Class of 2025 Encouraged to Explore the Unfamiliar and Do So with Purpose

As faculty and staff, trustees, family, and guests gathered in the main campus courtyard, the soon-to-be graduates walked down the aisle and were honored for their hard work throughout their time at Hamden Hall. Head of School Bob Izzo presided over the ceremony as he welcomed Student Government President Sanjiv Persaud to the stage for the welcome address.

“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Hamden Hall senior class of 2025, because we did it, and I’m proud of us all,” said Sanjiv. “We had that struggle of starting something great and the fact that we are all here today is a testament to our hard work and dedication. All this time studying, perfecting your sport, extracurriculars, and everything else all amounts to this:  A class that is ready to take on the world and be successful in whatever path they choose. Today isn’t just a ceremony, it’s a milestone, a marker of our hard work, and a closing chapter. But, as soon as we step foot out of these halls, a new chapter begins.”

Salutatorian Theodora Aslan, who will be attending Yale University in the fall, took a moment to express her gratitude to all the faculty members and peers who helped her along the way before sharing her message of remaining resilient in the face of uncertainty.

“As graduation approached, only memories that brought a smile to my face flooded through my mind and everything else faded into the background,” shared Theodora. “Let that settle in as it is only by reflecting upon this that you realize how valuable it is to live in the present and be aware of the memories you are making. So let the happy moments color your thoughts and stoke the fire of resilience within you. Create that new safety net in college and focus on the good: if you feel like you lost your way, look for the North Star rather than getting caught up in the darkness. You may not be able to control the curveballs life will throw at you, but you have power over how you choose to react to them. Just like how your peers, teachers, and positive experiences got you through high school, so too will a new community help you overcome college.”

Co-Presidents of the Senior Class, Chase Benivegna and Addison Letizia, took the podium to present the senior class presentation awards. The Class honored junior Robin Weiss, Upper School math teacher Bruce Rich, and Director of Transpiration John Fabrizio.

Valedictorian Alex Yi, who will be attending the University of Connecticut this fall, explained how learning from those around you is the key to success. He added that it is our overall responsibility to take what we learn and apply it to uplifting others.

“Nobody reaches anything without passion, without feeling its importance to themselves or to other people in some way removed from accomplishment and accolade,” said Alex. “I do say it’s important to loaf, to do nothing, to study and to work just to survive, to achieve nothing, to aspire towards nothing. But turn all the leisure you have towards what is important to people and towards what is important to yourself. To study people instead of things. Please always remember to raise other things up; learn about what people need or what we’re curious about. We’ll forget everything eventually except for people.”

Mr. Izzo returned to the podium to welcome Quinnipiac University President Dr. Judy Olian as the 2025 Commencement Speaker. President Olian remarked how the students are now part of the legacy of Hamden Hall graduates as they have shown grit, heart, and a drive toward compassionate leadership. Most importantly, she emphasized three key points: always show up and do your best, get lost on purpose, and build up grit and resilience.

“Your path will take shape, you’ll discover where you thrive, what you love. You will be fascinated by people, places, and cultures that are different. Go explore. Stay curious. Take the leap. You will face storms. Learn from them. Grow from them. And you’ll recover because of your grit. You just need to do your very best at whatever’s in front of you. If you keep showing up, giving it your all, even when you’re unsure if this is your sweet spot, people will notice. Opportunities will come to you. And you may just fall in love with the work…because you’re good at it. And THAT becomes a plan.”

Furthermore, President Olian encouraged students to explore the unknown and be emboldened to do something totally unfamiliar, even scary, as unpredictable journeys build grit and often lead to something better.

“Class of 2025, you already know something about grit as you’ve faced stress and uncertainty. You learned to adapt to whole new ways of living and learning, to be independent, disciplined and self-driven, to connect differently and still stay connected. That’s grit. That’s toughness. That’s adaptability. It will serve you again and again. You’ve got this, and remember you’ll always have a home here under the pines,” she said.

The members of the Class of 2025 are heading to the finest and most competitive academic institutions where they will be pursuing their academic and athletic dreams. The class has five Lifers: Addision Letizia, Niko Millhouse, Neer Patel, Frankie Winters, and John Raymond “JR” Wallis. Additionally, two of the graduates are children and grandchildren of current members of the Hamden Hall Board of Trustees: Lauren Golioto, whose mother is Trustee Dr. Annmarie Golioto; Addison Letizia, whose mother is Trustee Laurie Ann Letizia; and Niko Millhouse whose grandmother is Trustee and past Board President Joyce Lujic. Niko’s mother is alumna Dr. Denisa Lujic Millhouse 1987. Josh Aversa is the son of 1991 alumnus David Aversa, Nyla Zundell is the daughter of 1997 alumnus Lewis Zundell while Atticus Bird and Addison Doherty are children of faculty members and Varsity athletic coaches. John Raymond “JR” Wallis is the son of Parents’ Association Co-President Dr. Kristen Wallis. The Class of 2025 also features 21 students who have committed to playing college sports across all divisions, which represents more than 25 percent of the senior class.

“You received a world-class education from world-class faculty,” said Mr. Izzo. “You have been challenged academically by teachers and have the foundation necessary to succeed in all areas. Congratulations to the Class of 2025; you will always be part of the Hamden Hall family.”