Pomfret School’s annual Convocation celebrated academic achievement and offered a moment to pause, reflect, and hear the voices of those who have grown within its community.

During the event, the School handed out more than forty academic awards acknowledging last year's top performing students. Among them were Olivia Bissell ’28 and Yichen “Tony” Li ’28, recipients of the Third Form Excellence Award, and Varisaruta “Mirin” Supokawate ’27 and Yige Yuan ’27, who received the Fourth Form Excellence Award. Top students in the Class of 2026 became the newest members of the Pomfret School Chapter of the Cum Laude Society. Georgia Chen, Sean Farrell, Edward King’oo, Kelly Jimin Park, Jialu “Charlotte” Wu, and Sophia Zhang were among those inducted.

Five seniors were honored with University-Sponsored Book Awards. 

• The Trinity Club of Hartford Book Award: Haolin “Lucas” Lu 
• The Smith College Book Award: Kalkidan Birhanu 
• The Brown University Book Award: Edward King’oo 
• The Harvard-Radcliffe Book Prize: Kelly Jimin Park 
• The Rensselaer Medal: Jialu “Charlotte” Wu 

Three student speakers offered reflections. Gabriela “Gabbie” Brown ’26 shared her journey from “Chatty Gabbie” to discovering strength in discipline and academic challenge. Haolin “Lucas” Lu ’26 urged persistence and empathy, reminding peers to “ask thoughtful, genuine questions, and listen carefully.” Kalkidan Birhanu ’26 spoke candidly about overcoming imposter syndrome, encouraging classmates to embrace every opportunity offered. “Every single day here holds the power to shift your life in ways both small and big. Every conversation with a teacher, every late night finishing an assignment, every debate that forces you to think differently.”

Convocation also honored the faculty whose mentorship fuels student journeys. Three faculty members were newly appointed to endowed positions: Jean Paul “JP” Jacquet as the Scripps Chair for the Arts, Brian Rice as the W.P. Carey ’48 Chair in Mathematics, and Annie O’Sullivan as the Benjamin B. Morgan ’53 Chair in Science.. They join previously honored Henry F. "Nick" Harris 1947 Endowed Chair in Literature and English Teacher Katie Forrestal, Thomas C. Eastman ’04 Chair of English Literature and English Department Head Todd Matthew, and Bernard Lee Schwartz Chair for the Dean of Students Charlotte McMahon. 

Head of School Heather Willis Daly closed the ceremony with a reminder that Convocation looks not only backward but forward: “A new school year offers each of us a blank page to reflect, to grow, and to take bold steps toward the people we aspire to become. I encourage every student here to seize the remarkable opportunities available to you through our outstanding faculty, rich academic and co-curricular programs, and exceptional learning environment.” A poignant reminder that convocation celebrates achievement and sets the tone for the year ahead — one of courage, curiosity, and possibility.

See more photos from the event
 

See More Stories