2024 Commencement Awards Program : simplebooklet.com

GRADUATION AWARDSCARLOS VALEDICTORY AWARD is given to the graduating senior with the highest academic achievement. This award is given annually in memory of Michael C. Carlos ’44, long-time member of the Woodward Academy Governing Board.“Rishabh is smart and incisive. He loves to think about big ideas and how they relate to each other. He’s deeply invested in learning about the world and exploring dierent elds of knowledge.”– Maggie Berthiaume, Director of DebateRISHABH JAIN summa cum laudeParents: Rashmi Banthia and Pallav Jain2CARLOS VALEDICTORY AWARD is given to the graduating senior with the highest academic achievement. This award is given annually in memory of Michael C. Carlos ’44, long-time member of the Woodward Academy Governing Board.MASTER STUDENT AWARD is considered the Academy’s second highest award and is giveneach year to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, intellect, spiritual inuence, and cocurricular activities.“Aneri is going to contribute in numerous ways to the world’s scientic and medical communities! She has a determination about her that I have rarely seen in adults. From helping to get the girls wrestling team established to her work in Independent Science Research, she has shown us all that great achievements start from within.”– Andrea Patterson, Science TeacherANERI PATELsumma cum laudeParents: Jahanvi and Alpesh PatelCARLOS VALEDICTORY AWARD is given to the graduating senior with the highest academic achievement. This award is given annually in memory of Michael C. Carlos ’44, long-time member of the Woodward Academy Governing Board.BURNETT AWARD is given to the student chosen by the faculty as one who possesses character of the highest moral excellence. This award is given by the Class of 1958 in memory of Colonel John R. Burnett, longtime commandant of Georgia Military Academy.“Anna brings her incisive intellect and passion for learning to every class. What I appreciate most is how much she wants to connect her learning to actual world events going on around her. She will be a star in college!”– Hunter Smith, Social Studies TeacherANNA SCHWARTZsumma cum laudeParents: Merav and Jonathan Schwartz

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GRADUATION AWARDSBEN F. JOHNSON III ’61 SALUTATORIAN AWARD is given to the senior graduating with the second highest academic achievement. “Clary has been my English student for two years, and, while she usually does not speak up rst in a class discussion, I have learned to respect her ability to listen to others. She speaks when she has something to say, and those deeply analytical comments often change the course of discussion.”– Jeanne Ann Ratli, English TeacherCLARY DUNAWAY summa cum laudeParents: Gates Kellett and Michael DunawayGRESHAM AWARD is the highest honor the Academy can bestow upon a graduating senior. It isgiven in memory of Dr. Richard C. Gresham, Class of 1907 and former Governing Board member,to the student who is considered by the faculty as best all-around in terms of leadership, intellect,spiritual inuence, and cocurricular achievement.“Sophia is a true champion: her personal strength and integrity, erce competitive nature, and commitment to academic excellence are unmatched, but what I love most about Sophia is how she puts others before herself. She’s a champion of her teammates, her friends, her peers, and her community. She’s the team mom, faithful friend, and true mentor. She pushes herself to be her best while putting aside her win-loss record to show up for others with courage and wisdom beyond her years.” – Ronda Zents, Assistant PrincipalSOPHIA SANGHAsumma cum laudeParents: Sara and Sumandeep Sangha3

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BENENSON AWARD is sponsored annually by Mr. James Benenson ’54 and is given to the student chosen by the faculty as an outstanding citizen in the school community.“Don’t be fooled by Sophie’s quiet and reserved demeanor. Behind that soft voice is a power-house! Sophie is a summa cum laude graduate, National Merit Scholarship seminalist, and National Honor Society Scholarship seminalist. In addition to academic excellence, throughout high school Sophie has volunteered extensively with conservation, literacy, mental health awareness, and hunger relief programs.”– Stephanie Stephens, Academic Dean SOPHIE HYLTONsumma cum laudeParents: Belinda McIntosh and Andre HyltonGRADUATION AWARDS4MORRIS AWARD is given annually to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, has made the most signicant contribution to the religious life and Christian environment within the school community. The award is made available by Mr. and Mrs. Fred R. Morris in honor of Janet and Fred R. Morris Jr. ’68.“Evan is a great all around student and person. Selected by her peers as the president of the National Honor Society in her senior year, Evan balances her studies and cocurricular activities to take advantage of the opportunities that Woodward has to oer while still being committed to serving others.”– Stephanie Stephens, Academic Dean EVAN GOODMAN summa cum laudeParents: Kim and Joe GoodmanBREWSTER AWARD is given annually in memory of Captain William R. Brewster Jr. ’37, formerAcademy President. The Brewster Awards are given to the young man and young woman of thegraduating class who, in the judgment of the Dean of Students, have displayed unusual courageby standing up for what is right and proper.“Braden radiates a wonderful combination of kindness, appreciation, intelligence, and compas-sion. He is an exemplary young man who has never met a stranger and who feels comfortable and condent in his own skin. He stays true to his priorities concerning friends and family and shows enthusiasm in both academic and cocurricular endeavors. Braden’s strong sense of pride and joy in all that he does will open up many opportunities for a successful future.” – Jane Graham, English TeacherBRADEN BAROmagna cum laudeParents: Jenifer and Harold Baro

