Upper School: Sending off the Class of 2025

On Thursday, June 5, families, friends, and the greater Rye Country Day community gathered in the Scott A. Nelson Athletic Center to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 in the School’s 156th Graduation Exercises. 

The ceremony featured remarks from Student Body President Emily Cheigh ’25, Senior Class President Luke Stronski ’25, Head of School Randall Dunn, and Upper School Assistant Principal Jenny Heath. 

The Upper School Concert Choir gave a beautiful performance of “Ad Astra (To the Stars…)” and the WildScats a capella group sang “Rise Up” by Andra Day. 

“I wish you an absence of fear and an abundance of curiosity,” said Head of School Randall Dunn. “Delight in learning and exploring. One of the gifts of life is that we don’t have all the answers all the time. Continue to feel joy in the pursuit of knowledge,” he counseled the seniors.

The graduation address was delivered by Dr. Meredith deChabert, Assistant Head of School for Academics, Institutional Research, and Data. This academic year caps off 20 years at RCDS for Dr. deChabert, who is the incoming Head at the Gordon School in Rhode Island. Chris Hughes, who is the outgoing Head of Garrison Forest School in Maryland, will succeed Dr. deChabert as Rye Country Day’s next Assistant Head of School starting this July.

Thrilled to be a part of “the event that symbolizes the tradition of excellence that is RCDS,” Dr. deChabert congratulated the students on their exemplary work in the classroom and their meaningful service to their communities.

Dr. deChabert, who has been at RCDS with members of this particular class as their Middle School Principal in Grades 5-17, 9th grade principal, 7th grade LA teacher, 9th grade English teacher, or 10th grade English co-teacher with Dr. Flaxman, expressed her admiration for the college-bound seniors.

“Class of 2025, you have had quite a ride at RCDS, and I am so glad that I had the good fortune to ride along with you. Thank you for being wonderful students, thoughtful and loving humans. We are all impressed with how beautifully you have adapted to everything that has come your way. You’ve done well, you’ve done good, and we’re all incredibly proud of you.”

The Class of 2025 gift to Rye Country Day School was a bell, which was rung for the first time as the graduates tossed their graduation caps into the air, marking the end of their student chapter and the start of their Wildcat alumni days. The ringing of this bell will become a new celebratory tradition at RCDS graduation ceremonies to come.

Head of School Randall Dunn’s closing statement captured the spirit of pride and excitement around the seniors’ big day: “When I think about the outstanding institutions of higher education you will be attending, I think about how lucky they are to have you. And I feel lucky too—because we at RCDS get to call you our Wildcats forever!” 

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Thank you for your many contributions to RCDS. And remember: Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!

Middle School: Recognizing the Class of 2029

The eighth-grade Class of 2029 was recognized in the Middle School Graduation on Wednesday, June 4 in the Scott A. Nelson Athletic Center. 

Middle School Principal Pen Vineyard, Head of School Randall Dunn, and Class Speakers Emma W. ’29 and David L .’29 offered remarks. The Grade 7 and 8 chorus sang “A Million Dreams” from “The Greatest Showman,” and Student Body President Nola Coady ‘26 welcomed the new ninth graders to the Upper School.

Congratulations, eighth graders! We can’t wait to celebrate your achievements in the RCDS Upper School!

Lower School: Celebrating the Class of 2033

Fourth graders were celebrated at their Moving-Up Ceremony in the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 3. Lower School Principal Stacey Sotirhos and Head of School Randall Dunn offered special remarks. Much to the delight of the students and the audience, Mr. Dunn continued his annual tradition of writing and reciting a poem mentioning each student by name. 

Middle School Principal Pen Vineyard welcomed the students to the Middle School.

In small groups, every member of the three fourth-grade classes spoke about different aspects of the Lower School and the way it positively impacted their lives.  Their reflections were titled:

• Amazing Teachers
• Caring Matters
• School Spirit
• Motivation
• Building Self-Confidence
• Mentorship And Connection
• Friendship
• Working Together
• A Strong Community

Congratulations to the newest members of the Middle School! We are so proud of you!