: Tyler Troy, Makala Jones, Tate Commission, Ella Joshi, Elliot Desautels, Charles McElwain
STEM Awards: Tristan Golden, MacPhearson Strassberg, Dimitri Criswell, and Lydia Penkiunas Fine Arts, STEM, and World Language Certificates
Modern & Classical Language Awards: Paul Eisenberg, Ella Joshi, Emerson-Belle Dufault
Humanities Awards: Indira Brown, Dimitri Criswell, Cate Nickson, Anne Louden Kostel, Charles McElwain, Karina Constandy, Ariya Harrington, and Sandhya Augustine
Yearbook Dedication: Mark Cortez and Editor Emily Montgomery
Distinction in Service
SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD
Evan Ingraham
MODEL ATHLETE FOR BOYS
James London
DAINGERFIELD ASHTON MODEL ATHLETE
Anna Strauss
OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARDS
Maddie Moore and Riley Jacobs
MARSHA A. WAY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FOR GIRLS
Finley Knutson
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FOR BOYS
Garrett Lian
DEIB AWARD
Farrah DeVaughn
Cate Nickson
DISTINCTION IN SERVICE RECOGNITION
Jack Biear, Haleyna Clark, Mehdi El Allagui, Claire Hanley, Katy Hartell, Meaghan Heath, Claire Joiner, Ella Joshi, James London, Niels Merino, Catie Poersch, William Price, MacPhearson Strassberg, Patrick Thomas, Oliver Tineo Coppola, Kate VanDeVeer, Suri Wang, Bryce Wilson
RECOGNITION OF MILITARY APPOINTMENTS/SCHOLARSHIPS
Colin Pollock, United States Naval Academy
JANE LYWOOD CUP
Sophie Buckley
MACONDRAY TROPHY
Mehdi El Allagui
HOWARD CUP
Will Evans
SAINTS ATHLETICS CLUB AWARD
Kate VanDeVeer
Oliver Tineo Coppola
PERFORMING ARTS BOOSTER CLUB AWARD
Charles McElwain
ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS AWARD
Anna Strauss
CARROLL LASTELIC AWARD
Claire Hanley
THE ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES MEDALS
Carmyn Lee, Charles McElwain, Elliot Desautels, Tyler Troy, Sandhya Augustine
SAINT AGNES CUP
Bryce Wilson
EMMETT H. HOY, JR. CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Eli York-Simmons
Athletic Awards : Garrett Lian, Morgan Nielsen, James London, Finley Knutson, Riley Jacobs, Anna Strauss, Evan Ingraham, Sophie Buckley, Madeleine Moore
SSSAS Medals, Saint Agnes Cup, and Emmett H. Hoy, Jr. Citizenship Award: Carmyn Lee, Elliot Desautels, Sandhya Augustine, Charles McElwain; (back) Tyler Troy, Bryce Wilson, Eli York-Simmons
Citizenship, Spirit, and DEIB Awards: Farrah DeVaughn, Cate Nickson, Mehdi El Allagui, Will Evans, Claire Hanley, Kate VanDeVeer, Anna Strauss
CUM LAUDE INDUCTION
On June 4, 10 seniors were inducted as new members of the SSSAS chapter of the Cum Laude Society, our highest academic achievement. The SSSAS Chapter of Cum Laude was established in 1991. To be considered for membership, a senior must stand in the upper 20% of the class and have attained the qualifying average for three years of secondary school. Juniors must have attained the qualifying average for two years and be in the upper 10% of their class.
Speaking at the induction, Tate Commission spoke about what it means to learn. He shared three stories from his time as a Saint that illustrated his points: 1) to learn is to fail; 2) good character is the key to effective learning; and 3) learning is a journey, not a destination.
During the second time Tate participated in Science Teacher Robert Davis' summer rocket camp,
where he “refused to read” the kit instructions, opting to build the rockets by himself, “constructing the wild designs” of his dreams. “My creations grew increasingly ambitious, and by the end of the week, I had developed an impossibly elaborate rocket,” Tate said. His rocket design failed, but Mr. Davis reminded him that in his failure he had succeeded. “The disaster of my two-stage rocket-plane taught me that there is a limit to raw creativity, and at some point, you must understand the physics and principles behind what you're doing. And that is a lesson that I believe you can only learn through failure.”
Tate learned that “good faith is the principle of acting honestly and doing things as intended” from Chinese Teacher Daniel Lowinger. “There is no real leaning without integrity; these things go hand in hand.”
Music Teacher Dr. Jim Criswell taught him that his first steps would never be perfect, but that he would learn along the way. Tate said, “I encourage all of you to go follow that voice, learn something new, and at the beginning, cherish rather than erase your mistakes. They're a sign of a promising adventure ahead.”
The following seniors were inducted in June 2024, at the end of their junior year: Sandhya Augustine, Jack Bryan, Tate Commission, Dimitri Criswell, Paul Eisenberg, Claire Hanley, Anne Louden Kostel, Carmyn Lee, Cate Nickson, Lydia Penkiunas, and Suri Wang.
The seniors joining the society this past June were Nick Fisher, Katy Hartell, Gracie Hunsicker, Evan Ingraham, Ella Joshi, James London, Catie Poersch, MacPhearson Strassberg, William Thissell, and Kate VanDeVeer.
DIG DEEP AND UNDERSTAND
A chapel talk presented by Sandhya Augustine '25 to the Upper School community.
The gospel we heard today is often called the story of Doubting Thomas. Thomas, a disciple, is not present when Jesus returns, and he does not believe the other disciples when they tell him that Jesus has returned. He says that he will not believe that Jesus has returned unless he sees the marks from when Jesus was nailed to the cross on his hands and feels them with his own.
Thomas initially does not believe in what he cannot see and feel. Only when Jesus shows him the marks does Thomas accept that he has returned. Jesus then states that “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Thomas's story reminds us that faith often begins with questions. For me, that questioning has shaped how I understand the Holy Spirit—something unseen but deeply felt.
Personally, I have always interpreted the Holy Spirit as an omni-present force that surrounds and connects us. This may be comparable to what is known in the Star Wars universe as The Force . Obi-Wan Kenobi describes the Force as “an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together.” Clearly, there is a parallel that can be drawn between The Force and The Holy Spirit.
