Congratulations, Class of 2021!
Dear Saklan Families,
Saying farewell to our graduates is always bittersweet. Perhaps it was even more pronounced this year because the majority of them had been at Saklan since the lower school and because it was an extraordinarily difficult year. It was not just COVID-19 and everything that came with it (the masking, distancing, testing, etc). But for an age group that thrives on optimism, it was a challenging year politically, socially, and culturally.
But they persevered. They kept their heads up and did not complain. Forces out of their control threw them curveballs and they responded with compassion, courage, and creativity. Our graduates ended the year with grace and dignity, delivering some of the best graduation speeches we have seen in a long time. Thank you, class of 2021.
In case you missed it, you can view the graduation here. Two highlights of the ceremony were powerful, original pieces of prose by graduates Reese Kammerer and Levi Kim that sought to open our minds and challenge our beliefs.
Each year we create a slideshow that highlights the memories of our graduates from their first years at Saklan all the way through the last week of 8th grade. Take a moment to watch this video and relive their journey.
I would like to extend a special thank you to Lori Anders, Jenny Choi, Jen Cogen, and Christy Mack for helping to organize the graduation dinner and the ceremony. It takes a lot of planning and coordination, but both events were beautifully orchestrated and the perfect way to send off our graduates. Additionally, a special shout-out goes to Kim Parks, Shay Sager, Emoke Veres, and Javier Yacarini for all their behind-the-scenes work handling the logistics of the graduation.
Thank you, again, for helping us all make it through one of the most challenging years in our memory. Our community moves forward to planning for the 2021-22 school year with so much strength, unity, humility, and hope.
I wish you all an incredible and rejuvenating summer.
Fondly,
David
#SaklanGraduation
FRIDAY BLOG 