MICDS is thrilled to present our newest alumni: the Class of 2026!
Candidates for graduation and their family and friends gathered in the MAC the evening of Monday, May 18, for Commencement. The air was electric with excitement as the soon-to-be alumni milled around “backstage” waiting to make their grand entrance. There were selfies galore, lots of laughter, and a few bittersweet tears. They connected with their teachers, expressing gratitude and promises to visit in the future. Finally, it was time for the procession.
Thanks to the MICDS Upper School Band, faculty and staff and then the candidates for graduation walked up the aisle to a rousing rendition of Pomp & Circumstance. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends were beaming in the audience. Everyone took their seats, and Head of School Jay Rainey took the podium.
Mr. Rainey welcomed everyone and then opened by presenting the Dorothy Wray Roberts Class of 1917 Faculty Merit Award to three deserving educators: Lower School Art Teacher Sarah Garner, Middle School Math Teacher Kristina Jones, and Upper School World Languages Teacher Robin Begley. Later in the program, he honored JK-12 History and Social Sciences Department Chair Carla Federman with the Rivinus Award, as voted by the members of the Class of 2026.
Jason Brauer ’94, Chair of the MICDS Board of Trustees, then took the microphone. He spoke about all the experiences of this particular class, from the pandemic to the rise of artificial intelligence. He mentioned how much their campus has changed, especially in the past year, and noted their compliance with the School’s first-ever cell phone ban. And then he noted that the extraordinary nature of this class meant that these students developed resilience while they thrived. Click here to read his remarks in full.
Valedictorian Harrison Foster ’26 addressed his peers, focusing on how easy it was to make friends with every member of his class, and how important those relationships are. He spoke about how his time at MICDS has been ephemeral: wonderfully short-lived. “Life is so wonderful because it is so short and because every moment counts,” he said. Click here to read his remarks in full.
The Class of 2026 chose Lynn Mittler, JK-12 English and Language Arts Department Chair, as their faculty speaker. Through a vibrant and vulnerable story of her own experiences, Ms. Mittler beseeched these young people to remember that they are surrounded always by people who wish to help them, and that it’s important for them to help others. “And now, you will need to go out and build new communities, ask for help from those whom you have not even met yet, and support people who will start out as strangers to you,” she said. “You know that you do not need to climb that mountain alone.” Click here to read her remarks in full.
Then Mr. Rainey announced that the candidates in the Class of 2026 were qualified to graduate, and Mr. Brauer, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, released their diplomas. Class Dean Daniel George read each graduate’s name, and finally presented the graduating class to a standing ovation.
Now that these young people were officially graduates, they heard from Amanda “Muffy” Shoenberg Peters Brennan ’96, President of the MICDS Alumni Association. Mrs. Brennan welcomed them to our vibrant alumni body and told them, “The world will change. What you have built here will go with you.” Click here to read her full remarks.
Mr. Rainey took the stage one last time as Head of School to deliver closing remarks. He spoke about how the world of work has changed and continues to change, but that these young people are prepared for it. “Graduates, I wish for you a life of ease,” he said. “By this expression I do not mean a life of riches or a bubbled-wrapped, conflict-free existence. Indeed, I hope that you struggle, and through your struggles discover meaning. I hope that you fail, and through your failures discover perseverance and happy accidents. I hope that you are challenged, and through your challenges discover creativity, strength, and purpose.” Click here to read his full remarks.
Finally, members of the MICDS Upper School Chamber Choir gathered to perform the Alma Mater, and with that, Commencement was over for the Class of 2026. After the new graduates processed out, the MAC erupted in celebration. What a send-off for these incredible young people. Class of 2026, we can’t wait to see what you do!
Class Photo, Candids, & Ceremony Photos:
Diploma Photos:
