2018 Graduates Urged to Be Kind, Be in the Moment, Be Fierce

On Wednesday, June 13, Head of School Clair Ward presided as 68 eighth and ninth grade students were graduated during Shore's 81st Closing Exercises. It was Ward's first graduation ceremony at Shore since becoming Head of School in 2017. 


Before the Closing Exercises began in the Howard Gymnasium, graduates met for their traditional class gatherings in the historic Winslow Building, where they received flowers they'd wear during the ceremony and reminisced about their Shore experiences. By tradition, eighth grade graduates wore white—white dresses and calla lilies for the girls, and white rose boutonnières for the boys—while ninth graders were distinguished in pale blue, with the girls carrying delicate blue delphiniums and boys wearing blue pocket squares in their blazers. Parents looked on, cameras and phones in hand to capture the scene, as the graduates posed for class photos on the Winslow Building steps and then processed as a group for the start of the Closing Exercises.

At the podium, Head of School Clair Ward welcomed the graduates and guests by referring to Shore's Community Code, displayed on banners high on the wall of the Howard Gymnasium. "At moments like this," Ward said, "it's easy to be distracted by the sadness of an ending. But today's celebration marks the most important of beginnings—the moment in time when you will lean into your next step. And no matter what you have learned here in math, history, science, or music, we are committed to your taking Shore's Community Code with you as the most significant lesson that you have learned. In the words of the Code, if you are 'kind, true, respectful, open, and dependable,' you will not only 'be your best,' but also be the best of Shore."

Following Ward's inspiring introduction, students stood to sing their "Graduates' Song," an original medley of Miley Cyrus's "The Climb" and the Beatles' "In My Life" arranged by Shore music teacher Jenn Boyum. "I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming," eighth and ninth grade girls sang, "but there's a voice inside my head saying you'll never reach it... My faith is shaking but I gotta keep trying, gotta keep my head held high." The pop lyrics blended into the familiar folk-rock classic as the boys sang, "There are places I remember all my life, though some have changed—some forever not for better, some have gone and some remain. All these places have their moments with lovers and friends I still can recall. Some are dead and some are living; in my life I've loved them all."

Ninth grade class speaker Charles Hoffman of Andover also found inspiration in Beatles lyrics as he shared words of advice with the audience. "In the Beatles song, 'The End,' the lyrics say, 'The love you take is the love you make.' I interpret this to mean 'The more you give, the more you get.' The most important thing you can do for someone is to be kind to them. Think of others before you think of yourself." Hoffman had a second piece of advice to share. "To all the students, faculty, staff, and families of Shore, I urge you: be in the moment. While it can be good to think fondly of the past or dream about the future, the present is the most important time and place. Things matter here and now. Make every moment at this school count."

Hoffman reflected on his time at Shore as he continued, "We all opened our hearts to this school and let it work its magic. To say that we've been blessed or privileged to attend Shore would be an understatement. Shore gave us the tools we needed to discover who we are. Shore gave us opportunities and acceptance, never telling us to hide away parts of ourselves. Shore gave us a second family—people you can count on, people you can trust, people you're comfortable enough with to be yourself. But the most important lesson I've learned at Shore is that teachers can give you all the tools, but you are ultimately going to have to take responsibility for yourself. Thank you to each of you, and thank you to Shore for the lessons learned." 

Fellow ninth graders Alex Oder of Wakefield and Ava D'Ambrosio of Boxford spoke of their own lessons learned. According to D'Ambrosio, "Shore taught us that stepping outside of our comfort zone, taking risks, being curious, working hard, and building relationships are essential in learning and life." Oder said, "Whether you've been here for one year or 11, Shore has changed each and every one of us. Every one of us had learned our own lessons, had our own struggles, and found our own path to where we are now. It may feel terrifying to think of leaving the school we've known, but thanks to Shore, I know that we're up to the challenge. When the future comes, we're more than prepared to meet it on our own terms." 

The Head of School then called each eighth and ninth grade graduate individually to the stage, where Ward congratulated them before the students received a graduation certificate from President of the Board of Trustees Jenn Borggaard and shook hands with Interim Head of Upper School Walter Morris and Head of Lower School Sara Knox. Later, graduates were invited to present roses to their parents, and longtime Shore community members were acknowledged with bouquets.