Another parallel that can be drawn is between Thomas and Han Solo. While Obi-Wan Kenobi is training Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force, Han Solo expresses his doubt. He says that he has “never seen anything to make [him] believe there's one all-powerful force controlling everything.” If you've seen the films, you know that as the rebels work together to dismantle the empire, Han Solo does eventually come to believe in the Force. He believes in the Force through his experiences and through the relationships he makes that eventually lead to the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
As a lifelong Episcopalian, I relate to both Thomas and Han Solo. Episcopalianism is deeply rooted in what is known as the three legged stool of scripture, tradition, and my favorite: reason.
Throughout my whole life, the practice of questioning has been deeply ingrained in my faith. In fact, I have been encouraged to question the same things Thomas and Han Solo do. Why should I believe in an all-present, allpowerful force? What evidence is there to support this?
I would be lying if I said that I had never questioned the existence of the things I have been told to believe in. While I have never been able to physically see or feel The Holy Spirit, God, or Jesus, I would also be lying if I said I did not have any reason to feel that there is something that connects me to the people around me. In the same way Thomas needed to see and Han needed to experience, I've come to believe through the relationships, love,
“I can feel a powerful force that connects me to all the fun and community I have with my friends. I can feel a powerful force that connects me to the love and support from my family. I can feel a powerful force that connects me to the guidance and teachings of my teachers.”
and presence I feel in my life.
I can feel a powerful force that connects me to all the fun and community I have with my friends. I can feel a powerful force that connects me to the love and support from my family. I can feel a powerful force that connects me to the guidance and teachings of my teachers.
I have come to the conclusion that all of these wonderful blessings in my life must be the product of something much greater and much more powerful than myself and all of us.
So, I encourage you to believe in what you may not be able to
see, but what you are able to feel around you. At school, at practice, at rehearsal, at work, and everywhere else in the world, I am confident that we all have something that connects us to a greater force and community.
I also encourage you to question what you already believe in. Try to dig deep and understand why things are the way they are. Faith does not need to be blind. It depends on a willingness to engage with doubt. Indeed, asking questions is its own form of faith. With that, may the force be with you, may the peace of the Lord be with you, and Amen.
LIFE HAS NO LIMITS
A chapel talk presented by Tyler Troy '25 to the Upper School community.
If you know me, you know I love to talk—whether it be in class having a discussion, on FaceTime with my friends, or in the back of an Uber asking the driver how their day was. My dad told me that even when I was little, too young to remember, I would run up to other kids on the playground and try to make as many friends as possible. I am proud of myself for somewhat keeping that part of my identity
throughout the years, though I have to admit for quite a long time in between now and then, I lost that part of myself.
For as long as I can remember, I've had a stutter. I think I developed it around first grade, but I'm not really sure. As someone who has a stutter, I feel personally prepared to tell you everything I know about it. When I speak, it's difficult for me to get my words out. And, that's
it. That's pretty much all I know about my condition.
The older I got, the more I began to lose the part of me who strived to be a friend of the world—I grew aware of how judgmental people could be, and really succumbed to the fear that my voice made me less. Less confident, less capable, less worth listening to.
Growing up I didn't do any sort of public speaking. Instead,
Tyler Troy ‘25 in the role of Hermes in “Hadestown: Teen Edition”
I was the quiet kid on my basketball team. Yes, a little fun fact about myself is that I used to play basketball. I was never very interested in it or all that good, but with the cards I was dealt in life I believed the sport to be “my thing.”
Despite being a dedicated athlete, and devoting a significant amount of time to the sport, I had other aspirations. One in particular— being an actor. Since my acting debut, playing a donkey in my preschool's Christmas pageant, I have loved performing and the art as a whole.
Growing up I would watch television and movies and just imagine myself up there, doing that one day. But with my stutter that dream felt impossible. Who could I possibly entertain by stumbling over my words trying to deliver a monologue?
For many years, I let the dream live dormant inside of me, and continued to play basketball. Until one fateful day during sophomore year I got a life changing email that I unfortunately did not make the JV basketball team. I was crushed, but I took the opportunity to try something else.
The season before, I had done costumes for the Stage One fall play. It was my first time really doing theater and I liked it, but what I got from my experience of being a part of the company was that I really wanted to be an actor. So when I found out that the JV basketball team wasn't looking for a 5'9 power forward, I knew where my
“When I prayed, I prayed that God would ‘fix’ my problem, but what I got instead was the strength and confidence to strive for my dreams in spite of it.”
next pivot would be.
Years prior to this I had— multiple times and in many different ways—attempted to “fix” my stutter. I went to speech therapy, I tried medication, and I watched hundreds of YouTube videos, all to no avail. I even tried Samuel Jackson's method, which involved constantly repeating a certain word Mrs. Adams wouldn't appreciate me using right now.
But one thing that I do believe worked for me in the long run was prayer. Ever since I began stuttering I would get on my knees and pray every single night that God may relieve me of my affliction. Of course, as you've probably heard throughout this talk, that didn't quite happen, but I do believe he answered my prayers in his own way.
In today's passage, we heard the story of Moses and how God called upon him to use his voice to lead the Israelites
out of Egypt. Moses hesitated because he believed his voice to be unfit, saying “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow at speaking and tongue.”
God responded by reaffirming his power, asking Moses “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” Then God ordered him again to free the Israelites, and told him “I will help you speak, and teach you what to say.” When I prayed, I prayed that God would “fix” my problem, but what I got instead was the strength and confidence to strive for my dreams in spite of it.
So, that winter, when auditions for the musical rolled around, I was there. Not as a shy costume team member, but as someone who knew what they wanted, and knew that through God he had the strength to do it. And now, a few years later, it's worked out pretty well for me. I've found a new passion, made lifelong friendships, and learned that no matter what the circumstances are, all I can do is try my best.
The message I want to leave you all with today is don't let the cards you are dealt in life limit how you play the game. Try out for that sports team, apply to that college, audition for that production and just remember that no matter what, God is always in your corner and you can do it. Amen.
