The Archer community celebrated the school’s founding, the 20th anniversary and the class of 2016 on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
“It’s a really nice day. I think it’s good to look back and honor the people who set up something as great as Archer and allowed us to be here doing the things we are today. They really did the work for us to get here,” physics teacher and 11th Grade Dean Jacob London said.
“It’s incredible to see how the whole school comes together to honor the history of the school and the seniors,” Student Council Advisor and history teacher Meg Shirk said.
Founders’ Day is a tradition unique to Archer, where students and faculty celebrate both the past and current leaders of the school.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity to recognize the seniors and also to think about the legacy that they’ll leave on the Archer community, especially in relationship to the legacy that the founders have left,” Dean of Students Travis Nesbitt said.
Megan Callaway and Dr. Diana Meehan, two of Archer’s founders, were among those who spoke at the event.
“I’m really excited to be celebrating the 20th anniversary. I think it’s a really exciting opportunity that we [had] two out of our three founders here today,” Dean of Academic Affairs Gretchen Warner said.
“I remember being here ten years ago when we celebrated ten years, and it seemed like a huge event then, and it seems even bigger now. I’m super excited for the Class of 2016 to see what they do this year and beyond,” she said.
Students sat in the courtyard to watch the speeches and musical performances and recognize Archer’s accomplishments.
“I’m excited to see what’s going to happen, and to see my sister,” Lily Stone ’22 said.
“I’ve been here since seventh grade, and I’ve been here for so many Founders’ Days, so it’s really cool to actually be in the moment where I’m a senior,” Gaby Sumpter ’16 said.
Sixth grade history teacher Theresa Dahlin expressed wonder at the maturation of the senior class.
“It was just yesterday that these girls were sitting with me in the sixth grade row watching seniors, and now they are seniors, and it just blows my mind,” she said.
Click on an image below to begin the slideshow.
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Roses given to honor the seniors during the ceremony. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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Administration served cupcakes for the whole Archer community in celebration of the school’s 20th year. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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Upper School Orchestra members perform a classical song during the ceremony. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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Archer Founder Megan Callaway delivers a speech about the value of an Archer education. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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Parents applaud Archer’s seniors as they receive their roses. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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Carina Oriel ’16 receives a rose. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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Senior Dean Crystal Sengstaken gives a speech about the Class of 2016. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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Board of Trustees listens to the various speeches during the ceremony on Founders’ Day. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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Middle Schoolers grab their cupcakes after the ceremony. Photographer: Nelly Rouzroch ’18
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![After the ceremony, Natalie Huang ('25), Lily Poon ('25) and Addie Meyers ('25) pose to take a picture. Many seniors took pictures with their family and friends after the ceremony to capture moments during Founders Day. "A moment that I enjoyed is right after Founders Day, when a lot of seniors were taking pictures," Curry said. "They were kind of doing things [to] soak up those last Founders Day memories. Because even if we forget what was said during the speeches, and even if we forget everyone who was in our class, who will forever have those pictures, and those will be cemented memories."](https://archeroracle.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/k-1200x800.jpg)
