Ms. MacCarthy gives and gets
a meaningful hand clasp.
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| HEADLINES |
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NTENTS
May 31st was the 58th commencement of The Lexington School. Over the years, hundreds
of students had shared in this collective moment. In white dresses and school ties, excited and
nervous all at the same time, students gathered for the traditional last picture as a TLS student
prior to taking the stage. Some students in the Class of 2019 had been in the halls of The
Lexington School since they were toddlers; some students just arrived in eighth grade, yet all were
the same, as they awkwardly pinned on the corsage or positioned the roses they were to carry.
With a quick glance, the commencement of 2019 may have looked similar to the last 23 I
have been part of at TLS; however, I knew this one was different for two reasons. George, our
youngest child, was in this class and would be leaving TLS, and I was about to become the new
Head of School.
George has spent his entire life at TLS, which has given me unique access to this class. I have
known some of these children since diapers, and I have watched the group grow, mature, and
become the impressive young men and women they are today. Returning from the Southwest Trip
just days before, we were able to share those last moments at TLS together. I was proud of who
the Class of 2019 was, both as people and as a class.
On that cloudy commencement morning, I led the procession, and from my seat turned and
watched each student walk onto stage. I had that familiar feeling I had experienced during each
graduation, a sadness that it was coming to an end and the kids would be somewhere else next
year. One of the magical parts of a K-8 school is the privilege of literally watching children unfold
in front of you. For those of us fortunate enough to work in this space, we see childhood up close
and personal – the ups and downs, the growth and challenges, the joys and the shining moments.
As I looked over at George and his classmates, it hit me. This day ended a long run of our
family having a child lucky enough to be nurtured by The Lexington School. My husband,
Reid Freeman ’74, and his siblings went to TLS. All of our nephews did as well. For 51 years,
TLS has nurtured children from our extended family. As the ceremony ended and that span came
to an end, I felt nostalgic and happy all at once.
I am the lucky one. I get to stay, and I couldn’t be more excited.
Una MacCarthy
Head of School
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