On a sunny May afternoon, the Ethical Culture Fieldston School came together to celebrate the Commencement for the Class of 2026, honoring all that they have achieved, the memories they made, and the bright chapters that lie ahead.
Entering the Quad alongside their advisories, graduates were greeted by the cheers of friends and family as they made their way to their seats, filling the air with excitement and pride as the ceremony began.
Chief Executive Officer Kyle Wilkie-Glass welcomed the entire community as he reflected on the remarkable milestones they have achieved together. “It all worked out, not because the path was smooth or guaranteed, but because of who you chose to be and the challenging decisions you made,” he said. “As both the Class of 2026 and as individuals, you kept showing up. You discovered that growth usually looks less like a dramatic breakthrough and more like persistence: another draft, another practice, another attempt.”
In the first of three student speeches, Hudson Rabatin ’26 said, “The experiences that change us the most never look like much while we’re in them. We only recognize the impact they have on us after we have reached the other side.” He also shared his interpretation of an ECFS mantra. “Fieldston’s motto is fiat lux: ‘let there be light.’ I used to think that meant, ‘go out into the world and be the light.’ I have come to think about it differently. I think fiat lux is about the crossing. The light is not the destination. It’s what you discover when you keep going.”
Saskia Sommer ’26 emphasized the power of sensory memory and the importance of paying attention to the world around us. ”I urge you to listen to the sounds of the environments you’ll become part of. Paying attention, and choosing what to allocate our attention to, is the best way to exhibit care. Notice the way life moves around you, the way you move it. The way the circles of friends whose voices once reverberated through the 500s building turn to calls inviting you to celebrate milestones, career achievements, and change.”
Kiran Gangadharan ’26 highlighted the little things, saying, “What I truly want to emphasize on this day of becoming is everything that came in between. I concede that the college process, writing essays, and taking tests are important parts of school, but when you look back on high school and consider what made the experience special, are you going to remember your sophomore year algebra final? Absolutely not. Sure, these things may have made high school worth doing. But what made it worth remembering are those little things in between.”
The Senior Jazz Ensemble then performed John LaBarbara’s “The Tiger of San Pedro,” showcasing our student musicians’ talents and featuring several final solos.
Atif Khawaja, Chair of the ECFS Board of Trustees, introduced Commencement keynote speaker Dan Harris, known for his work as an anchor and correspondent for ABC News and, more recently, as an author, podcaster, and entrepreneur. Harris encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty and to take every step as it comes. “This is an incredible moment where you have just achieved something huge, and then you’re walking into something brand new and exciting,” he shared. “Enjoy all of it, and know that you don’t have to expect perfection. Tricky things are going to happen for you, and you can take advantage of them.”
The Senior Percussion Ensemble delivered a cadence, “Fieldston Samba,” to round out the morning’s performances.
Following her remarks that encouraged graduates to lead with kindness and seek opportunities to make a difference, Dr. Stacey Bobo, Fieldston Upper Principal, began awarding diplomas.
The graduation festivities closed with a joyous cap toss to the sounds of the audience’s applause and cheers. After a triumphant round of the Fieldston Upper song “Iam Canamus,” the newest alumni joined their family and friends to celebrate.
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
