The Class of 2025, their teachers, their family, and their friends gathered in the McDonnell Athletic Center (MAC) on Sunday, May 18 to celebrate their commencement. The MAC was popping with energy as the soon-to-be graduates milled around, snapping selfies and saying goodbye one last time to their teachers. It was clear that while they were eager to graduate, they were also sad to be leaving MICDS.
Head of School Jay Rainey welcomed everyone and noted that the community has been thinking about those affected by the severe storms the Friday before. Those storms had caused the cancelation of Senior Night, making this day even more special. He then gave out six awards to faculty, one in each division: The Dorothy Wray Roberts Class of 1917 Faculty Merit Award was given to Lower School Teacher Bridget Wallace, Middle School Teacher Bernard Berry, and Upper School Teacher Jenn Sellenriek. The Mary Institute Class of 1940 Distinguished Faculty Award was given to Lower School Teacher Nicole Skaggs, Middle School Teacher Cameron Youngman, and Upper School Teacher Rachel Tourais. Later in the program, he honored Upper School Teacher Al Begrowicz with the Rivinus Award.
Mr. Rainey also took a few moments to bestow awards that were meant to be given at Senior Night:
- Morse Family 12th Grade Award: Grant LaMartina ’25
- Aurelian Prize: Reagan Hamilton ’25
- Wood Humanitarian Award: Diya Makkapati ’25
- Faculty Prize: Ace Derdeyn ’25
- James Andrew Benecke Award: Lilly Loeb ’25
MICDS Chair of the Board of Trustees Jason Brauer ’94 took the podium and offered his thoughts to the Class of 2025. Read them here.
Arjun Puri ’25, Valedictorian for his class, took the podium and addressed both his classmates and the audience. Read his remarks here.
Mac Froedge ’25, Salutatorian, was scheduled to deliver her remarks at Senior Night. She instead spoke at Commencement. Her speech can be read here.
Each year, the graduating class votes to select a faculty member to give an address at Commencement. The Class of 2025 chose Tex Tourais, Upper School English Teacher, to speak. Tourais’ dry wit and literary references kept the audience in stitches, while he delivered a poignant message to the graduates: stay curious. Read his full speech here.
Finally, it was time to present the graduating class. Chris Ludbrook, Dean of the Class of 2025, read each graduate’s name, along with noting any awards they were to receive on Senior Night. Mr. Rainey and Mr. Brauer presented the diplomas. (Click here for a page with the diploma photos.)
After receiving their diplomas, Raj Tailor ’92, President of the MICDS Alumni Association, took to the stage to welcome the association’s newest members. He told a story of his own journey, and included a deep breath exercise that settled everyone in the room.
Mr. Rainey concluded the festivities by addressing the class one last time. He counseled these talented young adults to not wait for the world to change, but instead, to go out and make it better themselves.
Read his remarks here.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! We are so proud of you, and we are excited to watch you continue to grow, succeed, and lead lives of purpose and service.
Want a one-stop shop for the Class of 2025? Check out our “Welcome to the Alumni Association” page! The page includes the diploma photos, candids, and more.