‘Character and Leadership' Emphasized at New Canaan Country School Closing Exercises

“Character is higher than intellect,” Mr. O’Neill quoted from Ralph Waldo Emerson. “It has been a hallmark of your education at Country School.”

 

“Much like the stone walls which surround our campus, your character and education have been built piece by piece, are rock solid and will endure a lifetime.” Mr. O’Neill continued, “Country School has given you a strong foundation, now you must continue to build upon it.”

 

Ninth Grader Ian Murphy of Wilton delivered the Class Salutation.

 

“Leadership has been emphasized in the ninth grade. Both as individuals and as a whole grade, we have been made aware of our impact on the school and its students. This year the ninth grade thrived in community leadership, involvement and friendliness, which took place in the hallways, sports fields and everywhere in between. To be a true, well-rounded leader of a community the ability to care for and communicate with its members is key and is something that the class of 2015 was able to demonstrate every day,” he said.

 

Avery York of Norwalk presented the Class Reflection. She addressed her classmates: “We should focus on what parts of Country School we will take with us. I will take the beauty of the campus… the tools necessary to be a successful adult, the kindness and compassion of the community and the knowledge of how to be a good friend.”

 

 

Class of 2015 graduate Nick Toldalagi of New Canaan received the Paul Johansen Award, which is presented to “the member of the graduating class who stands for the qualities which Paul embodied: care and concern for others, compassion and a sense of community.”

 

Both the Gamble and Johansen awards are named in honor of two courageous students who waged inspiring battles against fatal illnesses while students at Country School.

 

The Class of 2015 will attend the following secondary schools: Berkshire School, Brien McMahon High School, BMHS – Center For Global Studies, Deerfield Academy, Greens Farms Academy, Greenwich Academy, King Low Heywood Thomas, Loomis Chaffee School, Middlesex School, Millbrook School, Milton Academy, Miss Porter’s School, New Canaan High School, Philips Academy Andover, Philips Academy Exeter, Rye Country Day School, Salisbury School, St. Andrew’s School, St. Luke’s School, St. Paul’s School, Suffield Academy, Taft School, The Masters School, Westminster School and Wilton High School.

The Class of 2015 included: Nate Aliapoulios, Anna Bean, Gabriel Byan, Seve Calderini, Phoebe Casey, Claire Collins, Matt Dormer, Kricket Drewes, Nick English, Spencer Epps, Nick Fellows, Ari Fleuriot, Katharine Foster, Connor Galante, Chase Glover, Lucy Hudson, Zach Liston, Kathryn McCaughey, George McGlade, Dana Mills, Ian Murphy, Ryan Neafsey, Scout O’Donnell, Clayton Prawl, Alexandra Schwartz, P.J. Sensbach, Tucker Seth, Ben Sosnow, Sabrina Sotirhos, Walker Stevens, James Tait, Emma Tapscott, Kate Tapscott, Carson Teitler, Christina Toldalagi, Nick Toldalagi, Alexandra Truwit, Ryan Ventura, Finn Walker, Grant Wang, Ezra White, C.J. Woodberry, Avery York, Leigh Young-Lawler, Brian Zaffino, Christopher Ziac and Maia Zonis.