2023 Preparatory Commencement Celebrates the Accomplishments of Contingent XLV

Prep for Prep celebrated the 101 students of Contingent XLV and the end of their time in Preparatory Component at a commencement ceremony, Saturday, August 19, at New York City’s Riverside Church. Prep faculty, staff, and families joined the students for the culminating event, which featured many beloved traditions including a processional and recessional set to the theme from “Chariots of Fire,” students singing “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie and The Finale of Les Miserables, the passing of the scroll from the current contingent to the next, and a candle lighting ceremony as the students sang “We’ve Only Just Begun.” 

The event, emceed by Mahawa B. (XLV), who is attending Trevor Day School this fall, also included recitations of “Hope Is the Thing With Feathers” and “May the Road Rise Up to Meet You.” A trio of Langston Hughes poems, an excerpt from Hamlet, and John Donne’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” highlighted the characteristics of Prep’s motto: Excellence, Integrity, Commitment, and Courage.  

The ceremony featured two student speakers who reflected on their time in Preparatory Component and their hopes for the future. Remarks from Valentina M. (XLV) emphasized the role that community has played and will continue to play in the lives of the Prep students. “My fellow graduates, let us never forget the importance of community,” said Valentina. “It has been the foundation upon which our education journey has been built. As we step into the world, let us carry with us the lessons we have learned about the power of connection, teamwork, and giving back. Let’s try to be active participants in our community and make a positive impact wherever we go.”

Michael B. (XLV) focused on the importance of commitment and leadership. “Prep has not only been training us to exemplify the words of the Prep motto but it also trains us to be leaders,” he said. “Through our commitment, we will be able to find the ability to become leaders ourselves and spread commitment to others for our cause…. When you all go to your independent schools, I want you all to be leaders and change your visions, your hopes, and your dreams for your lives into reality.”

Director of Academic Programs Nikole Smith remarked on the rewriting history and erasure of people’s experiences and stressed the importance of students telling their own stories. “Your generation is uniquely poised to redefine what it means to be architects of history,” she said. “Despite the plan to remove the genre from history, hip hop pioneers laid the foundation of a genre that would transcend generations and boundaries. And similar to hip hop artists who crafted masterpieces, you must be the author of your own narrative. Hold the pen that writes the chapters of your life. Be committed to writing a story that is authentic, bold, creative, and unique.”

A host of awards, prizes and certificates of excellence were presented, including the Connor Donohue Teaching Assistant Award and the Les Pierre Medals. Eight students were inducted into The Samona Society, named in honor of Samona Joe Tait (II/Horace Mann '86, Penn '90) MEd, Penn '91; MS, Harvard '96; EdD, Harvard '00. The honor recognizes students who exemplify the elements of the Prep motto, have demonstrated significant academic and personal growth and leadership potential, and hold concern for others, and pride in their own achievement, that of their contingent mates, and Prep for Prep overall. 

We congratulate all of the students in Contingent XLV and wish them the very best on the next leg of their Prep journey. 

Here’s a look at the schools they are attending this fall: