Cushing Academy held its 146th Commencement ceremony honoring 106 graduates on May 22, 2021. Following state and local health authority guidelines, the Academy held the ceremony in person, which brought extra joy and excitement to the event after more than a year of COVID-related restrictions.
The 146th Commencement ceremony can be watched here.
In his commencement remarks, Head of School Dr. Randy R. Bertin spoke to how Cushing’s students, faculty, and staff came together as a community to overcome the challenges of the past year and remained united and kind to one another. “We have risen to the challenges we have faced in this time of global uncertainty and division and took to heart – and action – the profound importance of understanding and perseverance as we came together to build a more understanding and inclusive community,” said Dr. Bertin. “During the last year, we looked out for one another, we supported one another, we checked in with each other, we abided by the health guidelines for each other in the Penguin Promise …. And as I asked you to consider during Convocation – we were kind to one another despite the stresses and tension around us.”
As the Cushing Academy Leadership Honoree and Commencement speaker, Cushing alumna and Emmy award-winning journalist Alita Haytayan Guillen ’88 shared with the graduates that the simple act of being curious will lead to an interesting, fulfilling, and successful life. “Graduating from Cushing Academy has prepared you for an ever-changing world. It has prepared you intellectually and emotionally. It has given you the confidence to make a difference in whatever path you choose,” said Guillen. “As you forge your own path, remember…be strong, be kind, and be curious.”
Graduate Clinton Yu, this year’s valedictorian, spoke about adjusting to life on campus when he arrived at the Academy through the support of friends and the entire Cushing community and then living through the challenge of studying remotely from an apartment in Brooklyn because of COVID. “At the beginning of this journey, we started off as newbies, as inexperienced freshmen kids,” said Yu. “By the end of this journey, we have all become the better, more mature, and successful versions of ourselves.”
The graduation also featured the traditional awards, honoring graduates for their accomplishments at Cushing. Clinton Yu received the Josephine Veinot Cook 1933 Valedictorian Award, and Yiran Eva Li was named the Alumni Salutatorian. Abdul Razak Abdul Kadir and Nicholas Lynch received the Holden 1888 Prizes for loyalty and friendship. The Pliny A. Boyd 1894 Prizes for helpfulness and citizenship went to Michael Bertin and Cooper Caiozzo. The Eaton - Dunn Prizes for finest service to Cushing Academy were awarded to Abigail Boudreau and Harry Harmon. The Senator Marcus A. Coolidge Award for student government presidents went to Riley Carr and Karabo Muhammad, and Carr was also awarded the Deborah Evans 1974 Award for dedication and school spirit. The Pliney A. Boyd Award for character, ideals, and influence was awarded to Barisere Tuka. And the Webster Moulton 1944 Award for character, contributions, and promise went to Karabo Muhammad. Congratulations to all the Class of 2021 award winners!
The faculty, staff, and board of trustees at Cushing Academy send their heartfelt congratulations to all of the 2021 graduates and their families for overcoming the many challenges of the last year and reaching this important academic and personal growth achievement.
