The 42 members of the Class of 2023 graduated under bright sunny skies on the school's field. Mayor Tim Kelly, Class of 1979, spoke and encouraged students to get involves, have courage, believe in their potential and get weird.
Fifth graders played handbells, sang and played recorders to the traditional Bright School graduation song "Country Gardens." The students also sang "Over There Is My Future."
Mary Elizabeth Hicks, Emma Murchison and Hayes Naggar were selected by their classmates to present the class gift to Head of School Kristin Watts. The students chose to provide more outdoor play equipment for the fifth grade recess area.
Fifth grade teacher Ann O'Brien offered the Congratulations from the Faculty and shared many of the things students wrote about what Bright School has helped them become.
Mayor Kelly told students that when he was graduating from Bright School that he would have never imagined he would become mayor and said he doubted many of his teachers would have imagined it either. He said early education is most vital, and Bright School provides an excellent foundation. He said students will be facing challenges that push, test and frighten them, but that everyone at Bright School will support them. He urged students to find something they love and get involved, to stand up for what is right, to believe in their own potential and finally to "get weird" to contend with AI, as original thought will always prevail.
Current and former board members presented diplomas to students and joined alumni and faculty and staff parents to give diplomas to their own children. A special diploma was awarded to Sabrina McAllister, who is leaving Bright after 38 years.
