UPPER SCHOOL
Commencement – June 11, 2026

On June 11, 2026, the Moses Brown community gathered in the Grove to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2026. The ceremony, marking the journey of 105 unique seniors, was a blend of joy and tradition. Alum Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña '01, VP of the Center for Global Health at Northwell Health and recent Schwab Foundation Corporate Social Innovator of the Year, served as the Commencement speaker.

Student speaker Nate K. ’26 opened the morning with a call to boldness, quoting actor Austin Butler: “Embarrassment is an underexplored emotion, go out there and make a fool of yourself.” Reflecting on how the class grew closer by letting go of judgment, from dancing in musicals to campus-wide trends, Nate encouraged his peers to live fully, reminding them to "put too much dip on your chip."
 

Head of School Katie Titus centered her remarks on the concept of "desire lines,” paths created by people walking the routes that make the most sense to them, rather than those paved by planners. Inspired by a student's observation of a worn path in the grass near Jones Library, Katie praised the graduates for their honesty in sharing their own desire lines during their time at MB. She urged the class to be people who "notice the worn grass" and have the courage to build paths that are more humane, honest, and just.

Senate Co-President Vindhya D. ’26 looked back on the fleeting moments of the MB experience, from Middle School memories of three-ring binders and Team Trips, to the routine of lunch in the front circle. “Our successes, failures, and lives aren’t defined by the major events in your face, but rather the tiny moments that happen to us in passing,” she reflected. “The tiny moments that we never fully realize the weight they had on our lives until they’re gone.” 

A cherished tradition, the Spoon Ceremony, followed, where senior Senate representatives Kiley B. ’26, Tomás C. ’26, and Gennaro C.’26 symbolically passed leadership to the Class of 2027. Tomás lauded the Class of 2026's "strong, confident leaders" and their "clear value of community," while Kiley expressed faith in the juniors to thrive as they step into their roles as leaders of the school.

In his introduction of the guess speaker, Sam L. ’26 shared the story of a Baghdad merchant’s slippers, old items that "boomeranged" back to the owner every time he tried to discard them. Sam used the story to emphasize a vital lesson for the graduates: "Own your slippers." He urged his classmates to embrace their unique identities, families, and values rather than wasting time searching for who they think they should have been.

Commencement Speaker Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña ’01, who recently celebrated his 25th reunion at MB, shared powerful stories from his global health career to illustrate how to navigate uncertainty. He recalled surviving the chaos of 9/11 during his second week of college and years later in 2020 transforming an unfit residential facility into a COVID-19 hospital in just four days. Whether coordinating the delivery of dozens of ambulances or establishing a virtual doctor-to-doctor consulting network for physicians in Ukraine, his message was to "make the big stuff small.” “I don’t want you to stare at the wall and be frozen,” he said. “Start building the staircase and go do amazing things.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎉  We wish you all the best of luck as you embark on your next adventures!

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MIDDLE SCHOOL 
Closing Exercises – June 10, 2026

Moses Brown School celebrated its Class of 2030 on Wednesday during the Middle School Closing Exercises held in the Grove. This student-led ceremony honored the Eighth Grade class as they prepared to transition to Upper School.

Student speakers Bill M. ’30 and Zoe G. ’30 opened the ceremony, reflecting on their collective growth: "We’ve grown so much during our time here, academically, socially, and personally, but today is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to look forward to the bright path ahead of us."
 

Head of School Katie Titus shared wisdom drawn from two new traditions this year. She first recalled a December outdoor s'mores gathering at the Rachel Thayer House, noting that the wide spectrum of s'more-making strategies, from "fully charred" to "delicately toasted," mirrored the unique ways each student leads and learns. She then reflected on the song the class chose this year, “Best Day of My Life,” sharing that the best days happen because of how we choose to show up with expectation and agency. Katie encouraged students to view the day as only their "best day yet" and reminded them that even ordinary or disappointing days are essential parts of life's journey.

Ayla H. ’30 compared the Middle School experience to songwriting, noting that while teachers and family act as the "band" providing steady beats and harmonies, the students themselves are the primary creators. "We are the lyricists, vocalists, and composers of our very own individual songs," Ayla shared. "Only we get to decide how we want to let them help us."

Kiera N. ’30 reflected on how the class traced individual paths that frequently overlapped in shared spaces like the softball field or the Latin classroom. She described the comfort of these collective experiences: "We all went through Middle School as individuals, but also together at the same time... these experiences have shaped us into the unique people we now are."

Kendric P. ’30 challenged his peers to overcome "mindset traps" like fear, complacency, and overattachment to the past. He urged his classmates to face their fears head-on and push beyond being "good enough." "Your mind can be your greatest enemy, but it can also be your greatest ally," Kendric noted. "Your mind can make you limited, or it can make you limitless. It’s just a matter of how you manage yourself."

Head of Middle School Jared Schott offered a final tribute, sharing personalized memories of every student and praising the class's artistic, athletic, and academic talents. He emphasized the year's theme of "Care for People" and reminded the graduates that they are all capable of being community leaders. Jared concluded, "Because leadership is a behavior, we all expect that you will continue that behavior as you transition into the upper school. We are incredibly proud of you and know you’re ready to tackle your next challenge."

Congratulations to the Class of 2030!

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LOWER SCHOOL
Closing Exercises – June 9, 2026

Moses Brown School honored 28 fourth graders of the Class of 2034 at its Lower School Closing Exercises on Tuesday. The ceremony, held in the Woodman Family Community & Performance Center, celebrated their transition to Middle School.
 

Head of Lower School OJ Marti welcomed attendees and praised the students' journey. “Our deepest hope is that you feel a profound sense of belonging, a strong connection to this vibrant community, and a true feeling of accomplishment today,” OJ stated. He commended the class for their “remarkable unity” and for consistently exemplifying the school's core values.

Head of School Katie Titus offered encouraging words, noting that this group is uniquely special as they will be the 250th graduating class when they complete their journey in 2034. Inspired by the class song, High Hopes," she advised the students to "Dream big" and to keep moving forward even when things get "a little complicated." She highlighted their growth as leaders, encouraging them to believe in the "inner light" they bring to the world.

The ceremony featured reflections from the students, who shared lessons ranging from mastering division facts to understanding the "miracle of life" through hatching chicks. In his closing remarks, OJ reflected on their growth throughout Lower School to the present. He reminded them that their light shines brightest when they “choose kindness over convenience” and stand up for what is right. “The next chapter is yours to write,” he concluded. “Write it with courage. Write it with kindness. Write it with curiosity. Write it with integrity.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2034!

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