Honoring Peggy Wakeland

At the heart of the ceremony was a surprise tribute to a woman whose Falcon legacy runs deep. After 31 years of service to FWCD, Head of Upper School Peggy Wakeland was celebrated with warmth and reverence by the Class of 2025.

Speaking on behalf of the Class of 2025, Elizabeth Dike ’25 reflected on how Wakeland’s steady presence guided students through the unique challenges of their high school journey – from arriving as uncertain freshmen emerging from the pandemic to becoming confident seniors ready to take flight. She praised Wakeland as a leader, a mentor, and a constant source of encouragement. “She doesn’t just lead, she connects,” Dike said. “Her unwavering presence and dedication to our Country Day community have been a source of strength and support for all of us.”

Student Council Vice President Nara Acuña Guba ’25 announced that the class’s senior gift would endow the Peggy Wakeland Falcon Award, with a monetary prize. The award is presented annually at the Upper School Awards Ceremony, held prior to graduation, to the senior who best embodies FWCD’s ideal participation in school life. As if that announcement wasn’t substantial enough, Guba also shared that Wakeland would become an honorary member of the Class of 2025, which is the highest honor the FWCD Alumni Association bestows. “You have truly redefined what it means to be a Fort Worth Country Day Falcon,” Guba said. “We will miss you more than you know.”

As each member of the class walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, they dropped an envelope into a basket. Those envelopes held donations to the Peggy Wakeland Falcon Award. Those donations will serve to endow the award, providing an annual monetary prize. At graduation, the class collected $6,686 and then added the balance of their senior class funds at the end of the year to establish the endowment with a total of $13,545.11.

Wakeland’s FWCD devotion will continue to shape the lives of students for years to come, and she will continue to make her mark on all FWCD alumni working with the Advancement Office as Alumni Relations Liaison.