Excelsior Classical Academy first class of senior graduated on June 1, 2024 at 10 am. The faculty members were led in by a bagpiper playing Highland Cathedral and the graduating class processed in to Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance. The school band led by Vlad Kary played the national anthem, Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key. Dr. Tammy Rodman gave the Invocation. Cynthia Gadol, the Executive Director, welcomed everyone and introduced Dr. Rodman for the keynote speech. Dr. Rodman, a community leader, was Excelsior’s founding board president. Fred Pierce, the Upper School Dean, introduced the co-valedictorians, Ellison White and Elijah Gadol, both of whom had 4.75 weighted GPAs and both of whom also graduated summa cum laude from Durham Tech with Associate in Arts degrees. Both students have been active members and officers of National Student Council and the National Honor Society, and have been student athletes. The recessional was Best Day of My Life by American Authors, accompanied by the Fifth Grade Drum Circle led by Ronda Wagner.
Present at the ceremony were families and friends, faculty and staff members, board president Scott Sipe, board members Oshrat Doriocourt and Tammy Rodman, and two former faculty members, Ashley Loveless and Matt Bowen. Cathy Sebring, High School Counselor, Eleanor Young, Senior Advisor, Lynn Bowen, Senior Thesis Advisor,
Speakers recognized the nine year journey and the growth the school has gone through since it opened in 2015. Twelve of the 37 graduates attended Excelsior for fourth grade in 2015. Both valedictorians talked about the seniors being the first class to do many things, referring to the class as pioneers and humorously as “guinea pigs.” Their ninth grade year was mostly remote, so establishing the high school culture was difficult, but the students and staff worked on clubs, service projects, food truck fridays, and sports teams, and started many traditions.
