Forecast for the Class of 2023: Bright Futures Ahead
Rivers celebrated its 100th graduation ceremony on Friday, and as befits a centennial, the weather was picture perfect, the festivities went off seamlessly, and the 98 members of the Class of 2023 were delighted to celebrate this milestone surrounded by friends and family.
Under the packed tent on the Lank Quadrangle, Head of School Ned Parsons addressed the class and acknowledged its unique struggles and triumphs in his opening remarks. In his final turn as head of school—his nine-year tenure at Rivers ends in June—Parsons noted that “on their journey, [this class] learned and grew together through challenges none of them—none of us—could have seen coming. They navigated a life disrupted by Covid, and they strode eyes up, hearts open, into the vital introspective work of civic engagement, of racial justice, of developing a positive campus culture.” And they rose to the challenges with aplomb, said Parsons. “I begin this ceremony with congratulations to you all, and our thanks for your commitment to your own growth and development.”
Speaking after the head of school’s introductory remarks, Board President Alan D. Rose, Jr., Class of 1987, noted the many changes at Rivers since his student days. But, he noted, the essence of a Rivers education remains intact: “What hasn’t changed here is a culture of relationships, of caring, of supported risk-taking that results in meaningful learning and growth.”
Melissa Anderson, head of the Upper School, then stepped to the podium to introduce the faculty speaker, elected by the students. In his remarks, Jeff Nisbet, visual arts faculty member and girls’ cross-country coach, dove into a concept that seemed particularly relevant on this celebratory occasion: Joy.
“I like to start each school year by re-reading The Book of Joy, which is a transcribed conversation between the Dalai Lama and the late archbishop of South Africa, Desmond Tutu,” said Nisbet. Thus armed with wisdom for the school year ahead, he becomes attuned to the power of joy; he urged the graduates to recognize and appreciate that power. His four main points: That joy can be quiet, that it can also be challenging, that joy is a journey, and that joy is contagious.
Keep your eye on joy even as you pursue ambitious goals, said Nisbet. “Go do important things. Be powerful people. And spread your joy with all those around you while you chase your passions.”
The student speaker, elected by the Class of ’23, was Crystie Frometa. The choice of Frometa was significant, as she noted in her opening from the podium: “I’m beyond honored to be the first woman of color in Rivers history to be appointed as a graduation speaker.” The task, she confessed, was initially daunting: “I spent hours looking at a blank document, wondering if I was even qualified to give such a speech, to publicly reflect upon the culmination of my academic journey here. In all honesty, I considered backing out of the opportunity, because I was scared.” But she recalled that “leaning into discomfort” is the Rivers way, and she identified three main lessons she learned in her time here: Be your own biggest supporter, never be satisfied, and don’t forget where you came from.
Frometa concluded, “There’s a common saying in Spanish that goes ‘Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.’ It means ‘Tell me who you’re with and I’ll tell you who you are.’ These seniors are among the best people I’ve ever met, and I’m incredibly grateful to be grouped in with them. Though I can’t see into the future, I’m certain that each member of this class has a riveting, successful journey ahead of them. It’s just the Red Wing way.”
The graduates were then called to the stage in alphabetical order to receive their diplomas. As each student stood near the podium, Parsons delivered personal remarks about their time at Rivers, their accomplishments, and their impact on the school.
Following the awarding of diplomas, Parsons returned to the podium to share some final thoughts. Drawing on a recent New York Times article by writer Adam Gopnik, he urged today’s graduates to “walk away from the goal of achievement for achievement’s sake and replace it with what Gopnik refers to as ‘passionate perseverance.’ We call that ‘sedulitas’ here. Gopnik is advocating for accomplishment, rather than achievement, as the final goal.”
Mastery, Parsons emphasized, is rarely the result of giant leaps forward, but rather of incremental steps. “Everest always looks impossible to conquer from base camp,” he said. “But people conquer it. And they do so one very small step at a time. It’s no different with the passionate perseverance you bring to the accomplishment you’ve identified as your target. Small steps, one at a time. It’s the only way things get done in this world when they’re done well. … Passionate perseverance, pursued one small step at a time, fortified with hope and great love, will open the path to success in this world.”
