La Lumiere's 55th Annual Commencement

On May 27, 2022, La Lumiere celebrated its fifty graduates of the Class of 2022 during the School’s 55th annual Commencement Ceremony. Commencement serves as a milestone for our community, a time to honor graduates and their important accomplishments. It is also a first step into what is beyond. 

H. David Wood, the current Chair of La Lumiere’s Board of Trustees and Class of 1977 alumnus, offered his insight to the graduates: “I want to lock you in on one thought here,” Mr. Wood said, “no matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, no matter what your calling in life is, La Lumiere was never a point in time for me. It was a forever. The things I took away from La Lumiere, I carried with me and I still do to this day.” Daniel Isaacs, the Head Prefect for the Class of 2022, recognized this point and reiterated it in his speech, saying, “No matter how long you have been here, I’m confident you can agree that La Lu truly is a special place filled with even more special people.”

Daniel also highlighted the resilience that his classmates have showcased in their time in high school, “ … all of us have faced some form of adversity or challenge in our lives. Being challenged in life is inevitable, but choosing to be defeated is optional. That leads me to the main point of my remarks, which is this: never downgrade your dreams to fit your reality; instead, upgrade your conviction to match your destiny.” Daniel encouraged his fellow graduates to be patient with their goals, to sustain the effort through the nonlinear nature of life, and to find purpose to be the fuel necessary to persevere. And, for Daniel and his classmates, they have practiced perseverance and maintained the La Lumiere experience through their time at our school. 

“What really matters, didn’t change. The connections between one another, the close-knit relationships, the mutual support, the genuine encounters, these didn’t falter for a second, because you didn’t let them,” Head of School Adam Kronk said in his address. “You soldiered through tenaciously. And when all was said and done, you carried this school, you carried one another forward. And that always has been and always will be what this place is all about.”

Even as our Lakers depart from our school in the woods and launch into their future paths, they always know there is support waiting for them back at La Lumiere. “Seniors, I just want this to sink in for a quick minute as you sit there—there are a lot of people who have your back. And as you leave this place, you need to know we’re here for you, we’re cheering for you, and we’re excited about what is next,” Mr. Kronk said. 

THE FOLLOWING AWARDS WERE GIVEN DURING THE CEREMONY FOR DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT:

James R. Moore Scholar Athlete Award   

Caroline DePalma & Owen Kmety   

Senior Award for Stellar Academic Performance

Lauren Jaracz

The Pearce Family Award for Excellence in Christian Discipleship 

Isaac Fielder

Head of School Award for Growth and Development

Hugo Arias

Senior Award for Service to Younger Students  

Jonathan Starling

The Aameer Sahi “One of Us Award”   

Jana Malachovská

Alan R. Hannan “Unsung Hero Award”   

Brooke Borkowski                 

Trustees Award for Leadership Based on Character  

Lauren Jaracz        

The La Lumiere Alumni Memorial Award

Emma Heffron