UPPER SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS SEASON CELEBRATION
On May 19, the participation and achievements of our Upper School actors, musicians, and singers were celebrated.
SENIOR RECOGNITIONS
STAGE ONE
Sandhya Augustine
Harrison Barnes
Indira Brown
Haleyna Clark
Tate Commission
Dimitri Criswell
Elliot Desautels
Emerson-Belle Dufault
Lilyrose Golden
Micah Gura
Bennett Harrison
Gracie Hunsicker
Ellery Johnson
Ella Joshi
Anne Louden Kostel
Madison McDowell
Charles McElwain
Cate Nickson
Allison O'Connor
Catie Poersch
Sophia Stine
Tyler Troy
Kate VanDeVeer
Suri Wang
Bryce Wilson
CONCERT CHOIR
Lauryn Burns
Ashley Centeno
Haylena Clark
Elliot Desautels
Gracie Hunsicker
Ellery Johnson
Haley Lehman
James London
Charles McElwain
Allison O'Connor
Catie Poersch
Sophia Stine
Tyler Troy
WIND ENSEMBLE
Jack Bryan
Paul Eisenberg
Nick Fisher
Suri Wang
JAZZ BAND
Declan Gaffney
Micah Gura
Anne Louden Kostel
Ethan Lee
Campbell Spence
Eli York-Simmons
ORCHESTRA
Harrison Barnes
Sophie Buckley
Tate Commission
Dimitri Criswell
William Price
Tyler Troy
Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award recipient Max Gehlhoff '26 conducting the wind ensemble.
OTHER RECOGNITIONS
District Chorus
Reesey Lai '26
Addie McGill '28
Nadia Shorter '28
Lordon Dixon '28
Jed Friedman '28
Cappies Critics
In order to participate in the Cappies, each member school recruits student critics to be trained in the discipline of theatre criticism and represent their schools at least five high school plays and musicals in the DMV. This gives them a chance to engage in conversations about theater with other high school students, as they typically spend up to an hour discussing each show. Then they work under an intense deadline to turn around thoughtful, well-written reviews of their peers' work.
Indira Brown '25*
Janney Cooper '26*
Dimitri Criswell '25
Gracie Hunsicker '25
Charles McElwain '25
Cate Nickson '25 (lead critic)
Allison O'Connor '25
Charlotte Rutter '28*
* Indira Brown, Janney Cooper, and Charlotte Rutter were recognized with professional publication of one of their reviews of a high school production this year.
The Triple-Threat
For being in concert choir, instrumental ensemble, and theater this year.
Max Gehlhoff '26, Tyler Troy '25
MUSIC AWARDS
Director's Award
The Director's Awards honor students who have demonstrated superior musicianship, loyalty and dependable leadership to the concert choir, orchestra, and wind ensemble programs throughout the year.
Charles McElwain '25: Concert Choir
Gabriel Swinton '26: Orchestra
Harry Lue '26: Wind Ensemble
National Music Awards
These awards are nationwide symbols of excellence in musical achievement. They are the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a single member of the concert choir,
orchestra, wind ensemble recognizing dedication, leadership, and superior musicianship.
National Choral Award: Elliot Desautels '25
Fred Waring Director's Award for Chorus: Catie Poersch '25
American Choral Directors Association National 8-10 Treble Honor Choir
Nadia Shorter '28
National School Orchestra Award Tate Commission '25
Sousa Band Award
Tawon Figaro '26
WIND ENSEMBLE
Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award
This award was introduced in 1994 in honor of a legendary bandmaster and impresario to recognize a student who exemplifies the qualities of dedication and superior musicianship.
Max Gehlhoff '26
Left: Harry Lue '26 | Center: Catie Poersch '25 | Right: Tawon Figaro '26
JAZZ BAND
Louis Armstrong Trophy
Inaugurated in 1974, the Louis Armstrong Trophy honors an outstanding jazz musician in each high school nationally for the highest qualities of dedication, character, and discipline to the jazz band program while achieving the highest musical standards required of jazz music.
Anne Louden Kostel '25
Woody Herman Award
Created in 1988, this prestigious accolade is presented to an outstanding high school jazz musician who displays exceptional musicianship, creativity, and dedication to the art of jazz. Recipients of the award are recognized for their talent and are encouraged to continue pursuing their passion for jazz music.
Micah Gura '25
THEATER AWARDS
The Rookie Award
Presented to students in each grade who plunged into theater for the first time this year, grew tremendously as theater artists, and who had a dramatic impact on the program through their dedication, joy, and readiness to seek out new artistic challenges.
Freshmen
Charlotte Beauregard M.E. Call
Sophomores
Cecil Gregg
Olivia Heilmeier
Aden Wright
Seniors
Anne Louden Kostel
Cappies Commendees
Each year, directors of theater programs participating in the Cappies may name up to four students as Cappies Commendees, a category designed to recognize actors, designers, managers, and technicians for their extraordinary contributions to their school's theater program—whether on a Cappies show or not.
Willa Johnson ‘27
Grace Laha ‘27
Reesey Lai ‘26
Catie Poersch ‘25
The Ghost Light Award
Presented to a student who embodies the spirit of the stage ghost light— the light bulb in a cage on a stand, very heavy duty and reliable which is placed on stages when all the other lights are off. The ghost light keeps everyone safe and as the light that is always on in the dark, it is
representative of a student who is always asking what they can do to help out, who is a quiet presence, and who provides a bit of a safety net.
Olivia Pla '26
The Theater Performance and Production Awards
Presented to two students who are devoted and passionate about theater, delight in the process as well as the product, and demonstrate an outstanding responsibility to numerous Stage One productions.
Theater Performance Award: Tyler Troy '25
The Theater Production Award
Cate Nickson '25
The Commitment to Excellence in Theater Award
Presented annually to a student who consistently demonstrates a love for and dedication to the dramatic arts. This student knows that individual success is possible only through teamwork; and that diligence, collaboration, respect, and delight in the art and craft of theater are the cornerstones of successful productions.
