Brewsterconnections - Brewster Academy

Commencement Speakers EncourageGraduates to Be Their Best SelvesSeek guidance through mentors, live a life of integrity,and make tomorrow more purpose driven than todayBy Marcia EldredgeRaymond SorianoThe sun shined on Brewster’s192 nd Commencement dayon May 26 as 116 studentsreceived diplomas. As is recent tradition,a Scottish bagpiper led the processionalof administrators, faculty, and the Classof 2012 into the Smith Center. After theinvestiture of Head of School Mike Cooperand the invocation by The Reverend SuePoulin, Richard O’Brien delivered thesalutatorian address.He also spoke of his father teaching him to use change as a catalyst to opendoors and discover new opportunities. He shared that his acceptance toBrewster took him out of his comfort zone. “Arriving at Brewster I was unsureof how beneficial the change would be to me. However, I quickly discoveredthat embracing change could be exciting, edifying, and illuminating. Thesmaller classes, the personalized teaching approach, and the interesting classenvironment reinvented the idea of ‘school’ for me.“My attendance at Brewster taught me that although I did not always know thedirection I was going, by adhering to my father’s advice, I knew I would always bewalking on solid ground.”JaKarr Sampson, Mitch McGary,and Jason SmithLottie Barton and MelissaLawlorIn his remarks, O’Brien paid homage tohis father who, despite not having activeparents in his life and having navigatedmany of his younger years alone, hasfound success. O’Brien encouragedhis classmates not to discount theimportance of mentors and to seekguidance from those wiser or moreexperienced as they travel along theirroad to independence.“Although today we enter into a newrealm of independence and self discovery,I implore you Class of 2012 not to walkalone. Although, my father navigatedthrough life without guides, he taught methat it is important to accept help.”In concluding his address to classmates, O’Brien said “Although we, at times, maybe tempted to be satisfied with what we have, and what we have done, aboveall, I encourage you Class of 2012 to continue pushing forward and be as yourfathers.”The Class of 2012’s valedictorian Rebecca Marisseau spoke to her classmatesnext, encouraging them to live a life of integrity and faith. She noted that theClass of 2012 was graduating during the school’s 125 th anniversary and just asBrewster continues to evolve so did the Class of 2012 during her four years. Theywere the first project-based learning class and saw the basketball team earn twonational championships, a first for the Academy.Marisseau also encouraged her class to define their own success. “Whatever it is,define it and do your best, your way.”Following these student remarks, 14 commencement awards were presented(See page 10).Preye Okara and familyPatrick and Abigail KeeltyKate Silvia and Addie MurrayBruce Hawkins ’01, Mike Cooper,Dan Mudge, The Rev. Sue Poulin8 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2012