Vermont Academy Celebrates Its One Hundred and Thirty-Third Commencement

Amidst days of rain, the sun shone like a beacon on Saturday, May 27 for Vermont Academy’s one hundred and thirty-third commencement. The day was perfect, with clear blue skies elevating already high spirits.
The ceremony began with an academic processional led by bagpiper Ben Partridge ’06, followed by a welcome from class co-presidents Cara Linder and Guy Piccolo. Interim Head of School Stanley Colla announced Salutatorian Andrew Kalpakian, who addressed the audience and then, as is customary, introduced the Class of 2017’s Valedictorian Francis “Mackey” O’Keefe.

In his valedictory address, Mackey spoke of the supportive and inspiring teachers he had encountered at Vermont Academy. He reflected on their impact on him and his classmates, “Surrounded by interested, caring and talented faculty we have grown into who we are today … While at VA, every member of this class has, in our own way, striven to do our best – to stretch for the impossible.”

Chair of the Board of Trustees Michael A. Choukas ’73 congratulated the class, before Interim Head of School Stanley Colla introduced the annual commencement awards, presented by faculty members.

2017 Commencement Awards:
• AnnaMae Fenney Awards: Oliver Annson, Jahyde Bullard, Conrad Dalton, Zhenjing Gui, Andrew Kalpakian, Cara Linder, Fangzhong Ma, Francis O’Keefe, Guy Piccolo, Chanapat Temsartis, Allegra Wu, Jialin Zhou
• Special Commendation: Karina Vital, New York
• The Grant V. Frazer Award: Leia Gui, China
• The Charles Jackson Award: Jahyde Bullard, Vermont
• The Bernice B. and Olin D. Gay Award: Andrew Kalpakian, New Hampshire
• The Larry Smith Award: Allegra Wu, Vermont
• The Robert L. Long Leadership Award: Guy Piccolo, Connecticut
• The Ford Improvement Award: Riley McIntosh, Vermont
• The Robinson Prize: Chanapat “Arm” Temsartis, Thailand
• The Shanaman Cup: Cara Linder, Vermont
• The Barrett Medal, Francis “Mackey” O’Keefe, New Hampshire

Before the presentation of diplomas, Interim Head of School Stanley Colla addressed the class, recalling the opening Convocation exercises when he proclaimed to students, “We have work to do.” Commencement again found them at an interesting intersection, with new adventures and decisions ahead. Mr. Colla went on to say, “Albert Einstein wrote, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one learned in school.” You’re ready … to leave because you have allowed the Vermont Academy experience to translate into a Vermont Academy education. These are the values we hold dearly in our Core Beliefs, the values that will not only help you to do well, but also help you to do good. They will serve you well for life ahead.” Read the full speech.

The presentation of diplomas followed, with much celebrating for the achievements of all of our Class of 2017.
Back
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.