Skip to content
Summer 2026
A boy in a dark blue blazer, white shirt, and pink tie, and a girl in a white dress, hold their diplomas at commencement. A boy in a dark blue blazer, white shirt, and pink tie, and a girl in a white dress, hold their diplomas at commencement.
Photo by Paloma Torres
Summer 2026 Noteworthy

‘We Can Blaze Our Own Trails and Shine’

The Class of 2026 learned that the world is big enough to allow each to make their own mark — ideally in service to society.

Written by:
Sean Ramsden H'65

A steady rain throughout the weekend saw the Class of 2026 spend their last hours together at the ice rink inside Tsai Field House, contemplating the perils of progress, but also imbued with the courage to see the light, at Lawrenceville’s 2026 Commencement. The School’s 228 newest alumni emerged from their time on campus bolstered by the resourcefulness and resilience they developed in on the stages and fields of play, around the Harkness tables, and in their Houses.

“I encouraged you neither to embrace [progress] blindly, nor to fear it — but to expect it: that progress, that change, and all that comes with it, is inevitable,” said Head of School Stephen S. Murray H’54 ’55 ’63 ’65 ’66 ’16 P’16 ’21, expressing his faith in the class while referencing his earlier Baccalaureate address. “My faith comes from the qualities that I see in all of you, qualities that have emerged during your time here, and that are now simply part of who you are and that you bring with you out into the world: your generosity of spirit, your belief in each other, your sense of hope and possibility, and with this, as you make your way, you will, I am confident, not merely persist, but indeed thrive — and surely, the world will be a better place for it.”

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 Mila Cooper ’26. 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 Jael Gaines ’26. He also recognized the members of the class who will attend service academies in the fall: Estelle May Chafin ’26 was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy; Andrew Hurlock ’26 received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; Jabrahlyn Jones ’26 will attend Virginia Military Institute; and Anthony Woo ’26 will attend Bowdoin College and will be enrolling in their Air and Space Force R.O.T.C. program.

In her valedictory address, Gloria Yu ’26 reflected on the values of compassion, curiosity, and community, reminding future classes to “treat those around you with compassion and celebrate each other’s successes, because the world does offer enough sweet pie for everyone to share.”

“In a society where we constantly measure ourselves against each other, where we all hope to find success and to be remembered,” Yu said, “it’s easy to overlook that the world is indeed big enough to hold all of us and to allow each of us to make our own mark.”

* * *

Watch a recording of The Lawrenceville School 2026 Commencement ceremony on Vimeo.