COMMENCEMENT
MAY 21, 2026
CO MM ENCE M EN T
DAVIDSON DAY SCHOOL• CLASS OF 2026
THE CAROLINA THEATRE • MAY 21, 2026
*Senior Processional......................................................................................................... Pomp and Cir cumstance Elg ar
Invocation...........................................................................................................................Melissa Nelson Tate Board Chair
Welcome ......................................................................................................................................Andrew Bishop Head of School
Introduction of Speaker..............................................................................................................Michael Smith Head of Upper School
Speaker...........................................................................................................................................Bob McKillop
Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Davidson College (1989 - 2022)
Introduction of Salutatorian............................................................................................................Amy Kivett Upper School Teacher
Salutatorian’s Address..................................................................................................................Maryn Holden
Introduction of Valedictorian................................................................................................... Tiffani Thomas Upper School Teacher
Valedictorian’s Address..........................................................................................................Alexis Blanchette
Presentation of Special Awards K aren Wolter Award....................................................................................................Andrew Bishop Head of School Awards..............................................................................................Andrew Bishop
Acclaim Award.............................................................................................................Andrew Bishop
Presentation of Diplomas...........................................................................................................Michael Smith Andrew Bishop
Melissa Nelson Tate Bob McKillop
Address to Seniors and Closing Remarks..............................................................................Andrew Bishop
*Recessional..............................................................................................................................Pr elude inC Major J S Bach
*Audience will please stand Pianist, Abbie Wileman ‘19
Madison Colvin
Audrey Dietz
JUNIOR MARSHALS, CLASS OF 2027
Madeline Eccher
Ellie Lippiner
Reese Mitchell
Jessica Robles
MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2026
Adeoluwa Samuel Akingbade *+Q
Cade Andrew Archer *G+
Nickolas Dayne Arnold *
Mackenzie Rose Beckman *
Olivia Bea Berkman *
Alexis Lee Blanchette *+Q
Molly Catherine Brown *+
Ella Elizabeth Clark
Contessa Fay Dickerson
Alyssa Jolie Elliott
Holt Bradley Ellison G
Zachariah Helmi Felfel
Deanna Victoria Fiore *+
Brayden Christopher Gouge *
Kevin Piccolotto Haddad
Edward Alexander Haponik *
Cole David Harder *+
Alexia Josephine Hatzopoulos *
Sean Avery Hayes
Maryn Merson Holden *GQ
Justyn Michael Johnson-Whitfield
Andrew James Kennedy
Noah Emil Larsen
Malena Sofia Lessa *
James Maddox Lingoes *
Phoebe Michaela Mann *
Parker Hodges Martin *
Sophia Bradyn McMahon *G+Q
Arianna Rose Muhlsteff
Madison Kate Newman +
Elias Stanley Jones Nojaim
Cody Michael Peck
ACADEMIC REGALIA
Lillian Rutter
Sims Skaff
Kipenzi Brook Perry *
Batson Henslee Ellen Pickens
Isabella Raye Pierce
James William Rayment *
Gianna Maria Rinaldi
Lorelei James Robertson
Elizabeth Munira Robinson
Sophie Jane Saunders *G+
Parker Dallas Smith *+
Nicholas David Starnes *G
William Charles Stevens *
Olivia Grace Trumpower *+Q
Katherine Marie Watson *+
Mary-Mayes Calvert Williams
Joshua Alex Yudin
*- National Honor Society Membership: Gold, Double Cord
+- Patriot Award for Lifers: Red Stole with Davidson Day Log o
Q - Quill & Scroll Jour nalism Honor Society Membership: Gold & Blue Cord
G -Global Studies Diploma Recipient: Multicolored Stole
COLLEG ES ACCEPTING MEMBERS
OF THE CLA SS OF 2026
Adelphi University
Anderson University
Appalachian State University
Auburn University
Bates College
Berry College
Binghamton University
Boston University
Brandeis University
Bucknell University
Butler University
Charleston Southern University
Christopher Newport University
Clarkson University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
Colby College
College of Charleston
Colorado State University
Connecticut College
Davidson College
Dickinson College
Duke University
East Carolina University
Eckerd College
Elon University
Emory University
Flagler College
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Southern College
Florida State University
Furman University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Greensboro College
High Point University
Howard University
Indiana University - Bloomington
Jacksonville University
James Madison University
Kenyon College
Lehigh University
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lynn University
Marist University
Mercer University
Michigan State University
Mississippi State University
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Oregon State University
Pace University - New York City
Pennsylvania State University
Point Park University
Providence College
Queens University of Charlotte
Radford University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Roanoke College
Roger Williams University
Rollins College
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Samford University
Southern New Hampshire University
Stetson University
Syracuse University
Texas A&M University
Texas Christian University
The University of Alabama
The University of Tampa
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville
University at Buffalo
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Dayton
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Kentucky
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of North Carolina at Asheville
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina Wilmington
University of North Florida
University of Rhode Island
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Wesleyan University
Wake Forest University
Washington and Lee University
Western Carolina University
Wheaton College (MA)
William & Mary
Wingate University
Wofford College
BOA RD OF TRUSTEES
Melissa Nelson Tate, Board Chair
Whitney Feld, Vice Chair
Meggan Bushee, Governance Chair
Paul Thompson, Finance Chair
Sarah Dodd, Philanthropy Chair
Brian Tierney, Buildings and Grounds Chair
Mike Sass, Secretary
Mahdi Ajjan
Megan Allison
Omar Caldwell ‘11
Lara Marion
Mike McMahon
Michelle Moore
Brandon Schlesinger
Ella-Marie Smith
Together, we empower students to embrace challenge, live with character, and lead with purpose.
Davidson Day School