Commencement 2012

Parents, students, faculty, staff, and alums gathered in the courtyard for Indian Mountain School’s 89th graduation ceremony on Friday, June 8, 2012. The beautiful sunny weather set the scene as 39 upbeat ninth graders and 24 departing eighth-graders bid farewell to their friends and teachers before heading off for the summer and on to secondary school. 

Piper K. Lee Collins led the procession of honorees, while the eighth grade marshals, Will Bliss and Mia Vantine, directed graduates to their seats. Mr. Devey welcomed everyone with opening remarks, and the exciting day began. The Reverend Diane Monti-Catania from the Salisbury Congregational Church gave the invocation followed by the traditional singing of America the Beautiful, led by Ms. Joanna Seaton, accompanied by Donald Sosin. Next, Mr. Ram Miles directed a group of IMS singers and musicians in a performance of Home by Edward Sharpe. The Mountain Voices later performed The Call/No Need to Say Goodbye by Regina Spektor.

After welcoming remarks, Mr. Devey announced the top scholars and awarded the major school prizes:

Triangle Prize: Ken Park

The Riggs Prize: Jesse Calder

The Doolittle Prize: Griffin Hochstetter

The Schutte Prize: Jonathan Cook

McMillen Prize: Lilly Schopp

Dunham Prize: Michael Carter

Rouse Prize: Mary Ma
Head of School Awards: Caitlin Wood, Kade McCoy, Talia Bush, Michael Namon, Joe Kim

John S. W. Spofford Award: Dan Bliss P’11’13

Mountain Cards: Bette Rosse P’13’17 and Christina Lang P’12

Dunham Chair: Jay Barillaro P’20’22

Mr. Devey also honored departing trustees George A. Benington ’81 and Helen Watson Blodgett P’08’11 and introduced our commencement speaker Mike Brown, who is retiring after 38 years of service to IMS. Mr. Brown addressed the graduates with a message that spotlighted his commitment to the natural beauty of our campus and time spent on Indian Mountain. He urged graduates to respect the environment and take action to protect our earth.

The ninth grade giving committee presented the ninth grade gift of $500 to the IMS Annual Fund, and then Mr. Devey and Mr. Fowler presented the graduates with their diplomas, and departing eighth graders received certificates.

After the ceremony, graduates and their families enjoyed a delicious lunch in the dining hall before saying their goodbyes for the summer. We expect everyone to stay in touch with our Alumni Office and return to the IMS campuses often! The Class of 2012 Alumni Reps are Michael Namon, Jonathan Cook, Talia Bush, Lilly Schopp, Min Chan Kim, and Mary Ma. Photos of the day can be viewed and purchased online from Tory Estern Jadow Photography.

Congratulations to all of our ninth grade graduates and departing eighth graders:

CLASS OF 2012

CLASS OF 2013

Juan Carlos Balcazar Dot