‘That’s When Everything Changed’
The Class of 2025 struggled and collaborated its way toward deeper understanding.
A quarter of the way through the 21st century, the Class of 2025 departed Lawrenceville into a polarized world, where the winds of change blow in a way that seem more directed toward differences in people than on our shared commonality. But the School’s 208 newest alumni emerged from their time on campus buttressed by their shared experience around the Harkness tables and in their Houses, inspired to seek the best for all.
“What makes this moment so reassuring to me – even inspiring – is that as you head out to meet those challenges I described and many more that certainly are in store,” said Head of School Stephen S. Murray H’54 ’55 ’63 ’65 ’16 P’16 ’21, referencing his earlier Baccalaureate address, “you will do so with the good will that we have seen in you, with the belief that character and integrity matter, and that kindness and empathy are not signs of weakness, but rather are key to navigating a complicated world. And you will meet these challenges with a deep and abiding hope for the future – qualities in you that have emerged during your time here and that are simply part of who you are.”
Murray presented the Edward Sutliff Brainard Prize, given annually by the faculty to the Fifth Form student whom it holds in the highest esteem, to Nathan Muchai ’25. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Murray also presented the Trustees’ Cup, recognizing that student who has most influenced the School for good, to Kathlynn Yao ’25. He also recognized the members of the class set to attend service academies in the fall: Alina Diaz Ferreira ’25 and Owen Eldridge ’25 were appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy; Graham Mahoney ’25 received an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Macyn Hattman ’25 is attending the University of Notre Dame on a Navy R.O.T.C. scholarship; and Ray Taft ’25 is enrolled at the University of North Carolina on a Navy R.O.T.C. scholarship.
In her valedictory address, Sophia Liu ’25 reflected upon her realization that the deepest learning at Lawrenceville is what comes after confusion and collaboration.
“It turns out that confusion isn’t a sign we’re failing. It’s just the first step in learning something real. More often than not, the thing that got me through wasn’t a textbook. It was someone sitting next to me, praying with me,” Liu said. “That’s when everything changed. Because in those vulnerable moments, instead of trying to be smart, we try to be human: curious, collaborative, occasionally overwhelmed humans who just wanted the sentence to make sense.”
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See more photography from Commencement 2025 at Lawrenceville’s Flickr page.
Click here to read more about the Class of 2025’s year-end celebrations, awards, and other events.