It was a beautiful Friday evening in Downtown Brooklyn for The Berkeley Carroll School’s celebration of its 139th Commencement Exercises in The Theater at City Tech. The program began with a processional of faculty and staff followed by the student processional. The musical selections accompanying the processions were “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by Wilson, Asher, and Love, arr. J. Bianchi, and “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar, arr. John Higgins, both performed by our talented strings ensemble.

The 84 graduates from the Class of 2026 entered the auditorium to a jubilant crowd full of family members and friends. Their smiling faces and elation set the tone for a joy-filled ceremony. 

Head of School Lisa Yvette Waller welcomed all in attendance and reflected on how much she loves school. She observed how this was the seventh time that she had the honor of giving a commencement speech at Berkeley Carroll. She shared about the particularly joyous run of culminating events leading up to graduation and how the time has flown. Referencing the school’s history and a 1901 Berkeley Institute decision to add an additional year of study for the completion of its college-preparatory curriculum and receipt of a diploma, she set up a “senior prank” of her own by joking that she planned to do the same in order to keep the class for one more year. She remarked, “the seniors won’t know what I have decided until they open their diploma books.” The audience burst into laughter. 

Dr. Waller continued, “Seven is a lucky number and I am indeed fortunate to have witnessed your development over these years—either from your Middle School days or since you started Upper School.” She noted that this class shows up for one another through challenges, breakthroughs, triumphs, and the most difficult times, adding that they are at their best when surrounded by friends. Dr. Waller noted this was especially true when Berkeley Carroll experienced the heartbreaking loss of Takuya (Tuck) Gerrity. She shared a moment of reflection and acknowledgement of the loss of their beloved classmate, “Tuck’s creativity and passion were evident in his many pursuits, among them poetry and music, track and cross country. Those who knew him well also comment on how Tuck was a generous friend, deeply connected to those whom he loved and who cherished him in turn.” Dr. Waller honored Tuck’s family and friends who were present in the audience. 

The energy and spirit of the Class of 2026 were reflected in the many accolades, championships, and awards the class earned across academics, the arts, and athletics. Dr Waller noted, “Dr. Waller noted, “Members of this class contributed to and led teams that won numerous independent school conference championships. Four teams and many individual competitors earned a bid to NYSAIS tournaments. And I'm pleased to share that at least six BC lions are, indeed, red hot, and will continue to pursue athletics at the collegiate level.” She also highlighted the distinct honor of Berkeley Carroll’s Urinetown cast and crew being selected from a national pool of applicants to perform on the main stage of the International Thespian Festival this summer. She also recognized the class’s numerous Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, successes in Speech and Debate, musical accomplishments, and academic achievements in Science Research and Design and Senior Scholars. Dr. Waller reminded the graduating class that their successes were not theirs alone and asked for a round of applause for the family members, teachers, coaches, and friends who supported them with love and encouragement. 

Dr. Waller’s speech concluded with parting wisdom for the class, “At this moment of leave taking, I hope that forged by your time at Berkeley Carroll and honed in the community soon to receive you that you will carry with you always the curiosity, the empathy, the resilience, and discernment invoked by the Portrait.” She continued, “I hope that you will forever display your capacity to suspend judgment and ask questions, to communicate across difference, to navigate conflict, build coalitions, and take action for equity and justice, to engage with complexity in order to deepen your understanding.” She concluded, “In doing so, you will have cultivated a countervailing capacity for joining hands with a broad cross-section of individuals, very different lived experiences, but committed to the common good at home and abroad. Godspeed.” 

The audience then listened to an additional welcoming remarks from Co-Executive Council Presidents Genevieve E. ’26 and Aaron G. ’26. Genevieve and Aaron began their remarks reflecting on what makes the Class of 2026 so special. Their first New York at Night outing came to mind when they realized that their class was full of many strong personalities. The competitiveness and school spirit of the class was also highlighted by descriptions of dodgeball games, musical chairs, and tug of war. They emphasized the close bonds and enduring friendships within the class and how they support one another stating: “We have had each other’s backs and held each other up.” They described how the class supported each other during the college process, at athletic competitions, during eleventh-grade walking tours and senior speeches, at performances, and for a long, hard-fought battle for Atrium Ball. Genevieve and Aaron concluded with a message to their fellow seniors, “We are so proud of how far we have come as a class, community, and as individual students.”

A musical interlude followed with a rendition of “Rainbow Connection” by Williams, Ascher, arr. J. Bianchi performed by Berkeley Carroll’s talented Upper School string musicians. 

