Commencement Speakers
Winnie Wood Prince ’26 was selected by his classmates as this year’s recipient of the Weil Family Prize for Public Speaking. His speech focused on gratitude, presence, and the relationships that define the Berkshire experience.
We’ve eaten together, we’ve played sports together, and we've been on the stage with one another, and there are so many other activities where Berkshire has brought us closer without us even realizing it." – Winnie Wood Prince '26
Members of the graduating class bestowed the Aliis Non Sibi Award on History Department Chair Jason Gappa. The honor recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies the motto “For others, not themselves."
The Commencement address was delivered by Peter Quilty, who reflected on his 27 years at Berkshire while offering advice to the graduating class. Drawing on his experiences as a teacher, coach, dean, advisor, and administrator, Quilty encouraged students to "keep your head up, ask for directions, and slow down" as they begin their next chapter.
We’re both going to be challenged to find another community that offers this much support and this much love.” – Peter Quilty
*To watch Winnie's speech, skip ahead to 0:48:27 *To watch Peter's speech, skip ahead to 1:12:32
Senior Families
Photos from Highpoint Pictures will be available soon!
All professional photos from graduation, taken by Highpoint Pictures, will soon be available for viewing and ordering on their website. Please keep an eye on your email for a notification when they are ready.
Please contact Highpoint Pictures directly with any questions at (914) 738-5500 or staff@highpointpictures.com.
On May 19, the Class of 2026 gathered with their advisors and faculty for the annual Senior Dinner, celebrating their time under the Mountain. The evening featured remarks from Lissa McGovern, who is retiring after 27 years at Berkshire. It was fitting because the Senior Dinner is one of her favorite Berkshire Traditions. Lissa put her own spin on the traditional Senior Dinner speech by structuring her remarks around music, using carefully selected songs to guide her reflections. Each song transitioned into a short accompanying paragraph, where she shared memories, meaning, and gratitude connected to her journey, with each selection chosen to reflect the senior class experience. We certainly will miss Lissa's creativity, connection to students, and the unique spark she brought to Berkshire.
In these recent weeks of reflection, I’ve felt a real sense of joy and gratitude for the students I have known over many years." – Lissa McGovern
A Berkshire Tradition: The Senior Send-Off
Advanced Research and Independent Study Exhibition
At the annual Advanced Research and Independent Study Exhibition (ARISE) showcase in May, students in Advanced Humanities Research, Advanced Environmental Science Research, and Advanced Math/Science Research presented their yearlong research projects. Congratulations to the students below on their hard work and presentations!
Advanced Environmental Science Research:
- Levi Altshuler '26 - The Relationship Between Deer and the Dark-Eyed Junco
- Eli Boren '26 - The Relationship Between the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle and Forest Biodiversity
- Gus Chong '26 - Monitoring Honeybee Health: A Critical Challenge
- Harriet Sullivan '26 - Indoor Air Quality in Academic and Athletic Spaces
- Winnie Wood Prince '26 - The Impact of the Swimming Hole on Stream Health
Advanced Humanities Research:
- Blythe Bradshaw '26 - Framing the Feminine: Intersection of Art, Identity, and the Feminist Awakening
- Yuki Hu '26 - Prescribing Distress
- Claire Kim '26 - The Sickening Wellness Epidemic
- Annabelle Marcinek '26 - World Systems Theory and Vaccine Inequity During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Makena Mudd '26 - Should AI Be Used In War?: Artificial Technology versus Humanity
- Chidera Okeke '26 - Under Construction: The Rise and Fall of Architectural Utopias in the 20th Century
- Dionis Phelan '26 - From Grassroots to Regimes: The Study of Global Populist Movements
- Lena Smith '26 - Land Locke: Land Ownership as a Reflection of Human Nature
- Russell Soja '26 - Individual and Collective Violence
- Hugh Weidinger '26 - Lying or B.S.? A Political Case Study in the United States
- RunQi Zhang '26 - Artificial Intelligence and the Illusion of Consciousness
Advanced Math/Science Research:
- Uma Aggarwal '27 - Construction of a Wind Tunnel for Aerodynamic Applications