Gracie Hunsicker '25
Senior Dramatic Arts Award
Charles McElwain '25
Top row: Micah Gura '25 and Anne Louden Kostel '25; Gracie Hunsicker'25; Middle row: Elliot Desautels '25 (National Choral Award p. 41); Aden Wright '27, Olivia Heilmeier '27, and Cecil Gregg '27; and Cate Nickson '25. Bottom row: Charles McElwain '25 and Tyler Troy '25.
LEARN, UNLEARN, RELEARN
Middle School Director William “Bee” Stribling addressed the Class of 2029 at their Recognition Ceremony on June 11.
Good Morning. What a joy it is to be here with you today.
Parents, families, friends, loved ones: thank you for being here to celebrate. And to the eighth graders in front of me: congratulations. You made it. You've earned those diplomas and summer break in equal measure.
This is a special group. You've been the class that asked great questions, made even better jokes, and have left a big impact on our community.
You've carried yourselves
through middle school with a blend of curiosity, courage, and confidence. And you've made your mark.
You've led your peers on bonding trips and traveled widely during Mini Courses.
You've stood up at Chapel: reading, singing, reflecting.
You've competed, performed, presented, and persisted.
You finished Capstones. You passed Final Exams.
There's a lot to be proud of. You've built a foundation of skills and habits and values that
will serve you well in the next chapter. And that's exactly what I want to talk to you about: the next chapter.
Because here's the truth: upper school can offer you a fresh start. But you don't have to start from scratch.
You're starting from nowfrom everything you've learned, everything you've practiced, and yes, even the mistakes you've made. Especially those.
Here's my charge to you as you step into this next stage of becoming who you're meant
to be. The first one is pretty straightforward: Learn. Keep learning new skills. Try that thing you've never tried. Join the club that intimidates you. Ask the question that feels too big. Upper school will give you a hundred new ways to grow academically, socially, and creatively. Take them.
Next, unlearn. Yes, unlearn. Some ideas and habits you've picked up might no longer serve you. Maybe it's the voice that says you're not good enough. Maybe it's the urge to play small when you actually have big things to say. Maybe it's the belief that failure means the end of the story. It doesn't. Unlearn what's holding you back from becoming your best self.
Finally, Relearn. Core values don't come with an expiration
date. Relearn what matterskindness, effort, humility, humor. Relearn how to listen, how to be a good teammate, how to show up fully. These aren't just “middle school lessons.” These are life lessons.
Now, some of this might sound hard. That's because it is hard. Becoming the person you're meant to be is not a tidy, straight-line process. It's a bit of a glorious mess. But you're ready for it.
As I told the eighth graders last year, people usually find what they're looking for. That's still true. If you expect to be disappointed, you'll probably find disappointment. If you expect something good, a moment of joy, a chance to grow, you'll find that too.
So as you're out there learning, unlearning, and
relearning: look for the best in the world around you. Look for the best in others. And most importantly, look for the best in yourself. Not because you need to be the best at everything, but because you are a work in progress, and that's a beautiful place to be.
I promise that everything you've already done, the essays and experiments, the silly advisory moments, the courage it took to be your full self, none of that was a waste. It's all part of what you're building.
So remember: You're not starting from scratch. You're starting from now.
We're so proud of you. We believe in your future. And we can't wait to see how you keep growing into it.
Congratulations, Class of 2029.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
The eighth grade was celebrated and recognized with a ceremony on June 11.
BE YOURSELF
Katie Pilcher '29 was honored to read her “This I Believe” essay at the Eighth Grade Recognition Ceremony on June 11.
I believe that if you live your life hidden, you aren't truly living at all, and that being who you are is the greatest gift life can give.
It is difficult and terrifying, and the journey of finding yourself can be a dark and challenging one. It takes strength and bravery to push away the fears of “Will they judge me?” “Will they accept me?” “Am I being stupid? Too loud? Annoying? A burden?” But life is what you make it, and happiness finds a way in. No matter how dark the night, eventually the sun will rise, even if only for a moment.
I believe the goal of life is to find the things and the people that make life enjoyable. Find the things and people who make you feel like you. For me, it's art and music, LEGOS and Latin, writing, exploring, reading, softball, swimming, board games, puzzles, escape rooms, acting, singing, musical theater, and most importantly, my friends and those I love. The search for where you belong is a thing that I believe most people have felt at some point in their lives (after all, it is the theme of almost every middle school novel ever).
I have had my fair share of
not quite belonging. There is a pain that comes with experiencing this that never really leaves you. Even now, it lingers there in the back of my mind, “You don't belong. They will never care for you. They will only hate you in the end.”
There were certain times in my life when this feeling was particularly strong. At my old school, at summer camp one year, and on one of my sports teams. I had friends who weren't really my friends, who told me so many hurtful lies about myself that at a certain point, I forgot they were lies. If there ever was a “why?” behind
“Don't be so hard on yourself. That math grade doesn't make you any less amazing. That fight with your parents or friends, doesn't make you any less kind-hearted. We are human, we make mistakes, a lot of mistakes. But they don't change the fact that you are still a good person.”
it, it's a question I will never find the answer to.
These points in my life will stay with me forever. They have affected and changed me in a lot of ways. Many of my values stem from this time in my life.
Learning about how friendships are supposed to be, made me realize how much I value good friends.
Learning that you aren't supposed to change who you are so other people accept you made me realize how much I value self-expression, autonomy, and honesty.
Experiencing friendships where I can be who I am without fear of being judged or abandoned, made me realize how much I value loyalty.
Through the terror of only being able to see all of my flaws, I learned how much I
value empathy, compassion, and forgiveness. (See where I'm going with this?)
Learning about all that life can be made me learn what I love, need, and value. Through pain and struggle, I learned how to be happy. My main takeaway, however, is how amazing and freeing it is to just be yourself. 100%, truly, unabashedly you. Just being all of you, the good, the bad, the annoying. And finding the people who not only accept all of you, but love you for it. We are all human after all, and humans are flawed. We are crazy and messy and mean. It is what makes us human. But we are also beautiful, creative, and kind. I am lucky enough to have found my people, and hope that we all find even more people in our lives.
