The Class of 2013 at Ridgefield Academy.
Members of the Ridgefield Academy community gathered recently under sunny skies in the school’s scenic Graduation Garden for the Academy’s 38th Commencement Ceremony.
The 34 graduates, dressed in white dresses and blue blazers, represent the largest graduating class in academy history. Nearly half of the students are Ridgefield Academy “Lifers,” having been enrolled at the school each year since their preschool or kindergarten years.
Graduates processed to the stage hand-in-hand with their “Foundation Buddies,” where they exchanged hugs, high-fives, and a final good-bye.
Every fall each kindergarten student is paired with an eighth grade “buddy.”
These “buddies” meet regularly throughout the school year to read together, help with homework, enjoy art activities, and simply provide friendship and support.
It has long been the tradition of the school to showcase the graduates at commencement by asking each to compose and deliver a short speech. Limited to a single page, the students had to search for what was truly essential and memorable about their time at the school.
“The common thread running through each individual testimony is that these students – no matter how long they have been with us — have been empowered by the school, engaged by their teachers and encouraged by their friends to become the proficient students here before you today,” said Head of School James P. Heus.
Also acknowledged during the ceremony was middle school teacher Jan Dunn for her 20 years of teaching service. Ms. Dunn was referenced in several graduate speeches.
RA Lifers Sarah Cox, Scott Barnett and Liza Berisford presented the Class of 2013 gift to the school — two large, electronic athletic scoreboards that reside in the gymnasium and on the baseball field. Funds for the class gift were generously donated by parents of the class of 2013 and through a variety of school wide fundraisers.
Before the final recessional, students from each grade were asked to stand and officially “move up” to the next grade level.
The moving ceremony concluded with each graduate taking one last triumphant march down the aisle to ring the Patriot Bell, symbolizing his or her new status as alums of Ridgefield Academy.
Here are the graduates from Ridgefield: Liza Berisford, Sarah Cox, Daniela Puchall, Scott Barnet, Ellen Pucel, Lindy Burke, Ashlyn Marr, Ethan Hynes.
From Wilton: Luke Duffy, Emilia Furlo, Suzie Clasby, Byron Duncan, Cameron Imrie, Chris Birch.
From Weston: Lauren Lamb, Sydney Lamb, Nicholas Lange.
From New Canaan: Haley Conde.
From Bethel: Anthony Perkins.
From New Milford: Cordelia Schoen.
From Redding: Marlo Trainor.
From Carmel: Jesse Girolamo.
From South Salem: Grace Henrich, Eleanor Henrich, Rebecca Levenson, Sydney Autorino.
From North Salem: Katie Isler, Christina Thomson.
From Brewster: Michael Ambrosio,Sophie McLaughlin,Ariana Gravinese.
From Westport: Isabel Geelan, Yuri Kovshov, Corey Rispoli.