The mood was joyous and bittersweet on June 1 as D-E’s graduating seniors, their families, faculty, and staff gathered on Leggett Field for the Commencement ceremony. This momentous event was called to order by Student Government President-Elect Max Koppelman ’26, and the processional began with a pipe band and the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” by the D-E Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Ami Vaidya ’91 P’24, ’26, Board of Trustees President, gave welcome remarks. Senior Class Readers Alison Lihanda ’25 and Len Glozman ’25 read from the poem “It Couldn’t Be Done” by Edgar Albert Guest, and US Principal Kim Lalli P’35,’37 presented the winners of The Bailey Award and The Senior Citizenship Prize. Next, Steven Cui ’25 and Nicky Reich ’25 shared the podium as Senior Class Speakers, eliciting chuckles and thoughtful nods from their classmates. Then came reflections from Interim Head of School Preeti Fibiger P ’24 and a message from Student Government President and “Lifer” Kyle Lee ’25. Ms. Fibiger noted that “truth—real truth—requires… listening, challenging, rethinking… You won’t find it in a one-sentence quote under a filtered photo on Instagram… Truth takes time. It takes effort. And often, it takes others.” The US Jazz Rock ensemble followed with an exuberant “Commencement Medley.” Ms. Lalli gave closing remarks and then presented the diplomas with Class of 2025 Dean Dr. Brian Merry. To celebrate the end of an era, each graduate rang the D-E Ceremonial Bell. Congratulations to D-E’s Class of 2025—You Did It!
