Fifty-three students graduated from Watkinson on June 9, 2017.

Submitted by Jenni French, Watkinson School

On June 9 at 10 a.m., 53 students celebrated Watkinson School’s 136th commencement.

Despite the traditional white dresses for the girls and navy blazers and school ties for the boys, the ceremony was anything but traditional. Watkinson’s mission is to “develop in our students the power to shape their lives and the world around them,” so years ago the administration decided that instead of inviting an outside speaker, it would be more meaningful to have the graduates themselves offer advice and reflections to their peers.

Eighteen seniors reflected on their experiences at Watkinson, sharing what they learned, loved, and what they will keep with them as they head off to college and beyond.

Any graduating senior can opt to perform or speak at graduation, but they must go through a long, serious process of draft writing, reflection and practice, attending to deadlines along the way. Senior presentations ranged from heartfelt speeches to songs, to poems, to dance performances.

Six students from West Hartford presented at graduation, including (pictured above, from left, top to bottom): Gabriel Silver, Michaela Boyle, Lilly Keller, Daniella Angulo, Bonnie Wilder, and Nathaniel Pinkes.

Watkinson School, Hartford’s oldest independent day school for grades 6-12/PG, has its next information session for prospective families on July 12 at 6 p.m.