If you take one thing away
from this essay; let it be this. Don't be so hard on yourself. That math grade doesn't make you any less amazing. That fight with your parents or friends, doesn't make you any less kind-hearted. We are human, we make mistakes, a lot of mistakes. But they don't change the fact that you are still a good person.
Don't hide who you are. Not for anyone. If someone won't accept you the way you are, they aren't the right person. If you focus more on “fitting in” than being true to yourself, you will never truly be happy. You won't be fulfilled.
I believe that true happiness and peace not only come from within yourself, they come from being yourself.
The Sinclair Cup, Stebbins Cup, and Suzanne Griffin Nuckolls Fellowship Prize: Addison Traul '30, George Baker '29, Kenza El Allagui '29, Owen Doucette '31, Anna Drebs '31, Lena Payne '30
Math Award: Ari Strauss '29, Henry Japha '29
Spanish Award: Cole Evelyn '29, Fiona Perez '29
The Babyak Award: Gigi Hargis '29, Kenza El Allagui '29, Colette Commission '30, JT Petron '31, Henry Caudill '30, Maddie Haines '30, Caroline Strickland '31, Stella Williams '31, Charlotte Smalligan '31, Brody Montgomery '30, Henry Japha '29
Director's Awards: Derrick Haynes '29, Ari Strauss '29, Kaiden Nakada '31, Miriam McElroy '31, Maeve Clifford '30, Elle Herve '30
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Cup: 2024 recipient Liam Riedy '28 presenting to Lindsey Miller '29
French Award: Derrick Haynes '29, Genevieve Bush '29
Science Award: Carlisle Parsons '29, Charlie Douglas '29
Visual Arts Award: Cambell Nguyen '29, Charlotte Terwilliger '29
MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS DAY
On June 9, these awards were presented to the following students in recognition of their achievements in academics, the arts, athletics, citizenship, and service.
DEPARTMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Awarded to eighth grade students for demonstrating strong scholarship and interest in a particular subject.
The Band Award
Declan Drewery, Riley Toomey
The Chinese Award
Téa Craglin-Padilla, Riley Toomey
The Chorus Award
Gigi Hargis, Harry Rouse
The Drama Award
Lindsey Miller, Kaelyn Stewart
The English Award
Téa Craglin-Padilla, Caitlin Townsend
The French Award
Genevieve Bush, Derrick Haynes
The History Award
Luke Booma, Jack Stephenson
The Latin Award
Katie Pilcher, Riley Whitt
The Math Award
Henry Japha, Ari Strauss
The Orchestra Award
Madison McBeth, Chase Wilson
The Religion Award
Mira Chiow, Cooper Hallett
The Saints Athletic Award
Derek Haynes, Charlotte Terwilliger
The Science Award
Charlie Douglas, Carlisle Parsons
The Spanish Award
Cole Evelyn, Fiona Perez
The Visual Arts Award
Cambell Nguyen, Charlotte Terwilliger
ALL VIRGINIA CHORUS AWARDS
Madeline Alberg '31, Lena Payne '30
BROOKS MATH AWARD
Karsten Gross '30, Addy Petron '30
RICHARD P. BABYAK AWARDS
For making our school community a better place through their actions throughout the year.
JT Petron '31, Charlotte Smalligan '31
Caroline Strickland '31, Stella Williams '31
Henry Caudill '30, Colette Commission '30
Maddie Haines '30, Brody Montgomery '30
Kenza El Allagui '29, Gigi Hargis '29
Henry Japha '29, Ryan Sutherland '29
DIRECTOR'S AWARD
For demonstrating character, tenacity, and intellect.
Kaiden Nakada '31, Miriam McElroy '31
Maeve Clifford '30, Elia Herve '30
Derrick Haynes '29, Ari Strauss '29
SINCLAIR CUP
For exemplifying loyalty, integrity, leadership, cooperation, and scholastic endeavor in seventh grade.
Lena Payne, Addison Traul
STEBBINS CUP
For exemplifying community spirit, compassion, and consideration of other in sixth grade.
Owen Doucette, Anna Krebs
SUZANNE GRIFFIN NUCKOLLS FELLOWSHIP PRIZE
For possessing the best qualities of a true friend in eighth grade.
George Barker, Kenza El Allagui
ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES CUP
Awarded to an eighth grade student for exemplifying scholarship, character, leadership, and citizenship.
Lindsey Miller
MOVING ON
The Fifth Grade Recognition address given by Lower School Director LaNessa West on June 10.
other. You've learned that your voice matters - and we hope you strive to use it to lift up others and stand for what's right.
As we prepare to send you off to Middle School, I want to acknowledge the important role your teachers and families have played.
To our families— thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your children. Thank you for the early mornings, the project help, the patience during division, fraction and decimal homework, and the steady encouragement that has carried your child to this moment.
To our teachers and staff—your tireless work and love have helped shape this class into a thoughtful and capable group of students. You've been more than educators— you've been mentors, guides, and cheerleaders. And it shows.
Welcome to our Fifth Grade Recognition Ceremony. Today is a special moment — not just because our fifth grade students are “moving on,” but because they're also moving forward… with joy, pride, and the lessons learned here in the Lower School.
Fifth graders…..you've grown so much—not only in height (although some of you might now be taller than your parents and your teachers!), but also in confidence, kindness, curiosity, and courage. You've served our school community in visible and meaningful ways. As safety patrols, you stood proudly each morning to greet families with a cheerful “Good Morning” or a polite “Have a great day!” You helped our youngest students with backpacks and rest mats and you
always had a high five, a fist bump or a compliment ready. You've been kindergarten buddies, chapel leaders, performers, and problemsolvers. You've written stories, been scientists, mathematicians, explored history, and had many thoughtful conversations. You've taken initiative in the classroom, and throughout our halls. Our youngest Saints truly look up to you.
As you think about your journey in the Lower School, we hope you remember the big wins and the hard moments, too. We know there are lessons that stretched you and challenged you and taught you how to bounce back. You've been taught that mistakes don't mean failure, they mean growth. You've learned that collaborating with each other is better than competing with each
And finally, to our fifth graders— as you head off to Middle School remember, your Lower School family believes in you. The road ahead will have challenges, but it will also have wonder. Stay curious. Stay kind. Keep showing up for others. And never forget what you're capable of. We are going to miss you, but TRUST me… Middle School is going to be so much fun. Mr. Stribling and the rest of the Middle School faculty are ready to introduce you to the “Sizzle in the Middle”!