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GRADUATION AWARDSDAVID R. McCOLLUM AWARD is a high honor given to the graduating senior who is selected by a faculty committee to deliver the Commencement Address on graduation morning. The address is one of the highlights of Commencement Weekend and embodies the hopes and dreams of the graduating class. This award is named in honor of retired Headmaster and Vice President for Academic Aairs David R. “Ron” McCollum.“Over the last four years, I have watched Meglan mature, take on more responsibilities, care for her fellow students, show empathy, and assist her classmates.”– Monique Williams, Math TeacherMEGLAN WELCHParents: Ba-Shen Welch and George FrenchCIVITAN AWARD, given by the Civitan Clubs of East Point and College Park, is presented to thestudent chosen by the faculty as one who has demonstrated outstanding traits of citizenship inthe community during the school year.“Zaara is a brilliant student and an amazing leader. She is quick to step in when others need help, and she does everything with such excellence.” – Jenny Kafer, Publications/Yearbook TeacherZAARA KHAWAJAsumma cum laude Parents: Afsheen Afzal and Shazib Khawaja5BREWSTER AWARD is given annually in memory of Captain William R. Brewster Jr. ’37, formerAcademy President. The Brewster Awards are given to the young man and young woman of thegraduating class who, in the judgment of the Dean of Students, have displayed unusual courageby standing up for what is right and proper.“Georgia is an amazing student who brings thoughtfulness and dedication to the classroom. At the same time, she excels in theatre here at Woodward and hockey outside of school. Georgia is a true role model for everyone because of how she treats those around her with kindness and respect.”– Rachael Szymanski, English Teacher GEORGIA VERHEYDENsumma cum laudeParents: Lianne and Mark Verheyden

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GRADUATION AWARDSMcKAY AWARD is given by the late Mrs. J.W.C. McKay and her sons, J.W.C. McKay Jr. ’57 and C. Douglas McKay ’58, and honors the memory of Colonel J.W.C. McKay, who lived a life of service as a member of the Academy faculty for more than 30 years. The award is given to the student who has rendered the greatest service to the Academy.“Unforgettable. That’s the word that comes to mind when I think of Oliviah. She not only radiates joy, she shows hard work ethic, dedication, and perseverance. She is a kind friend, a storyteller, an avid learner, a creative, an includer, and an overall beautiful soul. She is always willing to step outside of her comfort zone and learn, she’s ready to step in and help during moments of crisis, and she is a leader through and through.” – Jenny Kafer, Publications/Yearbook TeacherOLIVIAH MATTHEWSsumma cum laude Parents: Lisa and Erwin MatthewsATLANTA JOURNAL CUP is presented to the senior who is voted by the faculty as best “all around” in the senior class.“Kevin is seen as a true leader among his peers. He believes deeply in honor and responsibility, and his classmates take notice of that. Kevin spent much of his senior year promoting the impor-tance of our service program through the Big Rocks initiative, an organization that strives to build student leaders. Besides his work outside of the classroom, Kevin is an exemplary student, always pushing his classmates to think critically.”– Andrew Jones, Social Studies TeacherKEVIN STEPHENSsumma cum laude Parents: Crystal and Kevin Stephens6

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PRESIDENT’S AWARDS“Jordyn is a dream student and performer. I have had the honor to work with Jordyn these past few years as her director and theatre teacher. Her kindness, generosity, and dedication to all she does is beyond impressive. An empathetic, compassionate, and dedicated student and actor, Jordyn embodies grace and puts her heart in everything she touches. Between the lines of all that talent, you see a brilliant, expe-rienced, giving, and creative young woman.” – Erin Greenway, Theatre Teacher“Rylee is an unbelievably impressive and intellectually curious student in our AP Literature class. Her essays are always among my best, and she drives class discussion with her comments which often make all of us—classmates and me alike—consider a new side of our readings.”– Jeanne Ann Ratli, English TeacherJORDYN NELSONsumma cum laudeRYLEE PACHMANsumma cum laudeParents: Crystal Nelson-Harteld and Kenneth Harteld“Donovan fully immersed himself into life in the Upper School and took advantage of every opportunity possible. As a student, Donovan is intelligent, curious, creative, and is a positive inuence on his peers. He excels as a writer and adds insight and thoughtfulness to any class discussion. His enthusiastic and ener-getic attitude, strong work ethic, and sense of community and compassion are a model for what it means to be a positive member of Woodward Academy. He is a leader, a scholar, a gentleman, and a force with which to be reckoned.” – Dr. Jonathan Merrill, PrincipalDONOVAN JONESsumma cum laudeParents: Samantha and DeVetus JonesParent: Tara Stoinski“Alizah has such a high standard for herself and pushes to be the best version of herself possible. Her wealth of experience from her cocurriculars sets her up to be a leader for future generations.”– Jennifer Willis, World Languages Teacher ALIZAH MUDALIARsumma cum laudeParents: Mahnaz Dasti and Junaid MudaliarPresident’s Awards are given to those highly energetic seniors who have enthusiastically participated in many of the cocurricular activities which add so much to the excitement and uniqueness in the life of the Academy.7

