On June 10, 2014, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo Seminary graduated 43 young women who entered as girls but now commence their lives as SEM-powered young women, ready to leap any "confidence gap," ready for what comes next.
"All of us will miss this class tremendously but we wish them joy and many wonderful accomplishments," Head of School Jody Douglass said in her welcome.
During the ceremony, Ms. Douglass awarded Helen Ladds Marlette, Assistant Head of School, the Paul J. Koessler Award. Ms. Douglass said, "Helen manages to bring out the best in each individual she has taught or coached, even the adults she works with. There is no one more deserving of recognition."
SEM trustee and graduate Nicole C. Lee '94 gave the commencement address. "You are a bright and determined class that is not afraid to stand together," she said. "You remind me so much of my graduating class – outgoing, strong and diverse….You are going to have great, meaningful lives. You are destined for it if you follow your path, stay your course."
Closing remarks were given by teacher and alumna Molly O'Connor Greene '98 whose message was, "make everything that happens to you, good for you."
This stellar class that welcomed four Holy Angels Academy students last fall, will go to colleges and universities from coast to coast – from Washington State University and UCLA in the West, to Notre Dame and Queen's University (Ont., Canada) in between, to Amherst, Tufts, and Boston University in the East.
Director of College Counseling Erik Bertelsen said "We have no doubt that the will represent SEM with distinction. We wish them nothing but the best."
*SEM Snippets graduation and reunion issue is in the mail and here. Click to see downloadable pictures and albums from graduation (and reunion).