Congratulations Class of 2016
Greenhill School graduated the Class of 2016 at the 65th Annual Commencement ceremony held at the Meyerson Symphony Center on Monday, June 1, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
Kas Tebbetts
Valedictorian
"Kas is a one-of-a-kind thinker and person. As her advisor puts it, “What amazes me about all her accomplishments is that they spring from a genuine desire to participate in life rather than to pad her resume. Few students possess her sincere drive to play a part in creating the kind of world she wants to inhabit. She writes into existence the life she wants to lead, as is the case with anyone who has ever been possessed by artistic genius.” Many of her teachers echo these sentiments. A shared theme is that she is one of the most amazing students they’ve ever worked with. She’s a film-maker, a writer, a volunteer, a baker, a dancer and a classicist. Any one of these things would be enough to place her in a league of her own, but this student has a remarkable authentic curiosity that drives her to experience everything she can. She has the ability to see learning opportunities wherever she goes, but she always takes that vision one step further and transforms those opportunities into incredible actions that you wouldn’t expect a teenager to do. It’s that creative ability to synthesize experiences and produce something truly awesome that defines her. She’s able to shine light into corners of her the world around her and bring things to the forefront that others miss. Her academic, social and artistic journey through Greenhill has been a remarkable one, and she has made the community around her better in her gentle, humble and independent way. She’s simply made us better by her presence.
Lauren Baron
Recipient of the Bernard L. Fulton Award is the highest honor given in the Upper School and is presented to the senior who best embodies the mission and ideals of Greenhill School. The award is named for the founder and first headmaster of the School.
“Whether it was modeling the very nature of what an original argument should look like in English class, or mentoring younger students in a variety of settings such as the recital hall, committee meetings, or the lab, Lauren has truly fostered a passion for learning and instilled a respect for others in those around her. So high are her standards of honor and citizenship that she is genuinely confused when those around her make choices not in line with Greenhill's mission. One of her teachers summed her up astutely by saying that ‘possibilities transform her, and, in turn, she will transform the world.’”
Back
Head of School Scott Griggs gave welcoming remarks and Assistant Head of School Tom Perryman '81 gave the Invocation. Madison Grimes gave a senior address about her experiences in Cavalcade and theater providing contrasting, yet appropriate vantage points for gathering history and living in the moment; Ali Babool delivered the second senior address, about the special relationships and contributions of everyone in the Class of 2016.
The distribution of diplomas followed and Mr. Griggs concluded the ceremony with his own charge to the Class of 2016, ending with the historic charge from Greenhill’s founder Bernard Fulton:
"Stand firm in your own sense of right. It makes no difference how many facts gleaned from books you may forget; your values remain with you always and I trust you to reflect the moral stamina you acquired in your home and school environments. Lead people because you know you are right and your alma mater will reflect your glory. And always remember that one person can make a difference."
"Stand firm in your own sense of right. It makes no difference how many facts gleaned from books you may forget; your values remain with you always and I trust you to reflect the moral stamina you acquired in your home and school environments. Lead people because you know you are right and your alma mater will reflect your glory. And always remember that one person can make a difference."
CONGRATULATIONS SENIOR AWARD WINNERS
Kas Tebbetts
Valedictorian
"Kas is a one-of-a-kind thinker and person. As her advisor puts it, “What amazes me about all her accomplishments is that they spring from a genuine desire to participate in life rather than to pad her resume. Few students possess her sincere drive to play a part in creating the kind of world she wants to inhabit. She writes into existence the life she wants to lead, as is the case with anyone who has ever been possessed by artistic genius.” Many of her teachers echo these sentiments. A shared theme is that she is one of the most amazing students they’ve ever worked with. She’s a film-maker, a writer, a volunteer, a baker, a dancer and a classicist. Any one of these things would be enough to place her in a league of her own, but this student has a remarkable authentic curiosity that drives her to experience everything she can. She has the ability to see learning opportunities wherever she goes, but she always takes that vision one step further and transforms those opportunities into incredible actions that you wouldn’t expect a teenager to do. It’s that creative ability to synthesize experiences and produce something truly awesome that defines her. She’s able to shine light into corners of her the world around her and bring things to the forefront that others miss. Her academic, social and artistic journey through Greenhill has been a remarkable one, and she has made the community around her better in her gentle, humble and independent way. She’s simply made us better by her presence.
Madison Grimes
Salutatorian
Comments about Madison are filled with superlatives. Her questions are deeper, her analyses more penetrating, and her inquiries more insightful than those of her peers. Consequently, she raises the level of discussion in every class and drives every section. At the same time, her humility and modesty make her an absolute joy to teach. There is nothing showy about her; rather, she simply is that good and that interested in the material. She is one of our brightest students and most engaged academics, but she is also caring and willing to be of service to any one and any cause. She models balance, confidence, grace and humility. She carries herself with such composure and openness of spirit that she makes every difficult task appear simple and makes the people around her feel encouraged and appreciated. As one of her teachers recently noted, “her willingness to engage in the hard work of achieving excellence is remarkable.” What an impact this young woman has had on our school in her time in Upper School. The behind-the-scenes dedication she has shown to our yearbook and the technical theater department will not soon be forgotten. It’s been a true pleasure to know her.
