Congratulations to the Berkeley Class of 2017


Marty Baron ’72, delivered an inspiring commencement address to the graduates sharing, “When I look back to my days as editor of the Fanfare, Berkeley was a fabulous preparation point for my career.” Today, as the Executive Editor of the Washington Post, Baron is regarded among the most influential journalistic leaders in the world. His editorial teams at some of the most distinguished newspapers in the country have garnered Pulitzer Prizes and even been portrayed in an Academy Award-winning film (Spotlight) for their investigative reporting.

“The right thing isn’t always the obvious thing,” he told the graduates about their pursuit to make a positive difference in the world. “You will need a spine…and you must consult your moral compass. They will help you though life’s most trying moments. One person really can make a difference. If you can, you should.”

Headmaster Joseph Seivold, who earlier accepted the class gift from Sean Nguyen, enthusiastically addresses the graduates by challenging them to consider, “How will you contribute to the betterment of our society? Find what matters to you,” he said. He added that they do not have to have the answers now and explained that their Berkeley education enables them to evaluate that question in search of the right answer.

Highlights of the day included a spirited welcome from Van Pittman, President of the Student Forum, an uplifting duet by Shaila Ghanekar and Anjali Shah, the reading of the class poem by Jennifer Luo, and the class oration by Kevin Kim, President of the Class of 2017.

Hundreds gathered for a post-commencement celebration in the Berkeley Café, where family and friends congratulated the graduates, snapped photos and wished future successes.
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Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.