On Thursday, June 10, Glen Urquhart School (GUS) celebrated the 27 members of the Class of 2021 during its 49th graduation exercises at their campus in Beverly Farms, MA.

“The determination, resiliency, and spirit of the great class of 2021 truly shined through, not just over the course of their years in elementary and middle school, but particularly over the course of this last year,” said Head of School Gretchen Forsyth. “They respected each other and supported one another as they truly worked to find not only the best within themselves, but in every situation. If they can continue to find the learning, the joy, the positive, and the inspiration in everything, just as they did this year, there is absolutely nothing they can’t do. This is a group headed for great things.”

Family and friends gathered on Bartlett Field for the intimate ceremony where, as is tradition, each student was individually recognized and celebrated for their unique contributions to the school community. These graduate introductions were presented by Head of School Gretchen Forsyth, but representative of the collective voice of the GUS faculty.

Each year, graduation speakers are GUS alumni who have recently graduated from college - who were graduating eighth grade themselves when the current graduating class was finishing up kindergarten. This year’s alumni speakers were Jack Norton ‘13 and Sarah McGrath ‘13. Each shared words of wisdom and advice with the graduates and reminisced about their shared fondness for the 8th grade humanities map project.

Norton challenged the graduates to “Lean into the unexplored...  be curious, be confident, and every once in a while, be impulsive. And wherever you go, remember your map.”

“It is quite rare that life goes to plan. This does not, however, mean you cannot be in control.  You are still you… you are in control, you can go ahead and be whoever you want,” McGrath told the class. “My advice to you is to do so with hope and joy. You have been educated here by some incredible people, many of whose wisdom I still carry with me today. You may surprise yourself with how much you are capable of doing.”

Next fall, GUS graduates will head off to a number of high schools, including Academy at Penguin Hall, Beverly High School, Governor’s Academy, Groton School, Hamilton Wenham Regional High School, Landmark School, Lynnfield High School, Manchester Essex Regional High School, Newburyport High School, Pingree School, St. John’s Prep, Waring School, and Westover School.

Glen Urquhart School Class of 2021

James Benchoff, Leonardo Bertone, Luka Bornhorst, Maxwell Crafton, Margaret Delay, Hugh Flynn, Kryn Fortune, Makena Garriepy, Anna Klee, Carl Frederick Kniker, Samuel Kniker, Parker Leavitt, Colby McLane, Isaac Medford, Ava Meyer, Caitlyn Miller, Ciaran Mohan, Walter Burr Nelson, Benjamin O'Connor, Emily Prinn, Elsa Reulet, Piper Shepherd, John Sheridan, Evan Smith, Aisling Twombly, Ethan Watts, Nina Zalosh