Graduation 2008: "We Did It!"

June 2, 2008

Students hug joyfully after graduation

Exeter's 227th graduation took place under sunny skies on Sunday, June 1. The two-hour ceremony was marked by humorous speeches and joyful celebration in the 80-degree heat.

Yi Han, president of the senior class, welcomed family and friends from the podium. Han started his brief speech with these words: "We did it! We finally made it!" With evident humor, he told tales of "failure" – like the time he ordered sweatpants for the senior class with only one student's name on all 98 pairs – and how each of these episodes helped him learn to take risks and recover gracefully. 

"Exeter, thank you for teaching us how to fail and how to stand up again," Han concluded on behalf of the entire senior class. "Now, together as always, we walk on into the world."

Han had just returned to campus at 4:00 a.m. after putting in a stellar performance in the American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) national competition. The Exeter team placed second, only two points behind the first-place finishers.

In his farewell to graduates, Tingley focused on the achievements of the class of '08. "The class of 2008 has been a great class and has led this school well," said Tingley, as he mentioned areas of excellence in journalism, environmental stewardship, social service, visual arts, theater, music and dance. Quoting French author André Gide, Tingley asked the graduating class to "believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who have found it."

Tingley was assisted on the podium by trustee John R. Ettinger '69, whose son was among those receiving diplomas, and graduating seniors Alexandra Comolli and Dylan Rapoport. Elizabeth Folkerts, a senior and proctor of Phillips Church, led the invocation. Also on the podium were three retiring faculty: Kathy Nekton, Roger Nekton and David Weber.

See photos of graduation day ...

Read the story about Exeter's graduation in Seacoastonline.com…