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We’ll sing our rather vibrant school song time and again in the weeks ahead, starting in just a few moments in fact, celebrating “the school we love so well.” I always enjoy seeing our girls sway as one to the tune—not such a big deal when I first came here. On the big day on June 9th this year, as in 100 years before, we’ll all be clapping at Commencement, but for our own reasons (as a former colleague of ours once said). Amidst this process, the formalities of closing the year require us to look back on your achievements Dr. Julia Sheldon, Science Department Roger Cantello P’14, English Chair and President of the Walker’s Department Chair, delivers Cum Laude at the school in a series of events and Cum Laude Society Chapter remarks to the community. traditions. This is one such an occasion, perhaps our finest, and one rightly held in the highest esteem by our community. Our cum laude inductees qualify to enter the society in part by Grade Point Average, but it is the qualities they possess and share with us behind the GPA that we honor, that we praise today. Ladies, the examples you demonstrate to our community set the right academic tone for the School. My faculty colleagues and I treasure your open minds and your willingness to work hard; we want you to know that we value your diligence, we admire your work ethic, and we respect the ways that you balance your lives and manage to make the most of our busy days here together. Teaching is a privilege and a pleasure, and as much as we Head of School Bessie Speers P’16 recognizes each Cum Laude inductee. all love the girls here, we also feel a profound and onerous sense of responsibility as we help you on your way. But teaching students who exhibit the qualities of honor and understanding, and now we hope you will carry on inspiring curiosity, allied with a sense of moral excellence and dignity others beyond this campus. that you exude, is truly a blessing. We simply hope that through your examples, you Our motto Nullas Horas Nisi Aureas speaks of time well improve the lives of others by sharing your undeniable spent, happy times, golden times, and at a school, such strengths, gifts, and talents. Please continue to be dissatisfied happiness should be derived from learning, trying one’s best, with the complacency of the status quo (more Latin!). We making connections in knowledge alongside friends and hope that you will pass on your excellent and honorable love teachers. Today we congratulate and praise you who have of learning wherever you go. reached the very highest standards of scholarship here at a Let’s just pause for a few moments. After a hectic place that values your voices as much as the weight of Monday full of the stresses and strains of the imminent history, the expansion of thought, the joy of solving complex approach of APs, SATs, classes, and practices and the rush problems in science and mathematics, the epiphany of past the blossoms to get here on time, clean, shampooed, understanding an author’s intention, the love of languages, and in Vespers dress, let’s just recognize one final time why and the sheer pleasure of the aesthetics of dance, art, and we’re here and what this unique moment in the School’s theater. calendar represents: On this beautiful spring day, on this I ask you to reflect upon what you have learned and how spectacular campus, as our school year moves toward its you’ve changed in your time here. The work we have shared inexorable conclusion, we sit among friends, colleagues, and together has enabled each of you to become what Mr. Darcy family to recognize cum laude the most deserving and in Pride and Prejudice calls an accomplished young woman. inspirational of our scholars. (You may recall that later he particularly emphasizes Well done, ladies! You are most worthy of our praise, and extensive reading). Yes, we have witnessed you increase your this is truly a golden hour! knowledge, sharpen your skills, and refine your SUMMER 2013
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