Cooper Commencement for Class of 2019

Distinguished by School Traditions
Commencement for the 112 members of The John Cooper School Class of 2019 on May 24 was steeped in tradition, not only the processional to “Pomp and Circumstance,” but others that distinguish a Cooper graduation.

As is tradition, choir members Mohib Jamil, Matthew Krehbiel, Uchechukwu Oguchi, Conor Patterson and Mitchell Shannon sang the national anthem to begin the proceedings. Later in the ceremony another Cooper tradition featured the Upper School Choir, directed by Rae Moses, being joined by faculty and alumni to sing An Old Irish Blessing. Cooper Pioneers, students who attended the independent school continuously from kindergarten through 12th grade, were also recognized.

At the conclusion of Commencement, faculty, administrators and trustees formed a receiving line outside the gymnasium to congratulate each of the graduates. This Senior Walk, another Cooper tradition, symbolizes the transition from high school to college and “from curiosity to wisdom.”

Christopher McDonald gave the invocation, Matthew Krehbiel shared his thoughts as class speaker and Erik Burns presented the senior class gift, a playground play system for Lower School, to Head of School Michael Maher. Madeleine Smith gave the valedictory address prior to the presenting of the diplomas by Maher and Chairman of the Board of Trustees David Dunlap. Dr. David Chenault and Dunlap, longtime members of Cooper’s Board of Trustees, plus retiring Foreign Languages Department Chair Lilia Gallivan were each awarded an honorary diploma. The Cooper band, under the direction of Tony Yarbrough, played an instrumental tribute to the Class of 2019 to round out the ceremony.

This was the 30th anniversary of The John Cooper School and the 26th class to graduate. Cooper’s alumni now number 1,896.
 
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From Curiosity to Wisdom
The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.

The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.