As they prepare to move on to the next step in their education, we now have the opportunity to listen to their own reflections on their journey through the Lower School. Many thanks to all of them for sharing their recollections, to their homeroom teachers for guiding them as they put their thoughts together in such a creative and compelling manner, and to all of those who helped to plan and participate in this ceremony.
SAINTS ATHLETIC AWARDS
On May 22, St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School presented these awards in recognition of our students' achievements in athletics.
THE COACH'S AWARD
The Coach's Award recognizes non-varsity athletes who have demonstrated a positive attitude, high level of sportsmanship and who are always cooperative and supportive of their teammates as well as opponents. Through their conscientious practice habits, they not only develop their own skills, but help others improve their ability as well.
THE OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARD
The Outstanding Athlete Award recognizes the best overall athlete(s) on the team. The recipients are chosen by the coaches based on playing ability and overall contributions to the team.
THE SAINT AWARD
The Saint Award recognizes the athletes who have exhibited a positive attitude, a desire to achieve and determination throughout the season. These athletes are selected by their peers and demonstrate an unselfish contribution to the welfare of the team and are dedicated to excellence in athletics.
ONE SAINT AWARD
Given to a person that exemplifies Saints pride through their unwavering support of athletics.
Pat O'Connell
SAINTS COACH OF THE YEAR
Kathy Jenkins, Varsity Girls Lacrosse
FALL SEASON AWARDS
COACH'S AWARD:
Castor Brown '28 – JV Football
Catherine Burnison '28 - Cross Country
Olivia Cushman '26 – JV Girls Tennis
Khoi Fumo-Pegues '27 – Cross Country
Pearson Lambeth '27 – JV Field Hockey
Liam Riedy '28 – JV Boys Soccer
Nadia Shorter '28 – JV Volleyball
Divyaa Srikanth '28 – JV Girls Soccer
Quentin Zarnowiecki '28 - JV 2 Boys Soccer
OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARD:
Karina Constandy '25 – Cross Country
Renee Jenkins '26 – Volleyball
Alex Jones '25 – Soccer
Ella Joshi '25 – Tennis
Garrett Lian '25 – Soccer
James London '25 – Football
Bart O'Connor '25 – Cross Country
Addie Youree '26 – Field Hockey
SAINT AWARD:
Dior Brown '27 – Volleyball
RJ Davis '25 – Football
Elliot Desautels '25 – Soccer
Aidan Hallett '26 – Soccer
Claire Hanley '25 – Tennis
Finley Knutson '25 – Field Hockey
Kate Kolton '25 - Field Hockey
Henry Krebs '28 – Cross Country
Sydney Wanamaker '27 – Cross Country
ALL-IAC RECOGNITION:
RJ Davis '25 - Football
Will Evans '25 - Football
Zach Helmreich '27 - Football
James London '25 - Football
Gabe Murphy '26 - Football
Kaz Penkiunas '25 - Football
VASHON WINTON AND PAT O'CONNELL
RJ DAVIS '25
ALEX JONES '25
Simon Rebstock '25 - Soccer
Carter Stimson '25 - Football
ALL-ISL RECOGNITION:
Dia Britto '25 - Soccer
Maya Comstock '27 - Soccer
Claire Hanley '25 - Tennis
Katy Hartell '25 - Soccer
Renee Jenkins '26 - Volleyball
Alex Jones '25 - Soccer
Caroline Schuyler '27 - Tennis
Addie Youree '26 - Field Hockey
VISAA ALL-STATE RECOGNITIONS:
All-State Finisher for Cross Country:
Karina Constandy '25
2nd Team:
Will Evans '25 - Football
Kaz Penkiunas '25 - Football
Simon Rebstock '25- Soccer
1st Team:
Claire Hanley '25 - Tennis
Carter Stimson '25 - Football
Addie Youree '26 - Field Hockey
WINTER SEASON AWARDS
COACH'S AWARD:
Jackson Carroll '28 – Wrestling
Noor El Allagui '27 – JV Basketball
Sai Gulati '28 - Squash
Jackson Paulsen '28 – JV Basketball
Julia Stimson '28 – Squash
OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARD:
Will French '28 - Squash
Jack Gans '25 – Ice Hockey
Naheema Goin '26 – Basketball
Madison Hughes '26 – Winter Track & Field
Evan Ingraham '25 – Swimming & Diving
Riley Jacobs '25 – Basketball
Haley Lehman '25 – Swimming & Diving
James London '25 – Winter Track & Field
Colton Moore '26 – Wrestling
Caroline Purtill '28 - Squash
SAINT AWARD:
Tawon Figaro '26 – Winter Track & Field
