BATH

Hyde School held its 47th graduation on May 25 in the school’s Joseph W. Gauld Student Life and Athletic Center. Thirty-seven students graduated, almost all of whom delivered speeches to parents, family and friends.

Speaking at commencement is one of the key features of Hyde’s character-development curriculum, and is the culmination of a student’s years of work at the school, according to officials there.

Hyde graduates are given the opportunity to give a speech declaring their growth and vision for the future.

“The traditional view of graduation as both an ending and a new beginning are true at Hyde, yet most importantly, it is a declaration of conscience expressed by each senior in a two-minute speech, which serves as a benchmark for his or her life,” says Head of School Don MacMillan. “Graduation is a time to enjoy the rich results of our labor as the seniors transform from students participating in a rigorous education to strong, thoughtful leaders.”

The Hyde School approach to education has been developed at the Hyde boarding campuses in Bath and Woodstock, Conn.; and through public school initiatives in New Haven, Conn., and Bronx and Brooklyn, N.Y.