Westchester Country Day School celebrated its 54th graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 31, at Adaumont Farm in Trinity, North Carolina.

The 36 graduates in the Class of 2025 achieved 100 percent college acceptance. They were accepted to 50 different colleges and universities and collectively were offered $2.9 million in college scholarships.

Westchester’s graduation ceremony includes several traditions unique to the school’s recognition of graduates, including a bagpipe processional. As the graduates came forward to receive their diplomas, faculty members gave tribute speeches about each graduate offering insight into their individual personalities and highlighting their personal and academic growth as Westchester students.

A video of the graduation ceremony can be viewed online. Watch on YouTube

The Class of 2025 recognized two valedictorians. Valedictorian Claire Neal, daughter of Brent and Sarah Neal of Greensboro, will attend North Carolina State University, where she plans to study materials science and engineering.

In her speech during the ceremony, Neal reflected on gratitude for the Class of 2025’s experience at Westchester.

“I cannot express how grateful I am that this is something we will share forever. The 36 of us have spent our time together playing, growing, learning, and most importantly, preparing for the lives that we will begin as Westchester alumni when we exit this hall today,” said Neal. “As we begin our new paths no longer together, let gratitude be the breeze that pushes us up and lifts us up when we are down. Let gratitude pervade our moments of reflection and our moments of hope. Let not just the experience, but the gratitude for it, build the path that each of us takes.”

Valedictorian Sutton Scott, daughter of Jake and Kerie Beth Scott of High Point, will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she plans to study chemistry. During her speech, she reflected on the values and core memories that have shaped who she and her classmates have become and challenged her fellow graduates to live in the present.

“We become so focused on the past that we’ve experienced or the future ahead of us that we forget we’re in the middle of what we once wished for,” said Scott. “Enjoy all the little bits. Whether filled with triumph or an effortful task that takes all your patience, remember to live in the now. Make memories in the present that you would want to look back to in the future and bring a smile to your face. In no way am I saying not to have goals set in front of you or to not learn from the past, but remember this given moment shouldn’t be overlooked. The future certainly won’t wait for us and the past will never come back, but the moment we all have right now is guaranteed.”

The Salutatorian of the Class of 2025 is Thomas Brinson, son of Jay ’94 and Claire Brinson of High Point. He will attend North Carolina State University, where he plans to study business.

The 36 graduates of Westchester’s Class of 2025 are Ava Faith Apple, Thomas Clower Brinson, James Franklin Calfee, Kaya Tibet Camdere, Daniel Andrew Cap, Natalie Anne Chrisman, Natalie Grace Clinard, Mary Frances Collins, Lucie Belle Baxter Corrigan, Owen Harriss Covington, Madison Ruby Dial, Aubrey Elizabeth Durham, Audrey Ann Elizabeth Guffey, Aswad Pasha Haque, Jackson David Hedrick, Chase Joseph Hesling, Ava Frances Hoffman, William Deacon Jones, Adam Scott Martin, Ellen Britt McEnaney, Lauren Alexis Melton, Ella Raeann Moore, Claire Rhiannon Neal, Nolan Charles Patterson, Megan Ruth Ridenhour, Sutton Patricia Scott, Natalie Jeanette Seperteladze, Elizabeth Walton Shoaf, Cooper Andersson Singer, Elliott Alexander Smith, Daniel McLean Timberlake, Gram Cash Tucker, Kirian Skylar Veach, Daniel Eduardovich Volynets, Zayne Scott Williamson, and Cassie Rae Woodall.

Junior marshals Chloe Isabella Denmark, Ryan Andrew Engle, Avary Anne Herman, Alex Jaben Tomes, and Beck Thomas Wilson led the graduates in the processional and represented the rising senior class during the ceremony.