On the eve of graduation, Baccalaureate speaker, Associate Dean of College Counseling and boys’ basketball coach Joe Mantegna addressed the seniors gathered together in DuBois Theatre for the last time.

“Tomorrow, when you walk across that stage—after you take that final picture, shed that final tear, you have that final laugh…When you leave Blair in the rearview mirror, you literally have the world at your fingertips.”

Mr. Mantegna’s advice echoed in the ears of the Class of 2026 as they celebrated the momentous occasion of Blair’s 178th Commencement. They hugged their classmates a little tighter, lingered in conversations a little longer and took an extra moment to look around the hilltop and take it all in one final time. Nothing could dull the excitement they shared with their family and friends—not even a little rain.

As they processed across campus and through the Arch under dappled skies, they followed in the footsteps of countless Blair classes before them. Once everyone settled in the field house, Senior Class Council members Edwin Asencio ’26 and Sophia DaBell ’26 welcomed the audience, encouraging their fellow graduates to remain present in their lives and embrace the unexpected as they venture off on new paths.

In his address to the senior class, Head of School Peter G. Curran P’27 ’27 built upon their message. “Over the next four years, I hope college becomes not only a place where you prove yourself, but also where you rediscover yourself,” he shared. “I hope you’ll take the deeply human lessons you learned at Blair to develop many new relationships.”

During his speech, Mr. Curran reflected on his message from Convocation in September when he encouraged the School—led by the seniors—to “see the good.” Across all aspects of campus life, the Class of 2026 rose to the challenge. They embraced empathy and humility, seeing the good in others through moments both big and small, building relationships that will last long after the last diploma was received.

“Perhaps the reason all of this hurts so profoundly is because Blair gave us something truly worth grieving over,” said Khang Nguyen ’26, class speaker and recipient of the George P. Jenkins ’32 Prize. “Impermanence made us realize the sacredness of all the memories, and I think there’s something utterly sublime about that—about seeing a special glow emanating from even the ordinary moments that we once took for granted. I think it’s evidence that the value of these four years will never diminish just because it’s going to be over soon.” 

The entire Blair community extends heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026!

FACULTY AWARDS

John C. & Eve S. Bogle Teaching Prize: Director of School Photography Tyson Trish

Riether Residential Life Award: History teacher Anna Raley

Lillian & Samuel Tedlow Teaching Prize: Director of Instrumental Music & performing arts department chair Jennifer Pagotto

Headmaster’s Faculty Prize: History department chair & Director of Society of Skeptics Jason Beck

STUDENT AWARDS

Headmaster’s Prize: Cat Zhang & Val Rosario

Blair Academy Trophy: Ella Eldridge & Edwin Asencio

George P. Jenkins ’32 Prize: Khang Nguyen

Appointments to the United States Service Academies & ROTC Commitments: Mikey Antonelli, Simon Davis, Ella Eldridge, Henry Gibson, Isa Grant, Cole Pangborn, Kenzie Quigley & Val Rosario