Soar Across the Night Sky like Stars, Brightening the World – Keystone Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony
Congratulations, Keystone Class of 2024! Saturday, May 18 marked the official Graduation Ceremony for an “incredible class” of Keystone students. As the 96 new graduates prepare to journey off into the world, they will carry the radiant light of their spirited class with them, inspiring new people just as they have inspired the Keystone community. More than their outstanding academic achievements and dedication to the school’s community and beyond, the Keystone Class of 2024 will leave their mark through the powerful connection they shared together.
The graduation festivities started Friday, with a farewell parade around the Keystone campus. The graduates took one final trip around the school, warmly supported by their former teachers, schoolmates, and staff who lined the halls and walkways around the school, cheering as the Class of 2024 marched by. On Friday night, after the parade, the graduates gathered under the Keystone Archway for the Archway Celebration. A Keystone tradition, students from the Class of 2024 passed on their leadership responsibilities to the Class of 2025, who will fill in the roll of student leaders in the upcoming year. A collaborative culture has always been an important part of Keystone, and this transition in student leadership demonstrates the dedication of graduates in passing on their knowledge and hopes to the students who come after them.
The following day, the Class of 2024 returned to the Archway for a final time for their Graduation Ceremony. On an overcast evening, the grey skies gave a slight poignance to an otherwise happy affair. Yes, the audience was incredibly proud of all the hard work the graduates have put in over the past years, but parting often does evoke a twinge of sorrow. However, any solemness was soon dispelled by a beautiful ceremony. With bagpipes thundering and the Archway clad in a brilliant blue, the stage was set for a magical evening to send off the Class of 2024.
The deep blue of the lights and the darkness of the sky made a mesmerizing portrait reminiscent of the vast night of space. This metaphor served as the perfect backdrop for Ray Chu, the student representative of the Class of 2024, who addressed his fellow graduates at the ceremony.
"Today marks our farewell as we venture to distant corners of the planet. This reminds me of the stars—once united in one celestial cradle, now scattered across the space, each a vibrant point of light and together casting a luminous symphony across the night skies. I believe that our destinies lie in the same way. Although we may be apart, each of us carries a spark destined to kindle brilliance in our own corners of the universe, contributing to a bright constellation."
Although the individuals from the Class of 2024 will attend universities all over the world, they will retain the important bonds that they formed at Keystone. Although each graduate shines with their own unique passion, they share precious memories and spirit with their classmates. Even at the close of their Keystone careers, they were not focused on “I”, rather, they chose “us”.
This special connection shared by this class was evident during the Graduation Ceremony. During the ceremony, the members of the Class of 2024 joined together in song, something they had planned to do before the ceremony. While graduations are often musical affairs, the spontaneous songs from Keystone’s graduates proved to be one last amazing contribution to the school. This was not the act of a single talented musician, but the dedication of a class to show off their spirit shared with each other and the school. On stage in their gowns, their singing flowed out into the night, carrying their collective hopes and dreams into the universe beyond.
The speakers at the Graduation Ceremony resonated with the impressive connections the Class of 2024 has formed during their time at Keystone. Keystone’s Head of High School, Dr. Régine de Blegiers, shared an anecdote of breaking cultural norms to have a quick conversation with strangers in an elevator. Through her story, she urged the graduates to continue making such meaningful connections as they travel the world. “I encourage you to stay curious and not hesitate when it comes to engaging with people, asking questions, and fostering meaningful conversations even with strangers. Embrace every opportunity to learn from and connect with others,” she stated.
Executive Head of School Dr. Emily McCarren also lauded the Class of 2024 for their collective spirit.
"I am moved by the strong collectivism of the class of 2024 because I think it means something very powerful that I hope they will continue to nourish throughout their lives. This class has demonstrated in remarkable ways their ability to maximize the potential of the collective and de-emphasize the ambition of the individual. “I became us”, “wo cheng wei women” is their anthem."
As they move on to their new destinations, the members of the Class of 2024 will have no trouble making new connections, using their time together at Keystone as a roadmap. In this way, they will go on to inspire countless other individuals around the world.
Finally, the Grade Level Leaders of the Class of 2024 had some strong advice for the students they had spent so much time with. Ms. Kelby Govender and Mr. Vladimir Simic both hoped the graduates would take their passions with them to share with others. “Given our changing times, we urge every graduate here today to embrace a cause important to you —something you find to be a challenging issue, a profound injustice—and become an expert in it,” stated Ms. Govender. “Take on big injustices. We have no doubt that it will be one of the most transformative and fulfilling journeys of your lives.” Mr. Simic reminded the graduates to keep an open mind while staying true to themselves. “We urge you to hold onto the dreams and values that have shaped you thus far but also to remain open to growth and change,” he said. “Stay true to yourselves, but also be willing to listen, adapt, and evolve.”
With this sage wisdom in mind, the graduates from the Class of 2024 went on one last procession together, their regalia gleaming under the lights like celestial bodies twinkling in the night sky. For them, the next years will certainly bring changes, both positive and challenging. However, for this class that has already overcome so much together, they will always have each other to rely on, no matter where they choose to go or what they choose to do. We once again wish the Class of 2024 a warm congratulations, we can’t wait to see what amazing feats you accomplish next!
