117th Commencement
On Friday, May 24, Berkshire bid a fond farewell to its 117th graduating class. Watch the video below for highlights from this special day!
For a list of Prize Night and graduation award winners and to see where the members of the Class of 2024 are headed this fall, check out "The Green and Gray: Special Commencement Issue" below.
Commencement Speakers
Campbell Billingsley '24 was selected by her classmates as this year's recipient of the Weil Family Prize for Public Speaking. She shared with the class the lessons she has learned when the unthinkable happens and how it shaped her philosophy of life.
Lift each other up, hug the people you love and care for, celebrate every moment, and never forget where you came from. So this is not a goodbye to Berkshire, it's just a good night."—Campbell Billingsley '24
Members of the graduating class bestowed the Aliis Non Sibi Award to science teacher Mike Dalton. The award recognizes a faculty member who lives up to the motto: "For others, not themselves."
Dalton also delivered this year's Commencement address, where he talked about delta discourse and left the Class of 2024 with three key thoughts: first, don't be afraid to take a different path; second, be open to changing your perspective; and third, embrace change as a true gift.
Black Rock, thrust fault, Everett schist, metamorphic rock, beautiful rock, just like all of you.—Mr. Dalton
Senior Families
Photos from Highpoint Pictures will be available soon!
All professional photos taken at graduation by Highpoint Pictures will be posted soon on their website for viewing and ordering. Please keep an eye on your email for a notice when the photos are ready!
Please contact Highpoint Pictures directly with any questions at (914) 738-5500 or staff@highpointpictures.com.
Senior Dinner
On May 21, the Class of 2024 celebrated their time under the Mountain with their advisors and the faculty at the annual Senior Dinner. Ana Alvarenga '15, a Berkshire alum and a three-time NCAA Div. III women's soccer champion with Williams College, where she earned a B.A. in physics and economics, shared remarks with her soon-to-be fellow alumni. Alvarenga is an associate at Intrepid Investment Bankers in Los Angeles, specializing in the food, beverage, and agriculture industries, and was named "Women of Influence: Finance" by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Once a Bear, always a Bear!🐻
A BerkshireTradition: The Senior Send-Off
Academic Achievement
Congratulations to fourth formers Claire Kim and Helena Hu, who both won awards in the annual Spencertown Academy Arts Center 2024 Young Writers' Contest. Helena won first place in the nonfiction category, and Claire received a third place award in the fiction category.
Economics and Philanthropy Class Gifts $5,000
Students have awarded two sports-based organizations with funding to support their mission.
Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression (AAAD) and A Shot For Life (ASFL) will each receive $2,500 from Berkshire’s Philanthropy Outreach Program. The gifts are the culmination of Mr. Perkin’s Economics and Philanthropy class which works throughout the year to identify groups deserving of the award. Funding for the program was made possible by two anonymous donors who gave Berkshire $250,000 in 2015 in support of the class.
Mental health is a serious issue with athletes, and young people in general. AAAD provides free therapy to anyone who needs it, and that motivated me to support their cause.” —Omar Kulenovic ‘24
ASFL engages and unites communities by inspiring hope and leadership through sports.” Emma McGowan ‘24
Travels Through Asia With the Strom Program for Asian Studies
As the Director of the International Student Program, Lissa McGovern works with and supports Berkshire students from around the world. Through a grant from The Jonathan W. Strom Program for Asian Studies, she traveled to Japan and Vietnam on a trip that combined her love of the outdoors with her desire to connect with students from the many cultures that our students represent. She shares her experience traveling in Asia below.
