Class of 2023
See how our students celebrated their graduation as well as an insight into some of our students onwards pathways after leaving ACS Cobham
The highlight in the ACS Cobham school calendar, is our High School Graduation! After the past few weeks of hard work by our Senior Class it was great to see them relaxing and enjoying this important ceremony.
Along with their families our Seniors enjoyed a delightful outdoor reception prior to the formal ceremony. There was a full running order with student speeches, musical interludes and presentations to all graduates. The ACS Cobham sports arena was decked out in over 60 national flags representing all our seniors, each of whom enjoyed their moment in the spotlight.
Our Head of School, Barnaby Sandow opened proceedings by delivering an impassioned speech to our Senior class on how they brought about change during their time at ACS enabling them to be ready to go out and make a wider impact on the world. He also touched upon the development of technology over their time at ACS and made the following remark:
“The Class of 2023 will graduate hand in hand with technology not led by it. Less fearful of the impact, more unconsciously competent and making it work it for them. We will not know what the next developments will look like, but these students can adapt, learn and will be more effective users than we are in years to come.”
Guest speaker Eboni Ursoro- Brown delivered a motivational speech on what it takes to achieve the most out of life and always strive to do better. Given her success in the field of sport it was an insight into preparing our students to be ready for the world ahead of them.
Our musician was ACS longstanding student Esmee Patel who performed a unique piece of music. Esmee is not only a very talented musician but also holds the record of being ACS Cobham’s longest standing student of having been with us just before her 2nd birthday.
Our High School Principal, Fred Boardaguibel-Labayle reflected on the class of 2023:
“It is fair to say that the class of 2023 has truly embraced the concept of the High School Rocks (Be present, Do your best, Get involved). As a matter of fact, one senior told me this just before entering a language exam: “Mr Bordaguibel, we are going to rock our exam!”
The students each had their moment receiving their diplomas on stage and receiving applause from the large crowd of peers and family members. A memorable moment in their journey at ACS Cobham.
Some students received notable awards such as the Founders’ Award which was accepted by Alberto Giordano who also received the Salutatorian Award. Max Bonehill also received the Valedictorian award which is the academic title conferred upon the highest ranked student among those graduating.
After the official ceremony our students got to enjoy some celebratory refreshments with their classmates and families. This included our traditional hat toss in front of the school fountain.
It is always hard to say goodbye to our graduating students, but this event is a true mark of their hard work and connection with the ACS Cobham community. Most of our students continue to connect with our Alumni network programme so we look forward to following their journey onwards from ACS Cobham.
We are yet to receive the exam results that will be announced shortly. But we are already proud of the onward pathways our Graduates will make in their next step in their education.
It is difficult to give information on all our graduating class but below is a snap shot of some of the acceptances our students have received from their university applications as well as other pathways they have chosen to take after ACS Cobham.
As you can see it is testament to our University counselling team that there are such a wide and varied number of universities and choices that our students are going onto. In addition given the options at ACS of being able to do the AP or IB courses this gives our students a breadth of opportunity when it comes to deciding on the next course of action.
Edward Achtner is attending Santa Clara University. Edward will attend this institution and is very happy to find an academically fitting university while being able to continue to row at a competitive level.
William Aoun is attending Northeastern University (highly selective university with a 7% admission rate, with excellent Co-op program). William will be studying computer science. Other students matriculating to Northeastern University: Liv Bengtsson, Ellis Cambpell
Alberto Giordano has accepted and is attending the highly selective NYU Stern School of Business. New York University is highly selective, yet getting into Stern is even more competitive.
Hani Ayoub has found his dream university where he is able to both study for his degree and continue learning business and management related skills in his favourite field of choice – football (soccer). Hani will study Football Business & Marketing at UCFB, a niche and specialist institution.
Hannah Kasirye has accepted and will be attending the University of Oxford, to study Law. This is an Unconditional offer. Hannah successfully gained her place with her AP qualifications, demonstrating that neither IB or AP are more advantageous than the other. Hannah’s grades were excellent, yet importantly she demonstrated the ability to think critically to new situations related to her field of study in her interview.
Stine Bruno will be studying Psychology at the University of Exeter. This is Stine’s first choice, and so is worth celebrating.
Emerson Mitchell will be studying computer science at the University of South Carolina. This is noteworthy as he had managed to advocate for himself so well in the application process that he has gained a full financial ride for the duration if his studies here. This was his choice over some more highly selective universities being offered to him, such as Virginia Tech.
Antonina Parkhomenko will be studying at University of Toronto – her first choice!
Junia Rees will not be going to university, as her acting career is taking her in a successful direction. She is due to be working on a production with the famous UK actor, Jude Law, once she graduates ACS Cobham.
Anthony Santangelo will be attending Boston University, a highly selective US university. Anthony applied via Early Decision.
Tianyi Ma has conditional offers at The University of Edinburgh (AI & Computer Science) and Imperial College London (Computing).
Angelina Makarem is studying either Chemistry at University of Bristol, or Biomedical Sciences at University of Warwick.
Polina Lazareva has gained a place at University of Warwick to study Management with a Placement year. This will allow her to combine her studies with a year of work experience that directly relates to her course.
Geselle Hayford is set to study her undergraduate degree in the highly selective US university of UVa – The University of Virginia. The university were impressed with the engagement she has given to the community, in whichever one she lives within.
David Gabriel will be studying Sports Business Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, and he has found a course that allows him to develop his practical business skills while learning the concepts in an area that he has a strong area of interest – sports.
Tai Hiramatsu will return to one of the number of highly selective Japanese universities that he has applied to. The application cycle is slightly later in Japan, and so is still awaiting to see where he will end up: Waseda, Kagawa, Sophia, Kyoto, Hosei, or Tokyo.
Ela Yuce will be studying Law at Durham University.
Ada Yuce will be studying Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology – a course that allows her to learn the specialised field of neuroscience, while remaining with her passion of psychology.
Katelyn Vergien will be attending University of Dundee to study Environmental Sustainability. She will be able to combine her love of horticulture with environmental studies at degree level.
Emma McDonald holds conditional offers at both Loughborough and Surrey – two fantastic universities known for their sports facilities and culture, where she can continue to play hockey to a high level, as well as enabling her to pursue a degree in management and marketing.
Erin Gregorian is set to travel to Penn State University, University Park for her undergraduate studies.
Shea Bradley will be matriculating to Loyola Marymount University, a well fitted university for the passionate performing arts student, enabling him to explore a wide range of other course choices during his time while living in LA, near the beach! His dream university.
Nidhi Adrakatti will be studying at University of California, San Diego, or UCSD.
James Tilton is not going to university, so he can pursue a career in real estate in the affluent Dubai, in UAE.
Ruben Van der Walt will be continuing to develop his journey to be a pilot, while gaining his pilot licence and studying in one of the best flight schools in the world – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, in Florida. For Ruben, there couldn’t have been a better outcome to his transition out of High School.
Maia Symons will be pursuing an exploratory education in a highly selective liberal arts school – College of William and Mary
Kseniia Pavilainen is going to University of Bath to study Business at the undergraduate level, with a work placement.
Felix Decker holds an offer to study International Relations with Business Management at Queen Mary University of London.
Tomas Calvo Paz will be going to Cardiff University, a Russell Group university, to study Business Management with a Professional Placement Year.
Daniel Akgul is happy to be going to Newcastle University to study Economics at the undergraduate level.
