With just a few days until Commencement, students, faculty, and staff gathered under the tent on Slaughter Field to recognize students, both in person and remote, who have academically excelled during their time at Cheshire Academy. 

“This ceremony honors the perseverance and grit of our students, the countless hours spent on Zoom and in teachers’ classrooms for extra help, the late nights completing work, the early morning group project meetings, the emails to teachers, and the daily refreshing of the progress tab,” reflected Rachel Wright, assistant head of school for academic affairs. 

Wright continued, “It honors the decisions you all have made to do your best work, rising to the challenges set by your teachers and the goals you have set for yourself even during this difficult year. This tent is filled with bright, talented, motivated young people. Continue to work hard, challenge yourself, and after celebrating your own and your classmates’ achievements today, look ahead to a fresh start with new goals next fall.” 

As is tradition, the recipient of the D. Robert Gardiner Excellence in Teaching Award was also announced. This year’s recipient was science teacher Lauren Kelly. 

“(Kelly) deftly conveys challenging material while at the same time building a classroom environment and personal relationships through which all students learn and grow. A peak into her classroom reveals animated discussions and bustling experimentation. She inspires her students to pursue their interests and to develop their joy and wonder in learning,” Wright said, in part. 

The full list of Academic Awards and this years’ recipients can be found here.

To view more photos from the event, click here.