- Emma Gally '27 - Analyzing Silk Fibroin Properties and Applications in Modern Regenerative Medicine
- Reese Ghatak '27 - Aggregate Charitable Giving: Maximization With The Ghatak Coefficient
- Helena Hu '27 - EEG Headset for Clinical Language Rehabilitation: Neural Oscillations in Multi-Task Assessment of Speech Processing
- Junwoo Lim '27 - Using Image Generation Models to Reconstruct Sound Stimuli from EEGs
- Jacob Lee '26 - CAD-Based Design of an Electric Drive Assembly for a Vibratory Control Moment Gyroscope in Coaxial Helicopters
- Camilla Parks '26 - Exploring the Localization of SHANK3 in Cells Treated with the Molecular Chaperone Tafamidis
- Allan Qi '27 - Molecular Dynamics Studies of Underwater Adhesion Using Bio-Inspired Peptides
- Rohan Rost '27 - The Biocompatibility of U2OS Cells With Titanium Implants Using Hydroxyapatite and Poly-L-lysine
- Jasmine Shen '27 - The Effects of Physiological and Intense Blue Light on Keratinocyte Proliferation, Differentiation, and Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion
- Russell Soja '26 - The 50-Year Search for a Bacteriophage of Legionella Bacterium
- Celine Tsai '26 - Photosynthetic Quantum Conversion and Photosynthesis in Chlorobaculum Tepidum (C.tepidum)
- Noel Yi '26 - A Study of Sleep Fragmentation’s Effect on Mitochondrial Integrity and Neurodegenerative Risk
- Kaleb Yoon '26 - Examining the Relationship Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease Using a Transgenic Drosophila TauH Strain
- RunQi Zhang '26 - Cryo-EM Particle Picking by CryoSPARC
Economics & Philanthropy Class Supports Local Community
In the spring trimester, Michael Cohen’s Economics and Philanthropy class explored the history and evolving role of global philanthropy, focusing on the responsibilities, strategies, and impact of donors, nonprofits, and foundations. For their culminating project, students researched and evaluated Berkshire County nonprofit organizations that address the region’s many complex needs. After presenting and deliberating on three finalists, the class selected Multicultural BRIDGE to receive this year’s grant in recognition of its broad community impact, including support for food access, housing assistance, job resources, and community farming initiatives, as well as its ongoing work with Haitian refugee families in the region. Westley Hampton VanSant '26 has a personal connection to the organization. His mother, Gwendolyn, is the founder and CEO, and his sister Maya '22 is also a Berkshire graduate. This connection offered an additional point of resonance for the class as they considered BRIDGE’s role in the community. To read more about Mr. Cohen's Economics and Philanthropy class, check out the April Bears' Den.
National Spanish Examination Awards🏅
The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese administers the annual National Spanish Examination, which allows students nationwide to demonstrate their Spanish proficiency. This year, more than 80,000 students participated across the United States. At Berkshire, students enrolled in Advanced Spanish courses were eligible to compete—and we are proud to announce that 23 students earned recognition across the following categories: Honorable Mention, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. We would like to extend a special thank you to our outstanding Spanish faculty—Sra. Fiori, Sr. Ibañez, and Sr. Julio—for their dedication, guidance, and continued support of our students.
Gold: Xavier Rivera '28, Rori Nisi '27, Michael Spaulding '26 (pictured) Silver: Lila Barkan '27, Alex Pickering '28, Jack Fischer '28, Dean Calio '27, Julien Turone '27 Bronze: Chloe Winkler '27, Simon Wang '28, Lauren Holzemer '27 Honorable Mention: George Plamondon '28, Fred Faulkner '27, Isabel Shen '27, Sconsett Juracich '28, Albina Tepsur '28, Lily Royce '27, Addison Howard '26, Grady O'Connor '26, Halsey Beard '27, Blythe Bradshaw '26, Maeve MacDermott '26, Will Mulder '26
Pro Vita 2027
We are excited to announce Rob Rose as next year's Pro Vita Director! Rob is looking forward to helping faculty and students alike share their passions outside of the classroom and to explore new ideas together. Reflecting on his time with the program, he noted, “Whether it has been teaching my own Pro Vita class, leading a student trip, or helping guide a group planning their own course, each year I have been inspired by everyone’s ability to lean into Berkshire’s core value of curiosity."
