Class of 2026 Speakers Take Center Stage

Each spring, in celebration of their exceptional character and contributions to the community, a few members of the Lawrenceville community are recognized as the Valedictorian, Aurelian, and Faculty Speakers. Gloria Yu ’26, Bridget Holden ’26, and history teacher John Giannikas, respectively, have been recognized to represent this year’s graduating class.

The Valedictorian is chosen from a group of Fifth Formers demonstrating both academic excellence and active community participation. Preparing for her Valedictorian speech, Yu said that she has spent much of her high school experience thinking about the purpose of education.

“Our ability to think rationally and develop empathy for one another is one of the defining characteristics that make us human,” she explained.

Yu hopes to highlight the why in learning and “what…we can take away from a Lawrenceville education.” While her speech is “very much still in the works,” Yu stated that her experiences at Lawrenceville did the bulk of inspiring her speech. She encourages Lawrentians to “always open [themselves] to new possibilities and explore all that the School has to offer.”

Her experience as a prefect in Carter House, where she “[talked] to younger students, learning with and from them,” has been a “super rewarding experience.” For Yu, the faculty has contributed greatly to her growth at Lawrenceville. “I want to thank them for often going out of their way to make time for us and [offering] us the best educational experience possible,” she remarked. Her peers also played a significant role in shaping her experience in this community. Yu stated how “it is really the people that make the Class of 2026 remarkable”—specifically, she pointed to her peers’ ability to find what they love and use their passion to give back to their community. Yu described how impressive it is “to achieve one’s own legacy and accomplish something extraordinary.” Yu concluded, “Ultimately, the Class of 2026 also cares tremendously for one another, and I think it is the love we hold that shapes our impact on the Lawrenceville community.”

The Class of 2026 voted Holden as its Aurelian Speaker, selected in recognition for her sterling character, high scholarship, and leadership. Holden shared that she wants to bring a “perspective that’s a little in-between it all…because [her class is] still close enough to it that nothing is sentimental yet, but [they are] also aware that one day, it will be.” Holden plans to highlight shared feelings among the Fifth Form that arise from being “so close to being an alum, but not there yet.” Holden feels that an important message to communicate right now is how “going to Lawrenceville comes with a lot of struggle,” and she wants to ensure that this struggle is not hidden on her way out. At the same time, she hopes to highlight how it is in those moments of challenge that her peers lend their hands. “It was [those] 2 a.m. FaceTime calls, the friends who encouraged me to pull myself back together, or helped me settle down when I acted irrationally,” she recalled. This perspective, she hopes, will resonate with her peers. “I don’t think I [would] trade the hard parts; they are the reason the good ones mean so much,” she said.

The Class of 2026 recognized Giannikas, a member of the History Department, as this year’s Faculty Speaker, an honor awarded to a teacher who has transformed the class’ Lawrenceville experience. At first, Giannikas “didn’t quite understand what an honor it was” until fellow members of the History Department Jennifer Parnell and Michael Friedman, along with Dean of Students Blake Eldridge ’96, explained the honor to him. Giannikas shared that his remarks will highlight “a theme of transition” centered around “remembering where you [have] come from and who you’ve become because of that.” He urged the Class of 2026, and all Lawrentians, to “be who you are, be comfortable in your own skin, and understand that [the] skin you shed every couple years [is] at your core [and part of] who you are.” Giannikas wants Lawrentians to be proud of themselves in the same way he is proud of his role on campus. 

Beyond preparing for their addresses, the three speakers reflected on their gratitude for receiving the honor to represent the Class of 2026. They communicate the great responsibility that comes along with their newfound roles. Yu stated that “graduation will be a testimony to the smiles, tears, and moments of growth that shaped the Lawrenceville experience,” and all three speakers will have the chance to commemorate that. Holden emphasized that these reflections will provide “a little bit of closure” before the class separates. Hopefully, she added, the room will “feel like our own, just for a few minutes.”

For more information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.