This morning marked the Commencement Exercises for the Charlotte Latin School class of 2026. One hundred and forty-five seniors came together on an emotional and celebratory day with family, friends, teachers, and Latin staffers. The community celebrated their fellowship and their achievements — and the seniors received their diplomas from Charlotte Latin School. Just as Jones Arena in the Beck Student Activities Center transformed from a sports venue to a tastefully appointed assembly hall, the class of 2026 metamorphosed from Latin students into Latin graduates.

Students collected their diplomas from Rael Gorelick, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Chuck Baldecchi, Head of School; Dr. Sonja Taylor, Associate Head of School; and Tracey Vanneste, Head of Upper School. Each diploma represented years of dedication, personal growth, and commitment to excellence; the ceremony emphasized the Latin community that had made each individual achievement possible.

In his opening reflection, Maxwell Williams ’26 (Vice President of Student Council) celebrated the growth that had happened gradually in the years spanning their arrival at Latin and today: “Somewhere between then and now,” he said, “we became who we are.” He added, “Today is the last page of a chapter we’ve been writing together for years.”

In his remarks, Gorelick cited a maxim of Teddy Roosevelt that also serves as a cornerstone of the philosophy for the Varsity Wrestling team: “It’s not the critic that counts,” he quoted, “the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” He challenged the young men and women of the class of 2026 to find worthy causes in the world that would continue to challenge them.

Tracey Vanneste presented some of the school’s highest academic honors. The Senior English Award went to Angelina Yang ’26; Vanneste praised “the rare alchemy of art and science that occurs in her mind.”

The Senior History Award was won by “an academic powerhouse who displays all the hallmarks of superior intellect, academic drive, and respect for the process of learning”: Isabel Yang ’26.

The Senior Math Award was presented to a student who is “brilliant without arrogance, deeply driven without seeking attention, and generous in the way she collaborates with and encourages others”: Emily Cao ’26, also the class salutatorian.

The Senior Science Award went to Connor Cruz ’26, also the class valedictorian, who was applauded for “the connection that this student sees between scientific concepts and even disparate scientific fields.”

The Senior Classical and World Languages Award was won by a student who “embodies a deep commitment to curious learning, exceeding expectations with a thirst for cultural mastery”: John Puyleart ’26.

Chuck Baldecchi then presented Sunny’s Honor, named in celebration of Sara “Sunny” Harris Hutchison ’93, accompanied by her brother, Johno Harris ’97. Sunny’s Honor is one part of Sunny’s Legacy, which also encompasses the community-wide celebration Sunny’s Day and most importantly, Sunny’s Scholar, the school’s premier scholarship program, a transformational opportunity that covers tuition and extracurricular expenses for worthy students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend Latin. Sunny’s Honor goes to the graduating senior who best embodies Sunny’s selflessness, empathy, and loyalty: in 2026, a student “known for greeting others with a sincere smile, extending friendship with ease, and making those around him feel valued and included”: Walker Simerville ’26.

“This individual often sees students at moments of great challenge, yet does the utmost to ensure others feel seen, valued, and appreciated as members of our community — as people who have something to contribute,” Baldecchi said of the next honoree. The Service and Leadership Award, which celebrates servant leadership, was given to Mac Fletcher ’26.

The Faculty Appreciation Award “is given to a student who has positively shaped the culture of our school and who reminds us why we chose to become educators in the first place,” Baldecchi explained. The honoree “faces the world with curiosity, a contagious kindness, and a genuine and authentic desire to learn”: Louis Markin ’26.

The Wickham Award, funded by the Charles Wickham family, finances post-collegiate travel for a future community leader in the hope that it will provide some time for students to contemplate their futures: this year, Na’il Diggs ’26. “His willingness to lift others up, build meaningful connections, and contribute positively to his community reflects the kind of leadership and character that will serve him well in whatever path he chooses,” said Baldecchi.

“The recipient of this year’s Head of School Award embodies servant leadership and commitment to community. He is seen among peers as a glue that can bring grade levels together,” Baldecchi said, praising Wills Hutchinson ’26.

Baldecchi also praised the class as a whole, citing their various accomplishments, including college admissions: they were accepted by 162 schools and will matriculate at 81 colleges and universities in 32 states, Washington, DC, and England. The school blessed with the largest concentration of Hawks will be the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 11 (of the 28 accepted) members of the senior class will enroll there this fall.

“You didn’t just walk through your senior year; you rallied through it,” Baldecchi told the class of 2026. “You brought back a sense of school spirit and collective joy that we haven’t seen on this campus in years.” And so when he picked a song for the class, he chose Sister Sledge’s 1979 smash “We Are Family” for its celebration of camaraderie.

Commencement Exercises also featured performances by the Charlotte Latin Philharmonic and the Upper School Concert Choir, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Student Council Secretary Avery Bly ’26, and a closing reflection by Student Council Treasurer Anisha Chandra ’26.

Luca Bravo ’26, Student Council President, introduced the commencement speaker, Nikki Sanz ’14. In a delightful and inspirational speech, she shared her own path after Latin, which took her into the concert industry, and ultimately led her to found Giggs, a staffing platform servicing that business.

Sanz concluded by telling the class of 2026: “You don’t need to have everything figured out. You don’t need to have the perfect plan. You just need to start. Try things. Work hard. Be kind. Take risks. Fail gracefully. Be thankful. And keep going when things get difficult — because they will. But if you keep showing up… things will start to work out in ways you can’t even see yet. Congratulations: your life is just beginning.”