Meet the Class of 2026

The graduating class of 89 Emma Willard seniors braved the chilly temps, gusting wind, and no small amount of precipitation last weekend to uphold the tradition of outdoor Commencement exercises on Mount Ida. This resilient group is comprised of graduates from 12 US states and 12 countries around the globe and shares deep bonds within the Emma community, as nine share legacy alumnae connections and four are children of current employees.

Stacy Chen was the senior class president (and recipient of the Clementine Miller Tangeman Award) and shared these reflections about her classmates: “The Class of 2026 is filled with people who possess inspiring amounts of resilience, empathy, enthusiasm, and drive. If there’s anything they have taught me, it’s that every individual can change so many lives. I know each of my classmates will bring this power to the places they are off to next, and stay connected by the shared spirit of empowering others through being themselves. Thank you all for the most unforgettable 4 years!”

Rachel Greenberg, the student council representative from the graduating class, shared her reflections on the importance of maintaining connections with each other in the years to come: “We have done it! There is so much behind you now and so much ahead of you, and know that you will always have 89 friends cheering for you vivaciously and infinitely in your new steps of life. Call them, text them, and share with all of us all the incredible work you are continuing to do, and know that we are all proud and never surprised by your greatness. I love you all.”

 

Making Moves

As they embark on their next journey, the Class of 2026 will continue to represent Emma Willard in their future studies at more than 60 different colleges. Director of College Counseling Dr. Ashley Bennett and the College Counseling Department have continued to improve the college search experience for Emma graduates by focusing on fit over status. This year’s graduates will matriculate to many different kinds of higher educational institutions, including state schools, Ivy Leagues, the “Seven Sisters” (historically women’s colleges), university systems, and members of the “Colleges that Change Lives Consortium.” 

“The College Counseling team is proud of the class's commitment to finding the right college match, rather than prioritizing rank and perceived prestige,” shares Dr. Bennett. “The Class of 2026 was active in our office, and many worked as College Counseling student workers, assisting with boosting morale, engaging their peers, and hosting college representatives when they visited campus.”

To hear more from a few members of the class about their college search experience at Emma Willard, watch this Senior Stories video. You will find the Class of 2026 on these campuses next year:

 

A Fond Farewell

With the halls and walls of campus now standing quiet for the summer, we will remember the boisterous energy, distinctive personalities, and infectious laughter of the graduating seniors as they celebrated their final days on Mount Ida. Class Dean Abbey Massoud-Tastor had these final reflections in the send-off to seniors:

“The best parts of the Class of 2026 are their individual personalities and how they have never bent to pressure to be a certain way. They will always be known as the class that recognized their sophomore class dean by putting his face on their class merch, as the class that added Mother Christmas to Revels, and the class that participated in the first annual freshman-senior bonding event that created lasting relationships because of their empathy, kindness, and true leadership.”

Our congratulations, Class of 2026, and welcome as alumnae of Emma Willard School!