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PRESIDENT’S AWARDS“Carmen is a joy to be around. She constantly wears an infectious smile that shines through her eyes, light-ing up any room she is in, and serving as a beacon of welcome to anyone who enters. New to Woodward as a ninth grader, Carmen quickly made her mark playing volleyball, but that was just the beginning. In her time at Woodward, this scholar-athlete has set herself apart with her commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Carmen meets each person she encounters wherever they are in their personal journey and truly embraces what it means to have a deep respect for dierence.”– Stephanie Stephens, Academic DeanCARMEN SINKFIELDmagna cum laudeParents: Julie Doar-Sinkeld and Richard Sinkeld“Augie is an amazing young man. He is academic Woodward at its nest, yet still nds time to volunteer for Service Leadership Board and work on projects that make our community a better place.”– Melissa Lawhon, Math Teacher AUGIE WERTHMANsumma cum laude“Bradley is a gentle giant. He shows ferocity and dedication on the football eld while also exhibiting kind-ness and authenticity with his teachers and peers. Whether he is guiding the football team, implementing his strong time management skills by completing assignments ahead of schedule, or adding his insightful remarks to discussions in his classes, he is true to himself and his core values. Bradley’s qualities of pride, condence, intelligence, humility, and gratitude all blend together in just the right combination, and the result is one exceedingly impressive young man!”– Jane Graham, English TeacherBRADLEY SMITHcum laudeParents: Jennifer and Clay Smith“Jackson’s contribution to our school community is felt in many dierent ways. As a member of our basket-ball team, he helped lead his team to the state seminals in his senior year. As a student, Jackson always strives to think critically about the world around him. He is able to make connections with course content that push his classmates to think dierently about the world around them. Jackson is seen and respected as a leader among his peers, and for good reason.”– Andrew Jones, Social Studies TeacherJACKSON SULLIVANParents: Susan and Michael SullivanParents: Dempsey and Ted Werthman8

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National Hon SocietyRANDOLPH THROWER CHAPTERRoger W. Sloan AwardPresidentNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETYEVAN GOODMANMEMBERSINDUCTED IN 2023EVA ACKERNADIA ALAVITERRY ARMSTRONGCARRIE ASHHEATH AUGUSTYNHANNAH BACOTELOGAN BAGWELLLOUIS BATESBRENNAN BAUDYCLAIRE BEEBEJULIA BENDERBEVERLY BENFIELDSHANTHI BERNARDJAY BHATTESHAN BHIMANICHLOE BIERRIAHUNTER BLOCKJONAH BLUMBROOKE BROSTROMJOSHUA CARMICHAELSITHINI CHEAWILLIAM CLAYTONGEORGIA CLINEWADE CLINEJACK COBBJUSTIN DAIBRENNA DEPOEDEVEN DESHPANDECARLTON DIEDRICHCLARY DUNAWAYDASH EDWARDSKAYLA ELDERFAITH FREDIANIMARY ELIZABETH FULKUSZACH GALITZINCHASE GARDNEREVAN GOODMANBECKETT GORDONMADDOX GREERBENJAMIN GRICEMYLES HAKEEMELLA HAMRICKROBERT HARDYAUSTIN HARLANDTYLER HARTCHARLIE HATFIELDJINJIANG HEETHAN HEISLERWILLIAM HENRIKSSONHANNAH HOBMANNPARKER HOLLISAIDEN HOLTSOPHIE HYLTONGENESIS ISOMRISHABH JAINBRADEN JONESDONOVAN JONESCAITLIN KATZCAMERON KELLYJAMES KHANZAARA KHAWAJAANAY KULKARNIALEX LACKEYAYMAN LAKHANIEMMA LAYTONCINQUE LEE-MCIVERJACOB LEMENEYIFAN LIULAURYN LOFTONOLIVIAH MATTHEWSBRIAN MCDONALDDAVIS MERRILLMICHAEL MILLERPRUITT MILLERANURAG MITRASOPHIA MORTONALIZAH MUDALIARANJANA MURTHYBROOKE MYRICKJORDYN NELSONZAMMY OKOLICORRIE OLIVERDUNCAN O’NEILLTAYLOR OWENRYLEE PACHMANAARYAN PASHAMAASHNI PATELANERI PATELABIGAIL PEEKMADDY PROCTORSHAYLA RAMJIHUNTER RICHMONDOSCAR RIVERACAMILLA ROBINSONNICHOLAS ROSEBENNETT ROSENTHALSHRISTI ROYKINGSLEY ROYALSOPHIA SANGHARICCARDO SAPONEMAX SARDANNA SCHWARTZMCLEOD SCOTTRYAN SIMMONSCARMEN SINKFIELDBRADLEY SMITHKENDYLL SOLOMONNOAH SONGKEVIN STEPHENSHLINA TEMESGENKAYLA THOMASAMY TIMMONSDREW ULSHAMIRRAH UWHUBETINEMADISON VARNEREMELY VASQUEZGEORGIA VERHEYDENCHARLIE WALKERRYDER WATKINSAUGIE WERTHMANANDREW WINSBERGRICHARD WOFFORDCRUZ WURTHNOUR YOUSSEFINDUCTED IN 2024BRADEN BAROROSE BULLOCKTOMMY CAVANAUGHCECE HALESYDNEY HILLJULIAN HUSTONMICHAEL JONES-BEYTY MAIBERGERBECKETT SMITHTANNER SPALDINGKAI TURNLEYKELLEY ANNE VENERIALLYSSA VIENTEMICHELLE ZHANGVice-PresidentNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETYROBERT HARDYSecretaryNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETYCHARLIE WALKER13

