 June 7, 2015
Greetings,
If we're doing our job right, you are well aware of our tagline, "Small classes. Big opportunities. Amazing results." But it's not just a clever saying - it really is what Swain lives and breathes every day.
And that was no more apparent than on  Friday, when the Class of 2015's beautiful graduation ceremony was held. The day was all about the 18 eighth graders who had completed their experience at Swain - up on the stage of The McCann Center, you could see how the big opportunities provided by Swain turned into the amazing results that are our graduates.
Class member Michael Schellenberg '15 addressed the audience and detailed many of the big opportunities he and his classmates have enjoyed - in the classrooms, on stage and the athletic fields, and in the community. He also  touched on the small size of Swain: "I went from not knowing my head of school to knowing him well enough to give him a high five in the hallway."
From a different perspective, Andrew Green-span (left) - a member of Swain's class of 2002 - shared some of his own big opportunities at Swain. He also had some words of advice to the class: "Put down your phone!" His message was that you can't experience life to its fullest - and all the opportunities it holds - if your eyes are on a screen.
Those individual student journeys came to life as eighth grade Dean, Julia Getty, read personal vignettes of each one,  as they came forward to receive their diplomas. Board of Trustees chair Linda Noonan, Head of School Todd Stansbery, and Associate Head of Academics Andrew Katz handled those honors.
Mr. Stansbery had some parting words for the students as well, encouraging them to keep in touch with Swain as they continue on their journey as students and adults.
After the official ceremony, Swain's newest alumni adjourned to the courtyard where they gathered around the old school bell. The five "lifers" - Alex, Emma, Harry, Zoe and Luke - rang the bell, surrounded by their classmates. Then it was out to the front of the school for a final formal class portrait.
 Members of the Class of 2014 were on hand to lower their class flag, which has flown in front of the school for one year.
There was one final piece of business, for the Class of 2015 to raise their new flag, before the graduates and their families adjourned for even more photos and congratulations.
And now they are off to the next step of their educational journeys - we wish them well, and please - keep in touch!
We have many more photos of the day's festivities, including from the brunch before the ceremony, the musical performances during the ceremony, and all the "after" ceremonies. Please enjoy them here.
We hope you enjoyed today's edition of Swain Stories!
1100 South 24th Street | Allentown, PA 18103 | 610-433-4542 | swain.org
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