St. Mark’s Celebrates 161st Prize Day
May 27, 2026
St. Mark’s School celebrated its 161st Prize Day on Monday, May 25, marking the close of the 2025–2026 academic year and honoring the achievements of the Class of 2026. Under the tent on Belmont Field, 105 VI Form students received their diplomas in a ceremony that reflected the School’s traditions and community spirit.
The ceremony opened with a procession, invocation by the Reverend Katie Solter, and the singing of “For the Splendor of Creation.” Head of School Dr. Ivory Hills offered remarks before presenting prizes and awards recognizing students for academic excellence, leadership, service, and character. (View a full list of prizes below.)
This year’s valedictorian, Elijah Abraham ’26, was selected by his classmates to deliver the Valedictory Address, continuing a longstanding St. Mark’s tradition. In a speech centered on meaning, reflection, and authenticity, Abraham encouraged his classmates to pursue what nourishes the soul, even when it cannot be easily explained or measured.
Using a LEGO cherry blossom set as a visual prop, Abraham reflected on how a simple moment during his junior year transformed his view of time and purpose. Walking across campus one spring day, he noticed the School’s cherry blossom trees in bloom for what felt like the first time.
“I stopped in my tracks, in awe,” he said. “I wondered, ‘How could I have never noticed these trees before?’” After learning that cherry blossoms bloom for only about 10 days, Abraham became captivated by them, spending as much time as possible beneath the trees during their brief flowering season.
“The meaning didn’t lie in a future job or a tangible benefit,” Abraham told his classmates. “It came from a feeling in my soul.” He challenged the audience to think beyond achievement and external success, asking them to consider what truly gives their actions meaning.
Drawing on an excerpt from a prayer often read in Chapel, Abraham reflected on the importance of doing things “anyway," acts of kindness, curiosity, or connection that may not directly contribute to future accolades or professional goals.
He closed by encouraging the Class of 2026 to resist a world that constantly asks people to justify their time and productivity, and instead remain open to the pursuits, relationships, and moments that bring joy and meaning.
“We are about to walk out and go into a world that will ask you, constantly, to justify your time and effort,” Abraham said. “But don’t let it take away from pursuing the things that fulfill your soul and bring you joy.”
The Prize Day speech was delivered by Elaine Harvey ’06, a member of the Board of Trustees and president of the Alumni Executive Committee. Harvey, who works in educational innovation in Maine, reflected on purpose, community, and the importance of living intentionally. Drawing on both personal experiences and broader cultural observations, she encouraged graduates to resist distraction and remain deeply engaged in their lives and relationships.
“There’s no magical moment when you become you,” Harvey told the graduates. “There’s just... days. One after another.” She urged students to embrace the Japanese concept of ikigai, or “reason for being,” by asking not simply what makes them happy, but “How does my existence matter to others?”
Harvey also reflected candidly on her own journey after graduating from St. Mark’s, describing how years spent pursuing external expectations eventually gave way to a more authentic sense of self and purpose. She concluded by connecting her message directly to the School’s motto.
“Do what you are doing. Fully. Completely. For something bigger than yourself,” Harvey said. “Be in the room you’re in. Be in the conversation you’re in. Be in the life you’re in, not the one you’re waiting for.”
Following the address, Michael Moore ’80 formally welcomed the Class of 2026 into the St. Mark’s Alumni Association, emphasizing the strength and global reach of the School’s network of more than 4,000 alumni.
As the Class of 2026 recessed from Belmont Field, they joined generations of St. Markers who carry the School’s values and traditions into the wider world.
Watch a Recording of the Prize Day Ceremony
THE JOHN AND ELIZABETH MUNROE PRIZE, first given in 1949 in memory of a member of the Class of 1902, was renamed in 1990 to include his wife, a distinguished and inspiring figure in the field of social work. The prize is awarded each year, by vote of the faculty, to the underformer who has shown the greatest promise of intellectual leadership and who, by their example, has best fulfilled the ideals of St. Mark’s School.
Kayda Henroid ’28
THE CHARLES WILLARD BIGELOW PRIZE is given in memory of a member of the Class of 1891. It is awarded for promise of character by vote of the faculty to the V Former who, throughout their St. Mark’s career, has shown unusual determination in all their undertakings and who has continuously been willing to go beyond the call of duty to get the job done.
Ingrid Namala ’27
THE WILLIAM G. THAYER SCHOLARSHIP FUND PRIZE was established by the alumni to honor the Thayers’ first 25 years of service to St. Mark’s. It is awarded each year to those students in each Form with the highest academic average for the year.
Xinyu (Catherine) Zhang ’26
THE DANIEL B. FEARING ATHLETIC PRIZES are awarded to the two VI Form students who best combine athletic ability with good spirit, good team play, and sportsmanship. The prizes were established to reward both the winners’ contribution to the success of their teams and their wholesome and positive effect on the athletic life of the School. Tess Kelly’26 and Seedi Sheriff ’26
THE BISHOP J. CLARK GREW ’58 COMMUNITY AND EQUITY PRIZE is given in honor of a member of the Class of 1958 and former faculty member and Trustee who worked steadfastly throughout his personal and professional life for social justice. Awarded by faculty vote, it is bestowed upon the VI Former who, in keeping with the School’s Episcopal values, has exemplified extraordinary leadership of—and a remarkable commitment to—the ideals of Community & Equity, and whose unwavering dedication and contributions have resulted in a lasting impact on the St. Mark’s community.
Xinyu (Catherine) Zhang ’26
THE ASSOCIATION OF ST. MARK'S SCHOOL PRIZE is awarded by vote of the faculty to that VI Former who best represents the ideals of St. Mark’s School and who, through their service to the broader community beyond the St. Mark’s campus, enriches both their own life and the life of the greater School.
Ian Cho ’26
THE HAROLD HAYES PRIZE is named for a member of the Class of 1907 and is awarded by vote of the faculty to the member of the graduating class who has been of greatest service to the School.
Mary Jane Fisher ’26
THE HENRY NICHOLS ERVIN SCHOLARSHIP is named for a member of the Class of 1936 who was killed in World War II. It is awarded by vote of the faculty to that student who best exemplifies the character of Henry Ervin, who, while at St. Mark’s, at Brantwood, at Harvard, and in service to his country, seldom missed an opportunity to do a kindness or lend a hand.
Seedi Sheriff ’26
THE PIERSON F. MELCHER PRIZE is given in honor of the founding Headmaster of the Southborough School and is awarded by the St. Mark’s faculty “to that student who through clarity of expression, effectiveness of logic, and sense of community well-being best exemplifies the tradition and spirit of the New England town meeting.”
Bleu Kerr ’26
THE DOUGLAS H. T. BRADLEE SCHOLARSHIP is named for a member of the Class of 1946 who was killed in the Korean War. It is awarded by vote of the faculty to that student who best exemplifies the qualities of Douglas Bradlee. In the words of his Headmaster, what was special “was not so much (Douglas Bradlee’s) keen mind or his frankness or his...physical courage or even his firm forthright moral courage; it was his spiritual strength.”
Madelyn Laflam ’26
THE WILLIAM TOWNSEND WHITE SCHOLARSHIP is named for a member of the Class of 1886. It is awarded by vote of the faculty to a deserving student based upon academic achievement.
Haolin Howie Shi ’26
THE FOUNDER’S MEDAL, which honors the School’s Founder, Joseph Burnett, and is endowed in memory of Brigadier General Richard Townsend Henshaw Jr. of the Class of 1930. It is awarded to the member of the graduating class with the highest academic standing over the last three years of their St. Mark’s career.
Xinyu (Catherine) Zhang ’26