June 11, 2020
The 229th Derby Day Lecture and Graduation Exercises took a noticeably different approach this year, but nevertheless, the School continued its end-of-year celebrations, vocal performances, and special award presentations virtually as it honored its Class of 2020.
The day’s event began with an all-school, virtual Choral Concert featuring the musical talent of Derby students across divisions. Special tributes to Linda Henderson, Peter Condrick ’90, and Georganne Browning, who will not be returning next year, were accompanied by poignant stories of their profound impact on the Derby community.
Faculty member Peter Condrick, helped share anecdotes from colleagues and students, reflecting on Georganne Browning’s 15 years at Derby.
“It’s nothing short of impossible to try to encompass your career at Derby and your influence on our lives,” said Mr. Condrick. “Your smile, your unrestrained laugh, and your eagerness to be fully invested in everyone you meet here, is synonymous with Derby and the community. You have personified investment and compassion in every activity you shared with your students. You taught us as colleagues, that the heart of the learning is in the struggle itself.”
English Department Co-Chair Rich Andriole shared his memories, as well as those of current and former colleagues, reflecting on Peter Condrick’s 20 years at Derby.
“Students in Pete's classes quickly grasp both high expectations of his students, and his dedication to them as scholars and as people,” Mr. Andriole said. “You, without exception, love and respect everyone you meet. You strive to live up to the idea of ‘love thy neighbor’ as much as anyone I’ve ever met. My life has been made immeasurably richer for knowing you and being your friend. Peter, thank you for the laughs, for teaching me about rugby, for being patient when I explain I don’t like tennis, for being an example of integrity and courage, and for all you've given and done for Derby for the past 20 years.”
In honor of Linda Henderson’s remarkable 26 years at Derby, faculty members Aileen Nalen and Annie Peterman helped share the sentiment of her time as a teacher, colleague, and friend.
“I feel so grateful to have had her as a co-teacher, a source of inspiration, and as a friend,” said Ms. Nalen.
“Mrs. Henderson has been such a huge part of not only my Derby experience, but also my development as a teacher,” added Ms. Peterman. “I shall ever-try to strive to emulate her warmth, compassion, and sense of humor.”
Mary Beth Murphy said, “You have been a shining star of smiles, reassurance, and child-centeredness. Thank you for bringing your teaching, joy, and your genuine self to all of us every day.”
Dale Harris offered, “Since the moment I stepped on campus, she was a mentor, helping me navigate the waters of all-things Derby.”
Mary Ellen Olson added, “I’ve admired her confidence, her kindness to others, her passion for learning, and her genuine love and dedication to the children she teaches.”
Following the Choral Concert, Head of the Middle and Upper Schools Kate Howell addressed the Class of 2020, families, and guests, and began the formal Derby Day Ceremony.
“Thank you for all you have given to Derby throughout your years here,” said Ms. Howell. “‘Hindsight is 2020’ is a proverb meaning it’s easier to analyze and evaluate situations when we have had time away and are looking back at them. I’d like to do my best to be sure that some things are clear to you today—that you have a sharp vision of how we see you all.
I hope you will see that, collectively, you were a class of many personalities, many interests, many talents. I hope you will see that you were scientists, mathematicians, writers, readers, artists, dancers, singers, athletes, environmentalists. You were devoted Pals, engaged students, supportive peers. You were comedians.
I hope you will see that sometimes, maybe some of you needed a little help, but you were careful listeners and participants in class, and that you were patient, loyal, always available listeners as friends. I hope you will see and acknowledge the way you came together as a class. From those foggy days in Acadia, to the rope courses at Sargent Center, you have learned from each other, supported each other, laughed with each other, and cried with each other.
I hope you see that you were concerned citizens and that you were leaders.
This is how we have seen you, Class of 2020. You each have made your mark on Derby; your individual mark that is now a part of us. We accept and absorb each of your individual and also your collective contributions, just as we hope you will each take and absorb the Derby community with you.
You all have so much to offer this world as you move forward. Go forward comfortably, go forward with confidence, go forward with your strength, your values, your sense of humor, your creativity, your loyalty, your conviction, and the knowledge that your voice—quiet or loud—is yours to develop and grow. It is yours to help create the change that you want to see in the world.”
First awarded in 1987, the Waters Prize was established to honor former Headmaster Thomas Waters who presided over Derby Academy from 1968 to 1984. The Waters Headmastership is remembered today for its strong leadership and its emphasis on a versatile, compassionate, and committed faculty.
“This year’s recipient shows care and concern for the children through her compassion, by setting high expectations for the students and herself, and by her dedication to improving her craft,” said Primary and Lower School Division Head Scot Chandler. “This year’s recipient steps in to help children without being asked, modeling for children what it means to be a team player and take initiative.” This year, faculty member Caitlyn McDonnell was awarded the Thomas J. Waters Prize for excellence in teaching.