Next, the audience heard from Class Speaker Izzie B. ’26. Izzie opened her speech by sharing how she began her Berkeley Carroll journey as a nervous, enthusiastic, and book-obsessed fourth grader. During her visit to BC, she took it as a sign when she saw that her favorite author, R.J. Palacio P '14, '22, was visiting the school. Izzie described how reading Wonder brought her comfort as she prepared to begin fifth grade in a new school. She reflected on one of the book's central lessons: that kindness does not come without courage. She spoke about how Augie and his friends challenged each other to always be just a little bit kinder. Drawing a connection between the book and her own experience, Izzie shared, “At Berkeley Carroll, I didn't face any of the same challenges as the students in the book at all. Rather, I was met with the unwavering curiosity, kindness, and warmth that the characters in Wonder had to work to build. These qualities are ones that have always set our grade and our community apart.” She added, “The way we center kindness is one of a kind—here, it's only natural for us to approach community with intentionality, to take a genuine interest in each other's lives, and to push each other to try anything and everything we are interested in.” Izzie concluded with a heartfelt expression of gratitude for her classmates: “Thank you all for the best eight years I could have asked for. I would not know kindness, belonging, and friendship in the way I do now without this community.”

Commencement keynote speaker Rebecca Ballhaus ’09 was then welcomed to the stage by Upper School Director Jane Moore. Ballhaus began her remarks by congratulating the Class of 2026 and reflecting on how she felt when she graduated from Berkeley Carroll 17 years ago. She assured the class that she, too, did not have a clear understanding of what the future held. Joking that even that uncertainty was not as daunting as speaking in front of them, she immediately put the audience at ease. Ballhaus shared that her story began at Berkeley Carroll, where she discovered her passions, explored her interests, and learned more about herself. She reflected, “This school set the course of my life in meaningful ways. It's where I met some of my very best friends, one of them, two-time author Thea Glassman '09, is here with me today. It's also where I fell in love with journalism.”
She credited Berkeley Carroll with giving her the confidence she relied on when beginning college and launching her career. Ballhaus reminisced about creating the first Middle School newspaper with a friend. The publication covered a wide range of topics, including an interview with the then-Brooklyn borough president about the controversial decision to build a basketball arena at what is now Barclays Center.

Her interest in journalism continued throughout Upper School, where she served as an editor of the Blotter. At Brown University, she further pursued her passion by writing for the Brown Daily Herald. During her college summers, Ballhaus worked at the Huffington Post, where she discovered her love of political reporting. Inspired by time spent with a reporter covering the intersection of media and politics, she applied for an internship in the Washington bureau of The Wall Street Journal. The rest, as they say, is history. What began as a Middle School newspaper project ultimately led to a distinguished career in journalism. Ballhaus has worked at the Journal ever since. She shared stories of traveling aboard Air Force One, interviewing the president, and, most recently, taking cover at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner when gunshots were fired nearby. Her investigative reporting has earned two Pulitzer Prizes.

“What I love most about my job is that at its core, it's about getting comfortable asking questions and figuring out over and over again what the right questions are,” said Ballhaus. “Curiosity, persistence, and intolerance for uncertainty are all skills that I first learned here at Berkeley Carroll. And they are skills you have all spent the last several years honing. No matter what line of work you go into, those skills will serve you well.”

She concluded by sharing these inspiring words with the graduating class: “You are smart and confident, armed with questions about why the world works the way it does, and ready with your own thoughts on how things could work better. You have the tools you need to figure out what comes next. The best advice I can offer you is to pursue something where you feel like you get to learn something new every day. Do something that feels important to you. And when there are moments where you feel fear or feel like there's something you can't do, remember that it's not about being fearless. It's about pushing through the fear.”

The next half of the program included speeches from Upper School Faculty Speaker Christopher Whitehead, Ph.D. and Dean of the Class of 2026 Miguel Correa P ’38. Dr. Whitehead addressed the class with a wit that did not disappoint. He began with a quip about how he considered pandering to the class with “silly jokes and aggrandizing puffery” but quickly realized that no, this class would not fall for a “cheap gimmick.” Instead Dr. Whitehead showered compliments and dubbed the Class of 2026 the most intelligent, stylish, and sophisticated class that Berkeley Carroll has ever seen. He also acknowledged that he began his time teaching at BC with this class in 2022, “I learned to be a teacher by sharing a classroom with you.” He continued to weave his words together with the precision of a true academician and in that spirit, shared the words of wisdom that his high school principal imparted to his graduating class albeit cliche—Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. In a moving tribute, Dr. Whitehead concluded with heartfelt gratitude for our graduating seniors, “Thank you for your curiosity and hard work. Thank you for filling our school with your artwork and your laughter. Thank you for talking with me about Lucy Dacus, and deluding me into feeling like I still have some toehold into popular culture.” He continued, “Thank you for saying hello in the hall and thank you at the end of class, and leaving me kind notes. Thank you for doing the heroic work of being yourself. I know it does not always feel like it, but you are remaking the world day by day into a kinder and more loving place. And finally, thank you for showing me that my own commencement speaker was right after all. I have landed among the stars.”

