Celebrating the Class of 2026
On Wednesday, June 10, Glen Urquhart School (GUS) celebrated the 28 members of the Class of 2026 during its 43rd Graduation Exercises on the school’s campus in Beverly Farms, MA.
Gathered on Bartlett Field under sunny skies, friends, family, faculty, and staff celebrated the Class of 2026. A cherished graduation tradition, Head of School Gretchen Forsyth presented individual graduate introductions, recognizing each student for their unique contributions to the GUS community. The introductions represent the collective voice of the GUS faculty and reflect the relationships and deep knowledge that define a GUS education.
“We have all watched as the Class of 2026 questioned and explored their understanding of everything from math concepts to current events,” shared Gretchen Forsyth, Head of School. “They spoke individually as they presented their White Shirt Projects, but they also learned to work together during Service Week and, of course, the 8th Grade Musical, which was just a wonderful success. Most importantly, they worked to support one another as they strived to find not only the best within themselves, but in every situation. This is a group headed for great things and it is an honor to celebrate them today.”
Alumni speakers are a treasured and impactful annual tradition at GUS graduation. Each year, members of the class that graduated when the current eighth graders were in kindergarten return as recent college graduates to share words of wisdom and advice. This year’s alumni speakers were Riley Clarke ’18, who recently graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Athalia Esty ’18, who recently graduated from Bowdoin College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Government + Legal Studies. Both speakers touched on the power of community and how learning to build and nurture it at GUS continues to impact them today.
"The students who get the most out of school aren't always the smartest or the most talented. They're often the ones who build relationships." — Riley Clarke '18
"My advice to you, graduates, is to cherish the relationships you've built here and to enter your next communities with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others." — Athalia Esty '18
Like the alumni speakers before them, the members of the Class of 2026 leave GUS with a deep appreciation for community and the skills to build it wherever they go next.
Next fall, members of the Class of 2026 will continue their educational journeys at a number of outstanding high schools, including: Berwick Academy, Beverly High School, Brewster Academy, Commonwealth School, Essex Tech, Gould Academy, Governor's Academy, Hamilton Wenham Regional High School, Laguna Blanca School, Marblehead High School, New Hampton School, Pingree School, Pomfret School, Shackleton International School, St. John's Prep, Swampscott High School, TEC Connections Academy, Tilton School, and Waring School.
Glen Urquhart School Class of 2026
Abi Arbesman, Dylan Arndt, Asha Chitre, James Daoust, Lucas Daoust, Willem de Vries, Lorenzo DeOrio, Chase Doorly, Stella Glahn, Sammy Hammar, Miles Harrison, Xavier Huss, Amelia Kahn, Annie Kent, Genevieve Lorayne, Mason Mercaldi, Hazel Murray, Michael Newton, Poppy Proops, Clara Quigley, Carson Renna, Collins Shepherd, Daniel Silverman, Devlyn Skilling, Charlotte Soodik, Soren Suomi, Daniel Van Stry, and Samuel Young.