Austen Faris CdeP 2026 All-School Banquet Address

Through my four years here, writing this speech has been the hardest assignment. It’s not because I don't have enough to write about, believe me, I could rave about this school and our community for hours. Rather, it’s about what this speech symbolizes for me, for us as a community, and more specifically for the seniors. It means we’ve made it. It means all of those late nights, the laughs, the tears, the genuine connections, all of it is coming to an end. 

I’ve been reflecting a lot this year, and I came to the conclusion that my next four years will be very different from the four years I spent here. In some ways, I’m so incredibly excited for that. I’m leaving Thacher a better version of myself than when I got here, and the new friendships and experiences I will find in my next chapter will help me grow even more. But in other ways, I’m so scared that it won't live up to the time I had here. I truthfully don't think I will find a better 253 students all gathered in a room. I don't think I’ll ever go on another student-planned camping trip with my grade, nor will I have dinner with my whole school twice a week. I won't play Taco cat goat cheese pizza with my head of school again, I won't have mountains to admire every morning on my way to class, I won't have nightly check-ins with six of the most amazing girls anymore, and the scariest part: I won't be at school with the same friends I now call family. 

Thacher for me is now more than just a school. In past summers when I’ve gone to camps or programs, I tend to try to find “Thachery people.” I’ll literally scout and try to find people who I think would be good at Thacher and those are the people I hang out with. Most of the time, however, I can't find them. I still make great connections, but there's a little part of my heart that isn't full, like I'm missing the part of the friendship that I have at Thacher. I believe Thacher has made us more honorable, fair, kind, and truthful than we would ever be if we had never come here, and that's what makes this place so amazing and so hard to leave. We were built on these core values in the hope that we can have one large community that will work well with each other, with the shared trust that we uphold these values. I can't name another school that does that better than us. It’s shared trust that if I leave my computer unattended in the library overnight, it will be there when I return. That if we lose an Apple pencil, nalgeen, or glasses for the 10th time, someone will find them after you send an email.

I’m going to miss that. I’m really going to miss this place. You know when you’ve been thinking about something for a while, but you don't want to say it, so it doesn't come true. That’s how I’ve been for this whole year. But this is it, isn't it? This is the last time we're all going to be in the same building together, looking out over these mountains. Yet while it's sad to say goodbye, it just shows all the amazing work we’ve done this year to make it a community that is so hard to leave.

Today is also the last time I’ll have this platform to look at all of you and share my gratitude, respect, love, and advice.
  

So to the 9th graders:
You all have done such amazing work this year. We all know it’s not easy to adjust to a school like this, especially when you're not only taking care of yourself but also your horse. I hope that through this year, you all have found the joy this community can bring you, and over time, you'll see the value of the struggles you’ve faced. Whether that's through friendships, classes, or extracurriculars, you all are going to find yourself, and the best version will be brought out. Through living in the dorm with half of you, it’s been an absolute joy to see and hear how you’ve all changed and grown. I hope that through your next three years, you will most importantly not hesitate to call your freshman prefect every once in a while. But also just continue to explore. Many of you will live in middle school next year, and it's quite easy to just get your food and enjoy the comfort and familiarity of your room, but I urge you to get out there. Hang out on the pergola, laugh in the commons. Just go out. That goes for those in LP next year, too. I know it's further than lower school, but trust me, you're going to miss those dining hall conversations every morning if you don't go down there. For all of you, just find more hikes, games, performances, and events to go to! Make goals for yourself to pursue, and keep trying new things.  

Sophomores:
It's really weird to think that you all are going to be in the grade my class was in when we first met you all. Your class has such an infectious joy to it. It may just be because of the sheer size of it, but I do think you all have something special. My brother is in the same grade as you all at a day school in LA, and every day I wish he had applied to Thacher. I see the friends he’s made at that school, and I always wonder if he'd just be happier with some friends from your class. I may not know all of you on a deep level, but I have gotten to know some of you through events I had through my family group in Mesa last year, the chamber trip, and seeing how you all act at sports games; you are all doing such an incredible job at embracing and finding the joy and meaning of Thacher. You guys have officially grown into upperclassmen, and it shows. My advice now that you are all going to be joining the upperclassmen is to spread that joy and passion you have. Show the incoming freshman and the sophomores why you love it here and how to explore. 

Juniors: 
You guys are going to do amazing. I hated it last year when the seniors would say we weren't ready to be senior leaders, just because we couldn't keep the kitchen clean. Your class has what it takes. You have such a caring energy, so I know without a doubt this school will be in the best hands. You all thrive on passion. Whether it's through sports, riding, the arts, or academics, I can see how much dedication you all put into what you love, and having you all as leaders will result in a dedicated student body. You guys set the tone of the year, so start thinking even now about how you want your final year to be. The main advice I can give to you all, though, is to stay present. Don’t get lost in your college applications that you forget to appreciate the beauty surrounding you, because the year really does speed by. Lean on each other for support and just take everything in.  
 

Now, finally, to the class of 2026: 
I know it's cliché, but please don't be a stranger. Whether you're ready to start this next chapter or are just as scared as I am, don't forget the amazing moments and friendships you’ve had here. I have a quote from the film “Now, and Then” that I love, it goes: “I know we’ll be friends for life, sharing our dreams. And though we may go our separate ways, our memories will stay forever.” The memories we’ve had here are going to be the stories I share with my kids one day. So keep them, cherish them. This class is special. You guys know it too; the kindness you all bring to this school doesn't go unnoticed, and the dedication to each thing we do really is remarkable. And most importantly, the way we contribute to the larger environment of the school is something I believe we excel tremendously at. You guys have inspired me to become more adventurous, creative, and outgoing, and have shown me what it means to be a good leader and the best friend. I’m so proud of the class we’ve become. And I’m so endlessly grateful to call you all family. You have all left such a tremendous impact on me, and I’m so grateful that I got to have these four amazing years together. We’ve spent around 1008 days on this campus. That’s 1008 days filled with memories that will stay with us forever. It’s these incredible memories that make me in denial about leaving this place because what do you mean I don't get to hear Wiley’s debates at Wandering, Khalid's jokes at lunch, see Jaeda’s smile from across the room in class, sing at a bonfire together in the Sespe wilderness, play card games on the Pergola, perform at another coffee house with the green beans, or have nightly debriefs with Tomoka before bed each night. So thank you, thank you for giving me memories that I will cherish forever. I can't wait to see the amazing things you all will accomplish.  

With all of that said. It's been an honor to be your school chair this year. So thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart, for being the best student body I’ve seen in my four years here.  

Austen Faris CdeP 2026 was the 2025-26 Thacher School Chair, and active in the performing arts, athletics, and student leadership programs during her four years at Thacher.