Commencement Weekend 2019

On Sunday I will have the opportunity to fulfill one of the greatest responsibilities and honors a Headmaster enjoys. I will present the Class of 2019, and join our Board Chair, Dennis Leary, in the presentation of a Shorecrest diploma to each of our 72 seniors. While the focus of Baccalaureate and Commencement is on the students and their families, the achievements that we celebrate are a source of pride and joy for our full community. Being a part of the annual Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies is a reminder that we have a bright future ahead. Year after year, the senior class steps up - and as individuals and as a group they leave a legacy and raise the bar of achievement for future generations to meet and exceed.

There is no doubt that it is harder today to gain acceptance into highly competitive universities. It takes more work, skill and effort to be the best in any category. Yet, the Class of 2019 has shown that records can be broken and that dreams do come true.   

The 72 graduates will attend 42 different colleges and universities in 19 states and Washington, D.C. One half of the class will attend universities in Florida, 13 will attend other universities in the south, 13 will attend schools in the Mid-Atlantic and east, six will be in the midwest, one in the southwest, two out west in California and one to China. Thirty of the seniors will be the only member of the class to attend the university selected.

Forty percent of the Class of 2019 are Lifers, meaning they have been at Shorecrest for at least 12 years. 73% of the students are eligible for Bright Futures Scholarships and, as of May 10, have been offered $5.1 million in scholarships; and that number will continue to increase in the coming weeks. Three are National Merit Finalists and four others are National Merit Commended Scholars.

The average SAT on a 1600 scale is 1289, and the ACT average is 28. Eight have signed and committed to play in a collegiate athletic program including football, diving, basketball, volleyball, and sailing. Six members of the class hold school athletic records. Two others will attend internationally acclaimed art and theatre programs. Nearly half will major in STEM related fields. The members of the class contributed over 11,682 hours of service during their four years in Upper School. That is an average of 162 hours per person. We are proud of them.

Fifteen members of the Class of 2019 took advantage of the new opportunity to create independent studies programs in order to do in-depth research in topics like Astrophysics and Relativity, Aviation Sciences, Cybersecurity and Religious Studies. Six members of the class completed the requirements to earn the Global Scholars Institute diploma.

We are thrilled for our soon-to-be graduates and their families! Many of the parents and guardians have supported the Shorecrest Community Association, the Boosters and all the special projects these organizations sponsor to heighten the community experience at our school. Nine of the families have served on the Board of Trustees and six others have served as faculty or staff.

The Class of 2019 and their families are leaving a wonderful legacy and I am thankful for all they have contributed to make Shorecrest an outstanding school.

As always, I am confident the next generation of students and families will step up and take on leadership roles. However, today, we congratulate our graduates and their families and wish them well as they begin the next phase of their lives as alumni, college students and community leaders.

Cheers to the Class of 2019 and their Families!

Mike

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