Eaglebrook celebrates the Class of 2020 virtually as the school year draws to a close
The 98th and first-ever Commencement in the School’s history was held on Friday, May 29. The Commencement celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2020 and the conclusion of both the 2019-2020 school year and more uniquely, the School’s completion of a distance learning term in response to the global pandemic this spring.
The spring term presented a unique set of challenges by demanding schools all around the world to facilitate learning, social connections, student health, and a sense of community while still practicing social distancing in order to keep students and their families safe. Eaglebrook educators were challenged to recreate the essence of the Eaglebrook experience through an online platform. This challenge carried over to the celebration of the school year and the Class of 2020.
Although students were not able to return to campus to celebrate the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year, there was certainly no lack of support from members of the Eaglebrook community. The events which premiered on the School’s YouTube channel allowed students, family members, and faculty from all around the world to exchange words of encouragement and pride as the celebration unfolded. The overwhelming support from the Eaglebrook community reflected the lasting mark that the Class of 2020 had on Eaglebrook.
Commencement
Fred Chrysler’s address on behalf of the graduating class emphasized the enduring impression that Eaglebrook will have on this year’s graduating class, as well as the lasting mark that the class of 2020 made on Eaglebrook. “Of course, I am disappointed that we missed our senior spring, but I know that Eaglebrook will always be a part of us. We carry it with us from this day forward as proud alumni,” said Chrylser.
The 98th Commencement Exercises were highlighted by an inspiring Commencement Address from Bridget Brink – mother of Jack Higgins ‘20 and the United States Ambassador to Slovakia. In her address, Ambassador Brink discussed her first experience working as a United States diplomat in Yugoslavia in 1990.
Brink’s first experience working as a diplomat was far different than she had ever envisioned. She found herself in the midst of turmoil as she endeavored to facilitate peace in the midst of the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo. Brink talked about the challenges she faced when she was struck by the reality of human violence and chaos. Though thinking about this hardship still affects her today, she is ultimately grateful for her experience in Yugoslavia because it led to her appreciation for freedom, democracy, and education.
“The things that shape human action – your family, your values, your community, your experiences – have a profound effect on how you view and act in this world. It is in this context that I want to underscore how much your education matters: to you, to us, and to the kind of world in which we live,” said Brink.
Brink's vast experience dealing with global affairs has led her to appreciate both the triumphs and failures that are inherent to the Eaglebrook experience. She recognized the challenge of living away from home at a young age and the growth that derives from overcoming the obstacles of boarding school life.
“The reason that we, as your parents, entrusted this precious time in your lives to Eaglebrook is because we believe in your capability to meet these challenges and we think that building the skills you need to meet them is the most important thing we can do as parents... to raise independent and compassionate adults who are ready to face the problems of today,” said Brink.
This year’s 98th Commencement was the grand finale of a series of virtual events and performances that Eaglebrook launched to celebrate its 2019-2020 school year. The festivities started on Sunday, May 24 with a virtual Baccalaureate service. Although students were not able to travel down to the First Church of Deerfield to honor the graduating class of 2020, the virtual ceremony still gave students the opportunity to reflect on their experiences at Eaglebrook just before finishing their last classes of the spring term.
Baccalaureate
The Baccalaureate service was highlighted by Mr. Karl J. Koenigsbauer’s virtual address to the School and the Sixth Formers. In his address, he explained that he had asked the Sixth Form students to give him their definitions of success. He mentioned that Merriam Webster defines success as “the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” Koenigsbauer found that the responses he received from the Sixth Formers were far superior to the dictionary definition of success. He found that Eaglebrook students measured success based on growth, helping others, and accomplishing their goals.
It is no coincidence that Koenigsbauer used success as one of his themes for his Baccalaureate address. Throughout the school year, the Class of 2020 had experienced a great deal of success in many aspects of campus life, including their collective placement process for secondary schools.
“They were a high character class of kids and they were an engaged group in a variety of different ways… There were a lot of things that lined up well for this class,” said Koenigsbauer.
Good Fellow
Throughout the final week of school, Eaglebrook had a variety of virtual celebrations that honored the hard work, commitment, and most importantly, the character that Eaglebrook students and faculty displayed throughout the school year. The Good Fellow Ceremony – a favored Eaglebrook tradition – celebrates the student that best exemplifies the spirit of Eaglebrook. This year’s recipient of the Good Fellow award was Ryan McHugh ’20.
Ryan was a tri-varsity athlete, president of the Student Council, and a friend to all during his time at Eaglebrook. Typically, the Sixth Form celebrates the Good Fellow recipient by chasing him down and throwing him in the Whipple Pond for his or her sacred victory lap. Although Ryan was able to stay dry this spring, he did have the opportunity to describe why Eaglebrook was such a special experience to him.
“[Regardless of] who you are, where you’re from, or what you like to do… it is inevitable that you’re going to become friends with your neighbors at Eaglebrook,” said McHugh.
Athletic and Academic Awards
The School had the opportunity to celebrate the athletic and academic accomplishments of its students. The Athletics Ceremony included a video montage highlighting each Sixth Former and the sports they played while at Eaglebrook. Luke Williams, Director of Athletics then closed by saying, “Sixth Formers, even though you lost your final season, nothing can take away the memories that you have over your time at Eaglebrook, the impact you had on the School and the lessons you learned while playing sports at Eaglebrook.”
The student’s academic accomplishments were also honored. Nick Leyden, Director of Studies, honored those who earned commendations for their performance, recognized those who performed admirably in the arts and those whose grades were consistently the highest.
“Your efforts to remain engaged this spring are particularly noteworthy. Our unexpected separation from campus presented many new challenges for you as students. It also presented many new opportunities to further develop important skills,” said Leyden.
Yearbook Dedication
Another important end of year tradition is the dedication of the 2019-2020 Talon (Eaglebrook’s Yearbook) to a faculty member that had a special impact on members of the Sixth Form. This year's Sixth Form voted to dedicate the 2019-2020 yearbook to Chet Pielock – a beloved member of the Science Department, an advisor in Taylor House, and the swimming and water polo programs.
The excitement, sense of adventure, and humor that Pielock carries with him has made him an influential member of the Eaglebrook faculty. His famous rocketry elective has enthralled both students and colleagues for years. Pielock aspires to make learning a fun process for all of the students that he works with.
“Without fun [education] is work and education should not be work. That’s why I’ve done it for my entire life,” said Pielock in his address to the School.
You can watch the dedication, and the always entertaining video yearbook and Sixth Form video by clicking here.
The Play “How to Survive Life in a Quarantine”
It was clear that students that participated in the spring virtual play, "How to Survive Life in Quarantine" had taken on Pielock’s philosophy on having fun while learning. This play featured a series of sketches that satirized the challenge of staying occupied while quarantined. The play featured all sorts of wacky characters from a boy that has befriended his volleyball, to a self-proclaimed “style guru.” Though the actors had to record their skits individually, the sketches were cleverly woven together by commentary from Gavin Mariani ’20 and Oliver Kan ’21.
“Imaginative, relevant, and truly funny… This was the best thing I’ve watched all quarantine,” commented Assistant Head, Paul Cyr-Mutty.
“How to Survive Life in Quarantine” was one of the many examples we saw of Eaglebrook students and faculty using their creativity and problem-solving skills to overcome the challenges that they were presented with this past spring – just as Briget Brink had envisioned. Although it was disappointing that Eaglebrook was not able to celebrate the Class of 2020 in person, there was no lapse in support, creativity, and enthusiasm as we said goodbye to a graduating class that will always be remembered on the Hill.
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