The mood was joyous and, as expected, a little bittersweet as D-E’s graduating seniors, their families, faculty, and staff gathered beneath a white tent on Leggett Field for Commencement 2025 on the morning of Sunday, June 1.

This momentous event was called to order by Student Government President-Elect Max Koppelman ’26, when he rang the D-E Ceremonial Bell. The processional then followed, with the graduates led into the tent by a pipe band and the playing of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” by the D-E Symphony Orchestra. 

Dr. Ami Vaidya ’91, Board of Trustees President, who is a current parent and D-E alumna herself, gave welcoming remarks. Dr. Vaidya commented: “When hearing from teachers in learning more about all of you, what struck me was your genuine commitment to the last part of the Mission Statement, ‘make it better.’ All of you are involved in activities on and off campus to effect positive change. There is sincerity in your ambition to help the school and the broader community move forward. This is reflected in how you all honestly care about and for each other as a cohesive class. You have built relationships that are true and will likely be for a lifetime.” 

Senior Class Readers Alison Lihanda ’25 and Len Glozman ’25 then read from the poem “It Couldn’t Be Done” by Edgar Albert Guest. Upper School Principal Kim Lalli 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, and spoke in ways that elicited both chuckles and thoughtful nods. Steven commented: “Sharing parts of yourself with others—the good, the bad, the ugly—sometimes is the best gift you can give someone. And what makes us so proud to be a part of this class is our unabashed generosity in the giving of this gift to those around us.” Nicky followed by noting, “If there is anything that Steven and I want for this class and everyone gathered today to take away from our speech and the experience of our class, it is this: look at the people around you and cherish this moment.”

The D-E Symphony Orchestra then performed “Hungarian Dance #1” by Johannes Brahms, followed by reflections from Interim Head of School Preeti Fibiger P ’24 and a message from Student Government President Kyle Lee ’25. Ms. Fibiger noted that “truth—real truth—requires all of those skills: listening, challenging, re-thinking. It’s not always neat or convenient. And it’s certainly not instant. We live in a world that wants answers—now. And I get it—we’re used to scrolling, scanning, reacting quickly. But truth doesn’t show up that way. You won’t find it in a one-sentence quote under a filtered photo on Instagram. You can’t sort it out over a rapid-fire text exchange or in a comment thread… Truth takes time. It takes effort. And often, it takes others.” Kyle, a D-E “Lifer,” spoke of appreciation for his journey at D-E, which started in preschool, and gratitude for the people who shaped that journey. The Upper School Jazz Rock ensemble then performed an exuberant “Commencement Medley” featuring works by Lennon/McCartney, Prokofiev, and Mayfield.

Ahead of the presentation of diplomas by Ms. Lalli and Class of 2025 Dean Dr. Brian Merry, Ms. Lalli gave closing remarks. Ms. Lalli spoke meaningfully of the poet Mary Jane Oliver and read several of Oliver’s poems, including “The Summer Day,” noting, “I hope that you’ll remember all that your time here has gifted you. It would be foolish to assume that each day was a good one or that each experience enriched you—but I can say with certainty that the habits of mind and heart that you’ve developed here have shaped you, and in most cases, for the better… It’s no doubt a burden to move into the world with a specific responsibility but you all have one—to meet the challenges of a changing world and make it better. Along the way, I hope that you’ll allow the sun to warm you, that you’ll listen for the geese calling overhead, that you’ll consider the grasshopper—and that you’ll move confidently and courageously towards a meaningful, wild, and precious life.” 

Our new grads then threw their caps up in the air, recessed to Handel’s “March,” and were greeted enthusiastically first by a color guard composed of D-E faculty and staff, followed by their families and friends. Finally, they each rang the D-E Ceremonial Bell to celebrate the end of an era. 

Congratulations to D-E’s Class of 2025—You Did It!!