Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School hosted its 120th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21, celebrating one of the School’s largest and most accomplished graduating classes.
Rabun Gap graduated 100 students at the outdoor ceremony surrounded by statues of school founders Andrew Jackson and Addie Corn Ritchie. Members of the Class of 2023 represent 18 countries and nine U.S. states.
School officials report the Class of 2023 earned impressive college acceptances – over 50% will attend a college or university ranked in the U.S. News and World Report’s Top 50 list. Among the institutions where they are headed include Tufts University, Georgia Tech, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Notre Dame, and the University of Georgia. Twenty-one graduates will play collegiate athletics, with 14 at the Division 1 level.
“We are so proud of the Class of 2023,” said Head of School Jeff Miles. “In recent years, elite universities have become even more selective, with most of these top schools securing an acceptance rate between 3% and 10%. Yet, more than half of our class gained entrance to these schools and many more. They will certainly lead the way in college this fall.”
During Sunday’s ceremony, Miles acknowledged the incredible mark the Class of 2023 made on Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Their groundbreaking accomplishments included helping implement Rabun Gap’s applied learning curriculum, winning back-to-back state championships in boys’ soccer and girls’ basketball, and capturing one of the top Shuler arts awards for spectacular high school musical performance. Miles also commended the class for its character – noting the students’ adaptability, charisma, and ability to look out for one another.
The Rev. Dr. Jeffry Reynolds, the former Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School chaplain, delivered the baccalaureate address during Sunday’s commencement ceremony.
Sharra Rolle, a three-year boarding student from Dominica was the student speaker.
Dominic Vogelbacher of Rabun Gap was named valedictorian with the highest GPA in the class. Cheney Moriarty of Hong Kong and Bénit Namahoro Jabo of Charlotte, North Carolina, received The Crystal Eagle Award. This is the highest award given to Rabun Gap seniors. It honors outstanding service in campus and community life.
Senior class president Mike Lengi of Canada delivered the Prayers of the Class of 2023 and was thanked for his exceptional leadership.
