On Saturday, May 24, 2025, Williston Northampton School conducted its 184th Commencement exercise, in celebration of the class of 2025. More than 130 members of the class were celebrated and honored underneath the Commencement tent on the Main Quad, with speeches from Jake Smith ’25 along with keynote speaker Michael George ’98.
Head of School Robert W. Hill III opened the ceremony by talking about the graduating class and the future that lies ahead for it. “I won’t soon forget this year, and I doubt many of you will either—that’s because important life moments and lasting friendships are durable, they are called lasting because, well, they last. You have memories and have developed traits and characteristics, like selflessness, dedication and integrity, that I hope will stick with you forever.”
In his speech to the graduating class, George, a senior national security consultant and former presidential appointee, talked about his own career trajectory, which began with a Williston connection, and urged the graduates to remember the three words that are on banners in front of the Phillips Stevens Chapel on campus: purpose, passion, integrity.
“As you move into this next phase of your academic journey and eventually into your professional lives, regardless of what that may be, you will be entrusted with responsibilities, often great responsibilities, and it is our duty—your duty—to carry those out faithfully, with dedication. Remembering always to align your values around purpose and passion and integrity.”
Throughout the celebration, students and speakers also took several moments to honor the life of their late classmate, Elise Ollmann-Kahle ’25. Elise died last fall after a lengthy battle with cancer. Throughout the year, students led fund raising efforts for the Elise Ollmann-Kahle Class of 2025 Memorial Scholarship Fund. During Commencement, Mr. Hill announced that the fund is now fully endowed and totaling over $60,000. When Elise’s name was called during the diploma announcements, her mother, Susan Ollmann, took the stage to accept the diploma and was met with a standing ovation from the crowd.
Smith, in his speech, recounted a moment when Ollmann-Kahle complimented his haircut, despite his self-conscious feelings about it. “Her compliments touched the lives of so many people not just at this school, but in this world,” he said. “Elise’s caring actions and authentic compliments told the story of who she was. She was a light. At our Senior Dinner last week, Mr. Brooks told us to be a light in this world. Whether you are a simple night light or a flaming torch, it is important to keep even the faintest flicker alive, and Williston will always be that flicker in the back of our minds. A flicker that reminds us of what Williston truly is.”
In addition to their diplomas, several seniors also received award recognition for their contributions to the school (see the full list here) and we inducted the second half of the 2024-25 Cum Laude Society group. The Sarah B. Whitaker “White Blazer” Award, given to a senior who has made the greatest contributions to the academic, athletic, and community life of the school while exhibiting exemplary leadership and integrity, went to Alyssa Matricianni.
The Archibald V. Galbraith Prize, awarded to that senior who in academics, athletics, and citizenship is exemplary, representing that which is best in the school, went to Jack Berrien, as did the Valedictory Prize, which is awarded to the first scholar of the graduating class.
- To watch the Commencement ceremony, individual speeches from Baccalaureate and Commencement, and the Stoling ceremony, visit our YouTube Page.
- Pictures from Commencement Weekend can be found on our Flickr page
- A list of colleges seniors will be matriculating to next fall can be found here
- The list of our Academic Award winners can be found here
