Gill St. Bernard's Celebrates Class of 2026 at Annual Convocation Ceremony 

By Associate Director of Marketing and Communications Kathleen Bartlett

Gill St. Bernard's School proudly kicked off the 2025–26 school year on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, with the annual Convocation ceremony. 

The event began with a spirited processional led by the St. Ann’s of Hampton Pipe and Drums Bagpipers, followed by the Class of 2026. 

Assistant Head of School Ananya Chatterji opened the program with a warm welcome. She invited the community to see Convocation as the symbolic “opening of the door” to a new school year, noting: 

“Each of us will face doors this year — some of the doors will be really easy to open and our effort will hardly be noticeable. Some doors are going to take a lot of courage to walk through, and other doors are going to take help from others to pry open. And finally, there will be the doors that you hold open for other people to pass through. This is a hallmark of being a member of the GSB community: that you will be the person who opens the door for someone else and helps to ease their burden.” 

Building on that theme, Student Government President Maurice Boyd ’26 stepped to the podium to read What Do You Do with a Chance by Kobi Yamada. The story encouraged all present to embrace opportunities with courage rather than let them slip away. 

That message then carried into the Convocation Address delivered by Head of School Dr. Delvin Dinkins, who reflected: 

“Chances come in many forms, sometimes bold, sometimes quiet, and when you take them, when you dare, you grow. And when you grow, the community grows with you.” 

Speaking directly to the senior class, Dr. Dinkins shared the advice that: 

“This is your chance to leap. Take your chances boldly. Lead with integrity. Lift up those around you. And know this: when your flame meets another’s, it grows brighter, and together we light the community.” 

The program then shifted as GSB Board of Trustees President Rajiv De Silva P ’21, ’25 introduced the newest members of the Board: Roshni Bhakta P ’27, Susan Brooks P ’31, ’35, ’38, Erin Mayo, Chris Miller P ’28, ’31, Marianne Saladino P ’14, ’16, and Tim Starkey P ’32. 

After, the spotlight returned to the seniors for one of GSB’s most meaningful traditions: the Senior Investiture Ceremony. Led by Assistant Upper School Director & Director of College Guidance Dr. Kerri Ann Small P ’26, each member of the Class of 2026 signed the Senior Registry, pledging to “work at all times for the good of the school, and strive to exemplify the characteristics of faith, honor, and consideration in keeping with our school’s worthy traditions.” 

The ceremony closed with the Upper School Choir leading the community in the singing of the Gill St. Bernard’s Alma Mater, followed by a bagpipe recessional through the Todd Quad. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day so memorable.  

Please enjoy our photo gallery!