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Good morning, Woodward Academy!Good morning, Graduating Class 2024! We made it!Good morning, parents, family, and friends!I am honored to stand before you today as the commence-ment speaker to celebrate the achievements of the graduating Class of 2024.At Woodward Academy, we received a college-preparatory education focused not only on academics, but also mean-ingful experiences centered on Excellence, Character, and Opportunity. Well, I would like to add one more characteristic to our Woodward Motto: Resilience, because it’s the Woodward Way. Oxford Learners Dictionary denes resilience as the ability of people or things to recover quickly after something unpleas-ant, such as shock, injury, etc.The Woodward Way is about respecting others, the world, and ourselves. Our way is an environment that nurtures conver-sations and understanding. We believe that all people are innately valuable as they were created, and it is this belief that charges students and graduates. Our distinctive academics, inclusive community, and global connections make us Atlanta; make us Georgia; make us the United States; and make us the world at its very best.Woodward Academy is a special place. Founded in 1900 as a military academy, Woodward is a place where students grow in knowledge and character, such as service to others, respon-sibility, and problem solving.Woodward has evolved through wars, a Great Depression, more representative civic and social justice, and two global pandemics, which brings us to the historic Class of 2024.As we reect on our high school experience, it’s clear that both challenges and triumphs have marked our journey.I recall the Three W’s that were strictly enforced during the COVID years. WWW, I know that you know them so, seniors say it with me:• ●Wear Your Mask• ●Wash your Hands, and • ●●Watch your Distance First, Wear Your Mask: The mask-wearing, while initially per-ceived as a barrier, became a catalyst for deeper connections. 14Commencement AdessBY MEGLAN HANNAH WELCHRESILIENCE: IT’S THE WOODWARD WAY

