Over the past four years, the Purnell School has welcomed various members of the Class of 2010 to our campus and community. Their time at Purnell has taught them to connect to their potential, and they have blossomed into strong students, citizens and leaders. On the 4th of June, 2010, in their dresses and hats, surrounded by their friends, family and school, twenty-one Purnell girls marched on stage, accepted their diplomas from Head of School Ayanna Hill-Gill, and graduated from high school.

Purnell has its traditions. One involves sorting new Purnellians into Blue and Red teams (for school spirit competitions), while another entails a symbolic transfer of privilege and responsibility from the current crop of seniors to the seniors of the next year; none possess the pomp and grace of Graduation Day. The graduates each wore their own long dresses, each one white except for two in formal cultural attire. They wore the same hat, and on their hats they sported ribbon bows of turquoise, the Class of 2010's chosen color, kept secret until today.

Purnell presented its new graduates with five awards: the Head of School's Award, to Rachel Lichtman for her leadership, maturity and service; the Trustees' Award, to Anne Boyle for the outstanding growth she has displayed as a student, community member, athlete and young woman; the Founders Award, to Christine Lee for the shining example she has set as a senior and Purnellian; the Senior Award, to Katie Salmon, for her citizenship, initiative and inspiring achievements; and the Stahl Cup Award, to Jennifer Slavin for her accomplishments in Purnell's Affinities program, having claimed her legacy as an adoptee with not just acceptance but pride. Class speaker Jaclyn Lewis, in a speech she insisted was a "celebration," described Purnell as a once and future home away from home. Along with many anecdotes of their time together, she also noted each of her fellow graduates' destinations for the fall, schools like Duke, Purdue, NYU, Syracuse and Arizona State. Senior Class council members Nicole Salem, Emily Caspari, the aforementioned Jennifer Slavin, and Aria Simmons presented the Class of 2010's gift to their school: a substantial donation toward the completion of Purnell's new science labs. Mrs. Hill-Gill and 12th Grade Class Dean Katie Boyer presented the new graduates with their diplomas. Mrs. Leslie Patient, outgoing Performing Arts Department Chair (and incoming English Department Chair), delivered the remarks for this year's graduation. "Don't live every moment as if it were your last," she advised the Class of 2010, "live it as if it were your next." The graduates concluded the ceremonies by throwing their hats into the air, cheering wildly, then heading directly to Brook House for a final toast with Mrs. Hill-Gill.

"Purnell has shaped me into a strong and motivated young woman" said Jennifer Slavin '10, just a few weeks ago. "Graduation day will feel very rewarding after all of my hard work during these past two years at Purnell." On the day itself, Jenn was simply beaming. She will attend Temple University in the fall.

The Purnell School congratulates the Class of 2010 as they graduate young women bound for college, for careers, for bright futures. We can't wait to welcome them back as the accomplished alumnae we know they'll be.

View Graduation 2010 Pictures
Preparations
Awards and Diplomas
Ceremony
Senior Reception