Island Center was filled to the brink with family, faculty and well wishers as the Class of 2008 became the thirty-third class to graduate from CDS on June 8.

The Commencement Address was given jointly by Amelia Headley-Lamont and Bruce Marshack and was introduced by Class President Terresha Brown. Ms. Headley-Lamont and Mr. Marshack are the parents of Country Day students and are two of St. Croix’s most respected citizens. As lawyers, they have taken on many causes, sat on many boards and through their commencement speeches beseeched each graduate to follow in their footsteps and to become passionate about fighting injustice.

The Valedictory Address was given by the student who graduated with a 3.96 grade point average and who will be attending the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. She spoke of journeys, of not only going to college to learn, but taking that important journey of self discovery. She reminded her classmates that though she has no doubt that success is in each one’s future, it is important to remember “that

The Class Salutatorian, graduated with a 3.91 grade point average and in a special presentation was welcomed to the Coast Guard Academy by Neil Marcelino, a CDS parent and member of the United States Coast Guard. In her speech, she spoke of how her class took on a leadership role as Seniors at CDS, of how how they grew from “incessantly chanting oh-Eight” to realizing

She also spoke of her pride in the CDS family who mobilized so quickly when a fellow student was diagnosed with leukemia. “When faced with adversity, we showed our collective strength. That’s the kind of thing that makes participating in a community meaningful...I’m proud that I can honestly call everyone here my family.”