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On Friday, June 6, North Shore Country Day honored the Class of 2025 with a commencement celebration steeped in reflection, pride and optimism for the future. Families, faculty, trustees and friends gathered in the auditorium to mark this milestone moment and send off the graduates with gratitude for their time at North Shore — and anticipation for the path ahead.

PHOTO GALLERY: COMMENCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Senior class speaker Josh Sanders ’25 opened the ceremony with a heartfelt and deeply personal reflection on growth, authenticity and community. “North Shore has given us the space and support to grow beyond what we thought was possible for ourselves,” he said. “We all are leaders — motivated and prepared. All we need to do is just keep being who we are and we will make it far in life.”

Josh spoke about his class’s resilience in the face of uncertainty — from entering high school in the shadow of the pandemic to navigating one of the most competitive college admissions seasons in history. He shared stories of joy and unexpected detours, like a rain-soaked Cubs outing that turned into a cherished memory thanks to a classmate’s hospitality. “That Cubs day reminded us how resilient we are as a class and how willing we are to show up for one another,” he said.

Upper school English teacher Kathy McHugh, the faculty speaker selected by the class, reflected on the power of hope, imagination and community. “Take your marvelous imagination combined with your can-do spirit and believe in audacious hope,” she urged, drawing inspiration from poets Emily Dickinson and Seamus Heaney, and cultural figures like Ted Lasso. Kathy’s remarks highlighted the many ways the Class of 2025 embodied hope throughout their time on campus — whether through student leadership, artistic expression, service work or quiet acts of kindness.

Head of School Tom Flemma spoke about the value of wisdom in an age of information overload, and concluded the ceremony by encouraging the graduates to move beyond simply acquiring knowledge and to strive to develop wisdom. “Wisdom is built on knowledge but is more defined by experience and skill — the ability to discern, consider and cut through noise to chart a course of action with creativity and integrity,” he said.

North Shore’s motto, “Live and Serve,” echoed throughout the ceremony — not only in the words shared, but in the community gathered to celebrate the class’s accomplishments. As the lifers rang the school bell and the graduates sang the school song one final time, they stepped forward not only as scholars, but as thoughtful, empathetic leaders prepared to make an impact in the world.

To see more photos, visit the Upper School Commencement page on Vidigami.