Educational Excellence Since 1912
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
A Message of Hope for Our 105th Graduating Class
In an emotional message to seniors, former Lower School Director and Commencement 2017 keynote speaker Andrew Niblock advised students to “figure out what gives you hope,” especially during those times when life throws you a curveball.
“I’m generally an optimistic person and I believe that going through life as an optimist is helpful,” said Mr. Niblock. “After having been diagnosed with ALS, I’ve also learned to be hopeful. Hope is a state of mind.”
Mr. Niblock explained to the audience that in July of 2016 he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function.
His candor was visibly impactful to the graduates, many of whom personally thanked him as they traversed across the stage to receive their diplomas.
The Class of 2017 was the 105th class to receive diplomas at Hamden Hall. Student Government President Luke Wilcox, who is headed to Babson College in the fall, noted that he and his peers were “not prepared for the impact this school would have on us.”
“We became part of a community so much bigger than ourselves,” he said.
Salutatorian Lauryn Aliwalas took a look back at the past four years.
“Your struggles in high school have made your achievements so much more satisfying. I think that sometimes in the heat of the moment, we let the shiny exterior of the accomplishment, and other such prestigious prizes for that matter, obscure the work, especially that daily, mundane work, we put in to attain it,” she said.
Lauryn, who entered Hamden Hall in the sixth grade, will attend Smith College in the fall.
Valedictorian Eylul Akman, who will attend Tufts University, maintained that everything can be broken down into yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
“Yesterday. we were seniors. Tomorrow, we are alumni. But, today, we graduate,” she said. “We live our lives in the years of experiences and memories, but, in the end, we truly live our lives in the seconds.”
Seventy-one seniors crossed the stage and shook hands with Board President Joyce Lujic and Head of School Bob Izzo before obtaining their diplomas. Students who are children of alumni, trustees, faculty, and staff were presented their diplomas by those respective family members.
“You’ve excelled at every area of student life,” Mr. Izzo told the graduates. “Thank you.”
“I’m generally an optimistic person and I believe that going through life as an optimist is helpful,” said Mr. Niblock. “After having been diagnosed with ALS, I’ve also learned to be hopeful. Hope is a state of mind.”
Mr. Niblock explained to the audience that in July of 2016 he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function.
His candor was visibly impactful to the graduates, many of whom personally thanked him as they traversed across the stage to receive their diplomas.
The Class of 2017 was the 105th class to receive diplomas at Hamden Hall. Student Government President Luke Wilcox, who is headed to Babson College in the fall, noted that he and his peers were “not prepared for the impact this school would have on us.”
“We became part of a community so much bigger than ourselves,” he said.
Salutatorian Lauryn Aliwalas took a look back at the past four years.
“Your struggles in high school have made your achievements so much more satisfying. I think that sometimes in the heat of the moment, we let the shiny exterior of the accomplishment, and other such prestigious prizes for that matter, obscure the work, especially that daily, mundane work, we put in to attain it,” she said.
Lauryn, who entered Hamden Hall in the sixth grade, will attend Smith College in the fall.
Valedictorian Eylul Akman, who will attend Tufts University, maintained that everything can be broken down into yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
“Yesterday. we were seniors. Tomorrow, we are alumni. But, today, we graduate,” she said. “We live our lives in the years of experiences and memories, but, in the end, we truly live our lives in the seconds.”
Seventy-one seniors crossed the stage and shook hands with Board President Joyce Lujic and Head of School Bob Izzo before obtaining their diplomas. Students who are children of alumni, trustees, faculty, and staff were presented their diplomas by those respective family members.
“You’ve excelled at every area of student life,” Mr. Izzo told the graduates. “Thank you.”
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 is a nurturing and inclusive community with a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