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Stripped of external appearances, we were allowed to truly see and appreciate one another’s personalities, strengths, and vulnerabilities. “Wear your mask” taught us to go beyond the external and dive deeper to learn about others, to make eye contact and really take time to see people. This new way of connecting helped us discover the power of empathy, com-passion, and understanding, taking the time to listen, empa-thize, and support one another, and fostered a sense of belonging and solidarity within the community. Through shared experiences and collective growth, we learned to embrace authenticity and celebrate the unique qualities that internally dene each of us. Our journey at Woodward has been a testament to the power of perseverance, communi-ty, and the unwavering spirit of the Woodward family. As we venture through the rest of our lives, let us always remember to see people for their fullness and not focus on physical attri-butes but on their heart and character. Moving forward, let us look at one another through the lens of love, compassion, and understanding, and yearn for authentic human connections.Next, Wash Your Hands: “Wash your hands” taught us to cleanse ourselves and let go of germs. This is analogous to washing your hands of, which could be self-doubt, bitterness, or disappointment as we embark upon this new phase of our lives. These negative emotions can weigh us down and pre-vent us from fully embracing the opportunities and challenges that come with embarking upon a new phase of our lives. By letting go of negativity and embracing positivity, we empower ourselves to pursue our dreams with condence and determi-nation. It’s essential not to let negativity, whether it comes from within ourselves or from others, dictate our aspirations and goals. Instead, we should focus on nurturing our hopes and aspirations, recognizing that our dreams are not merely desires but tangible possibilities that we can achieve when we set our minds to a specic goal and commit ourselves wholeheartedly; the only obstacle that can truly hinder us is our own reluctance or hesitation. We possess the inherent power to dene our journey and shape our destiny, washing away anything that stands in the way of our success and fulllment. We have the power to dene and build upon our journey, washing away and cleansing ourselves of anything that hinders us.Lastly, Watch Your Distance: “Watch your distance,” while meant to ensure we properly stay away from others to not spread COVID, I challenge us to watch our distance, but in a dierent way. Watch your distance from family, friends, and what will momentarily be our alma mater, Latin for other, or nourishing mother, Woodward Academy. Let us not forget where we found ourselves, friends, and mentors. We are rep-resentative of Woodward Academy, so as we venture into the world, let the lessons we have learned at our alma mater shine through us. It is a priority to stay connected to the people who poured into you and helped you discover your purpose in life.While we remember the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pan-demic that began our freshman year, a time when nerves were high, and the future seemed uncertain; yet, it was during this pivotal moment that our class demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. Resilient is the word I would use to capture the essence of our class. The pandemic brought us together in unexpected ways, forging bonds that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.I vividly recall the apprehension that marked the early days of our high school journey, particularly when it was announced that it was mandatory to have lunch with our advisories during our freshman year. Initially, the prospect of sharing lunch while masked up with our advisories seemed too routine, yet daunt-ing, as a freshman. I thought we would be able to choose our friends and have lunch chatting about our familiarities. Isn’t this an important part of the high school experience? Yet, what happened was transformative. These lunches gradually transformed into moments of authentic connection and camaraderie with those whom we might not have otherwise known. What was once perceived as an inconvenience, blossomed into cherished communities, where we discovered not only support and laughter but also the foundation for enduring friendships. Like everyone else’s, my advisory was comprised of individu-als of diverse races, religions, and political views, exposing me to a room of people I might not have interacted with daily. This diverse setting led to conversations about topics unfamiliar to me, as people held dierent views, beliefs, and perspectives. 15

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What began as a dreaded time of day evolved into a valuable educational experience for all of us, as we engaged in discus-sions that broadened our understanding of the world and its myriad views and opinions.Now I look back on what this lesson has taught me. It taught me a basis and understanding of why people think and feel the way they do, and gave me friends from dierent political parties, races, and backgrounds. I believe this is the mission and concept that truly embodies the community of Wood-ward. We are all dierent; however, once we enter this campus, we are vulnerable, yet safe enough to share who we are and enlighten those around us. Regardless of economic status, childhood, religion, political views, or ethnicity, here at Woodward Academy, we have learned to recognize what makes everyone unique and to understand, listen, and engage with those who are dierent from you in hopes of shaping our world into a better place for generations to come. The key to the reconciliation of the world is understanding. Understanding those around us and realiz-ing we have more in common than dierences. While there is always room to continue to grow, evolve, and improve as the Woodward community, as with any community, yet at Wood-ward I believe that we make earnest attempts to get it right. Here at Woodward, we are taught to be “caring and compas-sionate global citizens who are a microcosm of what the world should be.” Woodward has given us a foundation to shape our communities, cities, and our nation into a world that could be made up of comrades and seeing people for their fullness. We prevailed through the COVID-19 pandemic and earned state championships, regional awards, scholarships, and con-tests. We are resilient. Our class did not give up!Thank you to the caring, exceptional faculty at Woodward. Under your tutelage, we have received a world-class educa-tion. You have inspired us and prepared us to be biologists, engineers, writers, politicians, and actors. To the administrators, sta, and coaches, we appreciate your time and service for us. Whether it was a more inclusive policy decision, coaching us to record-breaking achievements, or maintaining our beautiful campus grounds, we say thank you.To our parents and families, your love, commitment, nancial support, guidance, and participation in our activities have been unwavering. Woodward parents are like no other. We say thank you.In closing, Class of 2024. Let’s soar! We have had one of the best educations the world has to oer. We are resilient, we are connected, and we are Woodward Academy!War Eagles…Forever!16CongratulationsCLASS OF 2024

