Special Ink

Head of School Jonathan Downs '98, Convocation Ceremony 2024

I may seem ancient to some of you, but I am not that old.

30 years ago, when I was 14 years old, I attended 9^th grade at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, New York. Then, students were allowed to smoke cigarettes on school grounds. Eighteen was the legal age, but no one enforced it. It was common at the beginning and end of school days and during lunch break to see students hanging outside, smoking.
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Commencement 2024, Welcome from the Board of Trustees, Steve Rodgers P'24, '25
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Women's Dinner 2024, Special Speaker Nancy Keller-Coffey P'13, '14

I am honored to be here at this gathering. I want to start by thanking Caroline Wamsler and Nancy Stahl for asking me to come speak here, and I want to thank the women of Millbrook, our alumnae, parents, and colleagues, for listening to my thoughts. When I was asked to speak, I focused on my mother, Anne Elizabeth Borum Keller, whom I called Betty as a young child, who has been my love, my gratification, and my inspiration my entire life.
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2023 Commencement Welcome from the Board of Trustees by Paul Stafford P'16, '19, '23

I’m very proud of all of you.

As a speaker at a graduation, I get the privilege of offering a few words of wisdom to the graduating class. It boils down to one word: love. Every moment of every day, Millbrook School lives and breathes its mission statement, which hangs on the words “known and needed.” To me, knowing and needing is perhaps the best way we express love for each other. Like everyone, my own children had ups and downs here. The school guided us through those times in a way that made it clear to me that they were truly seen for who they were. Our family felt known and needed and always loved. Following are some of the best additional examples I can think of.
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2023 Sixth Form Commencement Speech by Liam Kennelly

Before I start reminiscing about our class, I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me get to this stage. Thank you to my advisor, coaches, and friends for helping me with this speech. In fact, my family was no help at all because I never told them that I was even doing this; SURPRISE, I hope you guys like it. If you want to see their reaction just look in the crowd for the Irish guy who is permanently sunburnt. Sorry dad. To my classmates, thank you for voting for me. I am truly honored and hope to deliver a speech that caps off a wild four years.
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2022 Sixth Form Commencement Speech by Elijah Grant-Pereira

Firstly, I’d like to thank my parents, as you all truly are the only reason, I am on this stage today. When I told them I wanted to go to boarding school, they thought I was either going through a crisis or that they had misunderstood whether or not they had been good parents to me. My dad genuinely believed that boarding school was just a place for, and I quote, “rich parents too lazy to raise their badass kids” …only sometimes true. But despite all this, with enough pestering I convinced them to hear me out and now we’re here.
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2021 Sixth Form Commencement Speech by Artemis Köprülü

Mr. Casertano, Mr. Downs, faculty and staff, and, of course, the Class of 2021, thank you for giving me the honor of being your class speaker. To the IIIrd, IVth, and Vth formers, you had no role in electing me, so just sit back and enjoy. When I called my best friend to let him know I was chosen to deliver this speech, he said “You’re valedictorian! That's amazing!” To which I responded, “Not really, I’m the class speaker. It's like valedictorian without the grades.” To which he responded, “Sounds like you, Artie.”
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Linda Casterano - Featured Speaker at Millbrook's Annual Alumnae Event

The first time I drove down School Road, it was dirt, and I was filled with dread. It was in the winter of 1990. Drew and I had been invited to campus by the search committee, which was charged with selecting Millbrook School’s 6th headmaster.

I recall only a few details of our 24-hour visit – probably because I was not thrilled to be there. At the time, we were comfortably settled at Loomis Chaffee. We had just moved from a campus house back into the dorm, where I was the dorm head. I loved my work there in admissions and financial aid. We had a great group of friends, and there was a large number of faculty children – no shortage of playmates for Alex and Tyler, ages 7 and 4. Life was good! That said, Drew was interested in pursuing a headship at a boarding school, and we agreed that was something we both wanted for him, for us, and for our family. But so soon?
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State of the School, Spring 2021
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Headmaster's Remarks from the 2020-2021 1st Semester Academic Awards Ceremony

It’s good to have so many of you back on campus. It’s good to take this time to celebrate the academic achievement and effort of the first semester with our first ever ZOOM version of the Academic Awards Assembly.

There is ample reason to celebrate the first semester. Amidst the obvious challenges of starting school and staying in school in the midst of a pandemic, the overall performance of the student body, as measured by grades, was exceptional.

