Rivendell graduates ‘raised on closeness’

By ULLA -BRITT LIBRE

Valley News Correspondent

Published: 06-09-2024 9:00 AM

ORFORD — Hundreds of people flooded the Rivendell Academy gymnasium on Saturday morning to watch the school’s 34 seniors become graduates. 

The ceremony began with the graduates, who wore green and white robes, as they walked to the stage to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance,” played on the piano. The crowd stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, led by graduate Dakota Guyer. The Rivendell choir then sang the National Anthem. 

“This class is special,” said Eric Reichert, one of two English teachers at Rivendell Academy, during his address.“You are unified by your common time at Rivendell.” 

He specializes in 10th grade English, as well as classic literature and lyrical poetry, which are electives for 11th and 12th graders. This is his 31st year at Rivendell. 

“If I was a parent, which I’m not, I would feel great about sending my kids here,” said Reichert in an interview. 

Rivendell Academy serves sixth through 12th grade. Many of the students have known each other since they were 4.  

“We are encouraged to make ourselves known,” said Salutatorian Lila Waxman in her address. “We are raised on closeness.”

At Rivendell, Waxman was heavily involved in the theater club. Waxamn said in an interview that she feels ready and happy to graduate. She will attend Bard College next year. She’s not sure what she will study yet, but she’s thinking about journalism, English or film.

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Valedictorian Eli Mansur chose to “play” his address. He performed an original piece on the piano, about his time at Rivendell. He encouraged the audience members to close their eyes, and reflect on their own high school experiences.

At Rivendell, Mansur was also involved in theater. Next year, he will attend Harvard University, where he plans on studying music and either math or physics.

“All of us, here or not, are rooting for your happiness,” said Gail Keefer, a French teacher, in the closing remarks. 

Graduate Zofia Kosakowski said in an interview after graduation that she is proud of everyone in her class. 

“I’m sitting in all this appreciation I have for everyone,” she said.

Kosakowski, who will attend the University of Vermont in the fall, reflected on the moments when her classmates put aside their differences and came together across friend groups to dance in the parking lot. She said that she didn’t have a favorite subject at Rivendell Academy, but that she had different teachers in various disciplines that made learning fun and engaging. 

“I’m so sad that I am leaving this support system and this community,” she said. “I’ve been with most of these people since kindergarten. They each play a part in my story.”

The class walked out to “My Wish” by the Rascal Flatts.

Ulla-Britt Libre can be reached at ulla-britt.p.libre.25@dartmouth.edu. 

Rivendell Academy Class of 2024

Luke Avery, Colorado State University; Carter Bacon, electrician; Garin Balch, automotive performance; Harold Ballou, manufacturing; Elliot Cleek, John Cabot University; Mashka Cram, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis; Jasmine Dunham, University of   Southern Maine; Dakota Guyer, automotive technology/US Marine Corps; Olivia Harris, University of New Hampshire; Lila Jones, Mount Holyoke College; Zofia Kosakowski, University of Vermont; Eli Mansur, Harvard University; Cheyenne Martindale, Lincoln Technical Institute; Robert McNelly, Vermont State University at Lyndon; John Monahan, plumbing and heating technician; Macee Newman, flight medic; Finn O’Donnell, Western New England University; Emma Ostrau, Oakland University; Jacoby Patterson, Saint Anselm College; Isabelle Perreault, Southern New Hampshire University; Parker Piper, gap year; Emma Seward, University of Vermont; Caleb Smith, welding and CDL certification; Ethan Smith, construction and heavy equipment/traffic control job site supervisor; Lauren Smith, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Lexa Smith, University of New Hampshire; Elisia Sonsalla, University of Vermont; Caitlyn Taylor, Colby-Sawyer College; Samantha Tullar, Community College of Vermont; Colleen Underhill, University of Connecticut; Lila Waxman, Bard College; Liam Welch, Clarkson University; Tucker Wright, heavy equipment operator, CDL certification; and Gabriel Wright-Swaine, Arizona State University.