Class of 2025 Convenes for Baccalaureate

On Thursday, May 15, members of the Class of 2025 processed into St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for a baccalaureate ceremony. This service, which featured student and faculty speakers, invited friends and family to celebrate our seniors during one of several events held this week in their honor—the senior dinner the night before, Class Day today, and Commencement tomorrow.

Prior to the evening, seniors voted for the student and faculty speakers they wanted to hear from during the event. Augusta Glendenning Webb ’98, fine arts teacher and sponsor of Christian Forum, was chosen to offer the invocation following the processional. In her heartfelt blessing for the Class of 2025 she reflected on the meaningful moments they’ve shared—from early days in middle school to senior year—and celebrated their growth into compassionate, courageous young women. Inviting the community into a spirit of reflection and hope, she prayed that the graduates carry with them the values of integrity, curiosity, kindness, and strength. “Each one is a reflection of your goodness and creativity,” she said, “shaped by resilience, intellect, humor, and compassion.”

Head of School Megan Cover spoke next, welcoming attendees to the service. She said, “While Saturday’s Commencement will celebrate your academic achievements and growth, as we usher you into the world with immense pride, Baccalaureate calls us to be humble and mindfully present. It invites us to consider the values that have guided you, the relationships that have shaped you, the support that has sustained you, and the dreams that now rise to meet you.

Through word, song, and reflection, we honor not only all that you’ve accomplished but also who you are becoming. Seniors, this evening is yours. May this time together remind you that you are known, you are loved, and you are ready.”

After Megan’s opening remarks, senior Ellison Ball offered a reading from Proverbs, followed by readings on the GPS core values by Kendall Ownby (Honor), Blythe Lavin (Respect), Gwyneth Parks (Curiosity), Ani Bhushan (Individuality), and Sadie Buhrman (Relationships). 

Next, senior Mabry Cook shared a speech titled “Looking for GPS," and the GPS Singers then performed “Already Home” from The Wizard of Oz.

Sylia Hicks offered a reading from “On Self-Knowledge” by Khalil Gibran next, followed by a guitar and vocal performance of the Taylor Swift songs “Long Live” and “New Year’s Day” from Tori Ball and Ella Beth Wiedmer.

Joe Lyons, Science Teacher, was selected by the senior class to offer the faculty address. He reflected on the quiet strength and resilience of the Class of 2025, many of whom he’s known since their sophomore year. Centering his message around Romans 5:3–5, he spoke about the power of perseverance—how enduring challenges builds character and, ultimately, hope. He praised the class for their compassion, grit, and support for one another through tough moments, reminding them that their strength has already been proven. 

“Over the past four years, you’ve faced challenges: some big, some small, some nobody else even knows about. But you kept showing up. You kept working. You kept being kind to one another, even when the world around you didn’t always feel kind,” he said.

“And that matters. That builds something. It builds strength that doesn’t just help you pass tests or get into college, it helps you live with integrity. It gives you depth. It gives you hope.”

He continued, “It's always easier to see others more clearly than we see ourselves. So, you might not have noticed it, but you’ve already lived out that verse. You’ve lived through hard moments and grown because of them.”

Joe concluded, offering his hope for the soon-to-be-graduates: “As you leave here, don’t be afraid of struggle. Don’t run from the hard stuff. Let it shape you. Let it teach you. Persevere through it all, good and bad. Perseverance leads to character. Character leads to hope. And hope isn’t just optimism, it’s a kind of trust. A deep-down belief that you’re not alone, and that something good is being formed in you, even if you don’t see it right away. You’ve got that in you already. I’ve seen it.

“Wherever you go next, whatever you face, I hope you carry that hope with you. I hope you keep growing into the person that you are called to be. And I hope you never forget the strength you’ve already shown just by getting to this moment.”

To close the ceremony, the crowd sang the GPS “Alma Mater” before Head of Upper School Beth Creswell Wilson ’96, PhD offered the benediction.