Kent Place School Graduates the Class of 2026

On May 30, Kent Place School held its 2026 Commencement on the Graduation Lawn. A chilly morning cleared for a beautiful ceremony under the setting sun. Faculty, Trustees, and administrators marched in their academic regalia and juniors led the traditional daisy chain processional. Then the seniors, each holding a bouquet, walked one by one through the chain and were seated as a class for the final time.

The ceremony began with remarks from Head of School Jennifer Galambos, President of the Board of Trustees Katie Herbst Machir ’95 P ’28, and Upper School Director Deborah Fermo. Peter Wertz, Cochair of the Math Department, delivered the faculty address.

President of the Class of 2026 Naomi Ravenell announced the senior gift — a picnic table, to be outside of the Dining Hall, that everyone can gather around. She then spoke on behalf of her classmates. In part of her speech, she spoke directly to them:

“To the Class of 2026, I want you to remember to embrace the unexpected. Life rarely goes to Plan A, and that is perfectly okay. With each other, we’ve learned that not knowing what comes next is an opportunity to learn and become more confident in ourselves. The college campuses that you will be heading to are beyond lucky to have the talent, curiosity, and brilliance that you have grown to possess . . . No matter where life takes us, let us never lose the energy, intellect, and courage that brought us here to these very seats.”

The Citizenship Cup, which is presented to a senior who has been an outstanding example of student citizenship, was awarded to Maya Hardy. Considered one of Kent Place’s highest honors, the Citizenship Cup is voted on by all Upper School faculty and students. 

Dr. Galambos and Ms. Machir led the presentation of diplomas. Once each senior received hers, the newly minted graduates tossed their bouquets into the air, which signaled everyone to sing the Alma Mater.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! The Kent Place community wishes you all the best as you begin your next chapter.

The 81 members of the Class of 2026:

Julianna Sophia Abrantes, Allison Evelyn Ameo, Kaitlin Anna Andersen, Eibhilin Cecile Boyen, Molly Fisher Brozowski, Anne Elizabeth Bugliari, Ava Marie Builione, Anna Bultó, Delia Meyer Callahan, Gillian Para Callahan, Jenna Angelina Carey, Virginia Jane Cepeda, Claire Elizabeth Cherill, Annabelle Heather Chow, Jessica Michelle Choy, Ella Sylvia Culligan, Brooke Lillian Dambrot, Reilly Frances Dangler, Hailey Gabrielle Downey, Reilly M. Doyle, Sophie Meredith Ewart, Imani S. Farrell, Sumari Fox, Lynda Elizabeth Franklin, Stella Elizabeth Galeano, Emma Catherine Geppel, Misa Michelle Glover, Eve Sumner Goldsmith, Sasha Nicole Grinis, Cooper Elizabeth Grogan, Willa Clementine Gross, Lorelei Gail Gustafson-Johnson, Maya Jordan Hardy, Drew Rayne Henry, Lauren Rachel Herman, Cecília Vera Ribeiro Hirawat, Alex Kimya Jones, Supriya Caroline Kamilla, Keira Juhi Kapur, Hannah B. Kelley, Tara Khurana, Karen Isabelle Kisza, Avery Klein-Maggio, Mira Klein-Maggio, Phoebe Nicole Krowitz, Reagan Caroline Larson, Kate H. Lee, Ava McKenzie Lewis, Lindsay Skylar Li, Onelia Alma Lupiani Khan, Juliette Shea Maria, Emma Margo McQuade, Evelyn Mary Melendi, Evelyne Bridget Mendelsohn, Anabella Raquel Mendieta-Frost, Madeline Elizabeth Mon, Isla V. Naik, Tara Xu Nash, Kayla Peng, Olivia Peters, Mariana Pirez Ramirez, Kimberly Ann Pritchett, Caitlyn Anne Quinn, Mia Isabella Ramos, Naomi Eve Ravenell, Jacquelyn Maria Reig, Chloe Jordana Reinman, Savera Sawhney Rigby, Brooke Elizabeth Rosely, Sylvia Erhart Ross, Mariel A. Ryan, Medha Sahay, Talia Sarafian, Lyla Katherine Sartorius, Quinn Woods Sartorius, Avery Michaela Sinclair, Nandini Thatavarthy, Therese Tsang, Zoe Emily Woods, Justine M. Wu, and Olivia Du Zhang