Senior Class Speaker Aveed Shrestha told the crowd gathered for Loomis Chaffee’s 109th Commencement on Sunday, May 25, that he came to the school as a “small, skinny, overly cocky freshman, but then I was immediately humbled by my very first Algebra II quiz.” 

“But,” he continued, “that’s the beauty of Loomis. Whether you have been here one year or four, this school humbles you in all the right ways while expanding your sense of what’s possible.” 

What’s possible was represented by Scott Havens ’91, who 34 years after graduating was the Commencement speaker. He has held multiple top positions in the media world and today is president of business operations for the New York Mets. Scott also is a Loomis Chaffee Trustee and, as he said, most importantly a proud dad. His son, Tommy, was graduating. His daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine, are sophomores. He had family in the audience, including his father, Sam Havens ’61. “To stand here ... is an honor of a lifetime,” Scott said. 

It is not an honor that he could have envisioned when he graduated, Scott said, adding that others who knew him back then might have agreed. 

“Impossible is a word you hear a lot,” he said. “Sometimes from others, sometimes from that little voice in your head. It can be a defeating word. But over time I have come to see it differently — not as a wall but as a challenge. A dare. Over time I’ve developed a few principles to help me overcome things that feel or seem impossible.” 

He went on to talk about those principles. 

Work hard: Scott said it took him a while to embrace this principle, but once he committed himself to working hard, he began to achieve his goals. 

Play hard: Creative ideas can come from many places outside of work, from life, travel, friendships, talking with people who are different from you, he said. 

Be kind: “Kindness doesn’t cost much — but it pays back in trust, loyalty, and long-term success,” he said. Contrary to what some people contend, kindness is not a sign of weakness, nor do leaders need to create a culture of fear, he said. He encouraged his listeners to be nice to people from all walks of life. 

Show up: He credited his wife, Jessica, with this addition to the list. Be present, he said, for friends, for family, and for your community. 

Pay attention: Listen and learn from those around you, he said, citing numerous faculty members from his Loomis days. “You never know when the lesson is coming — so pay attention.” 

Don’t be stupid: Don’t be hasty in your decisions or judgments, he said. “Don’t make permanent choices out of temporary emotions.” 

 And, finally, ne cede malis, the Loomis Chaffee motto, which translates to “yield not to misfortune.”  

In their time on the Island, the 195 graduates in the Class of 2025 did their best to, in Aveed’s words, expand their sense of what is possible. The week leading up to graduation included celebrations of many of the seniors’ achievements in academics, athletics, and the arts, culminating on this day with the awarding of six Commencement prizes and the presentation of diplomas. 

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Duncan MacLean ’90 provided the warm opening greeting on a cool and windy morning, and the Rev. Ryan Heckman, the director of spiritual life, gave the benediction. Head of School Jody Reilly Soja sent the graduates off with the farewell address as she concluded her first year at the school’s helm, saying that whatever the graduates do and wherever they go, they have roots at Loomis Chaffee.  

“We hope that provides you with a sense of comfort and connection to a community that loves and supports you,” Jody said. “I hope that your understanding of our history, and your place in it, also offers a grounding and calm that will provide strength and resilience.” 

Aveed said he has grown in many ways during his four years. He used the word “time” as a thread throughout his address, first invoking an exhortation he has frequently heard from his mother: “Don’t waste time.” 

Yet, said Aveed, what is a waste of time? Sitting in the quad or dining hall with friends “debating the most trivial things” or texting someone late into the night “about everything and nothing at the same time”? Not a waste, he concluded. These little moments stick in the mind much longer than a test score. 

“Better late than never” was another expression invoked by Aveed. “Sometimes this saying is an excuse for poor timing and bad planning,” he said. “However, there can be a sense of accomplishment and bravery that comes from this phrase.” So what, he said, if it took two months to talk to a friend about an issue or a few years to make new friends? There are times when late truly is better than never. 

“Time flies when you’re having fun” brought Aveed to what he called his parting advice. He urged his peers to use their time wisely and do what they love. “That doesn’t mean dropping out of school and pursuing a career in Brawl Stars, but it does mean daring to follow what excites you, challenges you, and scares you,” he said. “Be brave, inventive, and be relentlessly yourself. Because no matter what you do, time will fly. Just make sure it takes you somewhere you want to be.” 

Commencement day was about looking back but also looking forward as the school’s newest alumni go their separate ways and get ready for what comes next. Yet the day will come, years from now, when these graduates will look back on their high school days. Many will conclude: “We had the time of our life.”  

A video of Commencement can be found HERE. 
 

Commencement and Class Night Prizes 

The Loomis Family Prize:  Guo “Toby” Chen  

Established in 1921, the Loomis Family Prize for scholarship honors the Founders and their successors in the Loomis family who have contributed time, energy, and fortune to nurture the growth of The Loomis Institute. It is awarded to the first scholar of the graduating class.   

The Charles Henry and Mary Chaffee Willcox Prize: Kenneth Lee 

Established in 1961, the Charles Henry and Mary Willcox Prize commemorates the Willcox family’s deep interest in the establishment and growth of The Chaffee School. It is given to the second scholar of the graduating class.  

The Ammidon Prize: Izzy Heflin   

Established in 1964 by former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Hoyt Ammidon of the Class of 1928, the Ammidon Prize is awarded annually to a student of the graduating class who, in the judgment of the faculty, has made an outstanding commitment to the common good through concern for others, both on and off the Island.  

The Florence E. Sellers Prize: Katie Sigrist 

Established in 1955, the Florence E. Sellers Prize is awarded in loving memory of Florence Sellers, director of The Chaffee School from 1936 to 1954. The prize recognizes a student of the graduating class whom the faculty has judged to have the characteristics of Mrs. Sellers: a quest for excellence, self- discipline, and a concern for others.  

The Jennie Loomis Prize: Iris Sande 

Established in 1929, the Jennie Loomis Prize, a medallion designed by sculptor Evelyn Longman Batchelder, honors Miss Jennie Loomis and her mother, Mrs. Jennie Cooke Loomis. Through this prize, the faculty recognizes a student in the graduating class for outstanding contributions to the school community.  

The Batchelder Prize:  Sara Feged  

Established in 1916, this prize honors Gwendolen Sedgwick Batchelder and her husband, Nathaniel Horton Batchelder, who served as the school’s first headmaster from 1912 to 1949. Evelyn Longman Batchelder designed the medallion through which the faculty recognize a student within the graduating class for industry, loyalty, and integrity.  

Sellers Faculty Prizes:  Saul Lawrence, Christine Wu, Sydney Hallowell, Eli Krasnoff 

The Charles Edgar Sellers Prize is given by the faculty in loving memory of Charles Edgar Sellers, beloved teacher and coach, in recognition of personal achievement and service to the Loomis Chaffee community.