Thacher's 126th Commencement
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2015!
May Old Casa Piedra not fade from our hearts...
Four years after their arrival on campus, the class of 2015 has concluded their Thacher journey. Much has changed about these now graduates in their time at the School, and they have grown in more ways than one. The values and character of this place are now deeply instilled in each and every graduate and manifest in an array as diverse as the individuals of this class. The 126th Commencement Weekend celebrates the class of 2015 and all the hardworking folks behind the scenes who helped them reach this goal.
The weekend kicked-off on Friday night with the Senior Banquet. In the midst of a sprinkle of rain and a beautiful sunset, our soon-to-be graduates sat with their families, friends, and treasured faculty members for dinner, awards, and the baccalaureate address. This year's speaker, Rukmini Callimachi CdeP 1991, encouraged this class to persevere in the face of adversity: "What I have come to learn is that your rank at any
Saturday morning's event began at 9 a.m. with a band of bagpipers leading the formalities, closely followed by a procession of the class of 2016, the class of 2015, and the faculty. During the long-awaited commencement exercises each Thacher graduate takes a turn standing center stage with Head of School Michael Mulligan as their tribute is read. Each senior tribute calls to light the best and most notable qualities of that graduate.
After every member of the class of 2015 received his or her diploma, there was a great deal of celebration on the Upper Field, accompanied by lots of photos, some cigars, and a few tears. All enjoyed a delicious lunch on the Pergola and then it was off to the dorms to finish packing. The graduates then departed campus for a few more days together at senior parties (hosted by parents of the graduating class).
Awards presented at the Senior Banquet:
This year's award went to:
This year's award went to:
This year's award went to:
This year's award went to:
This year's award went to:
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Four years after their arrival on campus, the class of 2015 has concluded their Thacher journey. Much has changed about these now graduates in their time at the School, and they have grown in more ways than one. The values and character of this place are now deeply instilled in each and every graduate and manifest in an array as diverse as the individuals of this class. The 126th Commencement Weekend celebrates the class of 2015 and all the hardworking folks behind the scenes who helped them reach this goal.
The weekend kicked-off on Friday night with the Senior Banquet. In the midst of a sprinkle of rain and a beautiful sunset, our soon-to-be graduates sat with their families, friends, and treasured faculty members for dinner, awards, and the baccalaureate address. This year's speaker, Rukmini Callimachi CdeP 1991, encouraged this class to persevere in the face of adversity: "What I have come to learn is that your rank at any
one point in time matters nowhere near as much as whether you have the will to keep going."
After Ms. Callimachi spoke, the evening continued with the presentation of some of the School's most prestigious awards: Cum Laude Society, the Tutt Bowl, and the Thacher Cup (to name a few). The awards, their descriptions, and their recipients can be found below.
After Ms. Callimachi spoke, the evening continued with the presentation of some of the School's most prestigious awards: Cum Laude Society, the Tutt Bowl, and the Thacher Cup (to name a few). The awards, their descriptions, and their recipients can be found below.
Saturday morning's event began at 9 a.m. with a band of bagpipers leading the formalities, closely followed by a procession of the class of 2016, the class of 2015, and the faculty. During the long-awaited commencement exercises each Thacher graduate takes a turn standing center stage with Head of School Michael Mulligan as their tribute is read. Each senior tribute calls to light the best and most notable qualities of that graduate.
After every member of the class of 2015 received his or her diploma, there was a great deal of celebration on the Upper Field, accompanied by lots of photos, some cigars, and a few tears. All enjoyed a delicious lunch on the Pergola and then it was off to the dorms to finish packing. The graduates then departed campus for a few more days together at senior parties (hosted by parents of the graduating class).
Awards presented at the Senior Banquet:
David S. Lavender Scholarship
The Ojai Rotary Club Educational Foundation gives away several scholarships to recipients in the Ojai valley each year; one of those is the David S. Lavender Scholarship.
This year we are pleased to announce that the Lavender Scholarship has been awarded to Sarah Drewsen Van Son.
This year we are pleased to announce that the Lavender Scholarship has been awarded to Sarah Drewsen Van Son.
