Commencement 2021: Class of 2021 Excelled in All Areas of School Life
With most speakers acknowledging the unique school year, members of the Class of 2021 were hailed as persistent and well-prepared during Hamden Hall’s 109th Commencement Exercises.
“Senior year is challenging enough under the best of circumstances. We had to deal with all of that plus Covid-19. But I want to emphasize one important point: We did it!” announced Student Government President Dimitri Ratner to his fellow classmates during his welcome speech. Dimitri will continue his education at Tulane University.
Salutatorian Xuzhu Wang noted that it can be exciting to know that “things can deviate from our original blueprints.”
“When I first came here three years ago, I never thought I would love English. Then again, I never would have imagined I would measure the volume of golf balls in a chemistry lab. The teachers at Hamden Hall are unique,” said Xuzhu who will attend McGill University in the fall.
Valedictorian Nathaniel Thomas, who will attend Amherst College, said he appreciated the fact that students were able to safely attend in-person classes for the entire school year.
“Many others have had to brave this pandemic with far fewer resources, and I know we are all cognizant and grateful for our unique opportunities,” he said.
The 2021 Commencement speaker was Hamden Hall parent and Board of Trustee member Dr. Meena S. Moran. As the Chief of the Breast Radiation Program at Yale New Haven Hospital Smilow Cancer Center, Dr. Moran is an esteemed leader in breast oncology and has been involved in the Hamden Hall community for nearly two decades. Dr. Moran’s youngest child, Anisha, shared the stage with her mom when she accepted her diploma several moments after the commencement speech.
From putting down their smart devices to surrounding themselves with people who inspire them, Dr. Moran offered “six pearls of wisdom” to the graduates as each imparts on their respective journeys.
“Go,” she said. “Go in any direction. Move forward. You can’t steer a parked car. If your plans change, it’s not a failure. The you in 2021 is not the you in five or 10 years.”
Dr. Moran also encouraged the graduates to travel.
“Travel when you’re young. Expose yourself to the different worlds and people around the globe. It will give you perspective and depth,” she maintained.
The Class of 2021 is made up of 77 members, all of whom are headed to institutions of higher learning in the fall. There were nine Lifers in the Class of 2021, and 10 graduates will play DI and DIII college-level sports at their next school. Additionally, four Trustees handed their children diplomas during the ceremony as did four faculty members. The Class of 2021 also included two children of alumni.
Student Government Vice-President Steven Zhang, who heads to Yale University in the fall, took the stage for Senior Class Presentations. Junior Michael Ferneini, faculty member Patricia Dowcett, and Hamden Hall’s own “Turtle King,” Spencer Chase of the Facilities Department, all received recognition from the Class of 2021.
Head of School Bob Izzo reminded the graduates of what they had achieved while under the pines.
“You have excelled in every area of school life. You received a world-class education from a world-class faculty. You will always be a part of Hamden Hall, and Hamden Hall will always be a part of you,” said Mr. Izzo.
Click here to view a photo gallery from Commencement 2021.
“Senior year is challenging enough under the best of circumstances. We had to deal with all of that plus Covid-19. But I want to emphasize one important point: We did it!” announced Student Government President Dimitri Ratner to his fellow classmates during his welcome speech. Dimitri will continue his education at Tulane University.
Salutatorian Xuzhu Wang noted that it can be exciting to know that “things can deviate from our original blueprints.”
“When I first came here three years ago, I never thought I would love English. Then again, I never would have imagined I would measure the volume of golf balls in a chemistry lab. The teachers at Hamden Hall are unique,” said Xuzhu who will attend McGill University in the fall.
Valedictorian Nathaniel Thomas, who will attend Amherst College, said he appreciated the fact that students were able to safely attend in-person classes for the entire school year.
“Many others have had to brave this pandemic with far fewer resources, and I know we are all cognizant and grateful for our unique opportunities,” he said.
The 2021 Commencement speaker was Hamden Hall parent and Board of Trustee member Dr. Meena S. Moran. As the Chief of the Breast Radiation Program at Yale New Haven Hospital Smilow Cancer Center, Dr. Moran is an esteemed leader in breast oncology and has been involved in the Hamden Hall community for nearly two decades. Dr. Moran’s youngest child, Anisha, shared the stage with her mom when she accepted her diploma several moments after the commencement speech.
From putting down their smart devices to surrounding themselves with people who inspire them, Dr. Moran offered “six pearls of wisdom” to the graduates as each imparts on their respective journeys.
“Go,” she said. “Go in any direction. Move forward. You can’t steer a parked car. If your plans change, it’s not a failure. The you in 2021 is not the you in five or 10 years.”
Dr. Moran also encouraged the graduates to travel.
“Travel when you’re young. Expose yourself to the different worlds and people around the globe. It will give you perspective and depth,” she maintained.
The Class of 2021 is made up of 77 members, all of whom are headed to institutions of higher learning in the fall. There were nine Lifers in the Class of 2021, and 10 graduates will play DI and DIII college-level sports at their next school. Additionally, four Trustees handed their children diplomas during the ceremony as did four faculty members. The Class of 2021 also included two children of alumni.
Student Government Vice-President Steven Zhang, who heads to Yale University in the fall, took the stage for Senior Class Presentations. Junior Michael Ferneini, faculty member Patricia Dowcett, and Hamden Hall’s own “Turtle King,” Spencer Chase of the Facilities Department, all received recognition from the Class of 2021.
Head of School Bob Izzo reminded the graduates of what they had achieved while under the pines.
“You have excelled in every area of school life. You received a world-class education from a world-class faculty. You will always be a part of Hamden Hall, and Hamden Hall will always be a part of you,” said Mr. Izzo.
Click here to view a photo gallery from Commencement 2021.
Hamden Hall Country Day School
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
About Us
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
