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Class of 2023 Described as Superheroes

Clear skies and bright smiles defined the Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 8 at Childs Memorial Terrace. The morning began with the Baccalaureate ceremony in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre where the speaker, Director of College Counseling Alice Margraff addressed the graduates and their parents and shared her "Top 10 List for Adulting." Then, the class moved to Tagart Memorial Chapel for a final moment together before they processed through a gauntlet of cheering faculty members, and passed their proud family and friends in the audience.

Following the presentation of awards, Senior Class President Katie Jones introduced the senior speaker Jack Gordon, who entertained the audience and his classmates with memories of their time at McDonogh. Prior to presenting diplomas to the 161 members of the class, Head of School Dave Farace ‘87 spoke directly to the families and broke the news that McDonogh is “a secret training ground for superheroes” and that their children will “surreptitiously wield their superpowers for good in the larger world beyond McDonogh.” As the audience chuckled he asked, “So what are the superpowers our students have honed in our laboratories, otherwise known as classrooms, stages, and athletic fields, over their McDonogh careers?” The answer he said was grit, gratitude, and courage. After describing each superpower, he turned to the seniors and reiterated that each quality will make them exceptional leaders.

Then, along with their McDonogh diploma, each member of the class received a card signifying their new status as alumni and a mask symbolizing their status as a superhero. The celebration closed with the McDonogh Dedication Hymn. Watch the ceremony here.