Excited chatter spilled through open Chapel windows on the walk down Brick Row as the community gathered for the Spring Academic Awards and Moving Up Ceremony. A highlight of the year, the ceremony recognizes academic standouts spanning grade levels. Department awards and prizes in honor of beloved alumni and past faculty were also bestowed to deserving recipients.

Associate Head of School Brenda Petersen began the program by thanking students for their overwhelming support of the Faculty & Staff dance at this year’s Spring Dance Recital. “What made all the stress and practice worth it was the reaction of the students,” Petersen said. “On Monday night, we surprised the students with our performance, and they cheered for us as if we were Taylor Swift on an opening night…it was the biggest affirmation I have ever felt in my entire career.” 

Petersen, Head of School Suzanne Walker Buck P ’24 and Dean of Academic Affairs Wanda Boesch-Cordon continued the program by then affirming the hard work and dedication of over 150 students across business, science, mathematics, the humanities, education, the arts and more. Military appointments were also honored and community service recognized. 

Click here to view the complete list of recognized individuals.

Click here to read award descriptions.

After a moving combined performance of “Illuminati” by The Academy Choir and The Academy String Orchestra, Buck addressed the community with the familiar words of Henry Van Dyke:

“Time is too slow for those who wait,
Too swift for those who fear,
Too long for those who grieve,
Too short for those who rejoice,
but for those who love, time is eternity.”

The poem, etched onto the sundial positioned before our Veteran’s Memorial, offers an important perspective shift, especially during a stressful final week of school. Best not cram for those finals or be so quick to finish that you miss the current moment. And yet, worry not. The WRA community is full of big hearts, which speaks to the emotion palpable in the Chapel and across campus each year. For those who love, time is eternity.

At the end of the program, Buck invited each group of students to stand together and “move up.” She recognized one-year PGs/seniors for their short but courageous impact, two-year seniors for their fortitude and resilience, three-year seniors for their connective spirit and four-year seniors for their steady and inspiring leadership. One by one, each group exited the Chapel for the last time as students. In the rows they left behind, juniors took new seats at the front of the Chapel. The program continued until empty rows marked the place where incoming freshmen will begin their own Reserve journeys next year. 

New class Co-Presidents Ellie Flores ’27 and Patrick Williams ’27 closed the ceremony with a reflection on our light-filled Bicentennial year. “We foresee a bright and luminous future, and we cannot wait to lead you all in light and truth next school year!” they said. 

But first, of course, summer. 

“Have a great summer!” they called out, a fitting conclusion to a ceremony celebrating hard work, growth and all that lies ahead.

As we turn to final exams, packing up and saying goodbye, we are endlessly grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a dynamic community of learning and growing. Here’s to the hope that time moves a little faster through finals and a little slower through celebrations this weekend. Congratulations, Reserve, on another outstanding year.

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