New Canaan Country School Holds Closing Exercises

At New Canaan Country School’s Closing Exercises Wednesday, June 17, Head of School Aaron Cooper encouraged the 37 ninth grade graduates of the Class of 2020 to be courageous – especially in uncertain circumstances such as those we face today.

“How will you be galvanized by this? Be yourselves. You have all that it takes inside of you. Make a difference. Follow your passions. Live with purpose. You have shown that you have everything it takes to live lives of impact and purpose, and that is what we ask.”

“Stand up for what you believe. Find your voice and use it often. Dare to be all you can be. Err in the direction of kindness. Live with Life. Be courageous.”

Ninth Grader Maren Frey of New Canaan delivered the Class Salutation in which she welcomed those in attendance, acknowledging the unique circumstance in which the program was taking place – socially distanced in a semi-circle of automobiles around a podium on one of the school’s athletic fields. “We are a class that has been brought together in ways none of us could have ever imagined,” she said. “All of you are like a family to me. Every day, I look forward to seeing your smiling faces …. And while there are a lot of uncertainties in this world right now, I am certain of one thing and that is that we will always be there for each other.”

Ben Herdeg of New Canaan presented the Class Reflection. “We’re defined by so much more than our unexpectedly different spring,” he said. “Each person in this grade brings something different to the table—whether that’s humor, compassion, spirit, or confidence; it’s equally valued and visible to anyone. All our traits work so well together that we’ve grown closer and become better people because of it.”

Class of 2020 graduate Gracie Agulay of Stamford received the Gamble Award, which is presented to the student who exemplifies, to the highest measure, the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Rett Zeigler of Rowayton received the Johansen Award, which is presented to the member of the graduating class who most exemplifies the qualities of care and concern for others, compassion and a sense of community.

The Class of 2020 will attend the following secondary schools:

Brunswick School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, Fairfield College Preparatory School, Greens Farms Academy, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Country Day School, Hotchkiss School, Millbrook School, Miss Porter's School, New Canaan High School, Ohana Institute, Phillips Academy Andover, Rye Country Day, St. George's School, St. Luke's School, St. Paul's School, Sun Valley Community School, Taft School, Westhills High School and Westminster School.

The Class of 2020 includes:

Gracie Agulay of Stamford, Jackson Alpaugh of Darien, Kate Barnard of Rowayton, Fiona Burton of Stamford, Garrett Cannon of New Canaan, Sasha Coughlin of New Canaan, Matthew Edwards of Darien, Jasper Engle of New Canaan, Daisy Fichthorn of Darien, Thatcher Findlay of New Canaan, Maren Frey of New Canaan, Charlie Gaynor of Bedford, Alanna Gribin of Stamford, Ben Herdeg of New Canaan, Brayden Hogue of Westport, Calvin Jacob of New Canaan, Christian Jacob of New Canaan, Payton Koch of New Canaan, Lilly Krongard of New Canaan, Katie LeBaron of New Canaan, Annika Mannix of Wilton, Megan Mitchell of Darien, Darla Moody of Pound Ridge, TJ Moody of Pound Ridge, Huett Nelson of Rowayton, Mimi Sue Novack of Darien, Abby O'Brien of Stamford, Riya Punjabi of Stamford, Tyler Rosolen of Norwalk, Mac Ryan of Pound Ridge, Cece Salvatore of New Canaan, Henry Scott of New Canaan, Luke Sosnow of Darien, Jamie Staniar of Darien, Ryland Strine of New Canaan, Cassie Warren of New Canaan and Rett Zeigler of Rowayton.

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9. Located on a 75-acre campus at 635 Frogtown Rd in New Canaan, the school provides transportation to families living in Westchester and Fairfield counties. For more information, please visit www.countryschool.net.