Congratulations to the Class of 2026

By John Bishop

GROTON, Mass. — Contrary to what most would think, there’s nothing usual about a graduation ceremony for a school incorporated in 1792 and founded in 1793. In fact, despite its relatively clockwork appearance every spring, new names, new faces and new locations on campus make the annual affair unique unto itself.

Yet there are important facets of this vernal jewel that are ubiquitous: Lawrence Academy’s presence on the elm tree-shaded hillside, the admiring eyes of families, friends, faculty and staff, as well as hope — this year represented in the many faces of the Class of 2026.

“As the founders intended, it is a place for the beautiful, complex process of young people growing up, and we are grateful for the fact that generations of adults, alums, trustees, and friends have made it possible for us to gather here today,” Head of School Dan Scheibe said in his opening remarks, in which he acknowledged the retirement of Health Director Melinda Raboin and longtime faculty member John Curran.

“Most importantly,” continued Scheibe, “to the Class of 2026, we are grateful for your strength, resourcefulness, intelligence, sass, talent, flexibility, and your big, big hearts.

“Thank you, each one of you, for carrying the sunrise with you today to bring your bright selves into the world.”

Thankfully, the cold front that sent reunion activities indoors this weekend provided little more than blue skies, cool breezes and sunshine on Friday — fitting for a school whose motto remains Omnibus Lucet, Latin for “The light shines for all.”

And it was to that light that keynote speaker Talor Sele ’02 — a member of Lawrence Academy’s board of trustees, a former college and pro football player and a current professional actor — alluded as he spoke to graduates about his time at LA and how little has changed at his home away from home.

“Today’s commencement bridges the gaps between time and place between who we were, who we are, and who we aspire to be, and by we, I mean, us as individuals, I mean, us as a school. And by we, I mean, us as a community, in a country,” explained Sele. “[Lawrence Academy] is located just a few towns over from where the first shots of [the American Revolution] were fired … but here’s the crown jewel. The founding mandate of our school in 1793 … tied the ‘happiness of the community’ to its ability to inform and educate all classes of citizens. That is a statement that does not go over my head as a black man, as an African man.

“That’s a pretty bold statement for a group of people [at that time],” added Sele. “The original 47 subscribers got together and intentionally used those words.

“That’s the community you’re coming out of.”

That community came out in droves to celebrate the Class of 2026.

Sele, who spoke about the profound growth and support he experienced at LA, reiterated the school’s mission as an affirmation of what today’s graduates have accomplished and will accomplish.

“When we say the light shines for all, we mean that ‘ish.’ You’ve just got to check the receipts, in our founding documents — literally,” said the alum. “So, graduates, please continue to allow the power of community to unleash your potential.”

Linka Kawamura ’26, senior cabinet president, spoke to the people on campus who helped the Class of 2026 unleash its potential.

“I want to thank all the advisors, dorm parents, teachers, coaches, and staff who we’ve all built incredible connections with and relationships,” said Kawamura. “On behalf of all of us, thank you.

“Most importantly, though, I want to thank all of our families who have supported us throughout our lives and brought us here to thrive at LA.”

Family was a focal point of senior speaker Ella Hanson ’26, who described her difficulty in pulling together a culminating speech.

“Every time I thought I had it figured out, it felt like something was missing,” she said. “It wasn’t until I was sitting at home with my family, gathered in our living room, throwing around ideas and memories, that this speech finally began to make sense.

“And in that moment, I realized why it was so hard to write in the first place. Because this story was never just mine.

“That night, I saw just how much the people around me had poured into getting me here. And like me, every graduate sitting here today has people behind them who sacrifice time, energy, sleep, and worry, so that we could all one day sit in these seats.”

Evan Mitchener ’26 focused on the students sitting in those seats and the many private moments that make up a school career.

“And even if the stories don’t see the light of day, they somehow become LA history forever because we’ve all experienced something like this together,” said Mitchener. “Somehow, those random moments become the stories we’ll probably still be laughing about 10 years from now.

“One thing I’ll always remember about our class is how all these moments brought us together,” continued Mitchener. “The packed gyms we played in, the stages we stood on, the on-campus weekends, spring nights on the turf. The traditions that only make sense to those on our campus. At the time, they just felt like everyday moments. But looking back now, those were the moments that shaped us.

“And somewhere between all the laughter, the stress, the friendships, and the memories, we grew up together.”

With that and after the diplomas conferred by President of the Board Karen Mitchell Brandvold ’82, Scheibe led the faculty, staff, students, graduates and audience in a final rendition of the school song, “Lawrence Here’s to Thee.”

“Congratulations to the Class of 2026,” he said, as graduates rose from their seats and stepped into the larger world.

Click Here to Watch the Ceremony