Amelie Warneryd, Weston Teen, Gives Salutatorian Address

On August 3, St. Luke’s School hosted the 91st Commencement—a virtual celebration honoring the 81 students in the graduating Class of 2020. In May, families had an opportunity to celebrate the graduates with individual visits to campus during the Hilltop Celebration. But it was during Commencement that Weston teen Amelia Warneryd addressed her fellow classmates with her Salutatorian Speech.

Reflecting back on the school’s motto Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve, Warneryd reminded her classmates that they can change the world amidst the uncertainty of today’s current climate. “Who knew that after years of hearing the phrase “go forth to serve,” we’d be at a perfect time to actually go do it upon graduation? We’ve had to get comfortable with the fact that our transition to college and beyond is not going to feel the way it once might have. Our world has changed. But our time at St. Luke’s has shown us that anyone, whether a healthcare worker on the front lines, a student advocating for racial justice, or just someone desperately trying to figure out how to sew a face mask, can have an impact amid the uncertainty; we can do so by showing compassion for others in whatever small ways we can as we embrace the mystery of what is to come.”

Head of School Mark Davis shared this about Amelie, “Highly motivated and unafraid of failure, Amelie has always understood the old adage that 'you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.' Neither striving for perfection nor fearing failure, she tries new things, applies for new opportunities, and stretches herself for love of learning and doing rather than resume-building. As rare as that can seem these days, she stands as a model for all of us, without striving to be that model.”

Both Davis’s praise and her own wisdom in embracing the mystery of what’s to come have Amelie prepared for her next venture as she heads off to the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

Mark Davis concluded this year’s commencement with an emotional explanation of the day. “Today, more than any other day in the school year, the faculty and I feel the most conflicting emotions. We feel joy in what you have accomplished here and in who you have become, and we feel excited and optimistic for your futures. At the same time, we feel sad that our time together has come to an end.”

Congratulations to the St. Luke’s Class of 2020.

View photos from the Commencement Ceremony here, and take a look back at the Class of 2020’s Hilltop Celebration.

St. Luke's is a secular (non-religious) private school in New Canaan, CT, for grades 5-12. St. Luke's mission is an exceptional education that inspires a deep love of learning, a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead. St. Luke's Center for Leadership advances our mission by helping students develop exceptional leadership ability. Learn more.