One hundred and forty members of Delbarton School Class of 2023 celebrated their brotherhood at the 75th Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement on June 4, 2023.  Others were invited to witness graduation via live stream from home. See photos below and we encourage Class of 2023 families to share favorite pictures with us for inclusion in our album. Please email them to Director of Marketing & Communications Jessica Fiddes P'03,'05,'08 here. 

Graduation day dawned sunny and bright for the Class of 2023, and our graduates reported to the Senior Garden with their parents at 11:30am. Earlier that morning, we captured this photo of twelve Delbarton alumni and their Class of 2023 sons or grandson, all now official members of the Long Green Line.

Graduates wore jackets and Delbarton class ties, and added a School seal lapel tacks to complete the traditional understated Delbarton graduation look. They processed into the Church behind a color guard of student leaders, and were followed by the Delbarton faculty and members of the Board of Regents attired in academic garb.

Class of 2023 Salutatorian Emerson Lee '23 delivered the Salutatory address. "We are all the Green Wave," he said, "All of us together. We will go our separate ways, but we will always be an integral part of Delbarton." A Baccalaureate Mass followed, celebrated by Abbot Jonathan Licari, OSB. Next, Headmaster Fr. Michael Tidd, OSB announced the graduates' names and Abbot Jonathan presented diplomas to the Class of 2023. 

Special awards were presented by Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs Josh Hartle and Assistant Headmaster for Student Affairs Chuck Ruebling '79, P'10.  Annually, the Delbarton School Medal is awarded to seniors for distinguished achievement.  For those seniors achieving in multiple areas, another award was presented in addition to the Delbarton Medal. The following awards were presented to members of the Class of 2023…

For achievement in Arabic, the Delbarton Medal was presented to Macallan Kraft '23.

For achievement in Classics, the Delbarton Medal was presented to Peter Cosmi '23.

For dedication to the Courier, the Delbarton Medal was presented to Matthew Pasko '23.

For achievement in Debate, the Delbarton Medal was presented to Yash Bhandari '23.

In memory of Fr. Stephen W. Findlay, distinguished Delbarton Headmaster, the Fathers and Friends of Delbarton have established an award to be given each year to the graduate whose work in English reflects Fr. Stephen's love of the English language.  The Delbarton Medal was presented to Nolan Lee '23.

The Edward J. Murphy Award for excellence in History which was established in memory of Edward J. Murphy, class of 1986, was presented to Jack Wells '23.

An award in Instrumental Music, in memory of Father Germain L. Fritz, longtime member and leader of the Music Department, was presented to Nicholas O'Brien '23.

For achievement in Mathematics the Delbarton Medal was presented to Jonathan Lang '23. 

The Corey T. Williams ‘91 Award for excellence in Physics honors the memory of Corey T. Williams, class of 1991 and Delbarton faculty member.  Corey’s father, Mr. Earle Williams, presented The Corey T. Williams ‘91 Award to Aaron Wang '23.

For achievement in Spanish, the Delbarton Medal was presented to Quinn Kenny '23. 

For achievement in Studio Art, the Delbarton Medal was presented to John Mattiola '23. 

For achievement in Theater, the Delbarton Medal was presented to Matthew Dooley '23. 

The Dr. Roy L. Horton Award is named in honor of a longtime Chair of the Music Department, and is presented in recognition of excellence in Choral Music.  The Dr. Roy L. Horton Award was presented to Zachary Cirillo '23.

For achievement in French and for excellence in community building, promoting diversity and fostering student belonging, the Delbarton Medal and an additional award were presented to Jalen Pierre '23.

For achievement in Italian, achievement in Speech, and the Delbarton Mothers' Guild Prize for General Excellence, which is awarded each year to the student who leads his class scholastically, the Delbarton Medal and additional awards were presented to Nicolas Schola '23. 