Along with acknowledging those students on Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, and Effort List, the most challenging and impressive of these three honors to achieve, tonight we are celebrating teaching and learning—the impressive engagement by teachers and students alike in academic pursuits and your shared willingness to accept moments of disappointment and discomfort, to embrace change, and to make the best of the situation. Simply put, these attitudes and behaviors are essential to a healthy life.
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2020 Convocation Address by Headmaster Drew Casertano
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Jack Bloom '20 - Commencement Address
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Women's Event 2020, Guest Speaker Academic Dean Jarrratt Clarke
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2019 Convocation Address - Acting Headmaster Jon Downs '98
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2018 Commencement Address by Sean McManus P '18

When Drew asked me to give this year’s commencement address, it made me realize that it was almost exactly 45 years ago that I graduated from Fairfield Prep. At the time, I couldn’t imagine what I would be doing in two years, much less that I would actually be speaking at my daughter’s commencement so many years later.

I know you’ve often heard that time flies by so quickly, but please believe me that this is so true. So try and cherish today and remember what a monumental and proud moment this is for you.

You have accomplished a great deal by graduating today…this is an important milestone for you as you embark on the next phase of your life. How exciting is that? Your opportunities are limitless, and you have a whole team who is rooting for you to realize your dreams and aspirations.
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Headmaster's Remarks, Convocation 2017
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2017 Commencement Welcome by Trustee Caroline A. Wamsler, Phd '87
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2017 Commencement Address by Jean-Pierre Conte P '17

I’m honored to be invited to speak at the commencement for Millbrook’s graduating Class of 2017. Drew mentioned that I was a First Gen student and he shared my passion for supporting these special students. First Gen students are students who are the first in their families to go to college. And many of these students are immigrants or children of immigrants coming to our great nation for an opportunity to better their lives and lives of their families.
I am the child of immigrants. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and New Jersey.
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VIth Form Commencement Address by Ben Berg '17

About two and a half months ago, in my psychology class, we were doing a debate and it was my job to deliver the closing arguments. I have pretty bad stage fright so, as I’m giving my speech, I got so nervous that I literally forgot how to speak. I lost the words mid-sentence and sat in silence for about forty seconds until my time ran out. So it turns out that the silent treatment is not the best strategy to win a debate. It was a bold move that didn’t quite pay off. Again, I get very nervous in front of large amounts of people. Also, I should note that this was just in a class of about 16 students and 1 teacher and by my rough estimations, there are at least twice as many people here today. For the most part, I’m a pretty quiet guy. For my aunt and uncle who are here today, this might be the most they’ve ever heard me speak. And I think that the problem on that day, the debate day, is that I didn’t have much to say. But when I woke up today, something was different. Today is the last I day I’ll ever get to wake up as a student of Millbrook School. And after being chosen by my classmates to represent them on this day, I feel compelled to speak. I feel an urge and an obligation to finally raise my voice as we celebrate what we’ve done, who we are, and where we’ll go. So before I begin I’d like to say thank you to the people in my life who paid for my education and to the institution that provided it, because it’s been incredible. And lastly, I’d like to thank my classmates. I’m going to do my best to deliver a fitting conclusion to a four-year experience that has made me so incredibly proud to be a member of the class of 2017.
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Citation for Millbrook Medal Award Presented to Dan Cohen '86

Dan bleeds Millbrook blue in every way. Ever since his graduation from Millbrook 30 years ago, he has remained closely connected to his alma mater.
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Citation for Millbrook Medal Award Presented to Kristyn E. Reid '74

When Millbrook initially became coeducational back in 1971, our first female day students arrived on campus and forged a bond with one another and a pathway for future generations of girls to embrace and follow in ways that would enrich and strengthen our school community.
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Citation for Millbrook Medal Award Presented to John V. Frank '65

John is a man who cares deeply and passionately about a number of worthy causes. We honor him today because of his devotion to the field of education and to this school, in particular, and to the faculty and students who comprise the Millbrook School community.
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Commencement Address by Student-elected Speaker Olly Cohen '16, May 29, 2016
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Convocation Address by Headmaster Drew Casertano, September 13, 2015

On Thursday during the First Night service, Chaplain Hardy described that which we are celebrating today as "the edge of possibility." Thank you Chaplain Hardy. I find that four word phrase so accurate and evocative. As we begin Millbrook's 85th year, we do indeed stand at "the edge of possibility." Or, as she and I agreed, at "the edge of possibilities."

