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Class of 2017 Commencement

The weather could not have been better for the Class of 2017 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 9. The morning began with a Baccalaureate Service in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre, during which Laddie Levy ’63 addressed the graduates and their parents. Shortly after, the seniors gathered in Tagart Memorial Chapel and then processed out the doors and down the hill to Childs Memorial Terrace for the Commencement Exercises. As Headmaster Charlie Britton noted, it was the first time the Class of 2017 was able to celebrate a closing in the traditional spot. Students who have been at McDonogh since Lower School remember that rain forced them inside for both their Lower and Middle School ceremonies, as well as this year’s Headmaster’s Day.

Prior to receiving their diplomas and Alumni Association membership cards, the senior speech was given by Archer S., who earned a standing ovation for his message about hope. He said, “Hope is about believing in progress and learning to accept what life throws at us…good and bad.” His entire speech can be viewed here (coverage by Larmar Video).

Following the ceremony, the graduates and their families enjoyed a reception by the John McDonogh monument.