Oakcrest School Graduates the Class of 2024

 

Upper School Director Ms. Christine Nussio, who has taught at Oakcrest for the past 12 years, delivered the commencement address. 

“You have achieved something great,” Ms. Nussio said to the Class of 2024. “An Oakcrest education is built on the principles that knowing the truth of things is good in itself and natural to man, that the truth is unitive, and that truth is something we do not create, but must contemplate. I have been delighted to see how you’ve made these principles your own.”

The class Valedictorian Caroline Millard ‘24 also shared some words with her classmates, encouraging them to cling to Christ and to one another as they go off into the world. 

“I know that each of you are also people of exceptional character who have worked long and hard for this day,” Caroline said. “Your diploma and the honor it bestows are not just given to you; each of you have earned it through your efforts and determination. You have demonstrated, you have proven, you have what it takes within you to be a leader because you possess the element of self-mastery which is truly priceless. I know others will see this too and be attracted to you. Be ready. People need your light because your stability and constancy bring hope and direction to a world that desperately needs it. Be masters of your own ship and you will help guide others.”

Salutatorian Madeleine Moss ‘24 also delivered remarks, reflecting on the class’ journey over the last seven years and the journeys that await them.  

“We were created for the infinite, and, consequently, we spend a lifetime, yearning for things always beyond our grasp,” Madeleine said. “In middle school, we longed to be high schoolers; in high school, we worked towards college; and now, we face an exciting future. It is only human to look forward, but we must not forget the journey that led us here and, most importantly, the people that carried us when we were unable to continue on our own. Thank you, parents, teachers, friends, and family, for your continued love and encouragement. Words cannot sufficiently express our gratitude.”

The title of “Acorn” is given to graduates who have completed the seven-year Oakcrest journey from sixth grade to 12th grade. Twelve members of the Class of 2024 were adorned with their acorn pins: Zelie Anderson, Monica Beatty, Lucia Branch, Heidi Burke, Marylouise Cassedy, Eleanor Dausch, Katherine Kennedy, Claudia Mahoubi, Myriam McGovern, Charlotte O’Beirne, Lucy Ruse, and Kathryn Schindler. 

Each senior completes a capstone thesis project in which she forms her own idea on an academic subject using texts she has analyzed in class alongside other sources. She then writes the academic paper and presents the thesis to her peers, teachers, and family members. The Edwina Maksym Senior Thesis Award is presented to senior theses of exceptional scholarly quality. The winners of the 2024 Edwina Maksym Senior Thesis Award are Anna Guenther ‘24, for her thesis titled “Longevity in a Culture of Eternal Youth: Hannah Coulter and Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” and Charlotte O’Beirne ‘24, for her thesis titled “When the Truth Is Not Beautiful: Grotesque Messengers of Grace in Conversion”. Learn more about the senior thesis on our website. 

The Class of 2024 heads off to several prestigious colleges and universities around the world including University of California - Berkeley, University of Chicago, University of Notre Dame, Universidad de Navarra (Spain), Thomas Aquinas College, and Wake Forest University.