This past Sunday, USM held its Upper School Commencement ceremony. Families, friends, and faculty and staff members gathered together in the Middle School gym to celebrate this momentous occasion and honor our 76 seniors as they transition to the next stage of their educational journey.
This class has worked extremely hard over the past four years—and it shows. I am happy to report that 100% of the Class of 2013 is matriculating to a college or university in the fall, and 92% of our seniors will be attending a first- or second-choice school. Considering the remarkably high level of competition in college admissions, I am very proud of these students and look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments.
As Commencement speaker Dr. Raj Chetty, would agree, a great deal of credit for our students’ achievement is owed to our outstanding faculty. In his speech, Chetty, Professor in the Economics Department at Harvard University and Valedictorian of USM’s Class of 1997, discussed his research measuring the correlation between quality teaching and students’ success in college and adulthood. Our teachers are our most valuable asset at USM and together they guide our students towards success in college and beyond. I know our students also concur—many of them have told me they consider their teachers to be the best aspect of USM.
Congratulations to the Class of 2013! I wish you a safe and fun summer and hope your first year of college is full of learning and excitement.
To read the Commencement addresses of Head of Upper School Roseann Lyons, our Valedictorian Kern Khanna, and myself, click here.
