In September 2009, one month after members of the Holy Innocents’ Class of 2013 began their freshman year, metro Atlanta was besieged by rainfall that caused an epic, 500-year flood.
On their overcast graduation day Saturday, May 18, the clouds and occasional raindrops came, but nothing could dampen the spirits of those on campus to celebrate the occasion.
Holy Innocents’ Headmaster Eugene Bratek highlighted some of the accomplishments of this shining Class of 2013, including boasting three National Merit Finalists, six Eagle Scouts, and two Girl Scout Gold Award-winners. “At last count, the class has been offered 96 merit scholarships and awards totaling more than $2.4 million,” Bratek stated proudly. “This total does not include Hope Scholarship funds, but does include a National Merit Scholarship at Southern Methodist University, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, multiple Baldwin Scholarships to the University of Georgia, as well as a Foundation Fellowship at UGA, the Lafayette College Marquis Scholarship, the University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship, a Posse Scholarship, multiple deans’ and trustees’ scholarships, an Engineering Leadership Scholarship, a Herff Jones Believe in Yourself Scholarship, and many others.”
The Class of 2013 also donated more than 3,800 service hours this year— more than any other class in Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School’s history. “And, led this year by a member of your class, the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation Walk Team raised more money than any other school in the nation for the fifth consecutive year,” added Bratek.
And this year’s class made its mark in athletics.
“Three of you have won individual state championships in wrestling,” Bratek said, addressing the 97 talented classmates. “You also have this year’s Georgia state champion in pole-vaulting in your midst. Led by your class, 17 of our 20 varsity teams this year qualified to complete in state playoffs. And 13 of you have signed letters of intent to participate in college athletics next year, including basketball, wrestling, football, lacrosse, and baseball.
“We are proud to call you graduates of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.”
One student the Class of 2013 was particularly proud of this year was Valedictorian Kendall Jackson, who will travel to Harvard University to continue her education this fall. In her valedictory address, Jackson talked to classmates about who they have been, and who they may become.
“Who is the Class of 2013?” Jackson asked. “From the Alpha-Omegas to our most recent class additions, we have developed an incredible range of scholars, thespians, musicians, athletes, gamers, artists, programmers, and volunteers. Still, defining our class by only our activities fails to properly convey the spirit and personality of who we are.”
Jackson then studied quotations from this year’s yearbook, the Ursidae, to find an answer and discovered descriptions of the class such as as brave and adventurous, abundantly talented, joyful, and caring. “Our class has provided for others selflessly inside and outside of this community,” Jackson noted, “and, just as importantly, supported each other through personal issues.
“My hope is that our class continues to face the world with bravery and that we seek to intentionally expand our comfort zones, rather than simply stepping outside of them.”
Jackson also encouraged her classmates to continue to develop their talents and use them in service to others, to continue to enjoy and appreciate the gifts and blessings of each day, to share that joy with others, and continue to live lives filled with kindness and compassion.
“As we move on from Holy Innocents’, we will carry each other with us in our hearts, knowing that our experiences and friendships here have been essential to shaping our identities…Therefore, who will we, the Class of 2013, become?
“That answer is up to each of us!”
(Pictured: Valedictorian Kendall Jackson and Salutatorian James Best)
Contact:
Peggy Shaw
(404)303-2150
peggy.shaw@hies.org
