Annually, the Oliver community comes together to celebrate Scholars who are prepared to take up new challenges as they enter independent schools and college. The 2018 Recognition Ceremony was held at The Great Hall at Cooper Union, where we commended our rising ninth graders and college freshmen for their successful matriculation into schools throughout the country. We were especially excited to present our class of rising sixth graders, who are part of a pilot program to place students at prestigious independent middle schools in New York City.

The Recognition Ceremony is also a great opportunity for us to show appreciation to Oliver’s community partners for their ongoing support. This year, we honored Grace Church School (Partner of the Year), Mayela Wilson (Parent of the Year), Shirley Rumierk (Distinguished Alumni), and Neil Hirschfeld and Junior Board member Tawanda Scott Sambou (both for our Exemplary Service Award).

The audience of family, Alumni, and friends heard inspiring words from our keynote speaker, Alumna Marysol Castro ’92, who is the first woman PA announcer in the history of the New York Mets and the first Latinx to hold the role in Major League Baseball history. Class Speaker Helen Mercedes ’18 reminded her fellow Scholars of all that they have achieved as thus far, and of the opportunities that await them in the colleges and universities they will attend in the coming fall.

Many, many thanks to everyone who attended for making it an evening of community, connection, and celebration!

Watch an excerpt of Marysol Castro’s keynote address.