Salutatorian
Comments about Madison are filled with superlatives. Her questions are deeper, her analyses more penetrating, and her inquiries more insightful than those of her peers. Consequently, she raises the level of discussion in every class and drives every section. At the same time, her humility and modesty make her an absolute joy to teach. There is nothing showy about her; rather, she simply is that good and that interested in the material. She is one of our brightest students and most engaged academics, but she is also caring and willing to be of service to any one and any cause. She models balance, confidence, grace and humility. She carries herself with such composure and openness of spirit that she makes every difficult task appear simple and makes the people around her feel encouraged and appreciated. As one of her teachers recently noted, “her willingness to engage in the hard work of achieving excellence is remarkable.” What an impact this young woman has had on our school in her time in Upper School. The behind-the-scenes dedication she has shown to our yearbook and the technical theater department will not soon be forgotten. It’s been a true pleasure to know her.
Jacob Pugh
Recipient of the Estelle Dickens Service to Greenhill Award, presented to the senior who has given the most outstanding service contribution to Greenhill School. The award commemorates the over-four decades of service given to Greenhill by beloved teacher and administrator Estelle Dickens.
“Jacob has spent all of his life at this place, and there’s probably not a better known student on the campus. Little kids jump all over him. Folks in facilities and the dining hall stop to talk to him. Every student in the Upper School knows his name. You’d think that sort of attention could go to your head, but that’s not the case with this student. One of his teachers said of him that ‘he embodies the mission and ideals of this school better than any other student I’ve seen at Greenhill in my time here.’”
Recipient of the Estelle Dickens Service to Greenhill Award, presented to the senior who has given the most outstanding service contribution to Greenhill School. The award commemorates the over-four decades of service given to Greenhill by beloved teacher and administrator Estelle Dickens.
“Jacob has spent all of his life at this place, and there’s probably not a better known student on the campus. Little kids jump all over him. Folks in facilities and the dining hall stop to talk to him. Every student in the Upper School knows his name. You’d think that sort of attention could go to your head, but that’s not the case with this student. One of his teachers said of him that ‘he embodies the mission and ideals of this school better than any other student I’ve seen at Greenhill in my time here.’”
Madison Goodrich
Recipient of the Kate Cecil Award, given to the senior who renders the most outstanding service to the Dallas community. The award is named in honor of Kate Cecil, a member of the faculty for seventeen years.
“Madison has given over 550 hours of time to serving others in the Dallas community during her four years of high school. She has achieved enough hours every year to be recognized as a Presidential Volunteer Service Award winner. She is thoughtful, kind, and deliberate in her actions. She is a student who first wants to know and understand, and she does that by asking gentle and insistent questions of people with whom she interacts. She’s not a small-talker – she’s someone who wants to know. Once she’s asked questions, she takes action.”
Recipient of the Kate Cecil Award, given to the senior who renders the most outstanding service to the Dallas community. The award is named in honor of Kate Cecil, a member of the faculty for seventeen years.
“Madison has given over 550 hours of time to serving others in the Dallas community during her four years of high school. She has achieved enough hours every year to be recognized as a Presidential Volunteer Service Award winner. She is thoughtful, kind, and deliberate in her actions. She is a student who first wants to know and understand, and she does that by asking gentle and insistent questions of people with whom she interacts. She’s not a small-talker – she’s someone who wants to know. Once she’s asked questions, she takes action.”
Kalen Beacham
Recipient of the Phillip G. Foote Award, given to the senior who is considered by the faculty to epitomize the qualities of citizenship in the Greenhill community. These qualities are rooted in the School’s core principles of honor, respect, and compassion. The award is named for Greenhill’s second Headmaster.
“Kalen has embodied Greenhill's core principles of honor, respect, and compassion since his arrival in the Upper School. Admired by teachers as a compassionate, dedicated student who goes out of his way to "make things right" on campus, this student strives to make Greenhill a better place with every word and every action. As early as October of his freshman year one of his teachers commented that this student "makes me bring my best to class each and every day."
Recipient of the Phillip G. Foote Award, given to the senior who is considered by the faculty to epitomize the qualities of citizenship in the Greenhill community. These qualities are rooted in the School’s core principles of honor, respect, and compassion. The award is named for Greenhill’s second Headmaster.
