Our Seniors head off to pastures new
After a difficult two years of compromised ACS Cobham Graduations, it was great to see our notable event back in full form with a live audience of 350 family friends and staff in attendance! 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.
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. 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.
Fantastic to have our community back together, the largest gathering I have seen in my time at ACS. The class of 22 have not had it easy, but their graduation celebration gives them the chance to walk tall, mark this rite of passage and remark on their amazing growth through the most testing period of history in living memory.
Guest speaker ACS Alumni Tucker Bryant delivered a speech in his unique poetic style. Having been on the stage for his Middle and High School Graduations during his time at ACS this made it a hat trick for Tucker. He demonstrated the confidence and individual style that is a key trait of our students at ACS Cobham.
Musician Mayan Patel performed a unique piece on the day announcing that his album was launched on YouTube. If you would like a listen click here!
"The Class of 2022 is ready to spread their skills and positive attitude and embrace the world. We look forward to hearing about their future successes"
We are proud of all our seniors and their ACS Cobham journeys. The diversity of future destination choices made by our students is testament to the wide range of options available to them at school and the diversity of their talents and passions. We wish all graduating students the very best in their futures and know they will go on to thrive in the next chapter of their lives.
With such a large graduating class it is difficult to give an overview of each student! But here is just a selection of our students with a profile provided by their wonderful University counsellors.
The winner of our Valedictorian award went to boarder Shio Umezu. Shio has an impressive academic ability and a tenacity to achieve that is rare. Shio combines a truly outstanding work ethic with a formidable mathematical talent that puts her in the top tier of students, yet in class, Shio’s kind and thoughtful attitude sees her supporting her peers and she often is the first to offer to explain theoretical problems to others. As such, she has developed strong and positive relationships with her peers and her teachers. An accomplished pianist, Shio has a creative side and can often be found at the boarding house keyboard practicing. Shio has an offer to study Mathematics at University College London and we are excited to see what she will achieve in the future.
Our boarder Khalil Ben-Gacem recipient of our Founders' award.
Khalil is not your typical young person; he thrives on challenge and his desire to better himself and those around him. Academically, he challenged himself with an extremely tough class load and succeeded in that challenge. Not only that, but he doesn’t let the rigour and time commitment needed for his academics deter him from being a leader in our community. Khalil doesn’t simply join clubs and organisations to tick a box; rather, he leads these groups. Currently, he is the President of the Math Club, the Chess Club, as well as our school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Khalil will be continuing his education at Harvard next year.
Our boarder Keara Kierstead was awarded the Valedictorian award
Keara has an unwavering work ethic, good meta cognition skills, and an excellent attitude to both her work and others. She is mature, independent, and highly organised. Keara is gifted intellectually across many disciplines. Her knowledge and interests are well-rounded and across the spectrum - math, science, reading, and language arts. She is an outstanding student whose engagement in both the classroom and in the wider ACS community is excellent. Additionally, Keara has received recognition of her academic abilities in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. She will attend Boston College next year.
Hannah Paice is pursuing gap year on a British cycling scholarship
Hannah Paice received a British Cycling Sports Scholarship to train as a cycling coach. Since receiving this scholarship she has attended training events and coaching session with the British Cycling performance coaching team at Manchester and Newport velodromes, as well as achieving her level 1 coaching badge and working towards her second. She has aspirations to continue this, and combine it with further studies in sport sciences or sport psychology in the future.
Ava DeTrask is hoping to go to Boston University
Ava is a shining example of how sustained and deep engagement in school life combined with strong academic grades is meaningful in the university admissions process. Ava has been part of the ACS football/soccer team for numerous years, captaining the side. She is also president of the Law Society and has been heavily engaged in social justice concerns, highlighting women’s rights issues on campus as part of GirlUp and Amnesty international. She has aspirations to complete a business-related degree and then pursue law school at graduate level.
Emma Taylor is hoping to go to George Washington University
Emma has worked really hard to get where she is today. She is a gifted linguist and speaks multiple languages. She hopes to use this talent at university where she will study international relations, but it was a lot of work finding the right fit for her. However, after a recent visit to Washington DC, it seems as if Emma is set to attend George Washington University next year. Emma has also been heavily involved in our theatre programme heading up the production side of our recent school wide Shrek production this year.
Students of the class of 2022 will spread their wings far and wide. Here are some of the destinations from which they are considering offers.
US University Acceptances
Texas Christian University, Arizona State University, Rollins College and Michigan State University, Washington & Lee, Northeastern University, George Washington University, Fordham University, Syracuse University, University of Texas, Case Western University, Saint Louis University, Emory University, University of Arizona, Boston University, University of Virginia, Villanova University, Penn State University, University Park, Appalachian State University, Florida International University, New Mexico State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Tampa, Trinity College, University of Colorado Boulder, Boston College, William & Mary, Penn State University, University Park, Auburn University, New York University (TISCH), Emerson College, Fordham University, Loyola Marymount University, University of Georgia, University of Maryland – Washington, Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, James Madison University, Elon University, University of Alabama, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Belmont University, Colgate University, Kenyon College, Pace University.
UK University Offers
Imperial College London, UCL (University College London), University of Bristol, University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, University of Exeter, Loughborough University, University of Bath, Queen Mary, University of London, University of Surrey, University of York, Brunel University, Cardiff University, UAL (University Arts London), Keele University, ESCP Business School, SOAS, University of Southampton, Royal Holloway, University of London, UCA (University of the Creative Arts).