Derby Academy’s two highest awards, the Madam Sarah Derby Pin and the Academy Pin, are presented to students from the eighth grade who most nearly embody the values of the Derby community through demonstrated effort, interest, and positive contributions in academics, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Through an endowment established in 2009 by John Harper ’48, this pin is given in memory of his father, Wallace Harper. This year, Taylor Darby, received the Madam Sarah Derby Pin and Max Daniello, received the Academy Pin.
Derby Academy presented diplomas to the following 39 graduates:
Georgia Ford Barrett
Katherine Ann Beaulieu
Morgan Jamie Bénard
Jeffrey J. Campbell, Jr.
Barrett William Cosgrove
Grant Jonathan Cressman
Max Guy Daniello
Taylor Annise Darby
Mateo Donadio
John Ronan Drew
Myla Grace Estremera
Kevin Michael Farmer
Elizabeth Helena Farren
Zoë Koletsky Graizzaro
Brooke Hartley Hansen
Abigail Sampson Hayes
Jonathan Hildebrandt
Kate Hines
Nicholas William Holovacs
Reese William Jensen
Madison Rose Kahler
Luke Keegan
Elsa Mae Landy
Audrey Lynne Marshman
Lina Matera
Victor P. Bourkoff Μatheos
Tyler James Meyers
Sophie Elizabeth Blehr Miller
Myles Trask Olney
Anthony Joseph Pavona
Nikhil Nimbkar Rich
Kira Sarah Rozenberg
Michelle Rubeiz
Connor William Steele
Max Thomas Stevens
William George Synnestvedt
Soraya Maricza Timas
Olivia Carolyn White
Roni Edy Yasmine
The Reverend Dr. Catherine Cullen of First Parish Duxbury virtually delivered the Derby Day Lecture. Derby was fortunate enough to welcome her as the Derby Day Lecturer in 2008, and as the grandmother of a graduating Derby student, the mother of a Derby alumna, and a widow of a Derby alumnus, Rev. Cullen represents three generations of the extended Derby community.
“This Derby Day will go down in the history of Derby Academy as one very special Derby Day, and how appropriate, because you are a very special class,” Rev. Cullen said. “I have been to your plays and your musicals and your special events. I have visited you in your classrooms on Grandfriends Day. I’ve watched you over the years blossom into these amazing young women and young men.
This day marks the end of your time at Derby Academy and the beginning of the next phase of your academic career. Many of you have attended Derby for years, and for three of you, this is the only school you have ever known. For all of you who are graduating today, this occasion marks a wonderful opportunity to remember all the gifts you have received here at Derby. In spite of COVID-19, springtime still did come, and springtime is the time of planting and growing, and those of us who love to garden know that healthy roots are the key to success for any plant. And you have been given healthy roots here at Derby. Roots that will nourish you and sustain you and support your growth and development all of your lives.
You've been given a strong foundation in academic excellence, a well-rounded classical education that has provided you not only with academic challenges, but with teachers who’ve known you well and have encouraged you to achieve your personal best.
You’ve also been given the gift of a supportive and loving community. Your teachers, your parents, and your classmates have all offered you encouragement, security, and acceptance, even when you have failed—especially when you have failed. Perhaps the most important thing you’ve learned here at Derby Academy, is that you are an important, beloved, and special person in the world, and now you’re ready to spread your wings.
You are one connected class. You are all connected deeply to one another. And for the past few months, you have found lots of ways to stay connected. The irony is, even though for the past three months you've been apart, you may be one of the most well connected and cohesive classes that Derby has ever known.
You have not been afraid to make sacrifices. Never in the history of Derby Academy has a class had to finish the last trimester online. And that's been difficult. Difficult for you, your teachers, and your families, but you have persevered. You have stayed strong, you've stayed determined, even when it was hard to work from home, even when you missed your friends a whole lot. You have shown your parents and your teachers that you are resilient and determined and strong. And this experience of finishing up your last trimester in this challenging way has changed you forever. From now on, no matter what happens to you in your life, you’ll remember you were not afraid to make the sacrifices. And all through your life, you’re going to get to say, ‘I can do this hard thing,’ whatever that hard thing turns out to be.
You are connected, cohesive, accepting, determined, and strong.
Your time at Derby Academy has come to end, and not in the way you expected. You have lots of memories of Derby to take with you on your life’s journey. I hope you will always remember how well you’ve taken care of each other, through good times and bad. I hope you remember how much the world needs you, the special Class of 2020. You have changed us all for the better.
This year, the traditional walk down Fearing Road was reimagined as a car procession for Grade 8 students and families. Georgia Barrett and Kevin Farmer, the two academically top-ranked Grade 8 students, led the procession as the Derby Day Parade Marshalls, followed by Derby’s Spirit Team Captains.
While the Derby community couldn’t walk together this year, the spirit of the School was with each graduate as they drove down to New North Church and circled back to campus to receive special gift boxes.
The long lines of friendly smiles, waves, shouts, and cheers from Derby’s faculty and staff made this Derby Day just as memorable and unique as its graduating class.
Congratulations, Class of 2020!
Wow these kids are hard workers! Love to see this 🙂