On the morning of June 11, the members of Nightingale’s Class of 2026 gathered one final time as students.

Soon-to-be graduates, families, trustees, faculty, staff, alumnae, and friends assembled at the Church of Heavenly Rest for Nightingale’s 102nd Commencement—a celebration marked by reflection, laughter, gratitude, and a shared recognition of all the hard work that the Class of 2026 has put in over the last 13 years. 

“Until recently, this day seemed as if it would never come, but here we are,” said Senior Class Co-president Eve Hecht ’26 during the presentation of the class. “We actually made it!”

Eve invited seniors to stand in recognition of the many experiences that had defined their Nightingale journeys: internships, athletics, performing arts, publications, affinity spaces, international travel, and friendships. Throughout the presentation, each senior stood, multiple times, signaling their achievements and high level of involvement throughout their school career. Finally, Eve concluded the presentation with one question: “Can I ask any senior who has formed a meaningful friendship here that will continue to shape who they are, no matter where their future leads, to please stand?” The entire class stood. 

Student Council Vice President Vivian Yim ’26 then reflected on student leadership opportunities in Upper School, which has long been central to Nightingale life. She shared about the significance of passing responsibility to the next group of leaders. One by one, Vivian recognized each pair of outgoing board leaders, and introduced the newly elected board leaders. 

Senior Class Co-president Alice Pierce ’26 then introduced the Class of 2026’s elected student speaker, Claire Pospisil ’26, reflecting on the qualities that made her classmate the overwhelming choice to represent the Class of 2026. She described Claire as someone whose “supportive words of wisdom,” “sincere empathy toward all,” and “kindest heart” have shaped the community—offering a portrait of the sincere values the class hoped to celebrate on that day. “I speak for our entire graduating class when I say there is no one better suited to represent us today,” Alice said.

Claire began by describing her favorite place to study in the Schoolhouse, and where she would often be found in between classes, or whenever she had free time: the second floor hallway, just outside the library. What followed was a reflection on the spaces between destinations—the hallways, conversations, and spontaneous moments that often become the most enduring memories.

“While some members of our class feel most confident in the classroom, or shine in the auditorium, or make a splash in the pool, or go the extra mile on the track, the hallway is a place for everyone,” Claire said.

For Claire, the hallway represented something larger than a physical space. It was where friendships deepened, where laughter echoed between classes, where students celebrated successes and supported one another through challenges. It was where community came alive.

“Whether through glittery club posters or coffee spill stains, or through small moments of spontaneous connection, each of us is tied to this space and to each other,” she said.

Reflecting on the Class of 2026 itself, Claire described a group defined by both individuality and connection. She recalled the spirited debate surrounding the creation of the class motto during their senior retreat in September, and how even disagreements ultimately reinforced their shared commitment to community. “Leadership is compassionately cultivating a community where we have the courage to be our authentic selves,” she quoted from the class’s chosen motto.

The address culminated in a challenge to her classmates as they prepared to leave Nightingale. “And so, as you walk down the many hallways of life, instead of rushing through to get to the other end, I urge you to take a seat in the hallway—to take your time, to make your mark on a place, and most significantly, to create room for moments of spontaneous connection.”

Claire’s remarks captured a theme that would echo throughout the remainder of the ceremony: that life’s defining moments are often found not in the destinations themselves, but in the relationships formed along the way.

After a round of applause, Student Council President Stephanie Amoah ’26 introduced the Class of 2026’s commencement speaker, Sophia Kiam ’14, who embodied the qualities that the Class of 2026 had hoped to hear from.

“When choosing a speaker we all agreed on the following things,” Stephanie said. “We wanted her to be younger, someone who pursued a high-visibility field, took a nonlinear approach, was deeply involved at Nightingale, was able to speak to us and not at us, and, most importantly, was actually funny.”

Sophia, now a film writer and producer, reflected on her own Nightingale experience and the uncertainty she felt as graduation approached. She recalled a memorable evening on the London Eye during her Class IX trip—an imperfect day that nevertheless embodied the joy and belonging she associated with Nightingale.

“At its best, Nightingale’s community felt like that night,” she said, “the particular type of joy that emerges from deep comfort, an intimate environment filled equally with rigor and fun, from teachers who knew us fully and trusted us, who not only laughed at our jokes but participated in them.”

Like many graduates, Sophia entered the world beyond Nightingale unsure of exactly where her path would lead. Her journey carried her from a marketing internship in Shanghai to reality television production in Albuquerque and eventually to a career in film. Along the way, she discovered that the most valuable lesson she had carried from Nightingale was not certainty, but courage.

“Looking back, I realize Nightingale’s community had afforded me something deeper—an inner courage that comes from a sense of deep belonging,” she said.

She reflected on the confidence that grew from being part of a community where students are deeply known and supported, and how that foundation enabled her to embrace opportunities that were unexpected and unfamiliar. “Being so deeply rooted at Nightingale gave me the courage to wander.”

As she looked out at the Class of 2026, Sophia encouraged graduates to trust themselves as they step into the unknown, reminding them that the strength of the Nightingale community would continue to travel with them.

“The intimacy of Nightingale’s community had not been limiting. It was expansive,” she said. “Wherever your path takes you, know that you are already backed with the rare gift of being known, of belonging, of being believed in for who you already are.”

She concluded with a reminder that the graduates already possess something more valuable than certainty.

“You have something, right now, that is more valuable than a clear idea of what you want to do,” she said. “You are armed with the type of courage it takes to walk into unfamiliar rooms, to raise your hand, to try again.” A sustained round of applause followed as Sophia returned to her seat.

In Board of Trustees President Kathleen McCarthy Baldwin P’31 P’33’s remarks to the graduates, she reflected on a phrase she once dismissed as “school speak,” but has come to understand through her experiences as both a parent and trustee that they are the perfect words to describe a Nightingale experience. 

“‘Truly seen’ are the words I hear most frequently from alums when they reminisce about their experience at Nightingale, and from their parents when they describe what sets our school apart,” she said.

Drawing on examples from the experiences of her daughters, Emily and Maeve, Ms. Baldwin described the many ways students are recognized, encouraged, and supported throughout their years on 92nd Street. 

“Nightingale has provided the culture, traditions, and spaces for you to be seen and to see others,” she said. “Seeing others seems normal to you, just part of who you are at the core, but it’s not so normal, and you now have the opportunity to bring this uniquely powerful Nightingale skill into the world.”

The ceremony then moved into its final formal moments. Names of graduates were read aloud as each member of the Class of 2026 crossed the stage to receive their diploma, greeted by applause from families, faculty, and trustees. One by one, students stepped forward, pausing briefly to mark the transition from student to alumna.

As the last names were called, the energy in the space shifted—less a conclusion than a collective recognition of arrival at a threshold. The Class was then presented as graduates, and, row by row, a sea of navy caps filled the space above them. 

After the ceremony concluded with the singing of the school’s alma mater, “For Nightingale,” graduates processed out into the bright June air, where they were met with congratulations, flowers, photographs, and the familiar warmth of a community that had gathered one last time in its full form before summer break.

On 92nd Street, conversations and celebrations continued in clusters—parents exchanging memories, students reuniting with friends across grade levels, teachers offering final hugs and words of pride. The formality of the ceremony gave way to something more fluid and unstructured, mirroring the very idea Claire had described in her remarks: the importance of the spaces in between.

For the Class of 2026, Commencement was not an ending, but an opening—into new cities, new communities, and new hallways yet to be discovered. 

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