Potomac School Celebrates 111 Graduates With Ceremony

MCLEAN, VA — The Potomac School, a private school in McLean, held a commencement celebration on July 24 to celebrate the 111 graduates of 2020. The ceremony was originally scheduled for June 5, but it was delayed to allow planning for social distancing and other safety protocols.

Each graduate was allowed to bring two guests, and others could watch the ceremony through a live stream. Graduates accepted their diplomas one by one.

The commencement included remarks from Head of School John Kowalik, Head of Upper School Doug McLane, and Senior Class President Kat Plaza Faculty members Dr. Giovanna Bello and Torrye Parker shared readings, William Bailey ’20 was selected by students to give the senior address, and Dr. Giorgio Secondi spoke for the faculty.

Bailey's speech highlighted the unique challenges the class of 2020, the U.S. and the world has faced during the pandemic, as well as some positive highlights.

"I think we have tremendous reason for hope and excitement about what
lies ahead," Bailey said. "I recognize that some might find it odd to find positive impacts from recent tragedy, but I think it is important to be an optimist, perhaps now more than ever."

Kowalik assured graduates they are prepared for the next stages of their lives and encouraged optimism.

"It has been observed that ‘nothing in nature blooms all year round.’ Life, like nature, has its cycles," he said. "Knowing this, I strongly advocate optimism; it’s a mindset that we can cultivate if we try. By looking for the bright side of situations, by being grateful for what we have rather than focusing on what we lack, and by remembering that things do, inevitably, change – often for the better – we can keep our own spirits up and continue to move in a positive direction, even in the toughest of times."