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Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony

McDonogh’s Class of 2021 endured more than their share of disappointment during the second half of their Upper School career, so when it rained non-stop on Friday, June 11, forcing their Commencement ceremony inside, they did not blink. Following the Baccalaureate ceremony in the Horn Theatre featuring faculty speaker Daryl Burch, the seniors dodged the raindrops as they made their way across the Rosenberg Campus Green to the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Athletic Center for the pinnacle of their McDonogh career. They processed through the hallway to the gym to the applause and cheers of faculty and staff who had guided them on their McDonogh journey.

After the presentation of academic and athletic awards, student leader Sam Kinney ’21 introduced the senior speaker Willie Breen ’21 who spoke about the meaning of legacy. Next, Head of School Dave Farace ’87 addressed the graduates and reflected on their senior year. He said, “I wonder, what lessons from the pandemic you will pass on to future generations? As I’ve watched and admired your navigation skills this year, I think you’ll preach the themes of resilience, gratitude, and hope as the keys, or dare I say the secret weapons, to not only surviving but thriving during turbulent times in life.” Farace concluded his remarks with a poem by Emily Dickinson, Hope is a Thing with Feathers.

After the Class of 2021 received their diplomas and Alumni Association membership cards, the ceremony closed with the McDonogh Dedication Hymn performed by the Senior Singers.

Families of the senior class will receive a folder of their graduate’s commencement photos in the coming weeks.