On a Wednesday morning, the Moses Brown School community gathered for its annual convocation, a tradition marking the official start of the academic year. The event celebrated the school's mission, welcomed new members, and honored the leadership roles of its students.

The ceremony began with a welcome from Jane Ritson-Parsons, Clerk of the Board of Directors, who led a warm welcome for new students, families, and faculty. She then introduced Paytyn C., a fourth-grader and a member of the class of 2034, who read the school's mission statement.

Student leaders from each division took to the stage, reflecting on what the mission means to them. Eighth-grader Bill M. ’30 spoke about the Quaker concept of "inner light," which he interpreted as a belief that "people are just people." He shared a story about his class's teamwork during the World Peace Games, noting, "Our success was because we all worked hard, we listened to each other, and we valued every opinion."
 

Upper school co-president Sam L. ’26 shared a story about Hony, a man who could instantly produce rain, and a man who planted a tree that wouldn't bear fruit for 70 years. He used this story to emphasize the value of long-term learning and hard work. "Your ability to problem solve, work as a team, and serve your community are seeds that will, however slowly, become the fruit you'll be enjoying for the rest of your life," he said.
 

Nate K ’26., another co-president, focused on the importance of community and making new connections. Reflecting on a ninth grade orientation trip he helped lead, he said, "I won't tell them about the friends that I already have, but instead I'll tell them about the friends that I've yet to make and how easy it is to make those friends."
 

Finally, co-president Vindhya D. ’26 spoke about her deep connection to the Moses Brown campus. She recalled spending time on campus as a child, which led her to "fall in love with it." She encouraged her peers to find their own meaningful spaces at the school, saying, "I promise you that if you take the time to appreciate not just the beauty of our campus, but also the memories you have or will make here, you too will also have to face the hardest goodbye of your life, and that's a good thing."

Head of School Katie Titus concluded the ceremony by addressing the senior class of 2026, who encircled the community, symbolizing their role as leaders. She urged them to embrace their final year with purpose and responsibility. She closed by sharing a powerful message for the entire community: "Let us always remember the strength of our community will never be in our individual achievements, but always in how we work to bring out the best in each other."

View photo gallery (Images by James Jones Studio)