Next, Delbarton alumnus Major J. Alexander Thew '07, an Instructor of Economics at the United States Military Academy at West Point, presented Matthew Gemma '23 with his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Finally, the six most distinguished senior awards were presented. Each recipient received a plaque commemorating the award, and each honoree will have his name prominently displayed in the Student Commons in Trinity Hall.

The James E. Nugent Award, established in memory of a graduate of the class of 1969, is awarded to the Delbarton senior who best exemplifies the spirit of giving himself to others. This young man has distinguished himself among his peers for his unquestioned integrity and for self-forgetful service to his classmates, school and community. The James E. Nugent Award was presented by Jim’s niece Mary Carter to Amir Eltaki '23. 

The Peter B. Haas Award, established in memory of a 25 year old Marine pilot killed in Korea, is awarded for distinguished leadership within the School.  For his work in upholding the values of brotherhood and unity among his peers, and for his outstanding service in many areas of School life, the Peter B. Haas Award  was presented to James McDonald '23. 

The Succisa Virescit Award is presented to a senior who has manifested love for life and for the School, and has significantly grown through challenge as implied in the school's motto, Succisa Virescit “cut down, he will grow up strong again.”  The Succisa Virescit Award was presented to Henry Forte '23. 

The Bryan Bennett ‘94 Award was established to honor the memory of a member of the class of 1994 who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  This award is for the “Quiet Hero,” a student who, like Bryan Bennett, has distinguished himself for his day-to-day work ethic, his consistent nobility, and his unfailing kindness, all of which have made him a model of steadfastness to his classmates and teachers.  The recipient of this award is chosen by his classmates. Bryan’s nephew Carlos O'Connor presented The Bryan Bennett Award to Arjun Bobba '23.   

The Brian E. Fleury Award is awarded to an outstanding scholar-athlete who demonstrates the same passion for scholarship that he does for athletics. This young man is the consummate team player, selfless in all his endeavors, and always putting the needs of others before his own. The Brian E. Fleury Award was presented by Brian’s wife, Jen Fleury P'19, and Brian’s son, Tim Fleury '19, to Kevin Hager '23.

The Paul Jermak Scholarship, established in memory of a graduate of the class of 2004, is awarded to a senior who best embodies Delbarton’s mission of educating the whole person in mind, body and spirit.  The Paul Jermak Scholarship was presented by Paul’s mother Mrs. Eileen Jermak to Luca Tusche '23.

Click here for the complete list of academic, activity and athletic awards previously awarded to members of the Class of 2023 at the Senior Awards Ceremony on May 19, and click here for news and photos from the Awards event. 

Fr. Michael then introduced commencement speaker Patrick Ramsey '86, P'18 Chairman of Global Mergers and Acquisitions at Bank of America and a Delbarton Regent who offered graduates some excellent life advice: "focus on optimism and empathy, and invest in your family and close friends." At the conclusion of his address, Ramsey was awarded Delbarton Medal by Fr. Michael, and we thank him and his family for joining us at Delbarton Commencement 2023.

Finally, Class of 2023 Valedictorian Nicolas Scola '23 delivered his Valedictory Address, encouraging his classmates by concluding, "I challenge the Class of 2023 to apply the valuable lessons we have learned in our lives beyond Delbarton. Most importantly, never stop believing in your potential. Forge a path through life that you are proud of and is uniquely your own." We commend both Nicolas Scola and Emerson Lee for the academic excellence they demonstrated during their Delbarton years. 

With Commencement behind them, our youngest alumni headed for the Formal Garden and the traditional group plunge in the fountain. It was the perfect afternoon for a dip.

We congratulate the members of the Class of 2023 on their many achievements, accomplishments and contributions to Delbarton during their years on campus. Click here for the list of colleges and universities that our youngest alumni move onto this fall.  Each graduate's Delbarton diploma signifies his entrance into the Delbarton Alumni Association, and a lifetime of events and relationships that keep him connected to the School.

Your fellow Delbarton alumni welcome you to the Long Green Line, gentlemen!