St. Luke's School Commencement 2014

St. Luke’s School held its 85th Commencement ceremony on May 30, 2014. Head of School Mark Davis described the day as full of “beautiful sorrow” and empathized with dear friends preparing to part ways, for now, and begin new journeys.

Sebastian Bates, of Pound Ridge, was this year’s Valedictorian. Sebastian will attend Princeton this fall. During his address, Sebastian described a key element in St. Luke’s “DNA”: I’m reminded more now than ever, that St. Luke’s is a kind school. Kindness is part of our institutional DNA: it is writ large on the banners in the parking lot, on the main building’s new façade...More importantly, kindness is embedded in the heart and soul of our faculty, in the caring that teachers like Ms. Spencer and Dr. Haynes exhibit every day, and in our student body, which promises every year to uphold that virtue as part of the Honor Code.”

Elizabeth McLaughlin was the 2014 Salutatorian. She will attend Northwestern. In addressing the class of 2014, Liz said: "We have extraordinary musicians, championship-winning athletes, actors that have made me laugh and cry on countless occasions, and intellectuals that not only excel in the classroom but outside it via sheer ingenuity. And the best part is that these categories overlap almost casually: there are football captains that have talent not only in STEM courses but also in Shakespeare analysis, and on top of it all play classical piano. There are coffeehouse regulars that play three seasons of Varsity sports and hang up their charcoal self-portraits during the AP Art show. I have classmates that can design and construct entire sets, can fix car engines, can capture the world with their cameras, and can capture the soul with their words...More astounding is this: the surprises never stopped coming. The Class of 2014 reveals new talents on the daily, and I am always awestruck. You all are truly amazing." 

Mr. Davis's parting remarks reminded students of their obligation to make a positive contribution to the world: “...To make a difference you need not be a CEO, or president of the student body, or captain of the team, or the smartest student in the classroom.  You need simply be a good person, doing the things–small or large–that actually make a difference, in your neighborhood or on the world stage.
I hope St. Luke’s has taught you that, by your ethical example, or by giving the gift of time, or simply by a word of encouragement, you can improve the world or enrich someone else’s life. These seemingly small actions might not be measurable.  They might not be recorded by historians, or get your face carved onto Mt. Rushmore, or get you into college.  But they do form the core of great leaders, and, just as important, truly GOOD people.  And they will make a difference.

I hope you leave the Hilltop knowing you can and must make a difference.
As you go forth, remember your talents and the blessings of your St. Luke’s education. Remember these, and know that your talents and your education confer upon you the opportunity to make a difference by serving.  Discover the wonderful irony that through service to others you will find true personal fulfillment.  Rather than reducing your own prosperity, the act of giving actually makes you stronger, happier, and more successful in life.  The habits of service are not selfless, because in addition to helping others and your community, in addition to making the world a better place for all of us, they bring to you the greatest personal rewards.  Moreover, they honor and give meaning to your school’s motto:  Enter to Learn.  Go Forth to Serve.

Go forth, then, but return often.  Congratulations to all of you.”