Saluting the Class of 2012
Despite the ceremony’s earlier-than-usual start, smiles were bright and plenteous among students, families, faculty, and staff on commencement morning in McCalmont Gym.
Saturday, June 2, marked the second time in three days that the faculty and 2012 senior class president had donned their caps and gowns. The first occasion came on May 31 when, in a last-minute adjustment, a special graduation ceremony was held for seniors on the girls’ varsity soccer team to enable their participation in the State semifinal and final games on Friday and Saturday. (Read more about the girls’ soccer team.)
The commencement speaker was U.S. Navy Captain (Select) Helen Furbush. She is the mother of four children, three of whom are Principians. When her son, Ross, graduated in 2011, Captain Furbush was on assignment in Baghdad, Iraq, and could not attend, so being the speaker at this year’s ceremony was extra special to her. Before beginning her address, Furbush asked the seniors to stand and executed a smart naval salute, honoring their achievement. She went on to share inspiring examples of her application of Christian Science to her work in naval intelligence. (You may listen to commencement, including the address, on Principia Internet Radio under Principia School Downloadable Radio Programs.)
In all, 76 seniors received their diplomas this year, 29 boys and 47 girls. Eight of the students had earlier been inducted into the Principia School chapter of the Cum Laude Society on the basis of exemplary academic performance and citizenship. Twenty-one of the students graduated with honors (a GPA of 3.7 or higher), and 27 received the designation of Scholar Athlete for maintaining a 3.5 GPA for the past year while participating on one or more varsity teams. The graduates are going on to further studies at a wide range of institutions, including Washington University in St. Louis, California Polytechnic State University–San Luis Obispo, Babson College, and, of course, Principia College.
With such a trail of accomplishments in their wake, it is little wonder that the cheering in McCalmont was loud, to say the least, and that the caps were tossed high in yet another well-loved Principia tradition. Our hats are off to you, Class of 2012!