Speeches from Salutatorian Jared Gentile ’16 and Valedictorian Joss Saltzman ’16 highlighted the class of 2016’s commencement ceremony Friday on Ted Slavin Field.

Gentile used a series of jokes and his personal story of coming to the school as a new ninth grader to urge the audience members to be confident and happy in their own skin, while Saltzman stressed the importance of thinking and working as one with others, as well as the importance of pursuing new interests.

President Rick Commons awarded Nicole Araya ’16 the Veritas award, recognizing her for her achievements in art, academics and athletics. Adam Yaron ’16 received the Bishop’s medal for his work in performing arts and academics, as well as his involvement on Prefect Council.

The ceremony began with a procession of faculty members, wearing academic regalia, and the class of 2016, wearing black and white robes. Following the procession, Chaplain J. Young delivered the invocation, and Commons briefly spoke to the graduating class.

“Every class has its own personality,” Commons said. “One year the class might be unusually accomplished academically. Another year it might be mischievous. Another year it might be noticeably kind and supportive. The Class of 2016 happens to be all of these at once.”

After Gentile’s and Saltzman’s speeches, Head of School Jeanne Huybrechts read the name of each graduating student as Commons shook hands and presented diplomas. Seniors with relatives who are members of the faculty or the board of trustees were permitted to receive their diplomas from them.

The ceremony, which was broadcast live on HWTV and can be seen below, concluded with the Class of 2016 throwing their caps into the air.