Cum Laude Society
Founded in 1906, Cum Laude was modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, the national college-level honor society. The electing body at Thacher is peopled by faculty members elected to Cum Laude in high school or to Phi Beta Kappa in college. Election to Cum Laude officially commends those students who have met the highest criteria of academic achievement and scholarly integrity throughout their high school careers, and across all disciplines. The Society’s constitution stipulates that no more than 20 percent of the senior class may be elected, and no more than 10 percent of the junior class.
Members of the class of 2015, elected in their junior year:
Taylor Louise Bacon
Benjamin Gregory Lim Chadwick
Emma Lynn Best Rogowski
Sarah Drewson Van Son
Members of the class of 2015, elected this year:
Liam Raoul Carpenter-Urquhart
Skylar Emily Eastman Lewis
Wesley Liang
Julia Maria Girardoni
Kevin Michael Griffee
Jisoo Ann Han
Marissa Cristina Lopez
Laura Charlotte Kirkland
Charles Sherman Morgenstein
Members of the class of 2016, elected this year
Grace Elizabeth Callandar
Casey Elizabeth Gaughan
Douglas Dean Klink
Newton K. Chase Community Service Award
The Newton K. Chase Community Service Award is given to the student who, through volunteer work in the community, has demonstrated an unselfish interest in and concern for others. Mr. Chase, who served as Head of School for fifteen years beginning in 1949, believed strongly in the importance of instilling in Thacher students an admiration for and interest in public service.
This year’s recipients have done outstanding work facilitating authentic experiences for their peers both on campus and in the world outside “The Thacher bubble.” As active participants in the programs they champion and advocates for providing a variety of opportunities to meet every student’s interest, they have served as effective leaders and makers of change. We applaud these students for all they have done for our community and take this opportunity to thank them for their leadership, their commitment, and their whole-hearted approach to the service of others. Mr. Chase would have been proud.
This year’s recipients have done outstanding work facilitating authentic experiences for their peers both on campus and in the world outside “The Thacher bubble.” As active participants in the programs they champion and advocates for providing a variety of opportunities to meet every student’s interest, they have served as effective leaders and makers of change. We applaud these students for all they have done for our community and take this opportunity to thank them for their leadership, their commitment, and their whole-hearted approach to the service of others. Mr. Chase would have been proud.
This year's award went to:
Kevin Michael Griffee
Hayley Ann Kong
Kenlyn Brooke Mirbach
Elizabeth Helms Adams Perpetual Sportsmanship Award
While being an accomplished athlete is an integral part of earning this award, athleticism is, by no means, this honor's most important criterion. Commitment to excellence, teamwork, ability to elevate the play of others, and, above all, sportsmanship are the qualities for which this trophy is awarded. These students contributed significantly to their teams throughout their four years here at Thacher. Both captains of their fall sports this year, they were key figures on the cross-country and volleyball teams. One is a four-year varsity runner who led the team to a 9th place finish at the State Tournament, while the other returned for a second year as a co-captain of the volleyball squad where she earned her first of three “Most Inspirational” awards this year. Each girl captained a team again in the winter. One distinguished herself on the hardcourt, as her tireless defense, tremendous hustle and smooth handle at the point position helped lead the team all the way to the CIF semi-finals. The other
completed her third season as the starting goalkeeper on the soccer team, where her confident communication and great decision making helped the team win an exciting penalty kick shootout to advance to the 2nd round of CIF competition. Ultimately, each earned all-league recognition from the Frontier League in their respective sports, and, more importantly, significant recognition and appreciation from their teams. Finally, this spring, they came together to lead the lacrosse team with passion, dedication, and optimism, as one anchored the defense and the other anchored the midfield. Their contributions to the lacrosse team’s success were recognized with All-LA Regional team honors. Together they have left a significant mark on our athletics program here at Thacher and next year will be sorely missed by their teammates and coaches alike.
This year's award went to:
Georgie Rohrer Becker
Mackenzie Grace Boyden.
Mackenzie Grace Boyden.
The Thacher Lettermen’s Club Perpetual Trophy
As with the previous honor, athleticism, commitment to excellence, teamwork, ability to elevate the play of others and, above all, sportsmanship are the qualities for which this trophy is awarded. This year, the award goes to a young man who has given his all to Thacher. A three sport athlete, captain and competitor. According to his coach, this young man’s competitive drive burns hotter than anybody he’s ever coached. While
there’s no question he is a talented athlete, it’s the level of intensity with which he competes on every rep, in every practice and game, every at-bat and every out,
is what elevates him. He combines his extraordinary level of effort with an unmistakable sincere team-first attitude. There is no sacrifice he wouldn’t make for the good of the team. His teammates have the utmost respect for him and they know that they can count on him to give his very best at every turn. One of his coaches’ stated it best, “the School would be a better place if we filled it with guys like this young man.”
