JUNE 9, 2011: Renbrook's 75th Commencement celebrated the graduation of 51 eighth and ninth graders heading to secondary schools in the fall. Head of School Armistead Webster, Ph.D. opened the ceremonies at 10 a.m. with the announcement that this year's program was being streamed live on the WHC-TV website, reaching online viewers worldwide as well as locally, a first in the history of the school.
The keynote address was delivered by Renbrook parent and filmmaker Peter Block, who concluded with these words: "Do what you like. Like what you do. And do it as well as you can."
The ninth grade made 4 Class Gifts all benefitting future students at the school. These included: supporting two new waterfountains for the Barnes Family Gym, plantings near the tennis courts, new jerseys for Boys Lacrosse, and the building of a canoe for the Hild family (whose Camp Merriwood has hosted the annual Grade 9 outing every fall for the past 10 years).
Following tradition, Head of Upper School Louise H. Kellogg and Dean of Students Howard Wright presented graduates with school emblems. Within each was the motto of the school: "Knowledge is the Mother of Freedom.
Dr. Webster joined Patricia McLaughlin, Board of Trustees and Alumnae/i Council Chair Remy Trager Schwartz '88 in presenting the certificates and alumnae/i gifts. The program concluded with the Student Council President ringing the school bell, followed by the school's a cappella choir, Renaissance singing "May You Go Forth in Love" by Sally K. Albrecht, conducted by Kathy Belinkie.
The Concert Band's recessional "War March of the Priests" followed Dr. Webster's closing comments. This work was written by Felix Mendelssohn, conducted by Keith Morrissette and performed by the student band.
Following the ceremony, families, friends and faculty members gathered for refreshments in Stedman Auditorium.
In the fall, graduates will be attending these schools:
Avon Old Farms School
Conard High School
Concord Academy
Emma Willard School
Farmington High School
Hall High School
Hotchkiss School
Kent School
Kingswood Oxford School
Lawrenceville School
Loomis Chaffee School
Madeira School
Miss Porter's School
Northwest Catholic High School
Remnant Global School, S. Korea
Salisbury School
Simsbury High School
St. James School
Suffield Academy
Taft School
The Ethel Walker School
The Governor's Academy
Watkinson School
Westminster School
Wheeler School
White Mountain School
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