The Hon. Margaret Albertson P’16 commended the Class of 2024 during last Friday’s graduation, the students who overcame the obstacles of beginning high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Albertson remarked: “As young women who have been challenged to cultivate intellect with character, leadership with service, faith with reason, the world awaits your talents, your commitment, and your loving hearts to make the lives of others better.”
On May 31, 2024, family members, students and honored guests joined the 35 members of the Class of 2024 during their commencement ceremonies for Montrose’s 43rd annual commencement event, with the whole school present to accompany a distinguished group of students through their final Montrose tradition.
As part of that tradition, each graduate dons a classy pair of red shoes to accent her white cap and gown; the red color was also present in each graduate’s bouquet of roses, marking the end of her Montrose career. The bouquet echoes the rose that every individual received upon her acceptance to Montrose.
Marshall Ava Russo ‘23 led the soon-to-be graduates through the receiving line of juniors and into the tent during the processional.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees William Noonan welcomed the audience to the ceremony and reminded the graduates of their accomplishments. “You’ve summited of Mount Montrose,” he stated: “You are now looking out over the beautiful landscape. You can see the paths you charted throughout your years climbing this…mountain.”
The Hon. Margaret Albertson P’16 commended the Class of 2024, the students who overcame the challenges of beginning high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Albertson remarked: “As young women who have been challenged to cultivate intellect with character, leadership with service, faith with reason, the world awaits your talents, your commitment, and your loving hearts to make the lives of others better.”
In her salutatory address, Abbie Lindblad recounted the trials and tribulations of her class, along with the foundation of greatness they have established. She challenged her fellow grads to keep on that path toward greatness: “It takes one person to pave a path, to make the impossible possible. It takes one, that’s all,” Abbie said: “You are one, so in this precipice of uncertainty you stand on, rest in the hope that there is so much you can achieve, mundane or significant. And don’t forget, there are 34 other girls treading life just as you.”
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of diplomas, which included the reading of personalized tributes to highlight the gifts, talents and virtues each graduate has displayed over their time at Montrose. These “portrait sketches,” as Mrs. Elrod explained, showed poignantly, and with some funny moments, not only that each girl is “unique and unrepeatable, and a beloved daughter of God called to a noble purpose,” but also that each girl has been deeply known and loved at Montrose.
After Head of School Katie Elrod presented the diplomas and they flipped their tassels, Valedictorian Hana Shinzawa gave her rousing address. Hana used Dante’s Divine Comedy as a metaphor for the graduating class, and reminded her classmates to be conscious of their respective guides, and to never to imagine that they got to where they are on their own. She said: “So, to our Virgils, our beloved teachers, family, mentors, coaches, and friends, thank you for guiding us this far.” She added: “Graduates, I am confident that each one of you is ready for what lies ahead. I know the future holds a bit of Paradiso for you all.”
After the conclusion of the 43rd commencement exercises, faculty and staff members congratulated the graduates in a handshake/hug line following the ceremony. The day ended with the graduates’ signature cap toss on Miracle Field.
Thank you, Class of 2024, for modeling such excellence in leadership, virtue and scholarship. We wish you the best and can’t wait to hear more about your post-Montrose mountain journeys!
Megan Cloherty ‘26, Copy Editor
26mcloherty@montroseschool.org
