Hats off: Class of 2025 celebrates with humor and fun Photos by Baala Shakya, Garrett Curtis, Lily Belle Poling and Carter Cashen. Words by Baala Shakya. Published May 19, 2025.

As the class of 2025 gathered on Old Campus for Sunday’s Class Day ceremony, tradition was on full display with fun, colorful hats bobbing above the crowd of seniors.

For Elisabetta Formenton ’25, the hat was a family tradition that traveled all the way from her home in Italy to Yale. Donning a laurel wreath with sprigs of lavender, Formenton told the News that “when you graduate in Italy, they give you laurels.”

“My mom brought it from Italy yesterday,” she said. “We kept it in the fridge.”

Mateo Rice ’25, captain of the men’s basketball team, wore his 2024 Ivy League champion cap.

“Last year we were the champions, this year as well,” he said. “I feel nostalgic, but I also feel very ready. As sad as this is, I feel well prepared to move on to the next stage of my life.”

Munene Kinyua ’25 and his friends wore Power Rangers hats that “made it out of the group chat” and onto Old Campus.

“We were kind of hesitant about it, but [my friend] really pushed for it,” he said. “It just feels like a combination of emotions. It’s so great to do this finally.”

For Nyche Andrew ’25, her hat was a nod to a loved one.

“My hat is a little cartoon of my dog, and her name is Sugar,” she said. “She sat on my lap while I did homework. She was with me during Zoom classes. She’s been living with me this past year. I wanted to wear the hat because it’s like she graduated with me, too.”