In the spirit of "for life" I hope to foster an appreciation of how much we have to learn from each other and how much we each have to offer in our community under the Mountain!" —Rob Rose
Next Year's Pro Vita Winter Sessions Trips
Details on the below trip offerings will be shared in September. Applications will be due during the first week of October, and initial deposits will be due in November. Aviation Students will travel to Houston, Texas, where they will learn from experts at NASA and within the space industry. The group will tour Mission Control and gain a deeper understanding of what went into the recent Artemis Mission. Outside of the group’s time spent at the Space Center, students will receive individual flight instruction from expert pilots. Those taking the Aviation course are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the selection process, but this trip is open to all Berkshire students. Costa Rica Students will travel to Costa Rica to take part in an immersive Spanish-language and cultural exchange program with the GSD International School outside of San Jose. Students will take part in a Model UN conference, collaborating with GSD students, along with guided excursions around the greater San Jose area. To conclude the trip, the group will travel on an excursion outside of the city to explore regenerative farms, National Parks, outdoor adventures, and experience the natural beauty that makes Costa Rica so unique. Iceland Students on this trip will immerse themselves in Icelandic history and culture while studying climate change and related environmental issues in the “Land of Ice and Fire.” The group will learn from local field guides, writers, and experts in the field. Students will leave the trip with a new ability to see the connections between culture and nature, and between humans and place. Reach out to Rob Rose with any questions at rrose@berkshireschool.org
Congratulations to all our spring athletes for their performance and dedication this season. A special shoutout to Kendall Dobratz '27 and Mikey Mitchell '27 for taking home the Jeanette A. Shaw Trophy and the Frank Beattie Trophy, respectively—the highest awards bestowed upon our fifth-form student-athletes who best exemplify proficiency and sportsmanship in interscholastic athletics.
At the Spring Athletic Awards, Athletic Director Dan Driscoll shared a few of the monumental accomplishments this spring, such as:
NEPSTA Champions & Record Setters 🏆
Congratulations to all of our student-athletes who competed at the NEPSTA Division II Track & Field Championships on Saturday, May 16, at The Governor's Academy! Special recognition goes to Kalila Daley ’28, who was named Girls MVP of the Meet after capturing NEPSTA titles in both the 100m and 200m. She also broke a Berkshire School record in the 200m with a time of 24.75, surpassing the previous mark of 25.2 set in 1994. Her record-breaking run also qualified her for the New Balance Nationals Outdoor, the national championship meet at the University of Pennsylvania on June 18-21. Kalila was also a member of the winning 4x400 relay team alongside teammates Deandra Hage ’29, Kenzi DeJesus ’26, and Alivia Mauer ’26!
In the field events, Gabby Ogunnupe ’27 placed fourth in the discus with a personal-record throw, while also finishing eighth in the long jump and seventh in the shot put.
Making history at New Englands!
Girls crew delivered its strongest NEIRA Championships showing in program history at Lake Quinsigamond. The second boat of Charlee Cate Cardot ’27, Ada Hotaling ’29, Mae Lawrence ’27, Anabel Vilas ’28, and Blythe Beran ’28 earned bronze for a second straight year, finishing just one second off silver. The first boat took second in the Petite Final, placing eighth overall in New England and reaching that final for the first time since 2006.
Boys crew's first boat finished sixth in New England after entering as the ninth seed and defeating Hotchkiss in its heat. The second boat overcame early issues to win the Petite Final, while the 3rd boat gained valuable experience in its first championship appearance.
Final Results: B3 – 12th in New England B2 – 7th in New England (Petite Final Champions) B1 – 6th in New England (Grand Final) G2 – 3rd in New England G1 – 8th in New England
Honoring Faculty
We are honored to celebrate the retirement of two legendary members of the Berkshire community. Over their respective 27 years under the Mountain, Peter Quilty and Lissa McGovern have profoundly shaped countless lives through their unwavering dedication, mentorship, and deep commitment to our Bears and the broader community.
Both have contributed to Berkshire in a variety of ways. In her final year under the Mountain, Lissa taught her last Mountain and Me class as a member of the English Department, served as the Director of the International Student Program, and supported our Bears as a timer during many games. Meanwhile, Peter taught chemistry as a member of the Science Department, and coached boys thirds hockey and track and field.
Lissa McGovern
Peter Quilty
Thank you, Ms. McGovern and Mr. Quilty, for all you have given to Berkshire. Your presence and influence will be deeply missed.
