On Friday, May 26, 2023, Latin graduate John Barry, Jr. of the Class of 2010 delivered the commencement speech to the Class of 2023 in the Beck Student Activities Center. John Barry attended Wake Forest University and currently works as the Managing Partner and Director of the North American office at Analog Agency, a house and techno music agency that represents international DJs worldwide. 

Excerpts from Mr. Barry’s Address

Charlotte Latin’s motto is Inlustrate Orbem which means, “enlighten the world.” “To enlighten” is defined as, “providing or tending to provide knowledge, understanding, or insight.” Class of 2023, I want to hold the torch for a brief moment today and see if I can help enlighten you as you take on the next steps in your lives. I want to talk to you about three “guidelines,” of sorts, that I use to achieve my goals. They are: (1) Let Go of Expectations; (2) Nurture your Network; and (3) Focus on Your Excellence. 

I challenge you all to improve and excel in the things you love and are passionate about. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. Most people at 18 don’t know what they want to do. Some of the most interesting and happy adults I know still don’t know what they want to do. And that’s okay. Who knows? You may even be standing here one day, welcoming another class of Charlotte Latin graduates to their graduation. 

Awarding of Diplomas

Diplomas were awarded by Board Chair Michael Freno, Head of School Chuck Baldecchi, and Assistant Head of School Dr. Sonja Taylor.

Presentation of Class Gift

The Class of 2023 Senior Gift will work towards renovating the gazebo located between the Strength Center and the Science, Art, and Technology Building to be a space for both students and employees to enjoy.

Presentation of Honors and Awards

Student Achievement: Gray Takacs
Leadership & Service: George Smith
Faculty Appreciation: Sutton Shumate
Sunny's Honor: Biz Neely
Wickham: George Smith
Senior World Languages: Biz Neely
Senior Science: Alaric Pan
Senior History: Avery Swartz
Senior English: Mia Zottoli
Senior Math: Mia Zottoli
Head of School Award: Mayes Fisher
Valedictorian: Mia Zottoli

From the Head of School

Speaking to the Class of 2023, Head of School Mr. Baldecchi finished with these words:

Class of 2023, I don’t know where you will go, but I know it will be far and to great places. Just remember that when you walk across the stage we still see the 5-year-old you. We can still see two versions of the same child. That’s why we might be crying while you are smiling. Congratulations!

By the Numbers

Please enjoy a few highlights from this Class, shared by Mr. Baldecchi:

There are 130 members of this senior class, sharing an impressive Mean GPA of 3.76. Overall, this class submitted 1,106 applications to 222 colleges, with each senior submitting between 1 and 25 applications - an average of 8.5. They were admitted to 165 schools, and have chosen to matriculate at 68 colleges in 24 states. 

Twelve seniors will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; eight will attend Wake Forest University. Six plan to attend Auburn University and another four will attend Clemson University, the University of Georgia, the University of Mississippi, and Texas Christian University respectively. 

In 2023, 93 seniors reported 231 merit scholarships at 85 different colleges & universities, totaling more than $13 million. An impressive 48 students received awards of more than $100,000 each in scholarships. This year we celebrate a Park Scholar matriculating to North Carolina State, a Dowdy Scholar at North Carolina A&T State University, and an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

As if rigorous academics and extra-curricular work didn’t keep them busy, 102 of our seniors also participate in athletics - that’s nearly 80% of the group! Of those, 53 play 1 sport, 38 play 2 sports, and 11 play 3. Of Latin’s 88 All-Conference student-athletes, 33 are seniors and of the 31 All-State, we have 7 who are seniors this year. While it’s not specific to our senior class, we could not have gotten here without their hard work, earning 6 team state championships in Girls' Cross Country, Wrestling, Boys' Swimming, Boys' Golf, Girls' Lacrosse, and Girls' Soccer and one team state runner-up: Girls' Tennis

Fourteen of our student-athletes are continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level, representing football, lacrosse, track and field, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis, and—for the first time ever—cheerleading! Among the class, we have the CISAA Cheerleader of the Year and the Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year. In their four combined years of Upper School, this class has contributed to 17 state championships.

We have a two-time national qualifier in speech, NSDA District Champion; two three-time national qualifiers in debate, NSDA District Champion; and an Oration Contest National Finalist.

