Class of 2020 Graduation Program - June 9, 2020

THE COUNTRY SCHOOL Graduation Exercises June 9, 2020

Processional Pomp & Circumstance Welcome and Special Recognitions John Fixx, Head of School Graduation Address Jason Wainio, Middle School History and Latin Teacher, Advisor, Coach Presentation of Diplomas Mary Didiuk, Chair, Board of Trustees; John Fixx, Head of School Mason Palermo Williams Alexis Elizabeth Vieau Cooper Ryan Schwartz Isabelle Rose Schreiner Speaker for the Graduates – John Reach John Stephen Reach III Luke Brian Perrotti Theodore Ryan Marino Kai Kristian Johnsen Speaker for the Graduates – Tessa Burch Henry Malcolm Ginz Bina Filozov John F. Dusza Annabella Elizabeth Dattilo

Speaker for the Graduates – Catherine Callahan Christopher Childs Catherine Elizabeth Callahan Caleb Patrick Butler Tessa Rosenthal Burch Elliott Langford Booth Speaker for the Graduates – Elliott Booth Concluding Remarks John Fixx, Head of School Musical Benediction May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You Meredith Wilson May the good Lord bless and keep you Whether near or far away.

May you find that long-awaited golden day today.

May your troubles all be small ones, And your fortunes ten times ten.

May the good Lord bless and keep you ‘Til we meet again.

May you walk in sunlight shining And a bluebird in every tree.

May there be a silver lining Back of every cloud you see.

Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrows.

Never mind what might have been.

May the good Lord bless and keep you ‘Til we meet again.

Graduation and End-of-Year Traditions

Sartorial and Flora The blazers and ties worn by the male graduating 8th Graders and the white dresses worn by female graduates are long-standing traditions that began in the early days of the school. Flowers were given to the graduating girls for their earlier photos, while the boutonnieres for the graduating boys is also an enduring tradition.

Graduation Photos Photos take place before Graduation. The photographer takes both family shots and individual shots of the students.

Student Remarks All 8th Grade students are given the opportunity to read a speech at Graduation. The English teacher gives the speech assignment to all students but only those who care to be considered as speakers submit their speeches anonymously to a committee of teachers who read their essays and vote. Selection is based on which students’ essays might best be able to speak for the entire class.

8th Grade Class Gift The 8th Graders and their parents traditionally galvanize around a Class Gift that they donate to the school to leave a legacy of something important to all of them.

Courtyard and Leaning Tree The Courtyard outside DeFrancis Gymnasium is the metaphorical center of campus. The Class of 2014 families donated funds as their Class Gift to update the space. The Courtyard established itself as a prime gathering space on campus during The Country School’s earliest years, partly because of its central location but also because of the famous Leaning Tree that used to grace the center of the Courtyard, where the dogwood is now planted inside the circular bench. A replacement Pignut Hickory Leaning Tree has now been planted across the new green.

Class Banner The class banner is a tradition that began during the school’s 50th Anniversary with the Class of 2006.

Each year since then, members of the graduating class have posed for a photo that represents who they are as individuals at this momentous time in their lives. The banner typically is unfurled at the Alumni Induction Ceremony but this year will be unveiled in August when the Class of 2020 gathers for a postGraduation celebration and the Witness Stone installation they made possible.

Alumni Induction The Alumni Induction Ceremony allows the Alumni Council an opportunity to welcome each 8th Grade class as fellow alumni. The Distinguished Alumni Award is typically conferred annually at the Alumni Induction Ceremony. This year's recipient is Matt Griswold '81, a small business owner, farmer, and environmentalist.

Awards Ceremonies The annual Awards Ceremonies honor student achievement and occur the weeks before Graduation.

Awards are Mission-based, as well as departmental academic, artistic and athletic.

Audience and Music Tradition holds that the entire student body in Grades 3 through 8 attends Graduation by Zoom this year and typically in person. “Pomp and Circumstance,” composed by Sir Edward Elgar, is played at The Country School and at most schools and colleges at graduation. The piece had its premiere played by the Liverpool Orchestral Society conducted by Alfred Rodewald, in Liverpool, England, on October 19, 1901. In addition, the entire school community sings “May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You” by Meredith Wilson.

Lifers The Head of School at an awards ceremony invites the 8th Graders who began in PreSchool, PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten to be recognized for their long journey at The Country School. All the Primary, Intermediate and Middle School teachers who taught these “Lifers” take special pride in their achievements.

Diplomas While the Head of School shakes hands with each graduate, the Board of Trustees at a school is actually the entity that the Connecticut Secretary of State empowers at each independent school to grant diplomas.

Teacher Recognition Country School celebrates employees at Graduation who are completing their first year with us and those who have attained five years of service and then honors them in five year increments after that original public demonstration of appreciation.

Tributes to the Graduates from 3rd Grade Reading Buddies

Special thanks to 3rd Grade teachers Alyson Cipollone and Meg Lyons and art teacher Amy Peters for their help coordinating these tributes.

To Mason from Tillie

To Lexi from Maile

To Cooper from Laila

To Cooper from Griffin

To Izzy from Caroline M.

To Izzy from Caroline R.

To John from Will

To Luke from Levi

To Teddy from Frankie

To Teddy from Kieran

To Kai from Kai

To Henry from Frankie

To Henry from Kieran

To Bina from Lillian

To Bina from Sydney Ann

To Jay from Josie

To Anna from Katie

To Anna from Ava

To Chris from Kai

To Cate from Theodora

To Cate from Maddox

To Caleb from Nathaniel

To Caleb from Lucy

To Tessa from Nora

To Tessa from Josie

To Elliott from Tillie

Thank you Class of 2020!

We will miss you!