Seniors sent off with smiles on graduation day
Between well-wishes and encouragement to follow their dreams, speakers at Out-of-Door Academy’s commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon kept the crowd laughing whether it was recalling lessons from the classroom or from friendships.
The class valedictorian, Caitlin Camire, creatively recalled lessons learned from school staff, and senior speaker Nicholas Murphy remembered a staff member “longingly looking at pictures of England” at the end of the school year.
The full house at Petrik Thunderdome rocked with laughter as caps adorned with the colleges that graduates will attend in the fall rocked back and forth.
But it wasn’t all fun and puns. Head of School David V. Mahler attempted to answer a question posed to him earlier in the year: What is the meaning of life?
With the help of quotes from the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, Confucius and the Dalai Lama, Mahler summed up his answer into choosing happiness, having no limits, loving your work, trusting your instincts, and putting others before themselves.
Out-of-Door Academy
Graduates: 72
Speakers: Chairman of the Board of Trustees Larry Fox, Head of School David V. Mahler, Valedictorian Caitlin Camire, senior speaker Nicholas Murphy and interim Head of Upper School Adam Seldis.
Shining moment: The Achievement Award was given to Alexander Seftas, and the Faculty Cup was awarded to Kiarra Womack; both were greeted with thunderous applause from the crowd.
Interesting fact: A group of about 20 legacy families was recognized at the ceremony.
Best quote: “Just remember, don’t think outside the box, think Out-of-Door,” Camire said.
This story was originally published June 3, 2017 at 6:01 PM with the headline "Seniors sent off with smiles on graduation day."