Cardigan Celebrates Its 80th Commencement Ceremony

The morning of Cardigan’s 80th Commencement brought families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends together for a joyful celebration of growth, brotherhood, and new beginnings. On Sunday, May 24, Cardigan Mountain School honored the Class of 2026 as the boys marked the close of their Cardigan journey and prepared to take their next steps beyond The Point.

The soon-to-be graduates began their day in Humann Theatre, where they donned the school’s traditional Commencement attire of gray pants and white jackets. Shortly thereafter, they met their families in Kenly Dining Hall and gathered on the Scaramucci Porch for the pinning of boutonnières and family photographs.

Then it was time for the Alumni Tie Ceremony, which was relocated from the Clark-Morgan Porch to the Commencement tent due to weather concerns. There they were welcomed by Director of the Annual Fund and Planned Giving Jeremiah Shipman ’00, former Heads of School Chip Dewar H’02, P’93, Jamie Funnell H’09, and Dave McCusker ’80, P’09,’10, trustees, and alumni–each standing ready to present the graduates with their green and silver striped Cardigan alumni ties.

Mr. Shipman spoke about the significance of joining a network of over 4,000 Cardigan alumni and explained the symbolism of the tie: green for nature and growth, and silver for the granite of Mount Cardigan, a foundation built on our core values.

Assistant School Leader Jinwoo Ham ’26 shared a reflection with his classmates, offering words of gratitude, pride, and encouragement as the Class of 2026 prepared to join Cardigan’s lifelong alumni brotherhood.

Boutonnières and ties in place, the graduates then headed to the Chapel for their class photo before forming the processional line that would begin the Commencement Ceremony.

After the faculty processed into the tent to enthusiastic applause, bagpiper Mr. Terry Ranney led the Class of 2026 along the pathway past Clark-Morgan Hall, beneath the trees near Hinman Hall, and into the rear of the tent. The boys took their places in the front rows, ready to mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Director of Spiritual Life Cheryl Borek P’10,’12,’15 delivered the day’s Invocation, offering gratitude for the families, faculty, and staff who have supported the boys throughout their Cardigan experience.

Head of School Chris Day P’12,’13 then took the podium to welcome the families gathered under the tent and watching from afar. Addressing the graduates, Mr. Day assured them that they were prepared and equipped to take their next steps:

“Gentlemen of the Class of 2026…the sooner you realize that you already possess your superpower, the sooner you will learn to be the best version of yourself you can be. All the pieces are now in place. The rest is execution, hustle, resourcefulness, and following the core values you learned here–Compassion, Integrity, Respect, and Courage–through all that you do. In your life, you will fall down and make a lot of mistakes, but if your core is strong, then you will succeed.”

After concluding his remarks, Mr. Day introduced Cardigan Board Chair George “Jory” Macomber P’12, who welcomed guests and offered appreciation for the faculty, staff, families, and graduates who make the Cardigan community so special.

Sosuke Imaizumi ’26 then delivered the traditional School Leader Reflection. Speaking on behalf of the Class of 2026, Sosuke recalled the friendships, lessons, challenges, and moments of joy that shaped the boys’ time together on The Point.

“Please don’t forget the people who changed your life here–the captains you looked up to, the kind dorm leaders, the friends who sat next to you when you were struggling, and the classmates who made you laugh in your hardest days. This is my final wish for you.”

Mr. Day next recognized the recipients of the 2026 Commencement Prizes. Deserving students received awards honoring academic excellence, athletic achievement, character, leadership, and service, each prize reflecting the values that guide daily life at Cardigan.

The Commencement Address was delivered by former faculty and Summer Session faculty member Bob Low. Drawing on his years at Cardigan and his experience as an English teacher, Mr. Low invoked literary characters, beginning with Gene Forrester, the protagonist of John Knowles’ 1959 novel A Separate Peace, and concluding with Polonius from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

“Polonius proceeds to actually give terrific advice to his young adult son,” Mr. Low explained:

Give thy thoughts no tongue, Laertes: Be measured and reserved.

Beware entrance to a quarrel: Don’t instigate. Don’t always be so combative. Don’t rage-bait.

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy/But not expressed in fancy, rich; not gaudy: Be humble.

Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment: Don’t be overly judgmental or critical.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be: Exercise financial prudence.

To thine own self be true: Be true to yourself; be authentic; be you, and be proud of yourself.

After rousing applause for Mr. Low, Mr. Day presided over the highlight of the day: the Awarding of Diplomas. As each graduate crossed the stage, he received his diploma, a handshake from Mr. Day, and a moment in the spotlight before his family, teachers, classmates, and friends.

The ceremony concluded with a Benediction from Ms. Borek, followed by the singing of the Cardigan Hymn led by Director of Music Nathan Plourde. To the stirring notes of Mr. Ranney’s bagpipes, the Class of 2026 processed out of the tent, surrounded by the cheers of their families, friends, faculty, and the Cardigan community that will always be theirs.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

To see where the Cardigan Class of 2026 will take their next steps, please see the 2026 matriculation.

2026 Commencement Prizes

The Hinman Prize is given annually in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Harold P. Hinman to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, by industrious application to his studies, through his attitude on the playing field, and by his behavior and integrity, most nearly approaches the ideals of manhood as conceived in the minds of the founders of Cardigan Mountain School.

Jinwoo Ham

The Caldwell Prize is awarded to the senior who has shown outstanding athletic achievement and sportsmanship.

Luke Elsinger

The Dewar Prize is awarded annually in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Cameron K. Dewar to the member of the senior class with the highest academic standing.

Everett Lo

The Founders Prize is awarded to the senior who has the will to complete any project, regardless of the difficulties encountered, without thought of personal gain, and whose objective is a job well done in the same approach that characterized the life of Harold P. Hinman, one of the founders of Cardigan Mountain School.

Sosuke Imaizumi

The Norman and Beverly Wakely Prize is awarded by the Class of 1989 to the senior who, in the opinion of his classmates, best upholds the tradition, spirit, and pride of Cardigan Mountain School, thus making every day “a beautiful day in New Hampshire.”

Lenni Pieksemä

The Pannaci Memorial Award is awarded annually by the Class of 1959 as a memorial to Karl J. Pannaci ’59, to that member of the senior class who, in the eyes of his fellow students, has achieved the best attained ideals of honesty, integrity, leadership, and general social and spiritual adjustment.

Roan Wilson

The Skibiski Memorial Award is given as a memorial to Michael R. Skibiski to that member of the senior class who has shown the greatest progress during his Cardigan Mountain School years.

Charles Costello

The William Knapp Morrison Award is presented to the senior who, in the opinion of the students, best exemplifies the spirit of Willie Morrison ’82 in academics, athletics, and as a campus citizen.

Jack Manley

In addition to our formal awards, this year we have 3 students who will be receiving the Faculty Prize; awarded to the seniors who, in the opinion of the faculty, have made special contributions to Cardigan Mountain School.

Caleb Clough
Jiho Liam Choi
Everett Lo

In honor of the extraordinary volunteer efforts of Cardigan parent Maureen Gilbert, the Gilbert Family Service Award is given annually to recognize a member—or members—of the Cardigan community whose service to the school has been exceptional.

Christine and Kevin Costello P’26