The Class of 2025 Spreads Its Wings

On May 16, 2025, Fort Worth Country Day’s Class of 2025 celebrated a milestone 13 years in the making. Ninety seniors accepted their diplomas and stepped into a new chapter –prepared, poised and full of purpose.

The ceremony, in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s MacGorman Auditorium, featured heartfelt speeches from Salutatorian Murphy Hoefer ’25, Valedictorian Alex Seiden ’25, Class Speaker Chappell Carter ’25, Faculty Speaker Myrna Sam, and Board of Trustees President Brian Crumley ’92 Each brought their own lens to the Class of 2025’s story.

Hoefer opened the evening with warmth and perspective, urging everyone to be present in the moment and to live with gratitude. “It costs nothing to be grateful, yet it gives us everything,” she said, reflecting on the influence of her grandparents and the beauty of appreciating life’s small and significant moments alike.

Crumley, the father of senior Lyle ’25, paid tribute to the graduating class. With a touch of humor and philosophy, he reminded students that happiness, not accolades, is the real marker of success. “Success is not the goal, not the ‘Anywhere.’ … Happiness is,” he said, playing on the School’s tagline, “From Here, Anywhere …,” encouraging graduates to pursue connection and purpose.

Head of School Eric Lombardi praised the students for their intellect, integrity and influence. From reading their first books in Lower School to researching senior capstones and earning championship titles, the Class of 2025 grew into “multilingual thinkers, artists and problem-solvers.” In his closing charge, he urged them to remain curious and open to wonder. Quoting William Arthur Ward, Lombardi concluded: “Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning. May that wick of curiosity burn long and burn bright in you, Class of 2025.”

With her signature humor, Sam poked fun at graduation traditions and clichés and joked about being selected to speak at graduation, despite her many “old lady sermons.” She encouraged students to reflect on their past experiences, from Kindergarten Rodeo to pandemic-era resilience, as foundational memories that will remain top of mind even as they move on. Underscoring the value of hard work, perseverance, and community, Sam reminded students that their teachers and the School will always believe in them and be there for them. “Cast your eyes to that mirror,” she said, “we’ll be there, possibly more closely than you want. Yet, we’ve got your back.”

Seiden’s valedictory address focused on the beauty of imperfection and the value of resilience. He honored teachers, classmates, and Head of Upper School Peggy Wakeland, blending personal anecdotes with a universal message. Quoting Vince Lombardi, Seiden reminded his classmates, “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”

In his speech, Carter celebrated the communities his classmates built over the years, on stages and fields, behind debate podiums, in Latin League meetings, and more. With humor and sincerity, he acknowledged the real legacy of their time at FWCD: the relationships, the memories, and the sense of shared purpose.“Whatever it may be for you, remember those joyful moments you felt, for they will carry you through,” Carter shared.

In one of the most meaningful moments of the night, Carter brought up fellow Student Council leaders Elizabeth Dike ’25 and Nara Acuña Guba ’25 to surprise their Upper School leader, Wakeland, with honorary membership in the Class of 2025. They also announced that the Upper School’s highest senior honor would now be known as the Peggy Wakeland H’25 Falcon Award, endowed by the Class of 2025, to be given each year to a student who exemplifies wholehearted participation in school life. (See the story on page 39.)

The ceremony also featured a touching performance by a Graduation Choir, comprising Upper School students in grades 9-12, directed by Erin Ypya, accompanied by Julie Dean, featuring Violinist Luci Gonzalez ’26. The evening concluded with FWCD’s traditional faculty receiving line, full of hugs, handshakes and quiet goodbyes.

By the numbers, the Class of 2025 made its mark:

• Over 750 college applications submitted

• Admission offers from 151 institutions worldwide

• $11.3 million in merit-based scholarships awarded to 86% of the class

• $2.4 million to be used at 38 different colleges and universities

• 18 National Merit/College Board scholars

• 22 AP Scholars

• 6 collegiate athletes

• 2 performing arts majors

These Falcons are scattering far and wide. Forty-nine percent are attending college out of state or internationally, 48% are staying in Texas, and 3% are pursuing professional opportunities, including one graduate who is entering a career in professional jiu-jitsu.

“As they leave us, these students represent everything we hope a Falcon will become: curious, driven, and ready to lead with purpose,” Lombardi said. “From Here, Anywhere … isn’t just a tagline; it’s a lived reality for the Class of 2025.”