Congratulations Class of 2018!

Greenhill School graduated the Class of 2018 at the 67th Annual Commencement ceremony held at the Meyerson Symphony Center on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 4:00 pm.

For the last time in his eighteen-year tenure, Head of School Scott Griggs gave welcoming remarks and Assistant Head of School Tom Perryman '81 gave the Invocation.

 

Swati Ravi gave a senior address about the character of the Class of 2018. “What’s been the same through all of the [physical campus] changes is the Class of 2018’s commitment to creating a campus that we can all call home. No matter how accomplished and intelligent my peers have grown, I am humbled by their conscious choice to make their community a family, never tempted by the path of easy success—but rather, a community that chooses to be good before it chooses to be great.”

 

Grace Jackson delivered the second senior address, stating she believes in magic. “If I were to offer any advice, it would be to remember that the main attraction is not what defines your experience, it’s the people you bring along with you—who know you, wait with you, listen to you and care for you… who love you. To the class of 2018, I challenge ​you​ to cherish them, lean on them, love them back. Stand with people who bring magic into your life.”

 

The distribution of diplomas followed and Mr. Griggs concluded the ceremony with his own charge to the Class of 2018, 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."

 

As a surprise to Mr. Griggs, Molly Fulton Seeligson '60, daughter of the founders, stepped out shortly afterwards to call for a standing ovation to our Head of School for 18 years. “Mr. Griggs, your legacy is great, and you will be missed.”

 

 

“It was clear from ninth grade that this year’s Valedictorian would enroll in some of the most challenging classes Greenhill had to offer. Enrolling in both Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra II as a 9th grader, she tracked all the way through to Vector Calculus as a senior this year. She enrolled in two AP courses as a sophomore, ultimately taking 8 AP courses over the course of her Upper School career, as well as registering to take other AP exams without an accompanying full course, such as AP Physics C: Mechanics, because her Physics teacher encouraged her to do so. In the end, she finished with 15 grades of A+ in core academic courses throughout her four years in Upper School. All of this while consistently taking 7 courses for nearly every trimester in Upper School, exhibiting amazing talents and leadership skills as a Percussionist in our music program and programs both locally and nationally, and tearing up the tennis court in doubles for four years. And, she does it all with grace and humility."

 

“Stellar, exemplary, phenomenal. These are just a few of the descriptors faculty have used to describe this year’s Salutatorian. Throughout this senior’s time in the Upper School, teachers across disciplines have heaped praise based both on effort and outcome. One teacher said “her participation in class is exemplary, and her performance on written assessments is stellar.” Others commented, “she demands the best of herself and challenges me to become a better teacher every day”; and “she possesses wisdom well beyond her age”. This senior took six AP classes over the course of her Greenhill career, and she earned an A+ as a final average in 8 of her core academic courses, and that includes some of those yearlong AP courses. She has also been a dedicated athlete in Field Hockey and Soccer, an invaluable manager in Cross Country, and a superb photographer who “consistently challenges herself in addition to going beyond the assignment.” Clearly, both challenging herself and going beyond the assignment was synergistic for this senior.”

 

 

“Maya is one of the true standout personalities of the Class of 2018. Big-hearted, funny, and armed with a smile that lights up any room, she bleeds green and gold. Whether she is serving on student council, the athletics board, or as manager to Cheer and Soccer, she brings everything to the table. As an Admissions Hill Guide, she is an ambassador of Greenhill, welcoming and touring prospective families across campus. A member of the Forever Club, she has nurtured relationships throughout her time here, always looking to connect with everyone. People know they can rely on her to care, listen, and follow through on her commitments. Whether she is filling in for our Student Council President at our US Community Time assemblies or emceeing the Homecoming Pep Rally, she is a dynamic and charismatic speaker who has given everything to Greenhill.”

 

 

“Ariana has reported more than 765 hours of community service in Upper School. With that number of hours logged there are a myriad of organizations to which she has dedicated time and effort. And yet, there is a clear theme to her work: promoting healthy lifestyles for all children. Using her talent as a nationally-ranked triathlete, this senior has taken the focus away from her individual victories and directed it toward the Vogel Alcove, a place that gives hope as well as resources to homeless boys and girls. Her eponymous nonprofit agency, of which she is the founder and CEO, has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars to benefit Vogel Alcove. Inspired to make the world a better place, smile after smile, Ariana’s compassionate heart, entrepreneurial spirit and creative mind have notably affected tens of thousands of people around the country.”