Finally, he concluded, “Go now out into the world knowing that you are sufficiently prepared to succeed in it and to make it better for your presence and approach. Not by magic, and not by waving your credentials at the problems, but by rolling up your sleeves, setting your sights on the beginning and then each small successive step thereafter. You’re ready; we wish you Godspeed on your journey.”
And with that, he dismissed the newly minted alumni, all of them ready and eager to explore whatever the future might hold—one small step at a time.
Speaking after the head of school’s introductory remarks, Board President Alan D. Rose, Jr., Class of 1987, noted the many changes at Rivers since his student days. But, he noted, the essence of a Rivers education remains intact: “What hasn’t changed here is a culture of relationships, of caring, of supported risk-taking that results in meaningful learning and growth.”
Melissa Anderson, head of the Upper School, then stepped to the podium to introduce the faculty speaker, elected by the students. In his remarks, Jeff Nisbet, visual arts faculty member and girls’ cross-country coach, dove into a concept that seemed particularly relevant on this celebratory occasion: Joy.
“I like to start each school year by re-reading The Book of Joy, which is a transcribed conversation between the Dalai Lama and the late archbishop of South Africa, Desmond Tutu,” said Nisbet. Thus armed with wisdom for the school year ahead, he becomes attuned to the power of joy; he urged the graduates to recognize and appreciate that power. His four main points: That joy can be quiet, that it can also be challenging, that joy is a journey, and that joy is contagious.
Keep your eye on joy even as you pursue ambitious goals, said Nisbet. “Go do important things. Be powerful people. And spread your joy with all those around you while you chase your passions.”
The student speaker, elected by the Class of ’23, was Crystie Frometa. The choice of Frometa was significant, as she noted in her opening from the podium: “I’m beyond honored to be the first woman of color in Rivers history to be appointed as a graduation speaker.” The task, she confessed, was initially daunting: “I spent hours looking at a blank document, wondering if I was even qualified to give such a speech, to publicly reflect upon the culmination of my academic journey here. In all honesty, I considered backing out of the opportunity, because I was scared.” But she recalled that “leaning into discomfort” is the Rivers way, and she identified three main lessons she learned in her time here: Be your own biggest supporter, never be satisfied, and don’t forget where you came from.
Frometa concluded, “There’s a common saying in Spanish that goes ‘Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.’ It means ‘Tell me who you’re with and I’ll tell you who you are.’ These seniors are among the best people I’ve ever met, and I’m incredibly grateful to be grouped in with them. Though I can’t see into the future, I’m certain that each member of this class has a riveting, successful journey ahead of them. It’s just the Red Wing way.”
The graduates were then called to the stage in alphabetical order to receive their diplomas. As each student stood near the podium, Parsons delivered personal remarks about their time at Rivers, their accomplishments, and their impact on the school.
Following the awarding of diplomas, Parsons returned to the podium to share some final thoughts. Drawing on a recent New York Times article by writer Adam Gopnik, he urged today’s graduates to “walk away from the goal of achievement for achievement’s sake and replace it with what Gopnik refers to as ‘passionate perseverance.’ We call that ‘sedulitas’ here. Gopnik is advocating for accomplishment, rather than achievement, as the final goal.”
Mastery, Parsons emphasized, is rarely the result of giant leaps forward, but rather of incremental steps. “Everest always looks impossible to conquer from base camp,” he said. “But people conquer it. And they do so one very small step at a time. It’s no different with the passionate perseverance you bring to the accomplishment you’ve identified as your target. Small steps, one at a time. It’s the only way things get done in this world when they’re done well. … Passionate perseverance, pursued one small step at a time, fortified with hope and great love, will open the path to success in this world.”
Finally, he concluded, “Go now out into the world knowing that you are sufficiently prepared to succeed in it and to make it better for your presence and approach. Not by magic, and not by waving your credentials at the problems, but by rolling up your sleeves, setting your sights on the beginning and then each small successive step thereafter. You’re ready; we wish you Godspeed on your journey.”
And with that, he dismissed the newly minted alumni, all of them ready and eager to explore whatever the future might hold—one small step at a time.
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