News Detail
Congratulations, Class of 2012!
Portions of this article contributed by Jamie Dalgleish '13
Congratulations are in order for the 117 members of the Dwight-Englewood School Class of 2012, who celebrated their graduation on Sunday, June 3. Commencement 2012 took place under the 'big tent' on Leggett Field, and for the more than 1,000 family, friends, and faculty in attendance, it was a beautiful celebration under fittingly brilliant, sunny skies.
Head of School Dr. Rodney V. De Jarnett provided welcome and congratulatory remarks and thanked all those in attendance for their commitment to the School. He then proceeded to present three special awards to select students who, in his words, epitomize the D-E School mission of 'seeking excellence': The Bailey Award was presented to Michelle Aboodi '12; Lauren Urbont '12 received the Trustees' Award; and Artoun Festekjian '12 was honored with the School's Senior Citizenship Award.
Serena Solin '12 was memorable in her role as Class Reader, providing a compelling excerpt from "Memento Mori" from David Sedaris' critically-acclaimed book When You Are Engulfed In Flames.
Musical selections added to the impact of the ceremony, which included outstanding performances of the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance"' (Elgar) and Hayden's "March" by the Upper School Orchestra, as well as Coldplay's "Clocks" by the Upper School Handbell Choir, Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" by the Upper School Chorus, and "Learn to Fly" by Jazz Rock.
Charlie Jacobson served up both entertaining and engaging words as Class Speaker, sharing insights into the identity of the Class of 2012, and noting the "bold, fearless, [and] non-tradiitonal" nature of the class. He urged his classmates to continue to do something new and different, noting the symbolism of their class gift ("The Senior Rock"), which was painted and signed earlier that week by all Class of 2012 members. In his words, the Senior Rock represents a new D-E tradiiton for future seniors. Jacboson also highlighted individuals’ accomplishments, including Merissa Pico -- for earning national and international honors in Tae Kwon Do; Anna Karpman -- for her award-winning clothing designs; and Rachel Cole and Jessica Lee -- for earning spots as two of the State's best soccer players. Jacobson also graciously thanked all the seniors' faculty advisors for their enduring assistance for the past four years.
President of the Board of Trustees Dr. John Hajjar then took the podium, speaking of his intrepretation of the book The Happiness Advantage and how it provided relevant, sound advice for new graduates in terms of their outlooks toward their the future. Dr. Hajjar also spoke of how his voluntary service to D-E was a "labor of love", prompted by his ongoing appreciation for the "warm, ethical, and caring environment" of the School.
Keynote Speaker and former Director of the National CounterTerrorism Center (NCTC), Michael Leiter ’87, spoke of his experience years ago as a goalie on the Varsity Soccer Team under Coach Chris Schmid, and how much of what he learned and accomplished while at Dwight-Englewood helped him to be where he is today. He humbly acknowledged that while he had no idea at his own graduation what he would be doing in 25 years, it was important to "train yourself now to be able to take advantage of opportunities"; recognize "how incredibly fortunate" all in our community are; and to value the "world-class education" that had been provided through D-E. Leiter also exhorted all those in the Class of 2012 to keep their core beliefs; and to live honorably and with humility. Leiter was presented earlier this weekend with the School's prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award.
Upper School Principal Joseph Algrant provided poignant closing remarks capturing his impressions of the Class of 2012, which in his words, was an occasional "conundrum" of a class but truly an exceptional, memorable group of incredible individuals. Mr. Algrant noted how proud he was of the class, and highlighted the degree to which the Class of 2012 has influenced future classes. While challenging, this Class of 2012 has also inspired and motivated both their teachers and classmates, he said, "[and] it is a happy irony that a rock -- a symbol [of strength] and cohension -- has been chosen to represent this class to future generations at D-E".
Principal Algrant then concluded the ceremony with the traditional presentation of diplomas to all the graduates. Onstage to help present the diplomas was Dean of the Class of 2012 Marian Calendrillo.
Immediately following the ceremony, a reception on Leggett Field provided the Class of 2012 with one final time to gather together as a whole, and myriad opportunities for congratulatory hugs, a few tears, and some reflections on the future.
For a downloadable PDF of the Class of 2012 Matriculation List. indicating where our new D-E graduates are heading in Fall 2012, please click here.