Faculty Recognition
Berkshire proudly celebrates the exceptional faculty members who were recently honored for their outstanding dedication, contribution, and impact this past school year. These remarkable educators define the heart of the Berkshire experience, inspiring our Bears both inside and outside the classroom. We are also thrilled to announce the establishment of two new Endowed Faculty Chairs—The Arthur C. Chase Endowed Chair in English and The Allyn Endowed Chair in Science. These honors reflect Berkshire's enduring commitment to investing in the teachers who shape our students' lives every day. Please join us in thanking our faculty for their extraordinary impact this year! Nancy Lyon: The Class of 1957 Faculty Award (for a veteran faculty member) Dan Cooper: The Seaver Buck Faculty Award Sheri Mahoney: The Class of 1957 Faculty Award (for a newer faculty member) April Burch: The Allyn Endowed Chair in Science Tess Hardcastle '06: The Arthur C. Chase Endowed Chair in English Jen Gaenzle Smith: The Puth Family Advising Award Junior De La Hoz: The Kellogg-Silverman-Kontos Award Jason Gappa (not pictured): The Aliis Non Sibi Award From left: Nancy Lyon, Dan Cooper, Sheri Mahoney, April Burch, Tess Hardcastle '06, Jen Gaenzle Smith, Junior De La Hoz
Staff Award Winners
Join us in celebrating two outstanding members of our community! We are proud to announce Dan Smith as the winner of the 2026 Staff Appreciation Award and Mae Wickwire as the 2026 recipient of the Timothy Fulco ’78 Service Award. Thank you both for your incredible commitment and service to Berkshire! The Staff Appreciation Award is presented to a staff member who has worked at Berkshire for five years or less and who has demonstrated a unique dedication to their role, strong initiative and independent work ethic, and is a tireless supporter of their colleagues. As Trades Supervisor, Dan is known by many as the “go-to” person on campus for all things electrical, air conditioning, carpentry, and for fixing and maintaining our campus systems. Head of School Pieter Mulder said, “A true hands-on leader, he works alongside his team to ensure projects and repairs are completed efficiently and thoughtfully. He is reliable, flexible, and incredibly generous with his time, often working long days and serving in an on-call capacity whenever needed.” The Timothy Fulco ’78 Service Award recognizes a staff member’s long-term commitment to excellence, dedication to their role and to Berkshire, and the respect they have earned from colleagues and the broader community. Now in her 16th year at Berkshire, Mae is a Housekeeper in the Facilities Department, where she takes meticulous care of the Jack. Head of School Pieter Mulder said, “Mae embodies the spirit of 'Berkshire First’ in all her work, consistently going the extra mile to ensure that our spaces and places are welcoming, clean, and well cared for. She is highly respected by her peers and always on the move with a positive attitude. Her reliability, spirit, and commitment to the Berkshire community make her deeply deserving of this recognition.” Congratulations on your well-earned awards, Mae and Dan!
For Our Bears: Let's "B" There Together!
June is the last month of the fiscal year, and if you haven't already, we're asking YOU to support Berkshire's Annual Fund. If 300 or more donors make a gift to the Annual Fund by June 30, an additional $25,000 will be unlocked to support the Annual Fund. This year, there is an even greater reason to give: The Match That Moves Us. Thanks to the generosity of a loyal alumni family, all eligible gifts to the 2025-2026 Annual Fund will be matched dollar for dollar. Whether you are giving for the first time, joining The 1907 Society, returning after time away, or increasing your support from last fiscal year, your gift can stretch even further for Berkshire and our Bears! Thank you to those who have already made a gift this fiscal year. We are grateful for your generosity. Let’s rally together to unlock this challenge and finish strong For Our Bears! 💚
Thank You, Parent Association Leaders!
Please join us in recognizing the dedication and leadership of our Parents Association (PA) Co-Chairs, Nicolle O’Keefe P’22,’24,’27 and Ashley Burr P’25,’27, along with all of our devoted Form Representatives and Committee Chairs. As Nicolle concludes her two-year term as Co-Chair and nears a decade as a Berkshire parent to three Bears, we are especially grateful for the leadership and sense of community she has fostered among Berkshire families. Her many contributions to Berkshire have been truly invaluable. Thank you to this year's Parent Association leaders: Co-Chairs: Ashley Burr P'25,'27 and Nicolle O’Keefe P’22,’24,’27 Sixth Form: Blair Clarke P'23,'26 and Emily Reynolds P'26 Fifth Form: Laura Harris P'27,'28 and Ferebee Taube P'27 Fourth Form: Kristen Fay P'28 and Jenny Weymouth P'28 Third Form: Martha Sharp P’22,'26,'29 Through their leadership and collaboration, the Parents Association supported our faculty and staff, athletic teams, Admission efforts, the Annual Fund, and, above all, our Bears.
As we look ahead, we are excited to welcome Payson Murray P’27,’28,’30 (another parent of three Bears who will all be under the Mountain next year!) as our incoming PA Co-Chair. Payson will partner with Ashley to continue the outstanding work of the Parents Association.
We encourage all parents to get involved for a PA committee or leadership role. To learn more about these opportunities and sign up to participate, please click here. We look forward to partnering with you!