By Will Jackson ’25
On the evening May 20th, 2025, the Frederick Gunn School held its annual Baccalaureate ceremony at the First Congregational Church of Washington, gathering students, faculty, and families for an intimate celebration of reflection, growth, and shared purpose before commencement on the 25th.
The ceremony featured student performances, faculty and student readings, and personal addresses that highlighted the spiritual and emotional journey of the senior class. Highlights included a stirring rendition of “Domine Fili Unigenite “ from Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi, readings from Lyndsay Rush and Anne Lamott, and a heartfelt address from Jennifer Clement P’22 ’25, whose speech detailed her working experience to inspire the senior class. As we do each year, the evening concluded with a unifying tradition: the singing of the school hymn, a moment that ties each senior to the generations of Gunn students before them.
More than just a tradition, the Baccalaureate ceremony offers a pause in the rush towards graduation, as it allows students and faculty to reflect on the full circle that the Gunn experience provides, and recognize how deeply it has shaped their personal and academic journeys. In a world where success is often measured by outcomes and accolades, this evening instead emphasized the importance of process and how growth, resilience, and reflection are just as meaningful. It celebrated how character, citizenship, and service define the class of 2025’s true achievements. Anchored in the school’s founding values, the event highlighted the intersection of education and purpose, reminding all in attendance of the importance of leading with integrity, empathy, and intention in a rapidly changing world. Together the school takes a moment to honor the history of Gunn and step into the future.
“It was an honor to participate in the Baccalaureate ceremony as part of the third reading. After four years, it has just hit me seeing how much we have all grown in our time here,” Said four- year senior and Prefect Avery Clement ‘25. “We have all been challenged and supported here. This night felt like we were saying thank you to the people in the place who made us who we are.”
