RUMSON – The Rumson Country Day School’s eighth grade Class of 2014, dressed in the school’s traditional wear – navy jackets, white slacks, ties for the boys and white gowns for the girls – graduated June 6 from the Upper School.
Faculty member Jane Denny, who read a poem by the late Richard Shanley, a beloved former faculty member, led the invocation. Board of Trustees President Shawn Reynolds welcomed everyone and expressed how proud he was of the members of the Class of 2014 for their success as scholars, athletes, performers and compassionate volunteers.
To commemorate his final year at RCDS, Headmaster Chad Small addressed the audience as keynote speaker. He spoke to the soon-to-be high school freshmen, shared a-ha moments of his life with the new graduates and reinforced the importance of maintaining balance in their lives.
Earlier in the morning, the school honored Small with a video that celebrated his time as the school’s “Head Gator” for the past 25 years.
After his remarks, Small presented several special awards. The Athletic Department Award, presented to graduating athletes who best exemplify the qualities of athleticism, participation, spirit, and sportsmanship, was presented to Kaeli Huesman, Christina Ryan and Tommy Kalinowski.
The Joseph N. Dempsey, Jr. Award, given in memory of Jody Dempsey by his family and selected by the Performing Arts Department for excellence in performing arts, was presented to Conor Kelly and Paul Thomas.
Formerly known as the Headmaster’s Award, The Blake Award is named for Edgar Bond Blake who served RCDS for 40 years – 20 of them as the school’s headmaster. The Blake Award was presented this year to Paul Thomas and Zahrah Siddiq for exemplary service to the school.
The Swede Joseph Chevalier Memorial Award was presented to Max Kyrillos for his display of kindness and humility toward fellow students, devotion to growth and originality, and perseverance to goals.
Each year, the Class of 1973 bestows the Theodore K. Reiss Memorial Award in memory of Ted Reiss to the graduate who has shown the most outstanding qualities of good sportsmanship, not only on the athletic field, but in all phases of school life. This year, the award was presented to Tommy Kalinowski.
Two graduating students are recognized every year for their outstanding academic achievement in the Upper School. Elizabeth Klemm received the Highest Scholarship Award and Cole DeMeulemeester was presented with the Second Highest Scholarship Award.
To conclude the awards portion of the program, Board President Shawn Reynolds presented The Trustees’ Prize Award to Cole DeMeulemeester who has shown the most outstanding qualities of scholarship, sportsmanship, leadership and character.
After the presentation of diplomas, everyone sang the Rumson School Song, a RCDS tradition since 1926.
