Christchurch’s 17th Head of School, William J. “Billy” Coyle, delivered the commencement address on May 23 to the class that arrived at the Middlesex County private school as ninth graders at the same time he began his first year as head, saying, “This is only my fourth time being up here … my senior year … our senior year!”
He went on to remark about what an incredible campus atmosphere the Class of 2026 created as they grew into leaders. “It’s been a long, transformative journey, and you should all be proud of your soon-to-be alma mater … you’ve set the tone and exemplified our core values of character, curiosity, and community.”
Coyle thanked moms, dads, family and friends for their support and “this partnership we have formed in guiding these seniors, your children, to this day. You have entrusted us with your most precious gift, and together we have watched them grow into impressive young men and women.”
Then, he turned his full attention to the Class of 2026. “I personally thank you—for your guidance, thoughtfulness, and support. Many of you have met with me to help navigate our road ahead. It’s hard to imagine what next year is going to be like without you all here. The smiles, the high-fives, the knuckle knocks, the conversations. And not just for me, but this entire community will miss you dearly. Sixty-six seniors … our largest senior class ever.”
Coyle recapped what a great year it was, full of celebrations, sporting events and performances, welcoming an impressive group of young women from St. Margaret’s School, and listening to emotional and inspirational senior speeches. “We’ve traveled all over the state and all over the world. We’ve loaded fan vans to playoff games, championship games, and converged on Washington, D.C., for our immersion trip … you’ve accomplished more than you may ever have thought possible. You made friendships, discovered passions, and tried something new.”
In a favorite CCS tradition, Coyle addressed each of the 66 graduates personally, remarking on the special gifts and talents each brought to the community and sharing with them what their teachers, coaches, advisors and hall parents had to say about each of them.
He bid them godspeed with a reminder, “As you walk away a graduate of Christchurch School, you do so with confidence and power, knowing that no Shenandoah mountain is too high, and no river is too wide. You are unstoppable. You have incredible support from this entire Seahorse nation—your classmates, your teachers, your coaches, and, most importantly, your parents and family. You are supported and loved. And you now join nearly 3,000 Christchurch alumni. Take this moment and be proud, as we are so very proud of you.”
Coyle, Board Chair Shawn Handley ’92, President of Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia Henry Broaddus, and Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Donny Pyles conferred diplomas. The school’s musical group, Cantorion, provided music. Following the ceremony, each graduate rang the Second Century Bell as they passed through the Bell Tower. They then made their way through a faculty receiving line, which is a highlight of every Christchurch graduation.
Graduates included Progress Award winner Davis Jack Miller of Franklin, N.C., and Chaplain’s Award winner LeighAnn Matthews of Tappahannock.
The school’s highest honor, the Bishop’s Award, went to Christopher Meade Rhoads III of Aylett. The Valedictorian’s Award was earned by Lillian Grace Williams of North.
Other awards were presented to seniors the previous evening at the Senior Awards Ceremony. Recipients include the following students:
12th Grade Outstanding Student Award: Hung Cuong Luong of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Best All-Around Athlete Award: Avery Thomas of Cobbs Creek and Eli Belizor of Monroe, Conn.
Student Life Award: Rowan Toner of Ottawa, Canada, and Williams.
The Performing Arts Prize in Theater: Williams.
The Performing Arts Prize in Music: Davis Miller.
The Visual Arts Prize: Hung Cuong Luong.
The Jamie Riley ‘05 Award: Alvaro De Damas Regojo of Madrid, Spain.
The Sustainability Award: Harrison Hinton of Wicomico Church.
Commodores of the Waterfront: Mare Barasik of Antalya, Turkey; Jake Carey of Eleuthera, Bahamas, and Christopher Rhoads.
The Humanities Prize: Ari Fitzgerald of Hayes.
The Science Prize: Barbara Smith of Gloucester.
The Mathematics Prize: Nhat Nguyen of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Virginia Independent Schools (VISAA) Awards of Merit: Eli Belizor; Finley Caisse of Hartfield; Marcos Gonzalez Maestu of Madrid, Spain; Valle Martinez of Alcorcon, Spain; Sienna Rowe of Urbanna; Thomas; Toner, and Harry Tran of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
The following students graduated with honors:
Millicent Pepper Branflick (White Stone); Albert Davis Bugg IV (White Stone); Finley Linwood Caisse (Hartfield); Samuel Theodore de los Reyes (Annapolis, Md.); Caleb Matthew Dymmel (Morehead City, N.C.); Thomas Bouldin Emery (Warsaw); Teresa Leanne Espiritu (Gloucester); Darius Toulson-Ferguson (White Stone); Ari Fitzgerald (Hayes); William Chandler Flagg (Williamsburg); Herman Singh Gill (Kilmarnock); Phuong Linh Ha (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam); Trevor Scott Haynie (Burgess); Harrison David Hinton (Wicomico Church); MaryClare Carlson Hodges (Heathsville); Elliott James Lipp Charleston, S.C.); Gracie Jia Hui Loo (Mechanicsville); Hùng Cuong Luong (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam); LeighAnn Marie Matthews (Tappa-hannock); Olivia Lee Metsala (Callao); Minh Tho Nguyen (Tan Binh District, Vietnam); Nhat Minh Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam); Kiera Riley Pierce (Bruington); Zaneta Judah Raphael (Trinidad and Tobago); Christopher Meade Rhoads III (Aylett); Sienna Hope Rowe (Urbanna); Selam Endale Sebsebe (Hawassa, Ethiopia); Maya Rose Secaira (San Jose, Costa Rica); Barbara Caroline Smith (Gloucester); Phuc Nguyen Chuong Tran (Binh Thanh District, Vietnam); Manuel Andres Vieytez Arguello (Antiguo Cuscatlan, El Salvador); and Lillian Grace Williams (North).