 

 

“Zeenya has reported more than 846 hours of service in her four years in the Upper School. Beyond any notion of requirements, service matters a great deal to her. From her time with Girl Scouts of America to her work within her faith community, Zeenya is clearly a giver. She is a youth leader in her mosque and was chosen for the selective Global Encounters program, sponsored by the Aga Khan. She is unusually thoughtful about the meaning of service, writing, “I love volunteering for longer periods of time and, through the medium of service, learning about the people around me. In the camp I went to over the summer, I didn’t just give the community something as a stranger, but rather I learned ways to approach different people in different communities.” She is clearly taking what we strive for as a Greenhill community into many others.”    

 

 

“Positive. Humble. Kind. These are just some of the adjectives students and faculty alike use to describe this Bill. Regardless of the class, the activity, or the environment, this senior always has a smile on his face and is always willing to lend a helping hand. His advisor recalls a time when Bill was furiously studying for a math test on his own, but when a classmate needed help with Physics, he not only helped his peer for the next 25 minutes, but he even created problems to be sure his classmate would be even more prepared for that assessment. Whenever his name is mentioned, or he is introduced at US Community Time, the entire audience erupts in applause. Whether he was coming into my class or seeing me in the hallway, there was always a big, genuine smile flashing back at me. He is positivity personified. This also makes him the perfect ambassador for Greenhill. His participation in Robotics or Junior Classical League competitions, his work in our film program, his time in the pool on our swim team – it is all for the love of the activity and for the greater good. His own words on his Senior page in the yearbook sum up an outlook to which we should all aspire: 'As I prepare to say my goodbyes, I just want to let everyone know how happy, lucky, and grateful I am to have been able to attend Greenhill School with them. Thank you all.'"

 

 

“Wise beyond her years. That is the way many faculty describe Karis. Whether she is in the classroom, on the track, or on the field cheering, she epitomizes excellence in every way. Throughout her Upper School years, Karis has posed the important questions that need asking, in and out of the classroom. She participated in the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, a multiracial, multicultural gathering of Upper School student leaders from across the U.S. that focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community. When this senior speaks to our community, she does it in a way that the entire community, peers and faculty alike, are able to understand a reality and perspective that may be very different from their own. She encourages everyone around her to think more carefully about their assumptions. As one faculty member stated, “She acts as sage and support, inspiration and inquirer.” I am fortunate to have been in my role this year with this wise senior here.”

 

 

“Kassidy has garnered the respect and admiration of the Greenhill community. He has a persona of quiet confidence and grace that people respond to. One of his English teachers wrote, ‘His thoughtfulness and ability to work in any group are the hallmarks of a leader and communicator. Innately, he could sense interpersonal dynamics of the class discussion and help the group work together across all backgrounds.’ As much as that speaks to his leadership in a classroom, students, faculty, and parents alike certainly witnessed his graceful style of leadership firsthand on the track, on the court, and on the football field over the last three years. As another faculty member states, ‘If being a leader means that you have made connections with lots of people at all different levels of this school, then this senior fits that to a tee.” As a charismatic, star athlete, Kassidy has worn the mantle of leader and role model with a style that is confident, yet humble. Hall of Fame football coach Tony Dungy says, “The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better.” This successful young man has not only made the lives of his team members and our community better, he will surely make his teammates and community at Washington State University better as well.”

 

“Superlatives abound for Nikita. Incredible talents transcend academics, arts, and athletics, as she has engaged in all aspects of our community right from her arrival at Greenhill in 9th grade. And while that engagement, and subsequent effort, has produced exemplary outcomes for her, the manner in which she has pushed herself, and her classmates, in these pursuits is what makes her stand just that much more above her peers. Her advisor wrote, “If I had a daughter, I'd want her to be like NIkita. She's crazy smart, but incredibly gracious about it. She offers help to her classmates when they need it, and she puts herself out there in class, even if it's in a situation where she knows she might fail.” Despite one of the most rigorous academic schedules across four years of Upper School, Nikita found time to share her interests and talents as a four-year member of our girls’ tennis team (including an SPC Championship), as 1st Vice-President of the Texas State Junior Classical League, as a phenomenal Percussionist for our program, Dallas Youth Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra, culminating in a performance at Carnegie Hall. Having had the privilege of teaching this incredible young adult for two years, you would never know all that she strives for, as her humility is even stronger than her achievements.”

 

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. Eleven students were chosen to receive this award: