Families, faculty, staff and students all joined in celebrating the Class of 2023 at the 126th Commencement Exercises of The Spence School. Processing down the aisle of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, the graduating class was welcomed by Head of School Felicia Wilks and President of the Board of Trustees Bill Jacob.

Senior speaker for the Class of 2023 Catharine Lee highlighted the resilience that characterized her fellow graduates, encouraging them to utilize their resiliency in the face of new challenges. “We will continue to learn and live not just for school, but for life,” she said. “And in the life we’ve known so far, all 66 of us were gifts to each other, drawing strength and inspiration from our big family. But now it’s time to share the gift that is you with the world. I have no doubt that, in our every action and accomplishment, we, the Class of 2023, will embody a passion for learning, loving and giving, just as we have always done together.”

Spence Alumna, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Vanderbilt University, C. Cybele Raver ’82 gave a Commencement address inspired by her deep knowledge of the collegiate landscape for learning and leadership: asking them to embrace their identity as leaders, to not confuse high performance with perfection and to embrace uncertainty. “It’s freeing and great to embrace uncertainty – it allows you to approach your decisions and life as a set of experiments. Everything is open for revision, reinvention, and you’re gathering great data about yourself, the world and the solutions you’re designing to fix the world.”

In her inaugural Commencement remarks, Head of School Felicia Wilks spoke to the Class of 2023 on the lessons she’s learned in her first year, including what they were able to teach her. “You have shown me the best of what happens at Spence: your brilliance, kindness, humor and the strong connections you’ve created within your class and across our community serve as a shining example of the hopes expressed in our School’s mission and philosophy. Your leadership has lifted me in my first year at Spence. We are forever connected in the School’s history and in my heart, and for that I am incredibly grateful.” 

Those in attendance were also treated to a performance of “Carolina Pines,” sung by the Upper School Select Choir, and “Softly, As I Leave You,” sung by the graduating members of Select Choir.

Congratulations, Class of 2023!