The Haverford School graduates 118 students during 140th Commencement Ceremony

On June 7, The Haverford School marked its 140th Commencement ceremony, celebrating the Class of 2024 in the School’s Field House. Family, friends, faculty, and alumni gathered to support and celebrate the 118 boys as they marked the completion of their Upper School careers. 

The graduates and their guests heard from the School’s Chair of the Board of Trustees Maurice Glavin ’82, P’14 ’16 ’20, Head of School Tyler Casertano, Student Body President Asa Winikur ’24, and Luke Fesnak ’24, who gave the invocation of gratitude. The featured graduation speaker was David Martinelli ’79, P’16 ’17. Martinelli encouraged the class to connect with each other early and often, as his own class has done in the years since they graduated. He also urged the Class of 2024 to be brave and have courage to contribute to their communities.

 Adding to the celebratory event, Haverford’s a cappella group, The Notables, performed at the beginning and end of the ceremony, including a rendition of Adele’s “When We Were Young,” arranged by Russell Yoh ’24.

Earlier in the week, several members of the Upper School received Honors Day awards. Six additional awards were presented at the ceremony, including:

• The Daniel S. Newhall II 1920 Plaque was awarded to the student with the highest academic standing in the class among the winners of the School letter in any branch of sport. The award was presented to Arsh Aggarwal ’24.
• The Frank C. Roberts III Cup was given to the member of the class who showed true sportsmanship in working and playing squarely, in being a good loser and graceful winner, and in making and keeping friends. The Roberts Cup was awarded to Render Ford ’24.
• The Alumni Association Key Man Award was presented to the senior who has demonstrated outstanding traits of character, scholarship, intelligence, and leadership, as well as enthusiasm for all School activities. Jackson Raleigh ’24 was presented with the Key Man Award by last year’s winner Ryan Davey ’23. 
• The Frederick C. Peters II ’68 Prize was awarded to the student whose leadership has made the School happier for his presence and whose service to Haverford has inspired his fellow students to be better citizens. The Peters Prize was awarded to Quin Bongiovanni ’24 and Drew Glaser ’24.
• The Phi Beta Kappa Association of Philadelphia Award honors the graduate who excels in his scholastic record and who possesses inherent character and integrity. Reilly Pryma ’24 was presented with this award.
• The Class of 2024 also honored a member of the faculty with the Class of 1996 Rafael Laserna Award. Established by the Class of 1996 in their graduating year to honor outstanding teaching at Haverford and the memory of teacher Rafael Laserna, who served Haverford from 1969 to 1995. The award is given to a teacher recommended by student vote. The award was presented to Lower School art teacher Antonio Fink during the ceremony. 

View photos of the ceremony on Smugmug here.

Watch the entire ceremony here. 

Grads: download your personalized video here.