By Ryan Ryu’25 and Martha Ewing’26
In a vibrant celebration of tradition and legacy, the Frederick Gunn School commenced its 175th academic year with its annual Convocation ceremony at the historic First Congregational Church of Washington, widely known as the Meeting House on the Green. This event brought together nearly 400 students, faculty, and staff, including the eager class of 2025, who found themselves seated in the familiar wooden pews, a scene reminiscent of so many classes before them. This year, however, the air was charged with something more—a unique sense of reflection and purpose. The ceremony marked the start of a new school year and a milestone in the institution’s storied history, celebrating 175 years of educational excellence, character development, and community-building.
As the students and teachers settled into their seats, Head of School Emily Gum delivered a heartfelt welcome that set the tone for the evening. She emphasized the importance of upholding the school’s values while boldly facing the challenges and opportunities of a new era. The solemnity of the moment was underscored by the Invocation led by Mrs. Theobald, followed by an inspiring speech by Head Prefect Gordon Bennett ’25, who reminded his peers to seize the year’s fleeting moments and leave behind a legacy worthy of the school’s distinguished past.
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Academic Honors, recognizing those students who had excelled in the past year. As the names were read aloud, applause and cheers filled the room, each accolade reflecting the hard work and dedication that are the hallmarks of the Frederick Gunn community. The ceremony continued with the Presentation of Faculty Chairs and Awards, underscoring the school’s commitment to both student and faculty excellence. But it was the Convocation Address by Ian Rathkey, a World Language faculty member and International Student Coordinator, that captured the true essence of this year’s theme—embracing change while honoring tradition.
Breaking from the conventional formality of the convocation address, Mr. Rathkey’s speech was a breath of fresh air, resonating deeply with students and faculty alike. With humor and authenticity, he shared his own journey of navigating uncertainty, from growing up in rural New Jersey to discovering a passion for East Asian studies that led him to Tokyo and eventually to the Frederick Gunn School. His anecdotes struck a chord with the audience as he deftly used the concept of “Known Knows, Known Unknowns, Unknown Knowns, and Unknown Unknowns” to frame the ever-present nature of change. He urged students to embrace the unknown not as something to be feared but as a space where discovery lives.
“The unknown isn’t something to fear—it’s where discovery lives,” Rathkey stated, as moments of laughter and nods of understanding rippled through the audience. His speech went beyond a simple encouragement to step outside comfort zones; it was a call to action to view uncertainty as an integral part of growth. As the Frederick Gunn School community embarks on its 175th year, Rathkey’s message resonated not only as a reflection of the school’s past but also as a roadmap for navigating the future with curiosity, courage, and resilience.
The evening concluded with a beloved tradition—the rendition of the School Hymn—sung with enthusiasm and affection by students and faculty alike. The class of 2025, who walked down the aisle for their penultimate time during Convocation, was especially moved. As the last verse of the hymn echoed through the Meeting House, the collective voice of the Frederick Gunn School community affirmed a shared commitment to honor the past, embrace change, and courageously face the future together.
With the ceremony now behind them, students left the Meeting House with a renewed sense of purpose and unity. As they stepped out onto the green, under the glow of the evening’s first stars, they knew that the school’s 175th year would be more than just another chapter in its history. It would be a testament to the power of tradition, a celebration of resilience, and, most importantly, a year where embracing the unknown would be the first step toward new beginnings.
