By Carol P. Bartold, Senior Reporter     

Jun. 21, 2017: Although an afternoon of steady rain threatened to move Bronxville High School's 95th annual commencement indoors, showers subsided in time for one hundred thirteen members of the Class of 2017 to enjoy the tradition of receiving their diplomas at the steps of The Bronxville School. Family members and friends gathered on the school's front lawn on Saturday evening, June 17, to enjoy the ceremony and celebrate the seniors' graduation.

Recipients of department awards for excellence awarded during the ceremony were Margaret McKelvey for English, Thomas Maldonado for mathematics, James Swartz for science, Alexander Leibovitz for Latin, Ethan Reich for social studies, Raquel Guzman for Spanish, and Remi Laurence for French.

Charles Vorbach received the award for Overall Academic Excellence.

The Gwinn Arts Awards, given in memory of former board of education trustee Ralph Gwinn, were presented to Remi Laurence for Excellence in Instrumental Orchestra Music, to Lindsay Nobles and David DiMolfetta for Excellence in Instrumental Band Music, and to Abigail Geiling for Excellence in Vocal Music. Emma MacKinnon received the award for Excellence in Fine Arts, and Max Clarke received the award for Excellence in Drama.

Dr. Quattrone presenting the inaugural David Quattrone Award for Engaged Citizenship to Margaret McKelvey (photo by A. Warner).

Margaret McKelvey received the inaugural David Quattrone Award for Engaged Citizenship. In a special presentation, Dr. Rachel Kelly, assistant superintendent for human resources and pupil services, introduced the establishment of the award, created not only to honor retiring Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone but also to recognize dedication to one of the four dispositions of The Bronxville Promise--to collaborate and to serve.

In his remarks to the Class of 2017, Thomas Maldonado, class president, reminded his fellow seniors that "Bronxville is a community unbelievably rich with relationships that will last a lifetime. We share a bond unlike the one I've seen anywhere else." He urged class members to reflect on the relationships they have formed over the years at The Bronxville School.

Aidan Flannery, Student Faculty Legislature president, encouraged seniors to cherish the moment before them. "Remember those who are sitting to your right and left this evening, and remember fondly the time we have spent in Bronxville. We will not always be here but we will always remember moments like these," he said. Flannery encouraged classmates to thank the individuals who have had a great impact on them.

Parent speaker Catherine Krall (photo by A. Warner).

Catherine Krall, parent of senior Caroline Krall, and selected parent speaker by the Class of 2017, shared the top ten wishes from parents to graduates. Among those wishes, she urged the seniors to follow their own paths. "College is the greatest blank slate you will ever receive," she said. "Choose to do what you love and it will never feel like work."

Krall encouraged the Class of 2017 to start developing the emotional intelligence that will determine overall success and happiness in life, to continue contributing time and develop leadership skills through volunteer work, and to continue to develop their strengths.

"The number-one wish from every parent in the audience today," Krall told the seniors, "is to always remember … you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you can ever know."

Congratulations to Bronxville High School's Class of 2017!

To see photos of the commencement, click here.

Pictured here (at top):  Bronxville High School Class of 2017.

Photos above and photos in link by A. Warner