Commencement 2026

June 10, 2026

Families, faculty, and friends gathered under the white tent on the Roby Young Field, beaming with pride; the familiar opening chords of Pomp and Circumstance; everyone in their Sunday best; the rituals and pageantry of 99 years of Buckley graduations; the sun that never fails to shine bright on Commencement Day…and none of it ever gets old. 

Pastor Henry Furhman, Senior Pastor at Shelter Rock Church, gave this year’s invocation. He was introduced by graduate Ben Yee who shared that Father Henry, as he is known, “Has a gift for making you feel like the most important person in the room, talking to people at their hardest moments and helping them find their footing.” “Father Henry,” Ben said, “finds the time to meet with people exactly where they are.” Pastor Furhman reflected on Buckley’s mission statement, commenting that “education at its best teaches us to see; it awakens us to truth, to beauty, to possibility; it shapes not only what we know, but who we become.” “May this day be filled with joy, gratitude, and hope,” he concluded. 

On behalf of his classmates, Metehan Konur presented the Teacher-of-the-Year Award, selected by the members of the graduating class, to Mandarin Teacher Sumeng Guo. Metehan praised Guo lǎo shī for “encouraging students to put as much effort as possible into their academic studies, creating a space that makes students feel safe and able to share anything that comes to mind. There is never a time when we don’t look forward to seeing her throughout the day,” Metehan added.

The Thomas J. Reid Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes outstanding teaching, demonstrated by concern for each student, quality of instruction, and commitment to Buckley. The 2025 Thomas J. Reid Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Assistant Nursery Teacher Michaela Sheridan.

The G. Robert Gage Award for Excellence in Teaching, named and given in memory of Mr. Bob Gage’s late father, is given annually to a faculty member in recognition of their excellence in teaching. This award is funded every year by the investment income earned on the endowed gift made by the Gage family. The 2026 recipient of The G. Robert Gage Award for Excellence in Teaching was Spanish Teacher Granya Vazquez.

A generous endowment gift from Linda and John Powers made possible the presentation of an additional faculty award at graduation. The Powers Family Teacher Recognition Award is given annually to a faculty member in recognition of their embodiment of the School’s character and spirit, care and nurturing qualities, and excellence in teaching. This year, the Powers Family Teacher Recognition Award was presented to Second Grade Teacher Stefani Rosenthal.

Sophie Lee and Sarp Li, outgoing Student Council Co-Presidents, presented the gift of the Class of 2026 to Buckley Country Day School. Sophie and Sarp announced that they wanted to give back to the community that had given them so much by donating new soccer jerseys designed by the Student Council to next year’s 7th and 8th grade teams to foster “school spirit, teamwork, and pride.” “Soccer is a sport that brings people together,” they explained, “and it helps create a sense of community both on and off the field.” Being that they managed to raise more money than needed for the jerseys, they chose to allocate another $2,300 to the Head of School’s Impact Fund started by the Class of 2017 to assist Buckley Country Day School’s families with expenses above and beyond tuition and provide resources that enhance student life, academics, and extracurricular opportunities. Thank you to the Class of 2026 for their thoughtfulness and for generously “paying it forward.”

Woodshop Teacher Brendon Shunk was selected by the graduating class to be their faculty speaker. He was introduced by Peter Boulukos as a teacher who is always there to support his students and truly cares about everyone in the Buckley community. “He always makes time for us and somehow managed to save our senior plaques. His willingness to step in and support others doesn’t go unnoticed,” Peter said. After reflecting on his own experience in his first year teaching a tradition that dates back a hundred years to Buckley’s very first graduation and his goal of not letting students settle for “good enough,” Mr. Shunk spoke of the joy of seeing their simple 12-by-12 slab of wood becoming their own personal story, with each wood chip removed. Mr. Shunk encouraged the graduates to “treat that first day of high school the same way they treated that first slab of wood – from not knowing where to start and which direction to go to finding their path and gaining confidence in their abilities.” The plaques they created together will always be a reminder and the memories they shared. 

Kyle and Mason Lee ‘22 were this year’s alumni speakers. They were introduced by their sister, Sophie, for whom “the twins have always been role models and examples of kindness, hard work, and determination.” Kyle and Mason, who are both heading off to West Point Military Academy, with verve, conviction, and wit shared life lessons from their own high school experience: “Lock in – Go work on building yourself up. Without hard work you’re not getting anywhere, because hard work puts you in a place where luck can find you;” “Take advantage of opportunities – Don’t be afraid to take a chance. Raise your hand. Try something new. One simple ‘yes’ may end up changing your life;” “Branch out – Put yourself out there. Talk to people. It is the people you meet who make your high school years special;” “Don’t sacrifice your integrity – Be the one to speak up, to do the right thing, even when no one else is watching.” Kyle and Mason concluded their eloquent and heartening remarks by asking the graduates to stand up and give a round of applause to their teachers, to their parents, and then, to themselves. 

The two student speakers selected by their peers were Sebastian Balchand and Sophie Lee. In their remarks they decided to celebrate both the past and the future. Before turning the page on their final chapter at Buckley, they looked back on the chapters that had brought them to this moment from their early years in Lower School to Upper School, reflecting on the memories made, the friendships built, the lessons learned, and the community that shaped them into who  they have become. “As one chapter closes,” they exclaimed joyfully, “another one begins!”

Diplomas were then awarded to the members of the graduating class. Newly-elected Student Council Co-Presidents Artemios Georgelis ‘27 and Emma Sugiyama ’27 displayed the wooden plaques carved by the graduates as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Simultaneously, eighth grade advisors read excerpts from comments selected by the Head of School and written by the students’ teachers over the past twelve years.  

It was with pride and joy that the entire community joined in cheering the Class of 2026 and wishing them well.   

Eirini Stravropoulos introduced this year’s musical offering: “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars. “No matter where life takes us next, the memories of our time together will always remain,” Eirini shared. She added, “No matter how far apart we may be, remember that you can always count on me, and I know I can count on you.”

Pastor Furhman concluded the ceremony with a beautiful blessing for the graduates and the school community, adding that “Buckley is not a school you go to; but truly a family you belong to.”

The 2026 graduates have now become the newest members of Buckley’s Alumni Association, and we hope that under the leadership of their class agent, Adanna Victor, Buckley will soon have the pleasure of hosting their first reunion.

The members of the Class of 2026 will be attending: Archbishop Molloy High School, Avenues The World School, Blair Academy, Chaminade High School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Collegiate School, Dominican Academy, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Friends Academy, Grace Church School, Groton School, The Hewitt School, Middlesex School, Northfield Mount Hermon, The Peddie School, Phillips Academy – Andover, Phillips Exeter Academy, Portledge School, Sacred Heart Academy, The Spence School, Trinity School, West Islip High School, Xavier High School.

Congratulations, Buckley Class of 2026!

Please click here for a link to photos from the ceremony and here for the video.