Congratulations to the Indian Creek School Class of 2019!

“There have been two characteristics over the course of high school that have defined the Class of 2019: Perseverance and Attitude.
 
We have grown into the young adults that you—our parents, our teachers, and our friends—have built us up to be.
 
We are unique. We are valuable. We are more than just a class of students, or student athletes, or artists, or mathletes. We are the next group of people to impact our communities and influence each other to strive ambitiously for what we believe in. We are the next group of people to take this world by storm and have self-assurance in the way we will do it. We are confident in our ability to do the right thing.
 
This is the end of our development here at Indian Creek School, but we are still growing, and we are still striving for excellence.
 
…Actually, this is only the beginning.
 
To every staff member, teacher, classmate, family member, sibling, and parent who went with us on this journey: Thank you.”
 
With these words, senior class speaker Khalil Williams spoke for and to the Indian Creek School Class of 2019 at their graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 1, in the Jack and Nancy Becker Center for Performing Arts at Indian Creek School.
 
This ceremony was quite poignant, as the Class of 2019 gathered for the last time as seniors – and Indian Creek students – before officially becoming Indian Creek School alumni. Student Government Association President Liam Lonergan welcomed the friends, family, and faculty, and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, Head of School Rick Branson addressed the Class of 2019 and challenged the students to become active participants in the life and to go out and make a positive impact on the world.
 
Class of 2019 President Daniel Garland presented the senior class gift, noting that his class is the first in Indian Creek School history to have 100% student participation in donating to the Annual Fund. He shared that the seniors have decided to donate the balance of their class account to the Annual Fund, which will specifically benefit Athletics and Fitness. “The Class of 2019 is excited to be able to enhance Indian Creek School with this gift,” he stated. Andrew Weinberg took the class for a walk through some of their greatest memories from their time at Indian Creek, eliciting laughs (and groans) from the audience. Then Kaitlyn Kokoski took the podium to honor Head of the Upper School Gerry Connolly, who will teach Latin full-time next year. She presented Mr. Connolly with a graduation cap, signed by the entire Class of 2019, so that he could participate in the turning of the tassel ritual with them.
 
Dr. Branson then awarded two of the most prestigious awards in Indian Creek tradition. The Anne Chambers Achievement Award was presented to Sam Anderson and Ronan Fanning, and the Jim Clauson Service Award was presented to Parker Booth.
 
Board Chair (and Class of 2019 parent) Lynne Sullivan congratulated the Class of 2019, saying “I love this class, and I am so proud of you,” before introducing the keynote speaker Mr. Connolly. Mr. Connolly then regaled the senior class – and the entire audience – with stories of his childhood as the youngest of four children. His presentation shared important messages with the class, including the always important, “It’s not about you.” The audience left the ceremony inspired by the lesson that “If you work harder than you think, you can accomplish much more than you imagined.”
 
With this message in hand, diplomas were presented, tassels were turned, hats were tossed, hugs were given, and the Class of 2019 set off to change the world!

A downloadable gallery of graduation photos can be found at this link or by logging into the ICS website and navigating to News > Featured Content > Media > Class of 2019 Graduation. Professional photos from Lifetouch studios will be shared in the coming weeks.
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Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland.  Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.