Dutchess Day School graduates

MILLBROOK — The eighth-grade students at Dutchess Day School became the 52nd class of Dutchess Day School graduates on Saturday, June 11. With the girls in white dresses and the boys wearing blue blazers and khakis, the group processed into the Bontecou gymnasium at 10 a.m. Graduating were David Akst, Nicholas Akst, Hailey Conger, Alexander Dornemann, Erica Doyle, Jharana Greene, Hannah Hill, Anastasia Mitchell, Lillian Oyen-Ustad, Chelsea Paglia, Alexander Quartararo, Nicholas Salnikoff, Hugo Wasserman and Bernadette Winby. The head of school, Nancy Hathaway, and head of the board, Sarah Stack, presided. There was music led by Susan Bialek, who conducted the third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade chorus in singing “Seasons of Love,” by Jonathan Larson, and the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade chorus in singing “Blessing,” by Katie Moran Bart.Lillian Oyen-Ustad and Hannah Hill, members of the graduating class, gave speeches focusing on how Dutchess Day has prepared them for their future and on their memories.Lilly spoke first about the importance of time and how “here at Dutchess Day School I have learned that if you spend your time wisely you will see results.” She quoted Harvey MacKay, who said, “Time is free, but it’s priceless! You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back,” and noted, “I have not wasted any of my time at DDS.” Hannah followed with an extended metaphor about how the class of 2011 is a “hand-sewn quilt” with many different patches that received a lot of love and care along the way from the adults at Dutchess Day School. She observed, “Our quilt is now finished; the final stitch has been sewn. I wouldn’t change a thing about our quilt. The worn cloth, the new and old stitching and the patched up holes are all a part of who we are.” Both young women spoke lovingly and eloquently about their experiences at the school and triggered laughs and tears.The commencement speaker this year was Mark Doyle, parent of graduate Erica. He lauded the school and all the teachers who serve as “a finely crafted staircase” that “produce[s] good results with predictable dependability” and also manages to foster independence and fine intellect so that the students are “ready for life and [that] a great part of that is due to the wonderful team here at Dutchess Day.”Hathaway then read citations about each graduate, small written tributes that pay homage to their accomplishments and unique personalities. Board Head Sarah Stack handed out each specially selected book and diploma. Despite the indoor setting, it was a moving ceremony that truly celebrated this wonderful group of graduates. We wish them all the best of luck as they move on to the following secondary schools: Emma Willard, John Jay High School, Kent School, Our Lady of Lourdes, Millbrook School, Red Hook High School, Rhinebeck High School, The Taft School and Westminster School.Submitted by Hillary Henderson, Dutchess Day School director of development and parent affairs.