Congratulations are in order for the 117 members of the Dwight-Englewood School Class of 2012, who celebrated their graduation on Sunday, June 3. Commencement 2012 took place under the 'big tent' on Leggett Field, and for the more than 1,000 family, friends, and faculty in attendance, it was a beautiful celebration under fittingly brilliant, sunny skies.
Head of School Dr. Rodney V. De Jarnett provided welcome and congratulatory remarks and thanked all those in attendance for their commitment to the School. He then proceeded to present three special awards to select students who, in his words, epitomize the D-E School mission of 'seeking excellence': The Bailey Award was presented to Michelle Aboodi '12; Lauren Urbont '12 received the Trustees' Award; and Artoun Festekjian '12 was honored with the School's Senior Citizenship Award.
Serena Solin '12 was memorable in her role as Class Reader, providing a compelling excerpt from "Memento Mori" from David Sedaris' critically-acclaimed book When You Are Engulfed In Flames.
Musical selections added to the impact of the ceremony, which included outstanding performances of the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance"' (Elgar) and Hayden's "March" by the Upper School Orchestra, as well as Coldplay's "Clocks" by the Upper School Handbell Choir, Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" by the Upper School Chorus, and "Learn to Fly" by Jazz Rock.
Charlie Jacobson served up both entertaining and engaging words as Class Speaker, sharing insights into the identity of the Class of 2012, and noting the "bold, fearless, [and] non-tradiitonal" nature of the class. He urged his classmates to continue to do something new and different, noting the symbolism of their class gift ("The Senior Rock"), which was painted and signed earlier that week by all Class of 2012 members. In his words, the Senior Rock represents a new D-E tradiiton for future seniors. Jacboson also highlighted individuals’ accomplishments, including Merissa Pico -- for earning national and international honors in Tae Kwon Do; Anna Karpman -- for her award-winning clothing designs; and Rachel Cole and Jessica Lee -- for earning spots as two of the State's best soccer players. Jacobson also graciously thanked all the seniors' faculty advisors for their enduring assistance for the past four years.
President of the Board of Trustees Dr. John Hajjar then took the podium, speaking of his intrepretation of the book The Happiness Advantage and how it provided relevant, sound advice for new graduates in terms of their outlooks toward their the future. Dr. Hajjar also spoke of how his voluntary service to D-E was a "labor of love", prompted by his ongoing appreciation for the "warm, ethical, and caring environment" of the School.
Keynote Speaker and former Director of the National CounterTerrorism Center (NCTC), Michael Leiter ’87, spoke of his experience years ago as a goalie on the Varsity Soccer Team under Coach Chris Schmid, and how much of what he learned and accomplished while at Dwight-Englewood helped him to be where he is today. He humbly acknowledged that while he had no idea at his own graduation what he would be doing in 25 years, it was important to "train yourself now to be able to take advantage of opportunities"; recognize "how incredibly fortunate" all in our community are; and to value the "world-class education" that had been provided through D-E. Leiter also exhorted all those in the Class of 2012 to keep their core beliefs; and to live honorably and with humility. Leiter was presented earlier this weekend with the School's prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award.
Upper School Principal Joseph Algrant provided poignant closing remarks capturing his impressions of the Class of 2012, which in his words, was an occasional "conundrum" of a class but truly an exceptional, memorable group of incredible individuals. Mr. Algrant noted how proud he was of the class, and highlighted the degree to which the Class of 2012 has influenced future classes. While challenging, this Class of 2012 has also inspired and motivated both their teachers and classmates, he said, "[and] it is a happy irony that a rock -- a symbol [of strength] and cohension -- has been chosen to represent this class to future generations at D-E".
Principal Algrant then concluded the ceremony with the traditional presentation of diplomas to all the graduates. Onstage to help present the diplomas was Dean of the Class of 2012 Marian Calendrillo.
Immediately following the ceremony, a reception on Leggett Field provided the Class of 2012 with one final time to gather together as a whole, and myriad opportunities for congratulatory hugs, a few tears, and some reflections on the future.
For a downloadable PDF of the Class of 2012 Matriculation List. indicating where our new D-E graduates are heading in Fall 2012, please click here.
Mailing Address: 315 East Palisade Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631gps: 81 Lincoln Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-9500 Email: d-e@d-e.org
Located in Englewood, New Jersey, Dwight-Englewood is a greater New York City area private school with a rigorous college prep curriculum for boys and girls in preschool through grade 12.