Local students graduate Acton Academy and Middlesex School

Henry Fairfax, Acton Academy’s head of school, presented diplomas to 104 students on May 30. The school’s 102nd commencement exercises were the first held in the redesigned Academy Garden, situated between the new Centennial Arts Center and the Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel.

Former faculty member Max Hall of Sudbury, an engineer, served as commencement speaker. He told the graduates: “It’s messy and exhausting, seeking wisdom and finding kindness. But that’s your jam. You revel in the hard work of becoming.”

Acton Academy students graduate without awards, prizes, or diplomas with distinction, a tradition dating back more than 70 years, “in deference to our shared love of learning and focus on the process of transformation over the end product,” said Fairfax.

Acton residents among the graduates are Jeffrey Bailey, Avi Carines, Maisy Bull, Caroline Comjean, Aurora Hao, Noah Jennings, Calvin Johnson, Charlotte McIntosh, and Mei Reed.

Acton Academy graduate and Acton resident Caroline Comjean, holding her diploma, and Henry Fairfax, head of school, on commencement day. Courtesy photo

Acton Academy Graduate Aurora Hao of Acton with Head of School Henry Fairfax after receiving her diploma. Courtesy photo

Avi Cariens of Acton, a new graduate of Acton Academy in May, pictured with Henry Fairfax, head of school. Courtesy photo

Middlesex School celebrated its 122nd graduation on May 25, awarding diplomas to 102 members of the class of 2025. The seniors enjoyed hearing from one of their own: Ryan Melia ‘07, from Acton — a co-founder of PigPen Theatre Co. — was this year’s guest speaker.

“You don’t have to know what’s next; you shouldn’t know. That’s the best part,” Melia said. “I invite you to create more and buy less, to explore more and follow less, to discover for yourself what this all is. That’s what this next stage of life is about.”

Among those receiving diplomas from Bessie Spears, head of school, and Jason Robart ‘83, Middlesex board of trustees chair, were six Acton residents: Alice Blake Dewing, Thomas Jae Donahue, John David Francini, Lila Kate Glazier, Oliver Jacob Mylon, and James Bear Tibbitt.

Diploma in hand, Thomas Donahue of Acton pauses for a photo with Middlesex's Board Chair Jason Robart '83 and Head of School Bessie Speers. At the podium is Associate Head of School Karlyn McNall. Courtesy photo — Diploma in hand, Thomas Donahue of Acton pauses for a photo with Middlesex’s Board Chair Jason Robart ’83 and Head of School Bessie Speers. At the podium is Associate Head of School Karlyn McNall. Courtesy photo

Oliver Mylon of Acton receiving his Middlesex School diploma from his father, science department chair Steven Mylon. Behind them, (l to r), are Associate Head of School Karlyn McNall, Board Chair Jason Robart '83, Assistant Head of School Eric Kester '04, and Head of School Bessie Speers. Courtesy photo — Oliver Mylon of Acton receiving his Middlesex School diploma from his father, science department chair Steven Mylon. Behind them, (l to r), are Associate Head of School Karlyn McNall, Board Chair Jason Robart ’83, Assistant Head of School Eric Kester ’04, and Head of School Bessie Speers. Courtesy photo

Member of the Class of 2025 at Middlesex School, Jack Francini of Acton is flanked by the school’s Board Chair Jason Robart '83 and Head of School Bessie Speers. A right is Assistant Head of School Eric Kester ’04. Courtesy photo — Member of the Class of 2025 at Middlesex School, Jack Francini of Acton is flanked by the school’s Board Chair Jason Robart ’83 and Head of School Bessie Speers. A right is Assistant Head of School Eric Kester ’04. Courtesy photo

Local students graduate Acton Academy and Middlesex School

More from The Acton Daily

Thoreau apartments project in full swing after rebranding

Select Board sets special election for February 2

Four years and counting: How The Bridge keeps Acton connected