On Friday, June 9th Greene Street Friends School held Commencement Exercise at First Presbyterian Church in Germantown. The Class of 2017 was our largest to date and our first with two sections per grade. Our 27 graduates had the choice to express themselves during the ceremony by creating a banner, performing, or presenting an original speech. More than 300 family and friends gathered to celebrate our graduates and their accomplishments at Greene Street Friends.

After processing to Suit and Tie by Justin Timberlake, each student shook the hand of a 7th grader, who joined them onstage. Board Member Shayna Bayard welcomed everyone and opened the ceremony with a moment of silence. Head of School Dr. Ed Marshall then delivered opening remarks, thanking everyone who supported the Class of 2017 on their journey to (almost) graduates.

Malachi, James, and Alex performed Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd before Khalil, Julia, Gordon, and Deston took the stage to deliver their speeches. Next the 7th Graders sang History by One Direction and then Georgia, Matalai, Morgan, and Gabe delivered their speeches. Walter Hjelt Sullivan presented an engraved copy of “Bayard Rustin: The Invisible Activist” by Jacqueline Houtman to each 8th Grader, a gift from Green Street Monthly Meeting. The 8th Graders then sang Take On Me by A-Ha, their class song. Next came speeches from Annie, Kayla, Ethan, and Ariya. Michael and Alex performed Thank You by Kehlani and Dr. Kristen (Koster) di Gennaro ’80 inducted students into the Alumni Association. Kayla and Lila presented the Class of 2017 gift- professional development funds to further study and develop racial identity curriculum at GSFS. The Class of 2017 then recognized their advisors and received their diplomas. Our newest alumni processed to Lupe Fiasco’s The Show Goes On.

Everyone enjoyed a wonderful reception and wished our graduates well on their next adventures! Check out where our graduates are headed for high school:

Abington Friends School (1)

Agnes Irwin School (1)

Bishop McDevitt High School (2)

Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (3)

Central High School (8)

Friends Select School (2)

Friends’ Central School (2)

Germantown Friends School (2)

Philadelphia High School for Girls (1)

Science Leadership Academy (5)

We can’t wait to see everyone back on campus for Alumni Day 2018!