On Sunday, May 17, the 145 members of the class of 2026 marked the official beginning of their final week as students at Charlotte Latin School with the Baccalaureate Service and the Senior Supper, providing opportunities for the graduating seniors to look back on their time at Latin and to look forward to their future lives.

The Baccalaureate Service, held in Thies Auditorium, included performances by the Upper School Concert Choir and TK students and responsive readings from the Jewish and Christian traditions. Speakers included valedictorian Connor Cruz, salutatorian Emily Cao, and Director of Speech and Debate Bilal Butt, who delivered the faculty reflection.

Butt encouraged seniors to think of their time at Charlotte Latin through the lens of the hero’s journey — a tale that they were still in the middle of. He concluded, “Carry your values with you, not just your achievements. Your character is what will sustain you. Allow yourself to change, indefinitely.  You never really need to become a finished product. You will fail at times. Let those moments refine you, not define you. Let that change make you wiser and more compassionate.”

The class of 2026 then walked across campus to the Beck Student Activities Center for the Senior Supper, shared with their families. The event featured remarks from Head of Upper School Tracey Vanneste; a blessing from class Senator Sloan Ellison; and the presentation by Anisha Chandra, Executive Council Treasurer, of a gift to the advisors of the senior class (Haley Cripps, Caroline Cuellar, and Chris Downing).

In his speech, Head of School Chuck Baldecchi praised the seniors for their collective virtues and joie de vivre: “You are a class known for your loyalty in friendships, for your positivity and kindness, for inclusivity and care. You are hardworking, curious, honorable, and hold yourselves to high academic standards. But what is equally important — you are known for having fun!”

Baldecchi presented the 2026 Head’s Quest for Character Awards, established in 2002 by Headmaster Emeritus Arch McIntosh and voted on by the seniors themselves. The awards honor and recognize six seniors, each of whom exemplify one of Latin’s six Core Values.

Zoe Panzo received the Quest for Character Award for “Honor Above All.” She served for years on the Honor Council and was described by one peer as “always honest in terms of schoolwork as well as friendships.”

“Never afraid to ask a question or clarify an answer, this student is dedicated to excelling in all subjects and extracurricular activities,” Baldecchi said of Jackie Rao, the recipient of the Quest for Character Award for “Commitment to Excellence.”

The Quest for Character Award for “Thies Leadership” Award went to a senior nicknamed “John Leadership” by his classmates, Luca Bravo. Baldecchi noted, “The number of peer votes for this student were astounding, as countless classmates agree that he embodies leadership.”

Davis Hord was honored with the Quest for Character Award for “Respect for Oneself and Others”; as another member of the class of 2026 said, “He is very authentic and stays true to his values and is always the first to make sure that people are okay. He gives very good advice and has a good perspective on life.”

“She takes responsibility for her actions, remains accountable, and goes the extra mile to ensure that others do the same”: Baldecchi thus lauded Avery Bly, who received the Quest for Character Award for “Personal Responsibility.”

Myles Gathers was honored with the Quest for Character Award for “Moral Courage.” Baldecchi praised him as an exemplar of all the Core Values, adding, “Time after time, peers describe him as a loyal friend, a caring person, and someone that has your back without a doubt.”

Baldecchi also celebrated the 43 Latin Lifers in the Class of 2026, who began Charlotte Latin School in Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten and have remained classmates since then. He refreshed all the seniors’ memories on the trends of 2014, when they were in Kindergarten, including the movie Frozen, the Pharrell Williams hit song “Happy,” and the viral ALS ice bucket challenge.

“I want to thank you for your perseverance and leadership,” Baldecchi told the class of 2026. “You’ve shown our underclassmen what it takes to become Charlotte Latin graduates.”