A total of 91 students graduated from West Hartford’s Kingswood Oxford School on May 22, 2015.

Submitted by Michelle Murphy, Director of Communications & Marketing, Kingswood Oxford School

Before the ceremony began, excited seniors posed for and took dozens of photos – including the requisite group shot with a selfie stick. Photo by Michelle Murphy

The 91 members of the Class of ’15 graduated from Kingswood Oxford on a picture-perfect May 22 – the first outdoor Commencement since 2011.

“The senior class has waited patiently for four years to have its graduation outside on the Senior Green,” said Head of School Dennis Bisgaard, as the 10:30 a.m. ceremony began. “In fact, this is the first time it has happened since they entered the Upper School! Class of 2015, I am glad your wish came true. Today is the perfect day.”

For a complete list of graduates and a list of the colleges and universities to which they were accepted, visit www.kingswoodoxford.org.

In keeping with KO tradition, the seniors chose a faculty member – Math teacher and Form 3 Dean William Gilyard – to deliver the commencement address.

Having come to KO the same year the seniors did, Gilyard said he felt a particular connection to the Class of ’15. “I’ve taught just about all of them, coached many of them … and I was an advisor in that Form,” he said. In his remarks to this remarkably successful group, he chose to focus on failure – pointing out that taking risks and making mistakes are the keys to self-discovery.

“Failure can give you the opportunity to examine the gap between who you are now and who your authentic self can be,” he said. “Ultimately, you will decide what constitutes failure, because if you let others define that for you, then they will.”

Nine members of the Class of ’15 had parents or grandparents who also graduated from KO. About half the class (46 students) graduated with honors. Though KO does not name a valedictorian, Robert Scappaticci received the “Dux Prize,” awarded to the senior with the highest GPA for the year, during the Prize Assembly on May 19.

The class included a National Merit Scholar, Julianne DeAngelo of Weatogue, and nine National Merit Commended students.

And, the Class of ’15 includes eight students who plan to play sports in college, including two – Sharrieff Grice and Melissa Lord – who are headed to Div. I programs.

In his final charge to the new alumni, Bisgaard encouraged the group to continue on the paths they’d begun at KO.

“Do your part to make this a better world, to reach out and lend a helping hand, to do a random act of kindness, and to use your power to be a change agent for the common good,” he said. “I know you will succeed individually, but true success, I believe, is to do good and bring along as many individuals as you can in that success.

“Class of 2015, we are all so very proud of you,” he concluded. “We love you, we will miss you, and we will always be here – so visit often, stay connected, and may you all have the very best of luck.”

Their surprise swag – KO sunglasses – came in handy for Kingswood Oxford’s 91 seniors when they assembled on the steps of Alumni Hall for their traditional class photo. Photo by Michelle Murphy

KO’s Head of School Dennis Bisgaard and the Commencement speaker, KO Math teacher Will Gilyard (on Bisgaard’s right) enjoy the witty introduction by Casey Barter ’15. Photo by David Newman, photobynewman.com

Colgate-bound Ryan Wetsman is congratulated by his parents, Lori Satell Wetsman ’85 and David Wetsman, and his sister Nicole Wetsman ’12 after KO’s graduation. Photo by David Newman, photobynewman.com

Joseph Ravalese, Jr. ’51 and Joseph Ravalese III ‘79 congratulate their family’s newest Wyvern alum, Joseph Ravalese IV ’15. Photo by Michelle Murphy

Before the ceremony began, excited seniors posed for and took dozens of photos – including the requisite group shot with a selfie stick. Photo by Michelle Murphy

Katie Smith of West Hartford is congratulated by KO counselor Chastity Rodriguez ’91 on the faculty receiving line on the Senior Green; KO students have not officially graduated until they have received best wishes from each teacher at the school. Photo by David Newman, photobynewman.com

KO’s Head of School Dennis Bisgaard presided over the picture-perfect commencement ceremony on Friday, May 22. Photo by David Newman, photobynewman.com

KO graduation processional. Photo by David Newman, photobynewman.com

Their surprise swag – KO sunglasses – came in handy for Kingswood Oxford’s 91 seniors when they assembled on the steps of Alumni Hall for their traditional class photo. Photo by Michelle Murphy