Senior Supper

The following seniors were recognized at the May 21 Senior Supper in the Beck Student Activities Center.

Head of School's Quest for Character Awards

Honor Above All: Helen Hurden
Commitment to Excellence: Ella Smith
Thies Leadership Award: Holt Daniels
Respect for Oneself and Others: Nate Downey
Personal Responsibility: George Smith
Moral Courage: Mia Zottoli

National Merit Commended Students

Nate Downey
Connor Little
Allie Liu
Wyatt Mayberry
Alaric Pan
Vivek Rao
Lila Rhee
Jake Sellers
Ella Smith
Gabe Stein
Avery Swartz
Elaine Tang
Kayla Tillman
Aarush Vemuganti

National Merit Finalists

Charles DeMey
Drew Griggs
Hailey Kim
Edward Yang
Mia Zottoli

College Board Recognitions

National Hispanic Recognition Program

Aaron Logan

Gabriel Carpenter

National African American Recognition Program

Aaron Logan

Esrom Ghirmay

Kathryn Ogbata

Miles Miller

Nathan Butler

Nyela Rucker

Sydney Caddell

National Indigenous Recognition Program

Ryan Urquhart

Honors and Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized at the May 25 Honors and Awards Assembly in Thies Auditorium.

Bob Patten: Wiley Spinner

Class of 1975 (Sr.): Colman Freno

Class of 1982 (Jr.): Lulu Gorelick

Frederick Douglas & Susan B Anthony: Pari Hathiram

George Eastman: Tommy Beason

Hampden-Sydney: Tyler Horiuchi

Harvard: Evie McMahan

Optime Merens: Alicia Edwards

St. Lawrence: Leah Tewolde

UVA's Jefferson: Moné Cary

William & Mary Leadership: Alexa Marcus

Williams: Ryan Samii

Yale: Evan Li

National Choral: Sydney Caddell

Excellence in French: Victor Hugo: Mayes Fisher

C.W. Stacks Service: Hailey Kim

Hawk Eye: Connor Little

National Orchestra: Allie Liu

Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science, University of Rochester: Evie McMahan

Excellence in Musical Theater: Belle Nabors

Excellence in Latin: Petrarch: Alaric Pan

Outstanding Competitor in Debate: Vivek Rao

Coach’s Award—Speech & Debate: Nyela Rucker

Rensselaer Medal: Ryan Samii

Excellence in Technical Theater: Gray Takacs

National Choral: James VanNort

Excellence in Greek: Homer: Will Vaughn

John Phillip Sousa Excellence in Band: Edward Yang

Outstanding Contribution to Drama: Mia Zottoli

Excellence in Spanish - Cervantes: Mia Zottoli

Art Outstanding Achievement: Mary Cate Kiser

Calhoun: Mayes Fisher

Global Citizens: Gabe Stein

Student Council: Holt Daniels, George Smith, Jake Sellers, Eleanor Poole

Marjorie Nicholls: Mayes Fisher

 

Latin Lifers

Samantha Alexander

Ryan Burbank

Ellie Chai

Riley Christhilf

Lillian Clark

Jane Cotchett

Camille Darwich 

Thomas Davis

Bennett Egge

Ella Fisher

Colman Freno

Margaret Gore

Elizabeth Gray

John Hendley

Emily Hidell

Jack Hollingsworth

Hampton House

Tai Huang

Thomas Hunter

Kathryn Jones

Clara Juckett

Nelan Lala 

Dylan Long

George Lynch

Anderson Marshall

Grasyn McElroy

Kayla Middendorf

Harrison Morrill

Andrew Oster

Eleanor Poole

Lila Rhee

Nathan Rimler

Evan Rush

Davis Sayman

Quinten Scott

Jacob Sellers

William Shumate

Graham Smith

George Smith

Ella Smith

Jacob Snyder

Agatha Stamatakos

John Stedman

Caroline Sumichrast

Charles Sweet

Jacob  Swimmer

Graham Takacs

Macy Thigpen

Kayla Tillman

Donna Troutman

Jenna Upton

James Van Nort

Grace Vance

Julia Vandiver

Hayden Willett

John Willett

Mia Zottoli