St. Michael's Graduates 24, Honors Six at 73rd Commencement

The parents, students, and Board of Trustees at bid farewell this morning, Wednesday, June 8, to the 2010-2011 academic year and honored the 24 members of the class of 2011.  Following welcoming remarks by Head of School Whitney C. Slade, departing fourth-grade teacher Anne Richards delivered the invocation, and was followed by eighth-grader Stephen DeLeo’s graduation speech.

Richards is leaving this year after 21 years of teaching at the school. She and her husband are moving to Pomfret, Conn., where he will be taking over as the head of Pomfret School.

This year’s commencement speaker was Distinguished Alumna Alexis Roettinger, MD, a member of the St. Michael’s class of 1989. After St. Michael’s, she said, she went on to Middletown High School, then Yale, and on to medical school. Now a hand surgeon with a practice in Newport, Dr. Roettinger told the departing students to just be themselves, and to remember their friends.

“There will always be someone smarter and better looking; and someone not as smart as you who’s more of a nerd, so in the long run just be who you are," she said.

Following a brief personal tribute to each graduate by Mr. Slade, he and Board President David Howe of Jamestown handed out the diplomas. The graduates and the schools they will be attending next year are: Brendan Robert Barker of Newport (The Met School), Jake Canepari of Middletown (Pomfret), Caroline Sweeney Coaty (Prout) and Reed de Bruhl de Horsey (St. George’s) of Newport; Stephen Nicholas DeLeo of Middletown (Moses Brown), Chloë Amelila Farrick of Newport (St. George’s), Samuel Elliot Gallipeau of Middletown (Stony Brook), Serena de Wees Highley (St. George’s), Zachary Michael Kagan (Moses Brown), and Wil John Loughborough (Pomfret) of Newport; Alexis Ariana Mashaw-Williams of Middletown (Middletown High School), Amelia Ann McConnell (Lincoln) and Hugo Murphy-Avenengo (Prout) of Newport; Liam O’Regan of Middletown (Middletown High School), Luc Parmentier of Saunderstown (Proctor Academy), Stephanie Helena Fu Petrone (Rocky Hill) and Victoria Wheaton Read (Pomfret) of Newport; Lucy Dunbar Richards of Middletown (Pomfret), Harrison Duffield Robinson of Portsmouth (Pomfret), Lamont Marquise Scott of Newport, Merrill Avery Scura of Middletown (St. George’s), Peter Walsh Shanley of Newport (Prout), Benjamin Harrison Walker III of Portsmouth (Middletown High School), and Taelor Kyree Washington of Portsmouth (Prout).

Four of the graduates were recognized for their contributions to the school community. The William F. Whitehouse Cup, for overall academic excellence, went to Zachary Kagan. The James Green Memorial Cup, awarded to the boy in the who best exemplifies the ideals and spirit of the school, went to Stephen DeLeo. The Stanley C. Hughes Memorial Medal, honoring the girl who best exemplifies the ideals and spirit of the school, went to Amelia McConnell. The Alan F. Flynn, Jr., Flag, awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the Head of School, has accepted a position of responsibility and trust while maintaining a commitment to academic excellence, was awarded to Peter Shanley.

Two individuals closely associated with the school were also recognized for the tremendous contributions each has made to the school in unique ways. The Clarissa Palmer Volunteer Service Award, recognizing the individual who has give selflessly of time and talent to St. Michael’s, “moving the school in a positive direction,” went to Sheri-Lee Shaw of Newport. The Andrew Christensen Award, recognizing the person who has given to the school “selflessly and wholeheartedly,” went to David Howe of Jamestown, stepping down this year after six years serving as the president of the school’s Board of trustees.

The closing remarks, and a heartfelt farewell, were delivered by Stephen and Julle DeLeo of Middletown, parents of Isabella who graduated in 2009, and Stephen, one of this morning’s graduates, as well as the graduation speaker.