There is possibility of getting smarter. That is the first of the objectives that we, your teachers, have for you, our students. We want you to learn stuff. We want you to develop the skills and attitudes that will help you learn. We want you to be curious and to open and engage your minds. We want you to work hard, likely harder than you ever have in your lives. And we want you to begin to understand that your mind and the ways you use it will determine, more than anything, the quality and character of your lives.
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Citation for the Alumni Achievement Award Presented to Michael Thompson '65

MICHAEL G. THOMPSON, Ph.D. ’65

It is a real honor to present my former classmate with a special Alumni Achievement Award for his long and distinguished career and service in the field of education. Besides being a dear friend of Millbrook’s and serving as a consultant to our headmaster and countless other schools, Michael is an author and clinical psychologist specializing in children and families.
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Citation for the Edward C. Pulling Community Service Award Presented to Cummings Zuill '58

On behalf of the Millbrook School Alumni Association, it is my distinct privilege to present the Edward Pulling Community Service Award this year to Cummings Zuill of the Class of 1958. This award was established on the occasion of the School’s 50^th Anniversary in 1981. It is awarded from time to time to a Millbrook graduate who, in a distinctive way, has extended the principles and the spirit of Community Service in his or her life beyond Millbrook. Cummings’s yearbook page listed his life ambition was “to get away from it all” and while he may have accomplished that geographically on his idyllic island of Bermuda, he has hardly shied away from making a real difference in his and other people’s lives.
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Citation for the Millbrook Medal, Awarded to Dan Lindley '51

DANIEL A. LINDLEY, Jr., Ph.D ’51

There are few, if any, Millbrook graduates who are more loyal or more caring than Dan. Longtime class agent for the Class of 1951, Dan is a non-trustee member of the School Life Committee. He is a true mentor and supporter of our faculty and our school community.
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2014 Commencement Address by Christopher C. Holbrook '82

To the class of 2014, I have had the privilege of getting to know many of you over the years and without exception I have been impressed with your character and your dedication to each other as friends, teammates, collaborators, leaders and role models.

You know me as Parker’s father and now as your commencement speaker. However, I am not your typical choice for this role. I am not the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Nor have I written the great American novel. What I have done is lived a life informed by the values that I have learned here at Millbrook as a student, a parent and a trustee. I have devoted myself to causes that I feel passionate about and I have made a difference in those fields. And together with my wife, Alice, we have raised a family steeped in the values and lessons that we learned here at Millbrook.
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2014 VIth Form Commencement Address by Lucy Papachristou '14

On a chilly day in the October of my junior year, I was sitting on the bench between Schoolhouse and Case dormitory about twenty feet behind me reading a novel by the Croatian author Dubravka Ugrešic called “The Museum of Unconditional Surrender.” I was enjoying the book because it was unlike any that I had read before, spliced into pithy, sometimes one-line chapters, simultaneously incredibly detailed and frustratingly vague. As I turned the page to Chapter 67, I saw it was much the same. But I was so struck by what it had to say that I have remembered it word-for-word until this day:

“Richard [an artist friend of the narrator’s] found forty-four chairs in the streets of Berlin and showed them at his exhibition.

‘They were so tired. I wanted everyone to recognize that they aren’t chairs but former chairs. Remembering is actually an act of love,’ says Richard” (164).

"Remembering is actually an act of love.’”
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Founder's Prize Awardee, Aldin Medunjanin '12, Shares His Outward Bound Adventure

First off, I just really want to thank Mrs. McWilliams for everything she’s done for me regarding this trip. She literally did all the planning, from the paperwork to the flight information and so much more. I know she’s not here right now, but a special thanks to her.
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Headmaster's Farewell to the Class of 2010

In just a few moments, you will leave this tent as Millbrook graduates. Before you do, I ask you to “listen up” one more time for a few words of advice and farewell.

Life is inevitably complex and challenging. It is unfair, disappointing, and painful.

Life is beautiful. It is filled with opportunity and wonder and people whose kindness and caring are extraordinary.

Both statements are true. To help you cope with the former and find more of the latter, I offer these suggestions. For the most part, they are reminders, as you are on your way to understanding their value.
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Sixth Form 2010 Commencement Address by Augie Lehrecke

Why me? I really don’t have a clue. Standing here before you, it’s all that I can think about. Why am I the one speaking for this class? I spend most of my time hanging out with juniors. In fact I’m thinking about coming back next year to give their speech. Some have observed that I am disliked by the fewest number of people in my class, which is very flattering, but I still don’t think that qualifies me to give this speech.

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Trustee Welcome by Bill McNamara '75, Commencement 2010

Thank you to the class of 2010 for bringing us all together.

