Sewickley Academy senior Swetha Menon was sitting on stage inside the Rea Auditorium for graduation when she heard her name called earlier than expected, during a special recognition segment of the ceremony. The academy has a tradition of surprising a select few with awards in addition to their diplomas.
Swetha was given the Cavalier Cup, which is awarded to a senior who has achieved a record of combined excellence in scholarship, sportsmanship and citizenship, bringing credit to the academy and distinguishing themselves as the best all-around graduate.
The award is named in honor of James E. Cavalier, who served as Head of Senior School from 1963-89.
Awards were presented by Head of School Ashley Birtwell with the assistance of Andrew Gilhooly, Head of Senior School and Assistant Head of School.
“It was definitely a surprise,” Swetha said. “I wasn’t expecting them to say my name or any of the activities.”
Her activities include being a member of Cum Laude Society, senior school student government secretary and tech theater, orchestra and jazz band member, and a violinist with the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra.
Swetha said she could not have gone through school and done so much on her own.
“It’s a privilege. There are so many people I’d like to thank for supporting me throughout high school. My teacher, my parents, all my family (and) my friends,” she said. “I’d like to thank Dr. Birtwell for giving me this award as well.”
She said one of her favorite experiences was her entire third grade. Swetha discovered a love of reading and making friends during that time.
Other awardees
Birtwell reviewed a list of awardees’ accomplishments before the presentation.
Emma DiDomenico received The Faculty Award, which is given to the graduate who has consistently displayed, with a cheerful and mature attitude, unselfish service to the entire school community and a sincere concern for others.
The Academy Award is given by the board of trustees to a senior who displays the distinguished qualities of moral goodness, perseverance and dedication to the academy and who, above all, is sincere in his or her academic pursuits.
Elijah John-Merhl Koziar received the award.
Emma Ehan received the Head of School Award, given to a senior whose service and accomplishments in academic, athletic and/or extracurricular activities have made a significant contribution to the life of the school and who best exemplifies the ideals and spirit of Sewickley Academy.
“I think the academy gives a lot of great opportunities, and this is definitely a hallmark of them,” Swetha said. “The awards that we get really do mean a lot to the students. Recognizing the students’ work in any way they can is so important. The school is really seeing us.”
Family moments
Several students were able to accept their diplomas from their parents who work at the academy.
Global Studies program coordinator Nataliya DiDomenico presented a diploma to her daughter, Emma.
Computer science teacher Lei Guo presented a diploma to her son, Marcus Zhan.
History teacher Jessica Peluso presented her son, Luca, his diploma.
“I’ve been here for 14 years and all 14 years have been great,” Luca said after the ceremony. “I’ve learned a lot and grown as a person. She’s obviously been here the whole time. She’s been my main supporter and it’s great that she’s the one that gave me the diploma.”
Peluso taught him in World History and AP History. She said Luca was a good student and she did not go easy on him.
Peluso said she was grateful the academy allows faculty to share the stage with their children.
“I think that the time that I’ve spent here as a faculty member, I feel affectionate toward all of the graduating class,” she said. “When he was a student in my class, he was treated as everybody else. To have a special actual parental moment at the end and be the one to give him his diploma is pretty special.”
Guest speakers
Gilhooly, in his welcoming remarks, said he did not need a decade to know the class of 2026 was special. He was hired by the academy last year.
Senior School president Nicholas Day said he learned a lot of British terminology and other lessons from Gilhooly.
The student speaker also thanked other faculty and educators for their guidance, and had a message for his peers to remain authentic.
“It’s been a blast growing up with you all and I hope we keep the part of ourselves that has made this class so special,” Nicholas said. “Both our ability to shine individually, but also as a collective. Continue to be yourself — do not care what other people think and do it anyway.”
Graduate Justin Prunzik said one of his favorite memories is winning a WPIAL track championship. He found Day’s speech inspiring.
“His ability to public speak is just top tier, especially at his age,” Prunzik said. “I’ve never seen someone quite like him. He can just go up there with confidence and speak away. He’s just straightforward with it and I think he did a good job today.”
Jerilyn Scott was described as an “academy lifer.” A 1986 graduate, Scott has served Sewickley Academy for 25 years and retired this year as Head of Lower School. Her mother and father also worked at the academy.
Scott talked about her life’s journey, the impact of a TED Talk and how it would be crazy for her younger self to hear about how she would return to her alma mater.
“You have a story in your head about who you are, but if you hold too tightly to that single story of who you are, that is a danger,” Scott said. “It puts blinders on you and it holds you back from growing.”
Scott encouraged students to keep a growth mindset and be a GPS, not be afraid to recalculate on the road of life.
Birtwell said she was proud of the students and how they were prepared for their next steps in life.
She also stressed the importance of being adaptable in a fast-paced world.
“The goal of a Sewickley Academy education, after all, has never been simply about how to master one subject, or select one profession or to pursue one predictable path,” Birtwell said. “It has been to prepare you to think, to grow, to lead and to continue learning long after you leave our campus for a world that will always be changing around you.”
The Senior String Orchestra played “Pomp and Circumstance” as students and district officials made their way through the auditorium. There were no caps or gowns.
The young men wore a dark-colored sports coat, white shirt, some shade of charcoal pants and a red tie. The young women wore white or light-colored dresses. It has been the traditional dress code of commencement for many years.
Class of 2026
• Eshal Airah Ahmad
• Edward George Aufman
• Isabella Anne Ballard
• Caiden James Battles
• Samaira Bhat
• Olivia Rose Busatto
• Jack David Carlson
• Lucas da Silva Ceccarelli
• Annabelle Elizabeth Christ
• Chase Alexander D’Antonio
• Nicholas Alexander Day
• Milagros Maria de Jong
• Emma Marie Di Domenico
• Makenzie A. Dice
• Marin Catherine Edmunds
• Emma Yaxuan Ehan
• Niko Dominic Frazzini
• Sanaa Ali Grant
• Lucas A. Grimsley
• Benjamin Maxwell Holsopple
• Vanshika Jeevan
• Caroline Morgan Kain
• Genevieve Elizabeth Kain
• Arjun Justice Kapur
• Alexander Ajay Kaul
• Elijah John-Merhl Koziar
• Jakob Long
• Iman Mahmood
• Swetha Anand Menon
• Herlynn Edugie Niepa
• Luke Roman Palguta
• Arjuna Dev Pandey
• Luca Wright Peluso
• William Pietragallo IV
• Justin Daniel Prunzik
• Ahran Gurdev Singh Purewal
• Amaré Thomas Spencer
• Anna Maria Vasiliev
• Nathan Andrew Victor
• Raneem Wahdan
• Milan Elea Warfield-Payne
• Grace Kinniry Webb
• Maren McKaig Webb
• Finn Miller Wentz
• Blake Andrew Wilmot
• Marcus G. Zhan
• Phillip Zhao