Sixteen students entered the 2015-16 school year beginning the final chapter of their learning journey at Whitby. On Friday, that chapter came to a close at the school's fifty-fourth commencement ceremony.
The evening was the exclamation point of a job well done, a congratulatory celebration of good luck and a symbolic transition from middle school to secondary school. Before receiving their diplomas, twelve members of the graduating class took the stage one-by-one and gave remarks, each delving into how Whitby personally affected them.“Whitby is a place where risk-takers are allowed to explore, where you can take risks and not feel as if everything’s been ruined, but learned something to improve upon yourself," said Dante.
"I went from being a shy boy who was content inside his comfort zone, to someone who enjoys seeking challenges, taking risks and trying new things," said Kyle.
“Throughout my years at Whitby this message of being open to new ideas and learning from them has been constant," Tara said. "I have been exposed to different cultures, ideas, beliefs and ways of thinking I never knew existed."
The graduates ranged in time spent at Whitby. Some arrived as early as Stepping Stones while others arrived as late as the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.
Among the new arrivals was Spanish teacher Luis Rivera, who began his own Whitby journey in September. Named "Rookie of the Year" by the Class of 2016, Rivera was elected by the eighth graders to give the night's faculty address. Rivera's key piece of advice was to "look up." An excerpt from his speech:
Of course, like any good parent saying, my words can be interpreted in many ways! For starters, look up from your phones! There are so many beautiful things to see in this world, and you don’t necessarily have to capture everything and put it on SnapChat or Instagram. Interact with others, find comfort in discomfort, and lean in – there are many stories people will want to share with you of their lives; embrace their differences and welcome them in.
Look up and be someone to look up to – be inclusive, be understanding, and be thoughtful… not because you have to, but because someday, someone will appreciate you for it. Remember that we are all human and that “all people smile in the same language."
Don’t know or understand something, look it up! Quench your thirst for knowledge by constantly learning and asking “why?” Don’t be afraid to be the dissenting voice – question everything, question yourself, question our society unless yo' mother said so, you never question yo' mother.
And lastly, never stop dreaming – look up, find a better future! In your case, the sky is not the limit; reach as far as your heart may take you.
The night came to an end with closing remarks given by Head of School Bryan Nixon. "Our wish for you is that you find genuine success through ability to take risks, your ability to pose challenging questions, taking paths less traveled by others, and gracefully and gratefully accept and learn from those failures that we all have. You can determine the path of your life."
To end, Nixon listed three attributes he wished the eighth graders would take with them after the evening:
Honesty – "If we're honest, we stay true to ourselves, our values, our families and our cultures no matter what pressures we face."
Humility – "Being open to the opinions of others, tending to the needs of others. You all experienced this in the DR and through your community service and I hope you continue to care about those who will be in your school, on your various teams, or even within your own family."
Optimism – "Optimists always bounce back from the setbacks they have and they always look for the good in others or the situations they are found in."
We congratulate the Class of 2016 as they leave Whitby instilled with a passion for learning and move on to secondary school. To view sibling photos and photos from the recognition dinner, click here. For graduation portrait and ceremony photos, click here. Please visit Bleachers for video of the evening.
