May 26, 2007

117th Taft School Commencement

On a warm and sunny May Saturday, the Class of 2007 received prizes, honors, and diplomas before marching as the newest alums of The Taft School.

As is the school's custom, the Commencement Address was given by a parent: Richard Smith, father of Emily ’00, Nicholas ’04, Alastair ’05, and Penelope ’07. And an avid pilot and rower as well as an investment banker, Smith told the soon-to-be graduates, "I have eleven words for you to remember to help you on your way.... Honesty, Openness, Respect, Appreciation, Courage, Excellence, Dedication, Tenacity, Attitude, Family and Trust. As you head off on your many different paths, remember these eleven words. I’ve even made it easy for you. Take the first letter of each and you come up with the name of a very special person we all owe a great debt of gratitude to, Horace D. Taft."

Smith described his first visit to campus in October 1995 with his oldest child. "Emily and I were spending a few days visiting some of the finest secondary schools in the world. They were all amazing, but for both of us Taft stood out. There was a spirit, a sense of community, a sense of warmth in the corridor. We couldn’t then quite grasp why, but both knew this was a special place. Now, our eleven straight years of nearly weekly visits traveling the 150 miles between our home and Taft for sporting events, concerts, parents’ weekends, college guidance or even just a meal are coming to a close. Taft has been so much a part of our family for so long, it’s just hard to believe that here we are at Penelope’s graduation." (Read his complete remarks.)

In addition to the welcome by head monitor Gordon Atkins '07, two seniors were also chosen to address their classmates: Emily Neilson and Ned Durgy.

Emily advised her peers, "A very wise person once said, one very late night, to invest in what you love and whom you love, and that is all that matters. I hope that in ten years, I can see that each of you has been true to your own passions—maybe you will be politician, a professional athlete, a nurse, an actor, an engineer or maybe a famous writer. Taft may have sparked a passion for you; and for others, I hope that you leave knowing you can be passionate about something." (Read her complete remarks.)

Ned reminded his class of the importance of service they learned at Taft: "living not for ourselves, but for all, for the greater good.... We have been exposed here to truth and it has humbled us. But in no way has Taft left us helpless to confront this reality, or without the means to affect positive change within it. Battles still can be won and lost." (Read his complete remarks.)

Many members of the class have learned to follow their passions and shown their commitment to service as evidenced by the number of students receiving awards (full list).

See photos from Commencement 2007. While these are not for sale, Graduation photos taken by Highpoint Pictures may be purchased online by visiting Highpoint Pictures. Their images from Friday and Saturday's festivities will be posted around June 15 and will be available for purchase until August 31.