I have always been happy when I can talk to students about their home country from firsthand experience.”–Lissa McGovern
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Spring Shorts for their outstanding performances! 👏 The evening closed with "Suitcase," written by Josaphina Brinkerhoff ’24, the culmination of a yearlong Independent Study with Theater Director Jesse Howard. Howard describes Josaphina's play as “a unique blend of comedy and drama which focuses on a pair of sisters, the older of which always seems to be packing a suitcase to run off on her next adventure . . . while the younger one stays behind at home. It's funny, relatable, and moving.” 🎬✨
Congratulations to our dancers and crew, who wrapped up the school year with an incredible Spring Dance Concert in the dance studio, showcasing ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap.👏
Click here to watch the Spring Dance Concert on demand.
Spring Athletic Awards
Congratulations to all our spring athletes for their performance and dedication this season. A special shoutout to Katy Gappa ‘25 and Jack Holbrough ‘25 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.
A great group of legendary Bears came back to campus in May for the Beyond 50th Celebration. The event, held for all alumni who have already celebrated their 50th Reunion, provided an overview of the Berkshire experience and a chance to deepen connections with classmates and friends, old and new. Alumni enjoyed a welcome reception at East Campus, a student panel of current Bears, a presentation from Archivist Bebe Bullock ’86, academic master classes, and more.
Alumni Spotlight
Elizabeth Nutting ’19
Eilzabeth Nutting opted to go “down under” for college to study at the University of Sydney’s undergraduate law program. Now in her final year of law school, she is also working part-time as a policy advisor at The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet where she serves on a task force addressing intersectional healthcare employment issues. Learn more about her experience living and working abroad below.
Jean Maher is leaving Berkshire after a remarkable 20-year career where her impact was felt across campus by students, colleagues, and countless Berkshire families. From the classrooms in Berkshire Hall to the senior leadership team and the lacrosse field and beyond, her positive outlook and endless enthusiasm uplifted those around her every day. We wish her all the best with her new adventures in Madrid!
Jean's impact over her two decades at Berkshire is impossible to measure. She's mentored, led, and inspired everyone in every corner of our campus by her tireless commitment to the community, her enviable mix of wisdom and compassion, and her unfailing optimism about our unique fortune to spend our days working with young people at Berkshire.”–Pieter Mulder, Head of School
From Colleague Cait Ward '08
"Jean’s influence on my life has been profound. She has been more than just a mentor and guide; she’s been a consistent pillar of support. Whether engaging in a one-on-one dialogue or addressing a large audience, Jean cultivates genuine connection and trust with those around her. She has an innate ability to bring balance in the midst of chaos, humor when one needs to laugh, and a comforting presence in times of distress. Her authenticity shines through in every interaction, making people feel heard, understood, and valued. Whether she's navigating complex discussions or simply lending a listening ear, Jean's sincerity and warmth create a space where everyone feels welcome and respected. These days, I’m living farther away from Jean. But when decisions need to be made, I still lean into my tried and true mantra: 'What would Jean Maher do?'"
From Katharina Kreke Peña '12
"Ms. Maher is the main reason I ended up at Berkshire. After meeting with her for my interview, she stayed in close touch with both me and my parents and ensured that Berkshire was always at the top of our minds. I instantly felt a bond with her, and it was a bond that gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling that I couldn’t ignore when it came to my decision-making process.
Ms. Maher would continue to play a big role for me when she became my advisor. While the first few weeks, and even months, were tough for me to navigate because of homesickness, Ms. Maher always had a way of putting me at ease. I could always count on her to guide me, to push me, to support me and be there for me. She has made a huge impact on my life and countless others’, and I couldn’t be more thankful for all she has done.
Ms. Maher will be very missed under the Mountain, but I am so excited for her and her upcoming adventure. I know she will continue to do amazing things and impact so many young people’s lives!"
A gauntlet of faculty, staff, and students say farewell to retiring faculty member Mike Dalton, recognizing him for his incredible 25-year teaching career at Berkshire. Dalton has served in various roles in the Science Department, as the Director of the Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program, Dean of Students, running Berkshire’s Maple Syrup Corporation, as a champion of place-based learning, and founder of “Kilt Friday.” We will miss you, Mr. Dalton!
#GoBears