Seniors and juniors, their families and faculty attended the annual Baccalaureate in the Quad on Friday.
Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Jennifer Gargano opened the ceremony by discussing the historical origins of baccalaureates and the impact of the senior class on Harker.
“The presence of our eleventh graders this evening reflects the tradition of farewell,” Gargano said. “They are both here to say goodbye to you, the seniors, and to step forward as the next leaders of the upper school. The Continuation of Honor ceremony further underscores this transition, symbolizing the juniors’ commitment to uphold and promote Harker’s values as they assume these new responsibilities.”
Gargano also introduced Honor Council members senior Suhana Bhandare and junior Anirudh Subramanian, who led the Continuation of Honor ceremony and promised to uphold Harker’s tenets.
Senior Kallie Wang delivered the Student Farewell speech after being chosen by a panel of seniors. Reflecting on her journey at Harker, from learning through COVID in middle school to winning spirit in the spring, she emphasized that graduation did not mean the seniors had no more room for growth.
“These years at Harker, we’ve grown from small hatchlings to full-fledged eagles, brushing wings against each other,” Kallie said. “But now, it’s time to soar, to jump out of the nest and into the air, not knowing what lies ahead, but ready to brave it. As our time here comes to an end, this is not the end; it’s just the beginning.”
Math teacher Anthony Silk, who was selected as the faculty speaker by the senior class, advised students not to confine themselves to one path in the future, using an analogy about cooking recipes.
“A good cookie is more than just flour and eggs,” Silk said. “A great school recipe is more than pure academics. Be sure to add the ingredients that make you happy and fulfilled: dance, read, play sports. I have no doubt that when it comes to your futures, you will all be great chefs. If along the way you need advice or inspiration, remember Harker will always be here for you, so please come back and see us.”
Head of School Brian Yager closed the ceremony with brief remarks about the graduation ceremony and reminders to bring sunscreen and wear layers. He then read a passage from Alice Cary’s poem “Nobility,” urging the juniors to lead the school with the same effort as the seniors, before attendees dispersed for food and refreshments. Students later gathered around campus with their friends to take pictures together.
At the beginning of the ceremony, juniors and their advisors filed into the right side of the Quad from Main Hall as seniors Aya Sugaya, Mindy Truong and George Yang played Anton Arensky’s “Piano Trio No. 1.” Already seated on the left side, seniors applauded the procession. The combined advanced choirs, directed by vocal teacher Jennifer Sandusky, then sang the Indonesian folk song “Hela Rota,” a song about cooperation through a tug-of-war game.
