Congratulations to members of the Classes of 2022 and 2023 who were inducted into the Edward Jordan Fox, Jr. Chapter of the Cum Laude Society during the Tuesday, April 5 ceremony.

The Cum Laude Society, modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence, justice, and honor. Charlotte Latin is the youngest school in the nation to have received a Cum Laude Society charter (1976).

Current Cum Laude Society members of the Class of 2022, inducted in April 2021, include: Walden Becker, Brooke Bellavia, Helena Berens, Ben Bridges, Emma Colaco, Alexandra Coston, Julie Derraik, Rachel Hall, Laura Han, Tyler Hill, Elaine Liu, Kaya Nichols, and Irene Yang

New members, Class of 2022:

Megan Aljian
Ryan Beam
Davis Cary
Thierry Charles
Erin Corwin
Josie Harper
Cameron Kaplan
Harrison Klingman
Kamryn Overcash
Millie Patterson
Maddie Shannon
Abbi Snyder
Cora Snyder
Wilson Thrift
William Zhou

New members, Class of 2023:

Charles DeMey
Nate Downey
Olivia Eubank
Andrew Griggs
Hailey Kim
McClain Marshall
Elizabeth Neely
Alaric Pan
Sutton Shumate
Ella Smith
Gabe Stein
Elaine Tang
Mia Zottoli

Speaker Maria Klein

Upper School English teacher Maria Klein addressed the assembly and spoke about being a learner. "One of the greatest gifts of being a teacher is the opportunity and inspiration to be a life-long learner," she said.

Klein went on to pose the question, "If we're all life-long learners, who or what educates us?"

Some additional words of wisdom:

"I think the greatest source of knowledge as we go through life is people, and the greater the variety of people you get to know, the more you'll learn because, after all, learning is about acquiring something new, and new kinds of people are a treasure trove of new information and perspectives.

"Seniors, you have a wealth of opportunity before you as you head off to school, so don't settle for Latin, the Sequel. You've been here and done that, so make a deliberate effort: be daring, branch out, embrace new kinds of fellow travelers. Make a leap of faith: trust yourself and trust others."

"You will be amazed at the things you'll learn, the ideas that will be challenged, and the new possibilities that will open up."

"Anything is possible if we pay attention to the people united with us in this classroom of life."

Klein, who retires in June after 25 years of teaching and learning, received a standing ovation. Read her full address here.