This year's award went to:
John Kenneth Carey
The Charles L. Warren Alpinist Award
Given to the individual(s) who best demonstrates not only natural ability in climbing, camping and mountaineering, but who also embraces Thacher's philosophy of respect and appreciation for the outdoors as well as the qualities of preparation balanced with hope as indicated in the motto of the Camping Program.
This year's award went to:
This year's award went to:
Sienna Lola Currie
Robin Uchida Evans
Adam Li Silberberg
School Chair Award
Integrity, leadership, humor and thoughtfulness are integral components of a young man in our community who has held the role of School Chair this year at Thacher. Owen’s focus throughout the year was to be available and accessible to the entire student body and to listen to everything the students had questions or ideas about. There was no issue too small, and all was important if it originated from the students. Owen took particular pleasure in engaging in substantive dialogue with students and adults alike so as to continue to help the School evolve as issues or ideas surfaced. From his care of the junior boys in Upper School, to making us laugh with his wit and intellect at many assemblies, we will not soon forget the good work and many contributions of this young man.
This year's award went to:
Owen Cornelius Driscoll
Tutt Bowl
Given in 1963 by Mrs. Tutt in memory of her husband Charles L. Tutt, CdeP 1907. In giving this award, Mrs. Tutt wished to stress those qualities of character not always recognized in the traditional school-type awards. She spoke not primarily of leadership, but of integrity and responsibility, of fortitude in the face of adversity, and of consideration for others as traits that she had always admired in her husband and which she thought a school should be proud of in its students.
The recipient of this year’s Tutt Bowl boasts astounding depth both of talent and character. Scholarship, musicianship, dramatic arts, climbing, athletics, camping, riding, dance, community service, and, indeed, almost every quality we venerate at Thacher is part of the recipient’s domain. Even more importantly, of course, in light of the nature of this award, are qualities of the heart: the recipient has shown compassion, love, and caring for others in times of need. The ability to learn from and endure hardship, and to support others enduring hardship, lies at the root of this unprecedented vote of the faculty.
The recipient of this year’s Tutt Bowl boasts astounding depth both of talent and character. Scholarship, musicianship, dramatic arts, climbing, athletics, camping, riding, dance, community service, and, indeed, almost every quality we venerate at Thacher is part of the recipient’s domain. Even more importantly, of course, in light of the nature of this award, are qualities of the heart: the recipient has shown compassion, love, and caring for others in times of need. The ability to learn from and endure hardship, and to support others enduring hardship, lies at the root of this unprecedented vote of the faculty.
This year, the Tutt Bowl went to: The entire class of 2015.
The Thacher Cup
The Thacher Cup is presented to that senior who, in the judgment of the faculty, best demonstrates those qualities the School holds as central: academic excellence, extracurricular achievement, moral leadership, and concern for others.
This year’s Thacher Cup winner established himself in every nook and cranny of extracurricular life. He served as the co-Head of the United Cultures of Thacher; he helped to manage our Formal Dinner program as Dining Hall Assistant; and he served as our unofficial King of Minor Tournaments. He holds multiple school records in track. With his Kumana Prize funding, he helped to revolutionize the school’s disposal of horse manure through composting. He is one of the few members of our community ever to hold his own against Mr. Shi on the ping-pong table. He possesses wisdom beyond his years, and his two younger siblings are not the only ones to reap the benefits; as a prefect in Los Padres he steered sophomore boys towards fulfilling their best selves, striking the ideal balance between sternness and kindness. All this on top of an absolutely stellar academic record across the full breadth of our curriculum. With all these myriad achievements, you might wonder how this young man sets his priorities. This is what he says on the matter: “In the end, family comes first, and that’s the
strongest value I have. My mom expected that I would always do my best… I work to follow those expectations and make my mom proud.” Well, there’s no doubting that he has accomplished exactly that. His second family here at Thacher marks his many extraordinary achievements with a fierce pride and a deep sense of love and admiration.
This year's award went to:
Benjamin Gregory Lim Chadwick
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A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.