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17FinalistEVAN GOODMANWhen I reect on life’s journey, I nd that likening it to a book or story is remarkably tting. Each individual sets forth on their distinct path, encountering diverse chapters and facing unique trials and tribulations. However, today I am going to dis-cuss arguably the most signicant chapter of my peers and my lives up to this point, also known as high school.Although millions of students each year start, continue, and complete high school, our experiences are unique for two reasons. Firstly, despite having an unconventional journey, our class triumphed over the adversities set in our way, and sec-ondly, we are privileged to have completed this chapter of our lives at Woodward Academy.When I think about Woodward as a whole there are countless things that I could talk about. I could discuss the stampedes on chicken wing days, the struggle to secure lounge chairs, or the numerous times when our student section was just a little too rowdy. That being said, I would prefer to focus on the profound inuence Woodward has exerted and the personal growth it has fostered in each of us, despite that we may not recognize the full magnitude of its impact quite yet. This school is a very special place. You will never nd a place based on so much tradition and history yet still so receptive to change as society evolves around it. As a student at Wood-ward, the foundation of the school shines through daily. We are instilled with the traits of discipline, accountability, and humility as we move through our everyday lives as students. While these principles entail small things like wearing our uniform correctly and being present and respectful to our peers and teachers, they encompass much more than just simple tasks. We are constantly reminded to recognize and cherish the strides of those before us which have allowed us to live our lives and receive the educational opportunities that we do. With Woodward previously being the Georgia Military Acad-emy, there is special emphasis placed on the lives of people who have served to protect our country and everything that it stands for. Ceremonies that take place throughout the year, such as those commemorating Veterans Day, serve as critical reminders for the community that the names we see across campus hold deeper meanings than just inscriptions on walls. The military background also is evident when it comes to the standards of discipline upheld for students. While that includes more minor details, it primarily pertains to our inter-actions with others. There is a high bar set for the respect we share with one another in order to foster inclusivity and under-standing. The standards of discipline and respect must be set, considering the diverse backgrounds and life experiences that make up the Woodward community.Furthermore, as I previously mentioned, accountability is another trait that is evident within the high school. If you asked many students what their favorite part about the Upper School is, I am willing to bet that a majority would say the freedom aorded to them, and it is true that we do have major control over every part of our experience. We choose the rigor of courses to indulge in, the magnitude at which we participate in cocurriculars, and the overall extent to which we choose to engage ourselves. However, with the freedom given to us, comes the responsibility to make good choices. While the honor code is an example of that precedent and highlights the trust held between faculty and students, the responsibility also extends outside the classroom because, as students, we are held accountable to speak up for what we believe in and fully represent the things that make us us without the fear of being judged. Woodward nurtures an environment where faculty also are held accountable for the priorities and concerns of their students, and it provides us with a safe space to speak up and get involved to enact positive change on campus.Finally, humility is the last item I would like to touch on regard-ing the numerous qualities and mindsets Woodward has im-parted to us. It is a profound trait that I recognized the moment I set foot in the Upper School; however, it is in my time here that this trait showed true on a deeper level. As freshmen, we

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18were all rapidly encouraged to join the largest club on cam-pus, WA Serves, and begin to complete our yearly requirement of 20 service hours through clubs, on-campus service, and other opportunities oered across Atlanta. Although this is a positive initiative, it does not dier from the requirements held by many schools across the country. However, if you look at the opportunities we are encouraged to participate in, Wood-ward’s goals shine through. As a school, we recognize how fortunate we are to be able to learn and grow on such a beau-tiful campus and in such a supportive environment. However, we remain mindful that millions of people worldwide are not aorded with these same opportunities. This mindset inspires us to lead and help create change within society around us, starting with the communities that surround our campus. Many of the service projects, fundraisers, and volunteer opportu-nities provided to students help provide direct aid to local organizations that help to service the College Park, Hapeville, and East Point communities. I believe that this dedication has been exceptionally benecial when working to instill the same principles of gratitude and benevolence in each of us. For four years, we have seen consistency regarding where our money went on out-of-uniform days or highly advertised after-school service opportunities. Their eorts to continue to give back to the College Park community, have shown us that we, too, can impact others through hard work and commitment.It is now time to delve into the unique journey of our class. I don’t know if you all remember but back when we were freshmen, our year got largely interrupted by a pandemic called COVID-19. I will never forget what it felt like to hear that we were going to be attending in-person classes in rotating groups and missing out on most of the year’s major cocurric-ular activities. As I scrolled through my photos from that year, there was not a single picture from a football game, home-coming, or club fair, but instead lots of photos of me sitting in my room alone. That year we had seasons without fans and had to eat lunch in our advisories every single day. While it was a dicult time, we learned how to adapt and slowly but surely integrated into the Upper School. Study sessions moved from the library to Zoom and we were able to learn about how the Upper School normally operated from our peer leaders and the other upperclassmen we had involvement with. These initial adversities were understandably very dicult for a lot of us to deal with. We were each navigating new levels of academic rigor on top of being isolated from the usual social scene. That being said, it was in the midst of the challenging times that our class developed its dening trait: collaboration. We may not have been all best friends, but we learned to work together and support one another to better manage and over-come the barriers set in our way by the pandemic. Through study sessions, class group chats, and shared study guides, we successfully made it through our freshman year, and it is that same tenacity and drive that has pushed us to continue to grow as individuals and as a class throughout the rest of our time in the Upper School. The hard work did not cease after our freshman year and with more traditional school years that followed we had more availability to delve into our various paths of choice. In addition to more concentration academically and with cocurriculars, things normalized socially and many of us have gradually been able to nd positive balances between the work and leisure aspects of our lives. I am proud to say that despite the collective obstacles we faced during our freshman year and the individual adversities we have faced afterward, our class has 139 inducted National Honor Society members, more than 15 committed athletes, and more than 75 seniors are part of the two major service clubs on campus. The attribute of col-laboration that we gained very early on continued to develop and play a large role during our nal three years in the Upper School. We all understood that we each had a lot of moving parts within our lives and the relationships that we built with our classmates helped dierent classes and activities become more manageable. As we go o into the real world, I encourage all of us to main-tain the same spirits of cooperation and teamwork. We do not need to have much in common with everyone, but we should never be above lending a helping hand. It is our generation that will be tasked with bringing our world back together and learning how to thrive and coexist despite the obvious dier-ences we all share. Our class is the perfect example that this is achievable. We are not all the best of friends and in reality very far from it, but it has not held us back as we recognize that we each have various goals and aspirations that we want to

