Gould Academy’s 189th Commencement: Celebrating the Class of 2025

5/31/2025

On a wet and rainy spring day, Gould Academy’s picturesque campus was alive with unwavering spirit and joyful celebration as the Class of 2025 crossed the stage at the 189th Commencement Ceremony. Despite the weather, families, faculty, trustees, and friends gathered on Alumni Field, united in honor of 46 remarkable graduates who embody the resilience, curiosity, and determination that define the ethos of Gould’s extraordinary community.

Head of School Tao Smith warmly reminded the assembled community, “It is always an honor to 'start' this ceremony, and to welcome you in celebration of these incredible young adults, as we join together to honor their accomplishments and their spirit, and to send them off with our blessing, onward toward the next chapter of their lives.”

He reflected on the Class of 2025 as a mirror of hope for the future and the school’s mission: “To prepare them to thrive; to send them off to live lives of creativity, courage, resilience, fulfillment, and purpose; to have an impact in the world.” Tao’s charge to the graduates was clear and timeless: “‘To Thine Own Self Be True.’ Don’t ever forget who you are and where you come from… You are ready, and you will always, always, be Gould alumni, and this will always be your home.”

A Collective Triumph of Dedication and Community

Class Valedictorian Nahom Abatenah — delivering a stirring valedictory address — captured the essence of the day with a reflection on shared struggle and success.

“What makes this day special is not that we are finally wrapping things up but that we are gathered together to witness a shared transformation and triumph as a class. We were each other's keepers through it all. We worked together. We raced deadlines, navigated study halls, tackled college applications, and balanced academics with athletics. This day hasn’t come with ease — it came through continuous perseverance fueled by curiosity.

Every one of us gave what we could possibly be dedicated to succeed. That’s why this moment matters. That’s why we must seize and truly cherish this moment.”

This profound message echoed throughout the ceremony, reminding all in attendance that the strength of the Class of 2025 lies not just in individual achievement, but in the bonds forged through collaboration, challenge, and shared dreams.

Celebrating Excellence Across Every Endeavor

The ceremony honored a diverse spectrum of student accomplishments, from academic excellence to artistic distinction and leadership.

• The Cum Laude Society welcomed ten new members for outstanding scholarship: Nahom Abateneh, Lucas Barstow, Ian Brown, William Brown, Ingrid Janicki, James Crowley, Lucie Jezkova, Fiona Keough, Reese Furneaux, and Ryan Yook — each exemplifying Gould’s rigorous intellectual tradition.

• Academic Book Awards recognized students who excelled in their disciplines: Ingrid Janicki in English and History; Nahom Abatenah in Mathematics; Lucie Jezkova in Computer Science; and Lucas Barstow in Science and Spanish. Artistic talents were lauded with honors to Meredith McMillan and Jackson Tucker, while leadership and citizenship awards underscored the holistic education that defines Gould.

• Scholar Shelf Recipients for their curiosity and leadership: Anthony Long in English, Meredith McMillan in History, Lucas Barstow in Math, and Will Brown in Science. Fiona Keough and Eliza Tyson were recognized for their achievements in French and Spanish, respectively, while James Tucker earned the Innovator’s Award. In the arts, Molly Hagan and Eva Contis were jointly honored for their creative contributions, with Jackson Tucker receiving the Art Purchase Award for distinction in visual expression.

• Named Awards reflected the diverse passions and talents of the graduating class: Jackson Tucker took home both the Gayle A. Foster Photography Award and the Art Purchase Award, while Owen Rogers earned the Ralph Gould Music Award. Lucie Jezkova received the Francis “Hi” Berry Award, and Lucas Barstow was recognized again with the Joe Roderick Award. Finn Haskett was honored with the William P. Clough III Award for snow sports, and Ingrid Janicki received the Gould Academy Alumni Association Award. Meredith McMillan was this year's recipient of the Annie Daley Courchesne Award.

Carter Willis emerged as one of the most decorated members of the class, earning the Todd Student Ambassador Award, the Senior Four Point Scholar Shelf for “Creativity with Pen and Paper,” and the Jan & Lorenzo Baker Award.

Reese Furneaux was celebrated for her original podcast, She Endures, with the Senior Point Award, highlighting women’s voices in sports. Ian Brown was recognized for leadership and character with both the Ouwinga Citizenship and the Linwood “Lindy” Lowell Awards, and Henry LeDuc was named the recipient of the MELMAC Principal’s Scholarship.

Reiley Hedden and Max Hanson jointly received the Elwood F. Ireland Award, and finally, in a crowning academic achievement, Lucas Barstow was awarded the prestigious Headmaster’s Bowl.

Legacy of Passion, Risk, and Summit-Bound Ambition

Sam Adams ’77, President of the Gould Board of Trustees, introduced alumnus Paul Koubek ’90, whose life story embodies the spirit of adventure and commitment that Gould instills. Paul’s journey from the Mahoosuc Mountains to guiding expeditions on Denali and Antarctica exemplifies a fearless pursuit of passion. Speaking to a captivated audience, Paul shared a powerful call to action:

“Dare to dream. Dare to follow your dream. Take risks. To follow your dreams, you will need to go beyond your comfort zone, where you will learn from failure. If you are following your passion, the so-called ‘hard work’ will be its own joy... When you are hanging on ten millimeters of nylon, twenty-five hundred feet off the ground on the side of El Capitan... focus on the six feet around you. That’s all. Do this again and again and eventually you will arrive at the summit.”

His words resonated deeply with the graduates — an invitation to embrace challenge and to persist through uncertainty with courage and clarity.

From Impact on Campus to New Horizons

Student speaker Carter Willis reflected on the legacy the Class of 2025 leaves behind:

“We have changed this place for the better, starting with our freshman year. Whether that be on the baseball field, lacrosse field, the math world, the slopes, ski cross and snowboarding courses, the rails, in the Art Cottage, IDEAS Center, WorldQuest, the Nordic Team, and so on. You guys get it. Every one of you has left your mark on this place, whether a small or huge impact. Now it's time to make your mark on new soil. Be proud, but know you're not done.”

Resonating with the entire commencement audience, her words — full of pride and promise — captured the essence of Gould’s commitment to nurturing not only scholars, but citizens of impact, ready to “carry their light” beyond the mountains of western Maine, to wherever their respective paths may take them.

A Community United in Celebration and Hope

This commencement, as every year, was a testament to the strength of the Gould community — a network of educators, families, and friends who invest deeply in the development of young people who will lead with intellect, empathy, and curiosity. As the graduates stepped forward to receive their diplomas, the sense of occasion was both joyful and solemn — an acknowledgment, not of an “ending,” but of a new beginning; of wings ready for flight.

An Enduring Ethos

In his closing words, Tao Smith captured the heart of the day and the spirit of the Class of 2025:

"As you step beyond these halls and into the wider world, carry with you the courage to remain true to yourselves. Remember your roots here at Gould, the diverse community that shaped you, and the resilience you’ve cultivated. Let creativity, purpose, and compassion be your guides. Wherever life takes you, know this place is home — and your journey, though just beginning, is already a remarkable story of transformation and promise."

Gould’s ethos — of curiosity, courage, kindness, and creativity — shines bright in the Class of 2025, lighting the path ahead as they leave to make their mark on the world.

Click Here to view the 189th Commencement photo album.

Watch the full 2025 Commencement Ceremony here:

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