I'm so pleased to be here today with so many people who share a love for Millbrook School and who wish to honor the senior class. I bring you warm and special congratulations from the Millbrook School Board of Trustees on this proud and ceremonial day. The school has experienced a remarkable and positive year, and I want to convey to you - the seniors - our heartfelt thanks for the way you have conducted yourselves and for the strong way that you have led the school.
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Chapel Talk by Ray Seitz '59

The last time I stood on this platform was a little more than 50 years ago. On that June morning – against all the odds of all the bookies in Las Vegas – I received my Millbrook diploma.

A half-century is a long time ago. Of course, this means that I am now at the end of my life. You, on the other hand, are at the beginning of yours. I’m not sure which one of us has the better deal. All my failures, disappointments, embarrassments, betrayals, anxieties are pretty much behind me whereas yours lie before you. But some good things are waiting out there too.

I’m sure Mr. Casertano would like me to talk this evening about diplomacy, foreign policy, national security and all that stuff. But I spent four years at Millbrook disappointing the headmaster and I see no reason why I should break that pattern now.

So what I intend to do in these next few minutes is to pass on some tips about life. By way of introduction, however, I should first say that I don’t think my children like me. They pretend to like me, but deep down they are at best ambivalent. My grandchildren aren’t old enough to dislike me, but I’m sure that will come with time.
And the reason for this is because of what are called “Raymond’s Rules”. I have rules for everything. There are, for example, “Raymond’s Rules of Laundry.” There are “Raymond’s Rules of Table Manners” and “Raymond’s Rules of Cookery”. The most significant and valuable list, however, is “Raymond’s Rules of Life”, and I’m going to impart some of these to you. You should be getting excited right now.
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Commencement Address by Richard Stuckey (P '00, '03, '09)

Millbrook has indeed been an important part of our lives for many years, making today a special one for all of us. When I graduated college about 30 years ago my wife presented me with a quotation that I’d like to pass along to you in a few minutes. It’s from John Gardner, a renowned social reformer and author. He gave a commencement speech to a high school graduating class where he was asked to pass along his accumulated wisdom over his previous 30 years. Proving the value of friendship, his friend said to him: John -- that's their way of telling you to keep it brief!! And so I will as well.
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Headmaster's Farewell, Commencement 2009

In just a few moments, you will leave this tent as Millbrook graduates. Before you do, I ask you to “listen up” one more time for a few words of advice and farewell.
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Sixth Form Commencement Address by Damon Bolesta '09

William Shakespeare. Franz Kafka. Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Emily Brontë. These are the names of the great literary minds that have more or less tormented my life at some point during my time at Millbrook. I have grinded out essays, illustrated ideas, and discussed at great length the impact that each of these author's works have had on my life, my world, and the people around me.
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Trustee Welcome by William Crossman '74, Commencement 2009

It's a great honor for me to be here today to represent the Board of Trustees. When Bill McNamara, our Board Chair, asked me if I would "pinch hit" for him, I was indeed delighted to do so for some fairly obvious reasons. What I did not realize at the time of accepting the offer was that my father stood at this podium 28 years ago representing the Board of Trustees, doing the same thing while my brother Scott sat amongst the graduating class. In so many ways, Millbrook truly is a place of family and tradition.
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Chapel Talk by Gordon Hamersley '69

The following words represent a general version of Mr. Hamersley's chapel talk, although he often spoke from the heart and deviated from his written remarks:

As a student at Millbrook, I would describe myself as undisciplined, unmotivated and disorganized. That combined with a stubborn case of independence made my time here at Millbrook unremarkable academically. Traditional success evaded me here…
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Chapel Talk by Megan Butts '09, Founder's Prize Recipient

For my Founder’s Prize experience I wanted to choose a program that was going to challenge me in a place that I haven’t visited before. I chose an Outward Bound experience because it was a physical challenge but was not as technical as a NOLS program, another outdoor experience. My particular trip took place in the Elk Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. My trip lasted for 22 days, starting on July 4th.
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Chapel Talk by Daniel Cohen '86

Hello. For those of you that don’t know me, I’m Daniel Cohen, and I am a proud alumnus of Millbrook from the class of 1986. Speaking like this, in front of the entire school, is not something that I have ever had the pleasure to do, even while I was a student here. These Thursday evening chapel talks, as you know them, are a relatively recent development at school. But the history of public speaking at Millbrook goes back to the beginning of the school’s history. In fact, back in the day, during the formal sit-down lunches (yes, formal lunches that occurred every day), each boy (there were only boys then) was required to present themselves once a year to the entire school and give a speech on a subject of his choice. And they were not allowed to read their speeches from paper; they could only use notes. As you can very well imagine, this mandatory task put the fear of God in many young Millbrook boys.
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