On Saturday, June 3, 2023, The Storm King School held its 155th Commencement for 43 graduating seniors and 4 postgraduates.  A speech given by New York Assemblymember Christopher Eachus highlighted this year’s ceremony as 26 young men and 21 young women from 10 countries and four states were awarded their diplomas. Families and friends from all over the world gathered in the Storm King gymnasium to watch this diverse and talented class transition to the next phase of their lives and become alumni of the School.

The ceremony began with the sound of bagpipes as the processional of faculty led by Head of School Jonathan Lamb, Assistant Head of School for Academics Dr. Timothy Lance, Storm King School Board of Trustees First Vice Chair Robert Docherty ’72, and Mr. Eachus entered the venue followed by the smiling Class of 2023. True to tradition, students representing the nations making up the senior class greeted the audience in their native languages, followed by a moving rendition of “America the Beautiful” by the SKS Chorus.

After all were seated, Mr. Lamb welcomed the seniors and their families and reviewed the accomplishments of the graduating class: “The Class of 2023 will attend prestigious colleges and universities throughout the United States, as well as Canada, the UK, Spain, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and Mexico. Some of the class plans to pursue STEM-based paths ranging from engineering, biology, and computer science, to atmospheric sciences, nursing, and marine biology. Some will pursue general liberal arts majors in sociology, history, economics, pre-law, and psychology. In addition, many will pursue programs in the arts, including media design, fashion merchandising, animation, dance, filmmaking, and fine arts at some of the nation’s top art colleges.”

In addition to their academic accomplishments, members of the senior class helped win 10 Hudson Valley Athletic Conference League Championships over four years. Five students committed to play NCAA sports in college; two at the Division III level, two at the Division II level, and one at the Division I level. In addition, the Class of 2023 logged 1,260 hours of community service this year and over 4,300 hours over four years.  In the arts, the senior class won 9 gold medals and 6 silver awards and one portfolio award from the Scholastic National Student Art competition. Another graduating artist received a Congressional Art Award with their work hanging in the Halls of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Following his profile of the class, Mr. Lamb introduced Storm King’s 155th commencement speaker, Assemblymember Eachus, who spoke of his time as a teacher at Storm King and encouraged the new graduates to find their voices and use their power to vote: “Go forth in whatever you are destined to do, and also in something you find immense importance and pleasure in doing. Always remember the basics you have been taught here at The Storm King School and continue to use your talents for good.”

Following Mr. Eachus’ words, Dr. Lance came to the podium to present the 2023 Commencement Awards. To complete the ceremony, diplomas were presented by Mr. Docherty, Mr. Lamb, Dr. Lance, and Assemblymember Eachus. As each smiling new graduate exited the stage, the tassel on their cap was flipped from right to left, officially concluding their high school career and their life on the Mountain.

Excitement was high among the graduates as all rose to sing the Storm King Alma Mater before the processional exited the gym to the cheers of the audience concluding the 155th commencement at The Storm King School. After the ceremony, the graduates and their families gathered on the athletic field to toss their caps and mingle with faculty members to say their farewells.

2023 Commencement Awards

STORM KING SCHOLARS

The Storm King Scholar Award is granted to those students who have consistently achieved at the highest academic levels and who have contributed significantly to other areas of campus life.

Edward Iannuzzi-Sucich ’23, Aleksandr Nuzhnyi ’23, Ziqi Li ’23

THE RILEY CUP

The Riley Cup is given in recognition of former Headmaster Philip Riley “to honor in perpetuity an outstanding member of the staff and an outstanding student who have contributed to the School’s community ethos in practical and creative ways.”

James Bennett and Nina Gannon ’23

THE SPY ROCK CUP

The Spy Rock Cup is awarded annually to that senior whose performance and contributions to our school have fostered its best interests and traditions.

Elena Centeno ’23

THE HEADMASTER’S CUP

The Headmaster’s Cup is a gift of Mrs. Anson Barker, whose husband was the headmaster of The Storm King School for 19 years. Since 1938, the Headmaster’s Cup, inscribed “for cheerfulness of spirit and enthusiasm,” is annually awarded to that senior whose love for the School is profound.

Yuecheng Zhao ’23

THE STORM KING CUP

The Storm King Cup is the highest commencement award and an enduring tradition at the School whose recipient is chosen by a vote of the faculty, staff, and students. Since 1915 it has been won “by students who have distinguished themselves by their personal qualities and their accomplishments. What other positive traits they have manifested, they have shared the traits of idealism, quiet courage, and a vision of the School as it could be.”

Kenzo Sadiku ’23