Investiture: The Passing on of a Tradition of Excellence

This spring’s Investiture Ceremony began with a simple harp melody, played by music teacher Lindsey Perricone. Director of Student Life Nick Nowak then opened the ceremony and spoke warmly about both the graduating leaders and the senior class, acknowledging the significant role they played in setting the tone for a very successful year. He then asked each of this year’s student leaders to announce next year’s leaders. When they were finished, Director of Spiritual Life Cheryl Borek closed with a prayer and Music Director Kevin Franco led the community in the school song. The whole ceremony was over in less than 18 minutes. The simplicity of the ceremony, however, doesn’t signify that it has lost its importance. In fact, now more than ever, Cardigan needs its student leaders.

Investiture carries on a tradition of leadership at Cardigan that has been passed down for decades; the responsibility of serving the school and building community is sacred. Linking each titled leader to the boys who will replace him, the ceremony acknowledges the role the current leaders play in both helping to run the school and setting an example for those who come after. The younger boys learn so much from their predecessors—how to do the right thing when no one is watching, how to stand up for those who have no voice, and how to uphold the school’s Core Values, even when there is a personal cost. As the ninth graders read the names of the eighth graders, they put their trust in this new group of leaders to take over where they have left off, carrying the school forward.

The task before these students is big, not just for the titled leaders but for the entire eighth grade. Because this year is ending with everyone apart, their leadership will be crucial in building community and forging the bonds that will make the 2020-21 school year successful. It will take compassion and courage and respect and integrity—all things we know they have learned from this year’s graduating seniors. We are looking forward to working with this new group of leaders next year; congratulations to all the boys who are continuing this powerful tradition. 

School Leader: Conley Bohan
Assistant School Leader: Heesung “Daniel” Jung
Academic Assistant: Chadchanad “Chad” Naothaworn 
Athletic Assistant: Owen Tatro
Chapel Leaders: Wilson Knapp and Jaeseong “Arthur” Lee
Dining Room Head Steward: Kaixuan “Leo” Li
Kitchen Head: Beau Brissette
Green Key: Brian Xi
Health Center Leader: Zi “Damian” Zhu 
Student Activities Assistant: Jaeyoung “Jay” Hong

Floor Leaders
Banks: Jenson Smock
Brewster I: Miles Kim
Brewster II: Edward “Tedy” O’Keefe
Clark-Morgan: Daniel Valenti
Dewar: Christian Maro
Franklin: Delin “Michael” Liu
French I: Zihan “Harrison” Huang 
French II: Cayden Van Dolah
Funnell: Kam Hung “Ken” Wong
Greenwood: Shijia “Mac” Wang
Hayward I: Jack Dec
Hayward II: Jack Roberts
Hinman I: John “Jack” Diemar
Hinman II: Anders Silitch
McCusker I: Matthew Chow
McCusker II: Sam Pfefferle