Schools

Peddie Commencement Recognizes Student Success

152 seniors graduated The Peddie School in Hightstown on Sunday, May 26.

Demonstrating academic excellence and the spirit of community service, the Class of 2013 at The Peddie School  was recognized by Head of School John F. Green for its achievements during the school's 145th commencement exercises held Sunday morning under the large tent on center campus. Beautiful blue skies provided a perfect backdrop as 152 Peddie School seniors received their diplomas before an audience of more than 1,800 family, friends, underclassmen and alumni.

An event marking the beginning of the next phase in life's challenges for the Peddie grad, it was also Green's last commencement after 12 years at the helm of Peddie.

In his opening remarks, Green offered a roll call of notable achievements of the Class of 2013, saluting the group's commitment to community service, sportsmanship and courage to engage in challenges without being told to.

Xin Er Gao delivered the valedictory address and received the Morris G. Fredman Prize for Class Valedictorian, the Fred Rager Class of '44 Prize for Excellence in English and collected the Pam Zbehlik Class of 1978 Memorial Prize in European History during Baccalaureate ceremonies.

Brynne Follman won the Wyckoff Honor Prize, the school's highest prize, for ability, character and attainment.

The Dr. Wilbour Eddy Saunders Society Award for excellence in classroom teaching was presented to history teacher Erik Treese '91, while drama and speech teacher Jeffrey "Harry" Holcombe, who is retiring after 45 years of service, earned the Finn M.W. Caspersen Above and Beyond Award for extraordinary contributions to the life of the school.

Retired grounds maintenance crew member James Ralph won the first-ever “Beyond the Call of Duty” Award endowed by John F. Green and his wife, Alison Zaeder, in recognition of the distinguished service and dedication of the entire Peddie staff.

Angela Manley '84, a member of the board of trustees, assisted Mr. Green with the presentations of diplomas.

Baccalaureate, a traditional celebration of academic achievement, took place on Saturday evening in Ayer Memorial Chapel.

English Department Head William McMann delivered the keynote address. Chosen by her peers, Devon Nir addressed her fellow graduates as this year's senior speaker.

Catherine Rodrigue, chapter president of the Cum Laude Society and chapter secretary David Martin announced the newly elected members of the Class of 2013 and presented pins and certificates to each honoree. The Cum Laude Society is the secondary school equivalent to the college-level honor society Phi Beta Kappa. Each student's name will be inscribed on a plaque in Annenberg Hall.

Forty-three individual awards were given to exemplary members of the senior class at both Baccalaureate and Commencement, recognizing leadership, service, citizenship, academic excellence and athletic ability.

After the graduation recessional, the new Peddie alums gathered en masse between Avery and Coleman dormitories to belt out a rousing version of the school cheer, “Ala Viva.”


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