Joe Gifford '26 – Wrestling
Julian Burgdolf '26 – Basketball
Farrah DeVaughn '25 – Basketball
Jack Sibbald '25 – Ice Hockey
Annabelle Bremner '27 – Swimming & Diving
Spencer Sokol '27 – Swimming & Diving
Ali Rouse '26 – Winter Track & Field
Sam Catlin '25 - Squash
Olivia Pla '26 - Squash
All-IAC RECOGNITIONS:
Marcus Hancock '26 - Basketball
Evan Ingraham '25 - Swimming
Riley Jacobs '25 - Basketball
Colin Pollock '25 - Basketball
All-ISL RECOGNITIONS:
Farrah DeVaughn '25 - Basketball
Naheema Goin '26 – Basketball
Haley Lehman ‘25 - Swimming
VISAA ALL-STATE RECOGNITION:
Boys Basketball All-State:
Colin Pollock '25 - 2nd team
Riley Jacobs '25 - 1st team
Swim & Dive State Champion 500 Free:
Haley Lehman '25
Swim & Dive All-State 200 Free: Haley Lehman '25 - 2nd
Winter Track & Field:
55m Dash:
Madison Hughes '26 - 2nd
Girls 4x200 Relay:
Taliyah Figaro '27, Madison Hughes '26, Hayley Lookadoo '25, Sasha Braun '27 - 2nd
Wrestling All-State:
Joe Gifford '26 - 4th
Max Krauskopf '26 - 4th
Colton Moore '26 - 4th
Carson Bishop '27 - 6th
Ethan Thompson '26 - 8th
SPRING SEASON:
COACH'S AWARD:
Cecil Gregg '27 – JV Tennis
Grant Israel '28 – JV Lacrosse
Antionette Katsas '28 - JV Softball
Mason Khosla '27 – JV Baseball
Ryan McGill '27 – JV Golf
Devika Srikanth '27 – JV Lacrosse
ELLA JOSHI '25
DIA BRITTO '25
JAMES LONDON '25
RILEY JACOBS '25
OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARD:
Teddy Azer '28 – Tennis
Will Evans '25 – Baseball
Ariya Harrington '26 – Softball
Lillian Israel '26 – Lacrosse (Offensive)
Garrett Lian '25 – Lacrosse
Gabbi Mackay '26 - Golf
Maddie Moore '25 - Lacrosse (Defensive)
Jack Rutter '26 – Track & Field
Ella Schneider '27 – Track & Field
Jake Welter '25 – Golf
SAINT AWARD:
Carson Bishop '27 – Golf
Riley Jacobs '25 – Track & Field
Harper Jensen '26 – Lacrosse
Owen Siegel '25 – Baseball
Catie Poersch '25 – Softball
Kaia Corens '27 – Softball
Hayley Lookadoo '25 - Track & Field
Ben Fenton '25 – Lacrosse
Jack Sibbald '25 – Tennis
Ali White '25 - Golf
ALL-IAC RECOGNITION:
Teddy Azer '28 - Tennis
Will Evans '25 - Baseball
Garrett Lian '25 - Lacrosse
Aiden Potholm '25 - Baseball
Owen Siegel '25 - Baseball
Jake Welter '25 - Golf
ALL-ISL RECOGNITION:
Emily Alperstein '26 - Lacrosse
Kaia Corens '27 - Softball
Summer Bickley '26 - Lacrosse
Ariya Harrington '26 - Softball
Lillian Israel '26 - Lacrosse
Harper Jensen '26 - Lacrosse
Chloe Lambert '26 - Lacrosse
Maddie Moore '25 - Lacrosse
Addie Youree '26 - Softball
VISAA ALL-STATE RECOGNITION:
Track & Field:
Tawon Figaro '26 - State Champion, 300m
hurdles
Madison Hughes '26 - 2nd, 300m hurdles
Tennis:
Teddy Azer ‘28 - First Team
ALL-AMERICAN RECOGNITION:
Chloe Lambert ‘26, Midfield
Lillian Israel ‘26, Attack
Harper Jensen ‘26, Midfield
Emily Alperstein ‘26, Defense
Honorees:
Maddie Moore ‘25, Defense
Laney Jensen ‘26, Attack
Meg Adams ‘26, Defense
WASHINGTON POST ALL-MET
First Team
Chloe Lambert ‘26 - Lacrosse
Second Team
Carter Stimson ‘25 - Football
Haley Lehman ‘25 - Swimming
Honorable Mention
Simon Rebstock '25 - Soccer, Second Team
Addie Youree '26 - Field Hockey
Riley Jacobs '25 - Basketball
Emily Alperstein’26 - Lacrosse
Lillian Israel ‘26 - Lacrosse
ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NFHCA High School National Academic Squad:
Emily Alperstein '26
Sandhya Augustine '25
Rose Breckinridge '26
Bennett Harrison '25
Chaelynn Hwang '26
Finley Knutson '25
Charlotte Koch '26
Kate Kolton '25
Carmyn Lee '25
Ali Rouse '26
Hayden Wilkinson '26
Addie Youree '25
ASC Scholarship Winners:
Claire Hanley '25
Carter Stimson '25
Loui Goin '25
MAPHL All-League Selections
Jack Gans '25: First Team
All-American Recognitions
Haley Lehman '25: Bonus consideration for her state championship performance in the 500 free at the VISAA State meet.
Riley Jacobs '25: Nominated to the 2025 McDonald's All-American High School Basketball Team.
Carter Stimson '25: Recognized as a Kohl's 2024 High School All-American First Team Punter for the class of 2025.
NEW SCHOOL RECORDS
Top 20 All-Time Cross Country Board:
The following athletes earned a place or moved up on the board.
