Celebrating the Class of 2026

On Wednesday, May 20, the Holton-Arms community—students, families, faculty, staff, and friends—gathered together to celebrate the Class of 2026 and honor the remarkable young women they have become. Filled with joy, reflection, and long-held traditions, Commencement marked both the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of exciting new journeys ahead. In the beautiful surroundings of the Anne Davis Camalier Amphitheater, graduates came together for the last time as a class to celebrate the friendships, growth, and experiences that shaped their time at Holton.

Wisdom From an Alumna Leader
Entrepreneur and alumna Kass Savarese Lazerow ’89 returned to campus as this year’s Commencement speaker, reflecting on the experiences and values that shaped her during her years as a Holton girl. Her remarks encouraged graduates to embrace curiosity, resilience, and the courage to define success on their own terms.

“Coming back to stand here today feels like coming home. Not to who I was, but to the place that helped me become who I am. It took me time to realize that life isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking yourself better questions. The truth is, to be successful, you don’t have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren’t—consistent, determined, and willing to work for it.”

The Class President’s Farewell
Senior Class President Elizabeth Adeleye delivered a heartfelt address celebrating the growth, strength, and connection shared by the Class of 2026. Her words reflected both gratitude for the Holton experience and excitement for the paths that now lie ahead.

“Holton has taught us more than what is written in our textbooks. It taught us how to think critically, how to speak with confidence, how to support one another, and how to persevere when things became difficult. It taught us how to balance ambition with compassion. And most importantly, it taught us that our voices matter.”

Leadership Rooted in Community and Purpose
Head of School Penny B. Evins reflected on how Holton becomes more than a place of learning, more than a school. The relationships and experiences students build at Holton become an enduring part of who they are and a lasting sense of belonging. 

“Somewhere along the way, classrooms became communities. Teammates became lifelong friends. Teachers became trusted guides. Hallways that once felt unfamiliar became places filled with memory, laughter, challenge, disappointment, triumph, and belonging.

Without fully realizing it, Holton stopped being simply a school you attended and became a part of who you are.”

Honoring Tradition
After receiving her diploma, each graduate signed the Book of Graduates, a Holton tradition since 1933. With that signature, they joined a treasured sisterhood lighting the way forward, equipped, connected, and ready for what’s next.

A celebration of senior activities can be found on the Class of 2026 page. Additional photos are available on Vidigami, along with professional photos available from Freed Photography. For any photography-related questions, please contact support@freedphoto.com. For any Vidigami-related questions, please contact news@holton-arms.edu.