Westminster School Graduates 112

Submitted release

Westminster School celebrated the graduation of 112 students in the Class of 2012 at its 124th commencement exercises May 26 on the campus in Simsbury. During the ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of family members and friends, the class was recognized for its many achievements and contributions to school life.

Keynote speaker Dennis Daly, a longtime English teacher and director of athletics at the school, spoke about overcoming failure. “Why failure instead of success and accomplishment? Because I want the Class of 2012 to know the truth about life,” he explained. He shared three stories about personal challenges and how those experiences became defining moments in his life.  He then encouraged the graduates to “be enthusiastic, tell the truth, follow your dreams, dive deep, wipe mayonnaise off your face, get up when you get knocked down and save a touchdown or start a new career when you get fired because the future is a stream of nows.”

Other speakers included senior Peter Tang of Beijing, China, who gave the outstanding scholar address, and student body president Will Stevens of Simsbury who gave a salutatory address. Headmaster William Philip and Chairman of the Westminster Board of Trustees Tread Mink presented diplomas to the graduates. 

Following the ceremony, members of the Class of 2012 participated in the Westminster tradition of passing their diplomas.  They formed a circle on the senior lawn and passed the diplomas they received randomly during the commencement ceremony until they received their own diplomas.  They then stepped out of the circle signifying their graduation.