Connor Pencek '28: 18:30.80
Henry Krebs '28: 18:13.31
Bart O'Connor '25: 17:47.50
Sydney Wanamaker '27: 21:26.70
Karina Constandy '25: 19:49.70
Swimming:
Annabelle Bremner '27: 100 Back (59.21)
Lila Brock '27: 100 Back (58.21)
Haley Lehman '25: 500 Free (4.56.65); 200 Free (1.51.76); 100 Free (52.01 100)
400 Free Relay: Annabelle Bremner, Lila Brock '27, Elisabeth Carroll '25, Haley Lehman '25 (3:37.13)
MADDIE MOORE '25
TAWON FIGARO '26
Indoor Track & Field:
Madison Hughes '26: 60m dash (8.14) and long jump (16'3')
Girls Sprint Medley Relay:
Ella Schneider '27, Madison Hughes '26, Hayley Lookadoo '25, Sylvie McGoldrick '27 (4:29.07)
Boys Sprint Medley Relay:
Jack Rutter '26, Miles Spencer '26, Tawon Figaro '26, James London '25 (3:43.34)
Outdoor Track & Field:
Girls 4x200m Relay of Hayley Lookadoo '25 Madison Hughes '26, Ella Schneider '27, Sylvie McGoldrick '27 (1:45.92)
Girls Short Sprint Medley Relay (1-1-24):
Taliyah Figaro '27, Ella Schneider ‘27, Farrah DeVaughn '25, Sylvie McGoldrick ‘27 (2:05.81)
Girls Shuttle Hurdle Relay:
Taliyah Figaro, Carolina Sramek, Zemma Flynn, Madison Hughes (1:17.84)
Triple Jump:
Riley Jacobs '25 (45' 7”)
ALEXANDRIA SPORTSMAN'S CLUB ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
WINNERS:
Karina Constandy '25 - Cross Country
Jack Gans '25 - Ice Hockey
Naheema Goin '26 - Basketball
Claire Hanley '25 - Tennis
Riley Jacobs '25 - Basketball
Renee Jenkins '26 - Volleyball
Chloe Lambert '26 - Lacrosse
Haley Lehman '25 - Girls Swimming
Garrett Lian '25 - Soccer
Kaz Penkiunas '25 - Football
Colin Pollock '25 - Basketball
Addie Youree '26 - Field Hockey
ALEXANDRIA SPORTSMAN'S CLUB ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
WINNERS:
Teddy Azer '28 - Tennis
Claire Hanley '25 - Tennis
Riley Jacobs '25 - Basketball
Chloe Lambert '26 - Lacrosse
Haley Lehman '25- Swimming
Carter Stimson '25 - Football
Addie Youree '26- Field Hockey
THE ATHLETIC COUNCIL SILVER BOWL PARTICIPATION AWARDS
10 out of 12 seasons
Mehdi El Allagui '25
Bennett Harrison '25
Carter Stimson '25
Eli York-Simmons '25
11 out of 12 seasons
Nicholas Lowe '25
Kaz Penkiunas '25
All 12 seasons
RJ Davis '25
Loui Goin '25
Finley Knutson '25
James London '25
Hayley Lookadoo '25
Bart O'Connor '25
Anna Strauss '25
Patrick Thomas '25
THREE SPORT ATHLETES:
Freshman:
Mehon Aklilu
Josh Barrett
Niyam Bhatt
Castor Brown
Briggs Burkhalter
Catherine Burnison
Ruby Carnahan
Jackson Carroll
Conor Commission
Charlie Cutler
Zemma Flynn
Will French
Sai Gulati
Maggie Halsted
Finn Howard
Grant Israel
Colten Kleeblatt
Henry Krebs
Everly Kunz
William McCusker
Kate McGrew
Alex Michael
Conor Pencek
Gavin Pendleton
Claire Poersch
Eva Pollard
Caroline Purtill
Lillian Richardson
Liam Riedy
Lilah Ross
Landon Scott
Tatum Sindler
Parker Spence
Carolina Sramek
Divyaa Srikanth
Thomas Stanton
Julia Stimson
Charlotte Torborg
Natalie Wainstein
Johnny Wilmer
Sophomores:
Sasha Braun
Kaia Brock
Ryan Bucceri
Nadia Chebinou
Aubri Clark
Cole Clark
Noor El Allagui
Sophia Elling
Taliyah Figaro
Ava Foscato
Khoi Fumo-Pegues
Mason Khosla
Pearson Lambeth
Hunter Lambeth
Cole Lieberthal
Sylvie McGoldrick
Isla Monteith
Colin Morrell
Kendra O'Neil
Ella Schneider
Devika Srikanth
David Ungureanu
Sydney Wanamaker
Juniors:
Colin Adams
Meg Adams
Gigi Barrett
Julia Christacos
Tawon Figaro
Naheema Goin
Aidan Hallett
Madison Hughes
Lillian Israel
Karen Lamson
Gabbi Mackay
Gabe Murphy
Lindsay Parsont
Ali Rouse
Jack Rutter
Tatum Spencer
Audrey Strauss
PJ Wolf
Seniors:
RJ Davis
Farrah DeVaughn
Loui Goin
Sophie Harding
Finley Knutson
James London
Hayley Lookadoo
Morgan Nielsen
Bart O'Connor
Kaz Penkiunas
Anna Strauss
Patrick Thomas
HALEY LOOKADOO '25, SYLVIE MCGOLDRICK '27, MADISON HUGHES '26, ELLA SCHNEIDER '27
SENIOR ATHLETES PLAYING IN COLLEGE
Griffin Boston Lacrosse Loyola University (MD)
Lauryn Burns Gymnastics Rhode Island College
Will Evans Football
Georgetown University
Ben Fenton Lacrosse
Franklin & Marshall College
Henry Foresman Baseball
Gettysburg College
Loui Goin Football/Lacrosse Ursinus College
Tommy Hoskins Soccer
Denison University
Evan Ingraham Swimming Grinnell College
Riley Jacobs Basketball
University of Maryland— Baltimore County
Alex Jones Soccer Franklin & Marshall College
Kate Kolton Lacrosse
Rhodes College
Haley Lehman Swimming College of William & Mary
Garrett Lian Lacrosse
Connecticut College
Hayley Lookadoo Track Christopher Newport University
Nicholas Lowe Football
Case Western Reserve University
Maddie Moore Lacrosse
Johns Hopkins University
Colin Pollock Basketball United States Naval Academy
Aiden Potholm Baseball
Trinity College (CT)
Simon Rebstock Soccer Wesleyan University
Owen Siegel Baseball Dickinson College
Carter Stimson Football Elon University
Anna Strauss Lacrosse Fairfield University
Jonas Vinson Lacrosse Hampden-Sydney College
Ali White Soccer Emory University
THE CLASS OF 2025 “LIFERS”
Thirty-five members of the Class of 2025 entered St. Stephen's and St. Agnes in junior kindergarten, kindergarten, or first grade.
JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN:
Sandhya Augustine
Griffin Boston
Elliot Desautels
Ben Fenton
Nicholas Fisher
Kate Kolton
Haley Lehman
Garrett Lian
Hayley Lookadoo
Cate Nickson
Owen Siegel
KINDERGARTEN:
Jack Bryan
Ashley Centeno
Dimitri Criswell
Emerson-Belle Dufault
Paul Eisenberg
Claire Hanley
Sophie Harding
Bennett Harrison
Grace Hendy
Charles Hickok
Tommy Hoskins
Gracie Hunsicker
Niels Merino
Maddie Moore
William Murphy
Catie Poersch
Carter Stimson
William Thissell
Ali White
FIRST GRADE:
Tate Commission
Allison O'Connor
Bart O'Connor
Campbell Spence
Anna Strauss
400 Fontaine Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22302
If the addressee no longer lives at this address, please contact the school: 703-212-2720 or atoman@sssas.org
