Members of the 164th graduating class at Episcopal High School (EHS) received their diplomas in ceremonies that spanned two days last weekend.
The 118 seniors attended a baccalaureate ceremony in the chapel on campus on Friday afternoon. After that, on Friday evening, Sanford Zeigler gave his valedictory address. Zeigler was selected by his classmates for this honor.
“The students select the valedictorian from among a group of those with the highest academic achievement,” said Maggie Melson, the school’s communications director.
Zeigler reflected on his time at EHS and looked ahead to the future. “When in the midst of being a role model, a son, a friend, and a liability all at once, it seems that the path to success is a narrow one and is skirted with traps and pitfalls at every bend. Every class period, every paper, it seems, is a test to see if we have what it takes to walk across that stage at the end.
"At EHS, every waking action plays into our final mode of departure, whether happy or sad, for better or for worse. After having seen friends come and friends go, just as swiftly, only to be known in hushed whispers down a muted hallway, we may get the feeling that our two, three or four years are a series of hurdles to see how we perform in the face of adversity or how we react to an impossible workload and constant supervision,” he said.
“To live life well, one must love life, and to love life, one must know it. We have come to Episcopal to learn how to live. Regardless of what ambitions we may have to gain an edge in college admissions or to make connections, Episcopal’s only purpose is to prepare us for life. That is the job that Episcopal has done since 1839, continues to do now, and will persist in doing in the future.
"When I see my grandfather, Burwell Manning, EHS class of 1948, in the audience today, I know that much has changed since his days here. Rooms now have walls instead of sheets, computers populate the campus, and new buildings stand in new locations. The face of Episcopal has changed since he graduated, when Joe Shelor was a rising sophomore, but its soul is unwavering. Just as he can smile almost 60 years later because he knows for all its age, the high school still performs, I know 60 years from today, I too, will be able to smile as I watch my own grandchild walk the stage,” Zeigler concluded.
AT COMMENCEMENT, Headmaster Robert Hershey presented a profile of the Class of 2003. “This class has submitted 791 applications to 202 different colleges and universities. In the fall, you will disperse to 68 different institutions of higher learning in 27 different states, the District of Columbia, Canada and England. But no matter how far and wide your journey takes you, you will always have two things in common: Episcopal High School and each other. I hope both will be sustaining anchors for you as your lives unfold in the years ahead,” he said.
One hundred members of the class completed 276 Advanced Placement examinations, and 40 of the Class of 2003 achieved an academic average that earned them the distinction of a place on the High List or honor role. Ninety members of the class received varsity athletic letters, leading Episcopal teams to 156 victories on the varsity level. Fifteen members of the class will continue their athletic endeavors by competing on intercollegiate teams next year.
At commencement, many students and faculty members received a variety of awards. Anne Sanders received the most awards, including the Randolph Fairfax medal for character, conduct and academic excellence.