On Friday night, St. Johns seniors, family, friends, and the broader School community joined together at Grace Anglican Church for a baccalaureate service in honor of the Class of 2023.
After singing the St. Johns Hymn, Head of School Valorie Baker opened with a few remarks about the class and how this is a precious time for the students themselves, and for their families. She introduced School Chaplain Owene Weber Courtney ‘73 for the invocation, and Senior Tripp Vogt read a lesson from the Book of Isaiah.
Mrs. Courtney then gave the Baccalaureate Address, referencing her own time at St. Johns and noting that she didn’t know then that she had met her future spouse in Grade 9. “How many of you will say that?” she wondered, to laughter from the audience.
The St. Johns Singers gave a beautiful rendition of Love Lifted Me, Mrs. Courtney offered a prayer for the Class of 2023, and the Singers led the group in The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
After the ceremony, families gathered together in the portico for cake, shared hugs and photographs, and looked forward to another exciting day on Saturday.
Friends and family gathered once again on Saturday at Orange Park's Thrasher-Horne Center for Commencement. The Center was abuzz with excitement as the audience awaited the seniors' arrival. Lined up at the back of the auditorium in beautiful white dresses and dinner tuxedos, the seniors processed down the aisle, followed by School faculty. Mrs. Courtney read the invocation, and Mrs. Baker delivered opening remarks. She quoted Shawn Andrade ‘23, sitting on the stage beside her, in a recent news story about Spartan Baseball. He told the reporter the secret to the team’s success: “Don’t let your low get too low and your high get too high. Stay even keeled and just let your game take over and don’t think about it too much.” Baker cited that as good advice for the rest of their lives—'don’t let your lows get too low, your highs get too high, stay even-keeled and just do what you need to do.' Sage advice for everyone gathered there Saturday afternoon.
Next, CDR Douglas Conkey, USN (Ret.) took the stage for a special presentation. Citing a long list of United States Naval Academy graduates and their successes, he congratulated Kennedy Brown on being appointed to join that strong tradition, closing with the most important words she needs to know: Go Navy, Beat Army.
From there, the School awards were bestowed (see list below) before 2023-2024 Student Council President Richard Nichols ‘24 introduced the two student speakers. It has long been a tradition at St. Johns that the senior class elect two of their own to deliver remarks at graduation, and, as usual, their selections were excellent, filled with both laughter and tears.
First, Gavan Bradley took the podium, discussing his transition into St. Johns two years ago. “In the first week I was on campus, we didn’t go through all the policies and procedures that other schools do, we got straight to work,” he said. “I was baffled.” But he got straight to work and he did what he needed to do with the help of his classmates and the St. Johns community. “All of you welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home. That’s what’s special about St. Johns. It’s more than a school; it’s one big family.”
“All of you are unique and special in your own way. I’ve seen it first hand. So as you guys make your steps into the real world, make those steps with confidence, because you’re special and you’re more than prepared to be successful. Go strive to be great, and whatever you do, you’re the future and I am more confident that you will make an impact on this world, just like you made an impact on me.”
Next, Hunter Hopkins took the podium, polling his classmates about who is excited for college, or maybe a little bit afraid. “We’re basically adults,” he said, “except, we’re not.… My point is, we have so many years ahead of us, to learn and to grow. And that’s what college is—a place to do stupid things and learn from them. It’s a place where we find not just what career path we’ll take, but who we want to be as a person. And so when I look around, and I see us, I don’t see adults. I see potential.”
Hopkins encouraged all of his classmates to live in the moment and not to think too much about things they can’t control. “And so, with my parting words, I would like to say a quote from Master Ugwe in Kung Fu Panda: ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. And that’s why it’s called the present.’”
Next, Head of Upper School Jackie Lentini and President of the Board of Trustees Mr. Gene Nichols presented the diplomas, citing each student’s college and career path of choice. And with lots of laughter, plenty of fist bumps, and at least one on-stage selfie, the Class of 2023 was announced.
Congratulations to each one of you, as you join the more than 2400 St. Johns Country Day School alumni who precede you.
Class of 2023 Graduation Awards
Instrumental Music Award: KENNEDY YVONNE BROWN
Art Award: MARY HALINA NOWICKI
Drama Award For Performance: MARGARET ANNE FACKLER
Drama Award For Technical Theatre: THOMAS JOHN POUNDS
The Myrtle O’shea Latin Award: JACOB GAMBLE HOLYER
Science Award: AVA JOLEEN JOHNSON
English Award: MARGARET ANNE FACKLER
Vocal Music Award: MARLEN JEFFREY VOG
Cynthia C. Landry History Award: SHANNON ALLISON HODGES and PATRICK ROBERT WALSH
The Carol A. Hart Math Award: KENNEDY YVONNE BROWN
Computer Science Award: JAVIER ALEJANDRO COLL-ROMÁN and JACOB GAMBLE HOLYER
Linda C. Guswiler Athletic Award: TALIAH MICHELLE SCOTT
Captain Borries Cup Award: JACOB RILEY THOMAS
Valedictorian Award: AVA JOLEEN JOHNSON
The Roddey R. Fisher Award: AVA JOLEEN JOHNSON
Dora Helen Skypek Award: KENNEDY YVONNE BROWN
Stephen F. Russey Best All-Around Young Man: HUNTER H HOPKINS
Stephen F. Russey Best All-Around Young Woman: LILY ELIZA WELDON
Edwin Paul Heinrich Award: AVA JOLEEN JOHNSON