On Saturday, May 23, Holderness School celebrated its 147th Commencement Ceremony. Families, faculty, alumni, trustees, and friends gathered beneath the graduation tent to celebrate the Class of 2026.

The ceremony also marked an important milestone for the Holderness community as the Right Reverend A. Rob Hirschfeld participated in his final Holderness Commencement before retiring next year as Bishop of New Hampshire. Bishop Rob serves as President of the Board and steward of the school’s Episcopal identity. He opened with an invocation assisted by Head of School John McVeigh, reflecting on growth and community through a simple and seasonal image: a tomato cage with a young seedling.

A young plant needs roots, but it also needs support—structure that steadies it, guides it upward, and helps it become what it is capable of becoming. The analogy resonated throughout a ceremony celebrating the experiences and relationships that help adolescents grow into the best versions of themselves.

A Community Grounded in Character

Board Chair John Hayes P ’15 ’18 reflected on the world this graduating class is navigating. A generation shaped by a global pandemic at a young age, rapid technological change, and constant pressure to move faster and curate perfection. Yet amid that complexity, he reminded graduates that Holderness offers something increasingly rare: a community rooted in shared values. 

He challenged graduates to resist shortcuts and stay grounded in character, reminding them that life is ultimately measured not by titles or achievements, but by how we treat people and who we become.

2026 Class President Maeve Rhatigan reflected on Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” High school, she said, is a season of refinement—late nights before deadlines, awkward first attempts, difficult conversations, failures, and successes. Most importantly, she reminded her classmates that none of that growth happens alone.

“The people who shape us most often are the people who care enough to challenge us. The company that isn't afraid to tell you a hard truth, to hold us accountable, and to help us learn through our failures. The ones who call us higher and refuse to let us stay comfortable. Because iron doesn't sharpen without friction, and neither do we.”

School President-Elect Vijay Deveau ’27 offered another image that captured the collective strength of the Class of 2026: a drove of bulls. A drove moves together toward a common goal despite differences in personality, strengths, and direction. Some lead from the front. Others quietly anchor from behind. Yet progress happens because every member contributes.

Vijay celebrated the countless moments that defined this class—athletes cheering at concerts and plays, musicians supporting championship teams, students filling stands and auditoriums, and classmates celebrating one another’s successes regardless of where they happened. Like a drove, the Class of 2026 moved forward together, and while graduation may send them toward different paths, the bonds forged here will continue long into the future.

Honoring a Lifetime of Leadership and Service

Distinguished Alumni Award & Honorary Diploma

The morning also celebrated the unique leadership that has shaped Holderness over the decades. Longtime educator, coach, mentor, alumnus, and this year’s Commencement speaker, Duane Ford '74 P' '04, '05, '08, '12,  received the Distinguished Alumni Award following more than five decades at the school. Duane's influence reaches generations deep and lives in the culture of Holderness itself. The community also recognized his wife and Holderness alpine ski coach, Lori Ford, for her decades of service as an alpine ski coach and mentor to young athletes with an honorary diploma. Duane and Lori are retiring; however, we know they will still be a presence at Holderness.

True to form, Duane brought humor and heart to the ceremony, leading the crowd in spirited renditions of “It’s a Great Day to Be a Bull” and the familiar “H-O-L, D-E-R, N-E-S-S” cheer echoing across campus, but not before swapping his suit jacket for his original vintage Holderness sweatshirt. In another classic "Fordo" moment, he asked all attendees to pull out their phones and text him. He didn't know a Holderness student was going to call in to say hello. It was a nod to the beloved tradition, familiar to Holderness families from opening Chapel each fall, where Duane Ford instructs new parents to “Put my number in your phone and call anytime.” It was Fordo in its purest form: welcoming, steady, deeply invested, and always showing up for this community.

Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Theuner Award

Faculty members Bruce Paro P '17 and Pam Mulcahy P '17 were awarded the Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Theuner Award for advancing Holderness’ mission through decades of service to students and school life. Together, representing more than 90 years in education, Bruce and Pam have shaped Holderness across classrooms, dorms, athletic teams, advising relationships, and community life. An English teacher and coach, Bruce was recognized for his steady presence, commitment to students, and the quiet consistency that defines exceptional teaching. 

Pam’s impact as a math teacher, dorm parent, associate director of college counseling, and leader of community service has inspired students toward meaningful engagement and service beyond themselves. Under her leadership, Holderness students contributed nearly 10,000 hours of service this year alone. Together, they exemplify the care, humility, and commitment that define the Holderness experience. Bruce and Pam are retiring, and we wish them well-deserved relaxation and rest. 

Rev. B.W. “Pete” Woodward Jr. Prize

Tommy Raymond ’23 was presented with the Rev. B.W. “Pete” Woodward Jr. Prize, awarded annually to a Holderness graduate in their junior year of college who demonstrates exceptional leadership, scholarship, and service. Now studying international relations at Boston University while pursuing a commission as an Army officer through ROTC, Tommy has distinguished himself through academic achievement, military leadership, athletic commitment, and service to others. An Out Back leader, Dean’s List student, and founder of his own strength coaching business, Tommy embodies the resilience, curiosity, and leadership that the award was created to recognize.

Carrying the Lessons Over

As diplomas were presented and seniors crossed over the Holderness crest toward their next chapter, the lessons of the morning felt unmistakably clear. Growth happens through challenge. Character is built in community. We become stronger because of the people around us. The Class of 2026 leaves Holderness carrying those lessons forward—ready to contribute, ready to lead, and ready to become the people the world needs most.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. You are now, and forever, Holderness alumni.