“Kalen has embodied Greenhill's core principles of honor, respect, and compassion since his arrival in the Upper School. Admired by teachers as a compassionate, dedicated student who goes out of his way to "make things right" on campus, this student strives to make Greenhill a better place with every word and every action. As early as October of his freshman year one of his teachers commented that this student "makes me bring my best to class each and every day."
Meg Berry
One of two recipients of the Board of Trustees Award, presented to the senior who has met the challenge of Greenhill with perseverance, courage and humor.
“Where some people see challenges, Meg sees opportunities. Throughout her four years in Upper School, she has embraced the chance to stretch herself academically, broaden her interests intellectually, and enhance our community through awareness and compassion. Through her volunteer work in the Lower School, this student has inspired countless young girls to pursue their talents in STEM fields. She has used her voice and moral authority to speak out for greater equality and respect for all members of our community.”
One of two recipients of the Board of Trustees Award, presented to the senior who has met the challenge of Greenhill with perseverance, courage and humor.
“Where some people see challenges, Meg sees opportunities. Throughout her four years in Upper School, she has embraced the chance to stretch herself academically, broaden her interests intellectually, and enhance our community through awareness and compassion. Through her volunteer work in the Lower School, this student has inspired countless young girls to pursue their talents in STEM fields. She has used her voice and moral authority to speak out for greater equality and respect for all members of our community.”
Kathie Rojas
One of two recipients of the Board of Trustees Award, presented to the senior who has met the challenge of Greenhill with perseverance, courage and humor.
“Kathie is respected by the faculty and her peers for her courage, grit and tenacity. She is mature for her years, and it’s a maturity hard-earned over the last four years as she has navigated a new school, a new culture and myriad challenges along the way. She is an extraordinarily talented writer and thinker, who, according to one of her teachers, “thinks her way through multiple ideas with fluidity and grace. It is second nature to her to do challenging intellectual thinking.”
One of two recipients of the Board of Trustees Award, presented to the senior who has met the challenge of Greenhill with perseverance, courage and humor.
“Kathie is respected by the faculty and her peers for her courage, grit and tenacity. She is mature for her years, and it’s a maturity hard-earned over the last four years as she has navigated a new school, a new culture and myriad challenges along the way. She is an extraordinarily talented writer and thinker, who, according to one of her teachers, “thinks her way through multiple ideas with fluidity and grace. It is second nature to her to do challenging intellectual thinking.”
Keaton Butowsky
Recipient of the Senior Leadership Award, given to the member of the senior class who best demonstrates the qualities of leadership. The origin of this award was the D. Harold Byrd and Jennie Stuck awards, which honored male and female leadership.
“Keaton is a strong motivating force for good. He is someone who is always looking for how to go from good to great and is never complacent. When he believes in something, like the way he believes in Greenhill School, he constantly looks for ways to make that place better – even aspects of the experience that will not affect him once he graduates. He wants things to be better for everyone, with very little thought of personal gain or recognition.”
Recipient of the Senior Leadership Award, given to the member of the senior class who best demonstrates the qualities of leadership. The origin of this award was the D. Harold Byrd and Jennie Stuck awards, which honored male and female leadership.
“Keaton is a strong motivating force for good. He is someone who is always looking for how to go from good to great and is never complacent. When he believes in something, like the way he believes in Greenhill School, he constantly looks for ways to make that place better – even aspects of the experience that will not affect him once he graduates. He wants things to be better for everyone, with very little thought of personal gain or recognition.”
Lauren Baron
Recipient of the Bernard L. Fulton Award is the highest honor given in the Upper School and is presented to the senior who best embodies the mission and ideals of Greenhill School. The award is named for the founder and first headmaster of the School.
“Whether it was modeling the very nature of what an original argument should look like in English class, or mentoring younger students in a variety of settings such as the recital hall, committee meetings, or the lab, Lauren has truly fostered a passion for learning and instilled a respect for others in those around her. So high are her standards of honor and citizenship that she is genuinely confused when those around her make choices not in line with Greenhill's mission. One of her teachers summed her up astutely by saying that ‘possibilities transform her, and, in turn, she will transform the world.’”
And finally…
The Helen Fulton Award is named in honor of founding faculty member and wife of founder, Bernard Fulton. Helen Fulton was a life-long learner, exemplary citizen, and a well-rounded, balanced individual. Seniors nominate their peers who they believe embody these characteristics and then the finalists are chosen by a faculty vote. Nine students were chosen to receive this award:
Ali Babool
Ryan Diebner
Liam Duggan
Meha Elhence
Mose Kane
Elaine Pennington
Naya Sharp
Kas Tebbetts
Kevin Wei
Ali Babool
Ryan Diebner
Liam Duggan
Meha Elhence
Mose Kane
Elaine Pennington
Naya Sharp
Kas Tebbetts
Kevin Wei
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4141 Spring Valley Rd. | Addison, TX 75001 | (972) 628-5400
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