As commencement approaches each year at The Storm King School, excitement builds across campus—especially among the members of the graduating class. During Senior Week, students take part in a series of traditions that culminate on the evening before graduation, when seniors and their families gather for the cherished Butterfly Ceremony, Senior Banquet, and Senior Service.

For nearly two decades, the Butterfly Ceremony has served as a meaningful prelude to commencement. The tradition was established by former Dean of Students Robert Watson, who sought new ways to create memorable and engaging experiences for students. During the ceremony, a sharply-dressed senior class forms a circle on the lawn below the Millennial Gazebo. Each student receives an envelope containing a live butterfly—a symbol of transformation and new beginnings in cultures around the world—and releases it while making a wish for the future.

Following the ceremony, seniors and their families come together for the Senior Banquet before heading to the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre for Senior Service, one of the School’s most enduring commencement traditions. Senior Service provides graduating students with an opportunity to reflect on their experiences and share their thoughts with classmates, families, faculty, and friends. The tradition dates back to the tenure of Headmaster Frank Brogan (1966–1974), when Storm King held its first open-forum commencement in 1969.

This year’s Senior Service began with a processional of the Class of 2026. As each senior placed a candle on the stage, the student’s name and the college or university they will attend this fall were announced. The ceremony continued with remarks from Senior Class Dean Mr. Daniel DeLuzio, who welcomed the audience and reflected on the accomplishments of the graduating class.

The senior class selected faculty member Mr. Simon Belcher to deliver this year’s faculty address, offering words of encouragement and inspiration as students prepare for the next chapter of their journeys. Following the address, faculty member Mr. Zhenya Kiperman presented the annual Senior Slide Show, a celebration of memories from the class’s time at Storm King.

Faculty member Mr. Simon Belcher

The evening concluded with Senior Speeches, during which members of the Class of 2026 shared personal reflections on the friendships, challenges, achievements, and moments that defined their experience at SKS. Their stories highlighted not only individual growth, but also the bonds formed within the Storm King community.

The final speech of the evening, delivered by Head’s Cup recipient Wu Yichen ’26, captured the spirit of the occasion and the lasting impact of a Storm King education: “As I packed my bags this week, I realized I can’t take everything with me, but that I’ve left the best part of myself here, forever. The Storm King School isn’t just a place–it’s the people sitting here in this room right now. Tomorrow, we’ll scatter across the world to face our own complex lives. No matter where I go, everything I do will be viewed with the vision you’ve all given me.”