Rye Country Day's Class of 2020 was recognized during the School's first-ever virtual Graduation Ceremony on June 5, 2020. The ceremony, which was delivered via webcast and produced by the sports and entertainment firm Van Wagner Group, featured remarks from Headmaster Scott Nelson, Senior Class President Tess Asness '20, and Graduation Speaker Chiamaka Nwakeze '06. The WildScats also gave a beautiful performance of "From a Distance" by Julie Gold.

Ms. Nwakeze, who holds her undergraduate degree in neurobiology from Harvard, is a joint doctoral student at Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health through the NIH M.D./Ph.D. Partnership Training program. After completing her doctorate at Columbia, she will attend Harvard Medical School. Ms. Nwakeze spoke to the graduates about their resilience in the face of significant change to education and everyday life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also referred to their role as "multicultural vanguards" in positively shaping America's future stating, "My hope is that your class's deep commitment to individual expression, the efficacy of dialogue to improve our understanding, and your radical inclusiveness will direct our path away from darkness and into the light of a brave, more inclusive, more just new world."

Mr. Nelson spoke not only to the graduates' high academic achievements but also to their resilience over the last few months and their inspiring strength of character. He concluded, "Congratulations to a most admirable and accomplished class of Rye Country Day School scholars. I look forward to hearing about your continuing successes. And, I know each and everyone of you will contribute to making our world a better place."

Video Clips from Virtual Graduation Broadcast:

The School capped its slate of celebratory events for the Class of 2020 with a festive Drive-Up, Diploma Pick-Up event on campus on Saturday, June 6. In partnership with the City of Rye, RCDS planned an exciting—and safe—opportunity for students to have an in-person celebration that included cheers and good wishes from over fifty faculty and staff in attendance.