Jun. 19, 2013:  At the stroke of 6:45 pm on June 15, one hundred six graduating members of Bronxville High School's Class of 2013, many of them "thirteeners" who spent all of their school years at The Bronxville School, made the procession up the school's front walk, their last time together as classmates and students.

Proud family members, teachers, alumni, and friends provided an enthusiastic and supportive audience for the graduates, led in procession by Principal Terence Barton.

Keeping with tradition, graduating women wore long white dresses and carried red flowers, and graduating men wore white dinner jackets with red boutonnières in their lapels.

Principal Barton welcomed everyone to Bronxville High School's 91st commencement by noting that this evening "we celebrate the culmination of the high school experience for a wonderful group of young men and women." Principal Barton retires this year, making this the last Bronxville School graduation in which he will participate.

"It is my honor to celebrate with everyone the Class of 2013," Barton said as he presented the graduation awards to class members who distinguished themselves by excelling in academics and fine arts through their high school careers.

Ilhan Gokhan and James Faville received awards for overall academic excellence. Awards for academic excellence in specific disciplines were presented to Tepi Ennis for English; Ilhan Gokhan for Latin; Cyrus Adamiyatt for science and social studies; Thomas Harrison for mathematics; and Rosalie James for Spanish. Juliana Kim received the Frank D. Littell Award for Excellence in French.

The Gwinn Arts Awards for Excellence, presented in memory of board of education trustee Ralph Gwinn, went to Mark Manley and Ilhan Gokhan for instrumental music; Josh Geiling for vocal music; William Tarry and Victoria Corbo for drama; and Meredith Rizzo for visual arts.

A special award, given on behalf of the Bronxville Teachers' Association to a student who has indicated the desire to pursue a career in education, went to Danielle Kelly.

Themes of compassion, joy, and connection provided strong messages for the evening's speakers.  In drawing an analogy between the class and the literary and cinematic paradigm of strangers tossed together and isolated on a desert island, Elena Licursi, president of the student-faculty legislature, said, "It becomes clear that each surviving member of the group is a unique individual with a unique personality, but also someone who brings a special perspective and skill for the good of the group." She characterized her fellow class members as compassionate, creative, and caring people who made their "island" thrive.

"I look forward to seeing the light you bring to this world," Licursi said to her classmates.

Class of 2013 president Peter Dejoy reflected on the diverse nature of the lessons his class learned, from academics to sports to social life and the arts. "The past four years, more so than anything else," he said, "have been a search for our individual identities. This self knowledge is far more important than anything in a class can teach."

DeJoy reminded class members that they have all laid the foundation for their identities that will provide a foundation for the rest of their lives.

Giselle Licursi, mother of Elena and Paul Licursi and chosen by the Class of 2013 to be their parent speaker, told the graduates, "I'm not going to share my view of the world with you. I'm going to share my view of you with the world."

"You have taught me that you are secure in what you know and comfortable in sharing your knowledge," Licursi said. "What lies within each of you is the potential for greatness. Your spirit is just too big to fail."

Anne Abbatecola, director of counseling, read the roster of graduates, and David Brashear, president of the board of education, presented diplomas to the Class of 2013.

Barton reminded the graduates that The Bronxville School is a "very special and unique family that now, as graduates, you and I will become an even more special part of. Personally, I am honored to have known you and will be anxious to watch as you move on in life and become great citizens."

Having received their diplomas, Bronxville High School's Class of 2013 formed a procession behind their principal, Terence Barton, who encouraged them to "follow me as we all move forward to new adventures."

Congratulations to all the graduates!

To see pictures of graduation, click here:  Bronxville High School Graduation 2013.

Pictured here:  Class president Peter DeJoy addressing the Class of 2013 at The Bronxville School graduation.

Photos by Jim Hudson and Rick Rugani