On Saturday, June 2, The Storm King School held its historic 150th commencement on the lawn in front of the Stephen P. Duggan Bell Tower. A speech given by NY Assemblyman James Skoufis highlighted this year’s ceremony as 26 young men and 15 young women from 5 continents, 15 countries, and 5 states were awarded their diplomas. Families and friends from all over the world were greeted with clear skies as they gathered to watch this talented group of new graduates transition to the next phase of their lives and become alumni of the School.

 

 

After 10 chimes of the bell and the sound of bagpipes, the processional of faculty led by Headmaster Jonathan Lamb, Dean of Academics Harold Heno, and Assemblyman Skoufis entered the venue followed by the smiling senior class of 2018. True to Storm King tradition, students representing the 15 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: “Today is about us acknowledging you and your accomplishments. It has been another tremendous school year, thanks to the hard work of the faculty and staff, and to all of our students. When I think of this class and what you have done with this year and during your time at Storm King; when I think about some of the choices that you have made individually and collectively; when I think about the qualities I have seen in so many of you, I see you as a special group of people.” Mr. Lamb went on to outline some of the accomplishments of the class, including 24 HVAL Championships,  14 bids to the New England (NEPSAC) tournaments,  two NEPSAC Tournament Championships for the boys basketball team, countless academic, creative, and artist accomplishments, and more than 5,000 hours of service volunteered in the local community.

 

 

Following the next song “This is Me” by the Storm King Choir, Mr. Lamb called Storm King’s 150th commencement speaker to the podium. “It is with great pleasure that I introduce NY Assemblyman James Skoufis, a Hudson Valley native who’s principle motivation as an elected official is to level the playing field and be a voice for the underserved and voiceless,” he said.  During his address to the senior class, Mr. Skoufis stressed the importance of “stepping up” for this generation and those to come, and charged the new graduates with “protecting the ideals of the School, the country, and the world.”

 

 

“Whether you’re from here in the United States or you eventually plan to return to your home country, we need you to step up. We need you to step up not only for the rest of us but for the generations that will come after you as well. It could mean running for office, it could mean serving your community’s needs as a volunteer, it could mean giving back once you enter the corporate world, it could simply mean lifting a neighbor up who you know is struggling. If you have the will to be a decent human being, you’ll no doubt find the most appropriate outlet for your goodness,” explained Mr. Skoufis.

 

 

At the conclusion of Mr. Skoufis’ speech, graduating senior Scott Rolon performed “Corner of the Sky,” followed by the presentation of the 2018 Commencement Awards by Dean of Academic Harold Heno, Vice Chairman of the Storm King Board of Trustees Ms. Michelle DeFreece P’14, Headmaster Lamb, and Assemblyman Skoufis. After the awards, Mr. Lamb asked the underclassman in the audience to stand for their official promotion to their next class year. Following the class promotions, diplomas were presented to the senior class by Ms. DeFreece, and the seniors were congratulated by Mr. Heno, Mr. Lamb, and Mr. Skoufis. As the new graduates exited the stage, Assistant Headmaster for Student and Residential Life Alan Lewis carried out the important duty of flipping the tassels on their caps from right to left, thus officially completing their high school careers and concluding their lives on the Mountain.

 

 

Emotions were high among the graduates as all rose to sing the Alma Mater. Then, once again to the sound of bagpipes, the processional exited the lawn to conclude the 150th commencement at The Storm King School. Following 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.

 

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