The Faces of the Future

The faces of the future: Sanisha Bailey, Nathan Baillargeon, Alison Barron, Gil Barzilay (hidden), Thomas Beatty, Othell Begay, Jessica Berger and Srikanth Bhat.

This musing reminded me of a workshop I took last February with about 20 colleagues on the faculty. Our goal was to think about diversity issues at the Academy. The workshop leader began by placing 30 pictures of recent PEA graduates on the table before us. She then asked us each to pick a student whose face we particularly liked-someone whose expression and appearance seemed engaging to us.

I selected a graduate of two years ago, an African-American man whom I recognized but did not know well, attracted by the very impish twinkle in his eye and his kind smile. He wasn't someone who had been a very public figure here at the Academy, but he looked like a good guy.

We talked a bit about why we had selected the face that we did. The exercise, of course, was leading us to confront the stereotypes we all bring when we interact with people who are different than we are. Without exception, people were attracted by positive qualities: sparkling eyes; a tilt of the head suggesting intelligence; a look of dignity and peace.

And then the workshop leader asked a surprising question: "Now pretend this individual you have selected is going to succeed you in your job. How do you think he or she will do?"

It's a startling moment, when you are 54 years old and are looking at the picture of someone 36 years younger, to think about him doing your job. And yet, it's a very healthy exercise as well. The wheel of time keeps turning. In the foreseeable future, the class of 2001 will be succeeding all of the parents and faculty here today.

Faculty members Michael Drummey and Aldo Baggia retired after a combined 65 years at the Academy.

So, let me ask all of you in the audience to join me in this exercise. Before you are 294 talented, diverse, well-educated, articulate, caring and honest young women and men who have demonstrated great independence and competence in completing the diploma requirements of this school. Pick out a face that you like-not your son or daughter, but a stranger-and imagine her succeeding you in your job or in an activity in which you are deeply involved.

You might have some trouble with the situation. There are many, many faces from which to choose! But this, of course, is a good problem to have.

Graduation Prizes The Yale Cup, awarded each year to the member of the senior class who best combines the highest standards of character and leadership with excellence in his studies and in athletics: Aaron L. Holzapfel, Kensington, NH The Ruth and Paul Sadler '23 Cup, awarded each year to that member of the senior class who best combines the highest standards of character and leadership with excellence in her studies and in athletics: Kwame L. Osseo-Asare Emily L. Garrison, Exeter, NH The Perry Cup, given annually to a student who has shown outstanding qualities of leadership and school spirit: Kwame L. Osseo-Asare, East Stroudsburg, PA The Williams Cup, given annually to a student who, having been in the Academy four years, has by personal qualities brought distinction to Phillips Exeter: Evan N. Rachlin, Great Falls, VA The Eskie Clark Award, given to a student in the graduating class who, through hard work and perseverance, has excelled in both athletics and scholarship: Robert L. Cioffi, Barrington, NH The Thomas Cornell Award, decided by the senior class and given annually to that member in the graduating class who exemplifies the Exeter Spirit typified by Thomas Hilary Cornell of the Class of 1911: Marianne Winter, Rowley, MA Cox Medals, awarded each year to the five members of the graduating class who, having been two or more years in the Academy, have attained the highest scholastic rank: Robert L. Cioffi, Barrington, NH Gabriel O. Crawford, Glen Ellen, CA Diana M. Gentry, Rye, NY Gwyneth C. McClendon, Hamden, CT Evan N. Rachlin, Great Falls, VA Faculty Prize for Excellence, given to that member of the graduating class who, having been two or more years in the Academy, is recognized on the basis of scholarship as holding the first rank: Gwyneth C. McClendon, Hamden, CT