Clair Ward then returned to the podium to offer her closing words, which took as their jumping-off point the legacy of educator and television personality Fred Rogers. "Rogers was a tremendous advocate for children," Ward said. "Many of his beliefs reflected the most progressive, child-centered approaches to education. I share with you the following Rogers quotation: 'At the center of the universe is a loving heart that continues to beat and that wants the best for every person. Anything we can do to help foster the intellect and spirit and emotional growth of our fellow human beings—that is our job.'"

"Graduates," Ward continued, "as you move into your summers and onto your next step, you begin to not only take responsibility for fostering your own intellect and emotional growth, but also I hope you will follow in Fred Rogers' footsteps by looking at what you can do for others. Shore will always be a loving heart that continues to beat for you and want the best for you. Our greatest hope is that Shore's love for you will inspire you to always be your best. On behalf of your teachers, I want to thank you for the privilege of being your guides and your coaches. Thank you for the lessons you have taught us, and know that this will always be your home. I encourage you to take Shore with you wherever you go. Be fierce; whenever you face a challenge, face it with conviction. Based on what I have seen from you, I know that whatever comes your way, you've got this!"

Graduates, joined by alumni, faculty, and staff singers in the audience, concluded the Closing Exercises with the traditional benediction, and as students recessed, they each leaped to high-five a painted hand above the gymnasium doorway, receiving "a last touch of Shore, and leaving Shore with a last touch of you," as Ward explained.

Students and their families then gathered outside for congratulations from faculty, who shared reminiscences and well wishes for next fall and beyond. More than 20 eighth grade graduates will return to Shore in the fall to be part of the school's unique ninth grade program. Graduating ninth grade and eighth grade students will move on to high schools and college preparatory schools including Boston University Academy, Brooks School, The Governor’s Academy, Marblehead High School, Middlesex School, Milton Academy, Peabody High School, Pingree School, Phillips Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy, and St. George's School, among others.

Ninth grade graduates of the Class of 2018 were: Georgia Adams, Lucy Adams, Linden Adamson, Kealan Biebesheimer, Ava D'Ambrosio, Teresa DiNanno, John Fates, William Goltra, Charles Hoffman, Samuel Izzo, Sophia Izzo, Emily LeMieux, Myles Lopes, Alexander Oder, Bianca Perullo, and Tessa Shields.

Eighth grade graduates of the Class of 2019 were: Melina Abatjoglou, Paulina Arce, Rikit Bansal, Ivan Betancourt, Rebecca Birnbach, Samuel Borggaard, Erynn Bowe, Alexander Boyko II, Sophia Carbone, Patrick Carroll, William Charman, Marisa Costello, Aidan Davie, Sophia DiNanno, Edward Doggett, Isabella Eaton, Jeremiah Edokpa, Charles Faldi, Camryn Flessel, Carolyn Fortin, Jaqueline Furey, Camryn Georges, Madeline Hammond, Eleanor Herriman, Aliana Istanbullu, Spencer Johnson, Alexandra Krohg, Holly Levasseur, Miranda Lloyd, Amelia Mallon, Bryan Marinelli, Anja Meaney, Charles Minney, Elizabeth Mittelbusher, Joseph Mulligan, Hope Nardone, Hugh Park, Christopher Pelletier, Adlai Politi, Sarah Pollock, Brooke Schatz, Alexander Schimmel, Emily Storer, Charlotte Strovink, Walker Thorne, Olivia Tilzey, Grace Toran, Lily Webber, Sarah Webber, Cameron White, Tenley Williamson, and Lauren Zion.
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    • Eighth grade graduates posed for their class photo.

    • Ninth grader Ava D'Ambrosio accepted a blue delphinium from Admissions Assistant Ali Jahn.

    • Eighth graders gathered in the Winslow Building.

    • Ninth graders Alex Oder and Wells Goltra were ready for the ceremony to begin.

    • Eighth grader Chris Pelletier led the way to the Closing Exercises.

    • Head of School Clair Ward addressed the audience.

    • Ninth grader Charles Hoffman shared advice.

    • Students and families lingered long after the ceremony.

    • Ninth grade graduate Kealan Biebesheimer embraced eighth grader Marisa Costello.

    • Eighth grade graduate Miranda Lloyd hugged a friend.

Shore Country Day School

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Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
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