No mountain too high for Williams School graduates

June 08, 2022 12:00 am • Last Updated: June 09, 2022 5:12 pm

Graduate Sarah Cole hugs her grandmother Mary Attridge of Old Saybrook, following the Williams School's commencement ceremony Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Connecticut College's Palmer Auditorium in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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School: The Williams School

Number of graduates: 38

Ceremony location: Palmer Auditorium at Connecticut College

Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Class identity: "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." — Victor Frankl, Austrian psychologist and Holocaust survivor.

Commencement Speaker

Dana Clark, director of College Counseling: "The point of my message is to just be you. Unapologetically you. Of course, it feels good to impress others and succeed, but you will learn so much more if you are authentically yourself because you will be happy."

Student Speakers (Chosen by the class)

Sydney Swann, New London: "When I think of the Class of 2022, I see a group of innovators, willing to try new things and approach life with a sense of curiosity. From athletics, to dance and theatre, to student government, as a whole, we've experienced everything Williams has to offer. Those are experiences that we learned from tremendously."

Phillip Knowlton, Haddam: "As I have spent the past years with all of you, I have seen you grow as well and I believe that I have seen you learn some of the same things as well. And if you have learned even half as much as I have from our class, then there is no doubt in my mind that when you go out into the world: you will also be able to succeed, to achieve and most importantly, to care."

Other highlights: Knowlton and his fellow graduate Cameron Liberty performed the song "Vienna" by Billy Joel; and the senior class performed its senior song, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.

Elizabeth Fowler shows off her diploma Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in the recessional during the Williams School's commencement ceremony at Connecticut College's Palmer Auditorium in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Graduates Ashton Medick and William Oliver share lyrics Wednesday, June 8, 2022, as they sing the senior song, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," during the Williams School's commencement ceremony at Connecticut College’s Palmer Auditorium in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Aliya Kahn does a special handshake with classmate Philip Knowlton after receiving her diploma Wednesday, June 8, 2022, during the Williams School’s commencement ceremony at Connecticut College’s Palmer Auditorium in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Maria Angelini, right, hugs fellow graduate Olivia Bonner after they received their diplomas Wednesday, June 8, 2022, during the Williams School's commencement ceremony at Connecticut College’s Palmer Auditorium in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Hayden Lambek blows kisses toward the audience as she walks up to receive her diploma Wednesday, June 8, 2022, during the Williams School’s commencement ceremony at Connecticut College’s Palmer Auditorium in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Administrative assistant Becky Sawyer, left, hugs graduate Lena Rimmer as she enters Palmer Auditorium on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, for the Williams School's commencement ceremony at Connecticut College in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Graduates pose for a photo Wednesday, June 8, 2022, following the Williams School’s commencement ceremony at Connecticut College's Palmer Auditorium in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Eleanor Steevels dances as a friend takes a video Wednesday, June 8, 2022, before the Williams School's commencement ceremony at the school in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Franklin Guo signs a yearbook as friends Junshen Xu, left, and Harry Han, right, look on before the Williams School’s commencement ceremony Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at the school in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Robert Darling IV hugs Head of School Mark Fader after receiving his diploma Wednesday, June 8, 2022, during the Williams School's commencement ceremony at Connecticut College's Palmer Auditorium in New London. Thirty-eight students graduated during the 131st annual exercises. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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