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19achieve. In the environment that Woodward has provided us, we have been thoroughly exposed to the dierences present in race, religion, ideologies, and so much more, which truly models the real world. While going forward, we have more control over who we surround ourselves with, I hope that we never forget to acknowledge how much we can learn from the perspectives and engagement with people who are dierent from us. Finally, I will leave you all with one last reminder that at the end of the day, this is your story. While this chapter is about to conclude, you still have complete control over the ones that follow. Go into the world with condence, curiosity, and kind-ness, and hold onto the lessons that you have learned in your time here. Know that no adversity is too large for you to over-come. We have come so far as a class, and I have no doubt that we will continue to positively impact people wherever we go. Continue to dene your story and be proud of the people and lessons that have brought you this far. Thank you.

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20Please join me in a huge round of applause for this incredible Class of 2024! When I reect on my four years of high school, I have to admit that I have loved it! While we won’t miss the lack of sleep, the mountains of homework, or the long walks from the third oor of Moss to Brand Hall, there is so much about the last four years that we must celebrate. At its core, the Woodward Academy Class of 2024 embod-ies excellence, character, and opportunity. Our dedication to excellence has driven us to continually exceed academic and cocurricular expectations. Our strong character has guided our actions with honesty and respect. And, we have embraced every opportunity to learn, innovate, and empower each other. A few highlights from the Class of 2024 include having the rst football team in 43 years to make it to the state champion-ships, both the girls’ and boys’ wrestling teams placing second in the traditional state, and the Performance Ensemble placing second in the region for their production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.None of these accomplishments would have been possible without all the support we have received. Please join me in applauding our parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, teach-ers, faculty members, and the sta of Woodward Academy. While we often use our parents as ATMs, Ubers, and laundry machines, they also are our number one supporters. We don’t say it often enough: thank you. Thank you for pulling us out of bed after we missed the morning alarm for the 10th time, thank you for driving us to our cocurricular activities, thank you for holding us accountable in school, and thank you for being here to celebrate us.I also ask that you join me in a moment of silence to acknowl-edge and honor those who are no longer with us, reecting on the invaluable lessons they imparted. Thank you. As seniors, the question we get asked the most is some ver-sion of: “What do you want to do in the future?” We want to do a wide range of things. From doctors to teachers to entrepre-neurs and everything in between, we have big dreams. How-ever, today, I ask that all of you be more focused on the type of people you want to be and less on what you want to do in the future. Doing is action-oriented and focuses on achieving a goal, whereas being is oriented in the present moment and focuses on self-awareness. While the dierence between doing and being may seem unimportant, in actuality, who we want to be is more important than what we want to do. Let’s go back four years to August of 2020. As we returned from an extended summer break due to COVID, we walked onto the Upper School campus as eager freshmen. Sitting in the bleachers of Paget Gym, we met Dr. Merrill, Mrs. Zents, and Dr. Hendrix. They told us to “explore new opportunities,” “forge new friendships,” “discover ourselves,” and most importantly to “have fun.” And the truth is, it totally went over our heads. We were so concerned with who was in our classes, and if there were chicken tenders for lunch, that their advice went in one ear and out the other. While the importance of their words was not understood at the time, it has helped shape us into the people that we are today. As we walk across the stage today and years into the future, we will remember those words of wisdom along with the opportunities, the friendships, and the fun we had at Woodward. I would like for all of you to think of one cocurricular activity that you participated in during these last four years. Whether you were crushing it on Graham Hixon eld or the Richard-son stage, or spending endless hours perfecting a musical piece or a painting, it is the time spent on these activities that have taught us about grit. According to Angela Duckworth, an American academic and psychologist, grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Grit is sticking with your future for the long term and working hard to make that future a reality. We all get caught up in the need to win—the need to score the winning goal, the need to hit the perfect note, the need to produce an award-winning piece, and, as a wrestler, I too am FinalistSOPHIA SANGHA

