The Quad began to fill as the Baccalaureate ceremony was about to begin around 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 23. Each year, this ceremony consists of a variety of speeches and performances.

The ceremony began with a piece played by the Orchestra followed by a performance by Cantilena.

This year, seniors chose Emily Wang (12) and Carlos Cruz Johnson (12) as the student speakers and Julie Wheeler as the faculty speaker.

This ceremony is also one of the many events that conclude the Class of 2013’s time in high school. Many of the seniors felt a sense of reminiscing as they bonded over their years together.

“It’s crazy, it does not feel real,” said Ragini Bhattacharya (12). “When they say Class of 2013, that’s the last time we get to cheer but I would not leave with any other class.”

The evening was also filled with laughs and smiles as Head of Upper School Mr. Butch Keller introduced each speaker with comic anecdotes and as each speech included a variety of comical moments. During Wheeler’s speech, senior students held a cutout of John Caldwell Calhoun in the aisle as a way to make her feel less nervous.

“[When I found out I was chosen to speak] I was very very honored and absolutely terrified,” Wheeler said. “It was a challenge to do the class justice and through everything that has gone on, I just wanted to make sure that I put my best foot forward.”

While she began her speech with amusing yet accurate quirks of many teachers at the Upper School, the inspiration behind Wheeler’s speech was a dollar bill and her name-tag as she went on to ask the seniors what their name-tag will say.

Carlos’ speech, consisting of a variety of gestures and quotes, caught the audience’s attention as he gave them the choice to tune out or pay attention. He then went on to send a message across about choices and decisions.

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks by Head of School Christopher Nikoloff. The seniors will be graduating on Saturday, May 25 at the Mountain Winery.