By Leila Pan, Assistant Back-page Editor |

Commencement! The day when the Winsor community comes together to celebrate the graduating seniors. As the final week of the school year rapidly approaches, I’m curious what feelings people have about Commencement. For me, Commencement is an opportunity to celebrate and commemorate the seniors’ journey as Winsor students.

To gain more insight into how faculty in the Winsor community feel about Commencement, I asked the Class VI dean, and Ms. Albright responded that her “favorite part is when everyone sings the song that the seniors picked” because she “love[s] that we can all participate” in celebrating the seniors together. She also shared that her favorite memory was watching last year’s Commencement, since she was the senior dean and recognized that it was “the last moment before they go off.” 

I also wondered if Winsor Upper Schoolers and Lower Schoolers would have similar perspectives. Clara Humphrey ’28 shared that her favorite parts of Commencement are “watching the seniors get their diplomas,” “cheer[ing] everyone on,” and “pictur[ing] what it will be like when [her] grade is up there.” Humphrey added that walking into the tent “is when it really sinks in that the school year is ending.” 

Lower Schooler Lucy Mohan ’30 commented, “My favorite part of Commencement is when the seniors walk into the tent. Everyone’s clothes and smiles are so beautiful, and there’s a big feeling of excitement.” 

Commencement is not only a time of celebration and a final goodbye to the seniors, but it also closes the school year with a community event that Winsor students participate in until they’re seniors themselves, creating an impactful full-circle moment. The fact that various people within the Winsor community have different favorite memories and ideas about the importance of Commencement demonstrates how special the event can be for everyone, and how it truly brings so many great memories for any student or faculty of the Winsor community. 

Image Source: John Gillooly (Canto)      |     Class of ‘25 Graduation