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21guilty of that. Yet we have all missed that game-winning point, fallen on stage, or lost an award. And at that point, we have all wanted to quit. However, what sets us apart is our grit. We are all born with grit, but it is only exposed from putting your heart and soul into your goals, enduring heartache, and heartbreak, persevering, and coming back stronger. Winning is always the goal, but when failure comes, we must feel it, learn from it, and move past it. As you continue your life’s journey beyond high school, remember the moments that inspired passion and perseverance in you. While the obstacles you face in life will only get bigger, the grit that you have learned at Woodward will help you endure and overcome any obstacle.Over the years, we have often turned to our friends for help, love, and laughter. Whether it is sitting at the lunch table laughing or whispering to each other during class and then getting detention for it, these small moments are core mem-ories that we will never forget. As we move on to the next part of our life’s journey, we will maintain these friendships, but we also will have the opportunity to meet new people. Whether it is smiling at someone across campus or helping a new classmate, put yourself out there to make new friends…be that shoulder to lean on or the laugh that cheers up someone’s day. Being a good friend is something we should strive to be every day. As my favorite character Winnie the Pooh said, “A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.” At Woodward Academy, we have been aided in broadening our worldview. We are mandated to take an art course, and we must be involved in our community through service hours. Many of us have complained about how much work it would take to accomplish these tasks or how it was not “our thing.” We all have a plan for what we want to do in the future. While I, like many of you, love a good plan, I propose to you that the best moments in life are those that are unplanned and outside of our comfort zone. In Ceramics 2, a class I was not keen on taking, I learned how to take ideas and thoughts and express them in my pieces. While volunteering at Horizons for service hours, I saw the powerful impact of my actions, so I decided to earn my distinction in service learning. In college, these choic-es will fall more directly into our hands. We can either stay in our comfort zones, or we can push ourselves to try something new and see what joy and greatness we can nd in the unknown. As we start planning our transition from high school to future endeavors, it is easy to get absorbed in our endless to-do lists and lose sight of why it all matters. On days like that, pause and think about the things that are really important to you, things that give you a sense of purpose and fulllment. Be yourself, and be content with that. Be patient, with yourself and others. Be excited, for new opportunities that present themselves at unexpected times.I have complete condence that the Class of 2024 will go on to do great things, but who we choose to be is ultimately more important and entirely in our hands. So Class of 2024, let me ask you the question, “Who do you want to be in the future?”Thank you Woodward Academy for being a place where we could develop grit, forge forever friendships, and step outside of our comfort zones. And thank you Class of 2024 for being my inspiration and motivation.

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SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT ADDRESS by HLINA TEMESGENGood Evening. It is my honor and privilege to have served this class and to address you all today. Proud parents, supportive friends, diligent faculty, and admirable admin-istrators, thank you for being here today and every day. Before I begin, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the loved ones and family members who couldn’t be here with us today. We carry you all in our hearts. The past four years have been lled with gratifying memories and heaps of hard work. We are gathered here today to share excitement about the next chapter of our lives, but we also are here to cherish the journey that’s now behind us. It was just four short years ago that we were freshmen in high school trying to navigate new halls, new friends, and a new environment amidst a global pandemic. In the face of adversity, the Class of 2024 always stood tall with courage, strength, and resilience. Though we are all dressed in the same ashy red gowns, each one of us represents a unique identity and back-ground that pieces together to form the Woodward com-munity. I remember the rst day that I had the privilege of wearing the Woodward Academy uniform. That shy sixth grader was so nervous and she never could’ve imagined how far I have come. Little did she know, that seemingly scary environment was where she would make lifelong connections and grow into a condent young woman. I come from a heritage built on the principles of resilience, honor, and discipline. In the face of war, genocide, and dire humanitarian issues, my ethnic homeland, Tigray, held to those core values. The courage of my people during the toughest of times showed that in the absence of opportunity, without fail it is character that persists. Time and time again we have proved ourselves deserving through our remarkable accolades and achievements. From debate championships, athletic state nishes, and superior ratings at LGPE, we have made a habit of our excellence. But ultimately, it is our disposition that distin-guishes us. For many of us, graduation is representative of our hard work, and more notably the sacrices of our families. As a rst-generation American and a soon-to-be rst- generation college student, the opportunity to receive an education is a blessing beyond all measure. Thank you to 23

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24my mother for sacricing so much to give me the chance that she didn’t have access to. Thank you to the teachers who work tirelessly to guarantee our success inside and outside of the classroom. Your consistent dedication to your students ignites res of curiosity within us, helping us discover our passions and learn how to align them with our purpose.The great Nipsey Hussle once said, “The highest human act is to inspire.” Woodward’s atmosphere, students, and opportunities inspired me to not only nd my voice but to use it in servicing my communities. As we continue in our academic journeys and all of the paths that life may take us through, remember to always be led by intention and to be driven by ambition. Thank you to everyone who has made this institution possible, but most importantly thank you to this class for pouring into Woodward and for con-tinuing a legacy of excellence, character, and opportunity. It’s truly been a pleasure. Thank you.2420

2024 Commencement Awards Program

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