Following Dr. Whitehead's heartfelt remarks, Dean Correa took the stage and began by saying, “Tonight is the culmination of not only four years of high school, but also a whole season of celebrations.” He shared with the class how his daughter looks up to them and how much she was looking forward to the Senior Prom so that she could don her fanciest dress, get her hair done nicely, and "party with the seniors." Correa spoke about each of the Senior Speeches and how the words of the graduates meant so much to him. He acknowledged the relationships formed and the bonds created and thanked the families of the graduates for their partnership. Correa shared, “With so many of you in this room, I feel a bond that will not end after you get your diploma in just a couple of minutes, and maybe that's a part of what it means to be chosen family. Even when our family isn't physically here with us, we feel their presence.” He concluded, “I have tried my best to teach you. I have tried to teach you not only what I know about literature and history, politics, and music, but also about building community, about making mistakes and learning from them. I've tried to teach you what I've learned about life so that you can go into this world that right now, at this moment, really needs your energy and spirit and brilliance and love. I've tried to prepare you and to teach you, but this whole time, it was you all who were teaching me. I love you, Class of 2026.” 

Upper School Director Jane Moore led the presentation of diplomas with Co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees Julie Kay P ’21, ’28 and James Shipp P ’28 and Head of School Lisa Yvette Waller. Each member of the class walked onto the stage to receive their diploma and a single white rose. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We are so proud of you and wish you all the best as you begin your college journey. 

Class of 2026 College Enrollments

Rachel A. – University of Pennsylvania
Maddie A. – Mount Holyoke College
Dylan A. – Tulane University of Louisiana
Samuel B. – Wesleyan University
Rainen B. – Tulane University of Louisiana
Milo B. – Colorado College
Oskar B. – Brown University
Augie B. – Bowdoin College
Max B. – Occidental College
Alexander B. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Isabella B. – Northwestern University
Claire B. – Loyola Marymount University
Phoenix B. – Concordia University Montreal
Ackiee B. – SUNY Oneonta
Ty B. – Vassar College
Denali C. – Chapman University
Rosie C. – Wesleyan University
Amelie C. – Wellesley College
Sebastian C. – Northeastern University
Julia C. – Bowdoin College
Peter C. – Swarthmore College
Abel C. – Lehigh University
Isabelle C. – University of Virginia
Lara D. – College of the Holy Cross
Orson D. – McGill University
Genevieve E. – Wesleyan University
Aarju F. – New York University
Spencer G. – Tulane University of Louisiana
Louis G. – University of St Andrews
Mikaela G. – Colby College
Soraya G. – Falmouth University
Mateo G. – Colorado College
Kaia G. – Haverford College
Aaron G. – Skidmore College
Sophie G. – Middlebury College
Toby H. – Lehigh University
Jaylen H. – Dartmouth College
Theo H. – Lehigh University
Russell H. – Wesleyan University
Tobey I. – Dartmouth College
Isaac J. – Washington University in St. Louis
Faris J. – University of Rochester
Kyan J. – Howard University
Ethan J. – Temple University
Leo K. – Northeastern University
Gurleen K. – Drexel University
James K. – University of Wisconsin Madison
Lucas K. – Cornell University
Theodore L. – Washington University in St. Louis
Cleo L. – Georgetown University
Julian M. – Tufts University
Jessamyn M. – Oberlin College
Scarlett M. – Elon University
Robin M. – Bates College
Valentina M. – Mount Holyoke College
Lee M. – University of Vermont
Sophie M. – Case Western Reserve University
Arman M. – Harvey Mudd College
Kieran M. – Berklee College of Music
Jack M. – University of St Andrews
Jayden N. – Johns Hopkins University
Jason N. – Columbia University
Rory O. – Williams College
Lydia O. – Pitzer College
Daniel O. – University of Pennsylvania
Stephanie O. – Williams College
Kira P. – Wesleyan University
Maya P. – Emory University
Zachary P. – Vassar College
Linus R. – Amherst College
Madeleine R. – Pitzer College
Lucia R. – University of Wisconsin Madison
Stella R. – University of Wisconsin Madison
Wesley R. – University of Michigan
Sophie R. – Bryn Mawr College
Jada S. – Harvey Mudd College
Jaron S. – University of Connecticut
Joshua S. – Northwestern University
Leila S. – Wake Forest University
Willa S. – Boston University
Kyla S. – Emory University
Martiño T. – Williams College
Akiro T. – New York University
Sadie W. – Kenyon College

View More Photos from the Commencement Here