Class of 2026

Celebrating the Class of 2026

For 125 years, Holton-Arms has educated girls to find a way or make one, and prepared them to not only step into the future, and to shape it. The Class of 2026 is a powerful reflection of what a Holton education makes possible.

Senior Spirit Day

One of Holton’s most beloved traditions, Senior Day brought energy, laughter, and plenty of fun to campus. Seniors led the Upper School down a giant slip-and-slide.  You have to see it to believe it! 

Following this wet, wild, and wonderful adventure, the heart of the Holton community was on full display as the entire Upper School gathered to serenade the seniors. Faculty kicked off the tradition with original lyrics followed by songs from the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades.

As the ceremonial singing begins, so do the tears, as seniors and their younger buddies, teammates, and friends reflect on the bonds that connect generations of Holton girls. Seniors reflect on how much they will miss Holton, their friends, their teachers and the Holton community, while younger students realize that many of their Holton sisters are moving on. It is joyful, emotional, and deeply rooted in the bonds that make this community so special.

It is a tradition that is difficult to describe and unforgettable to experience. Take a look at the short video to get a glimpse of this extraordinary day.

Senior Skirt Day

The Class of 2026 celebrated Senior Skirt Day by transforming their iconic plaid skirts into tributes to their future colleges and universities. Dressed in college sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats, and other school gear, seniors proudly shared their plans for the fall while marking an exciting milestone on the path to graduation.

Senior Projects

For two weeks, the Class of 2026 stepped beyond the classroom to pursue self-directed projects rooted in curiosity, creativity, research, and personal passion. Students took on projects that connected them with the world beyond Holton. They shadowed Holton alumnae in veterinary and medical practices, volunteered at a school in Guatemala and with local community organizations throughout the DMV, interned with America250, and worked on the set of the forthcoming film The 99’ers. Others taught themselves new skills, from expressing their creativity through sewing and fashion to learning how to cook cherished family recipes. Others experienced culture in the DMV’s backyard, and were tourists in their own hometowns.

The Senior Project poster display offered parents and caregivers a glimpse into the meaningful learning, and deep engagement that shaped each project along the way.

Awards Ceremonies

Throughout Commencement season, Athletics, Arts, and Upper School Awards ceremonies celebrated the many talents and accomplishments of the Class of 2026. From academic achievement and artistic excellence to athletic leadership and service, these events honored the extraordinary contributions our seniors have made to the Holton community.

Fine & Performing Arts Awards

Athletics Awards

Upper School Awards Ceremony

Baccalaureate Ceremony

Holton’s Baccalaureate celebrates each student not simply for what she has accomplished, but for who she has become. 

In front of families, friends, and faculty, each senior stands beside a faculty member who offers a personal reflection on her journey — honoring her character, growth, contributions, and the unique impact she has made on the community. It is a moving reminder of the deep relationships at the heart of a Holton education. And as paragraphs are read, we begin to realize that these young women are not only ready for what comes next, but for a life of meaning, contribution, and leadership.

Closing Ceremony

Gathering in the Anne Davis Camalier Amphitheater for the final time this year as one school community, Holton students, faculty, and staff marked the approaching close of the 2025-26 school year. The ceremony brought all divisions together to celebrate a year of achievement, recognize valued community members, and hear words of inspiration from students across the School.

Fittingly held in the same setting where the school year began, the ceremony reflected on the enduring bonds of the Holton community while looking ahead to the transitions and opportunities to come. From the presentation of sixth and eighth graders to the divisions they will join in the fall to the anticipation of Commencement for the Class of 2026, the morning honored both endings and beginnings.

Class of 2026 Commencement

Commencement is a joyful and deeply meaningful celebration. Dressed in white, seniors arrive ready to follow in the footsteps of generations of Holton alumnae and celebrate this milestone side by side with their classmates. After receiving their peach roses and gathering for the traditional class photo, the seniors begin the walk across the bridge to the Anne Davis Camalier Amphitheater.

This year's Commencement speaker, Kass Savarese Lazerow '89, reflected on the lasting impact of her Holton experience, sharing: “Holton didn’t just educate my mind. It strengthened my spirit. It gave me permission to lead, to question, to take risks, and to get back up when I fell short. Coming back to stand here today feels like coming home.”

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.”

Head of School Penny B. Evins reflects 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.”

Commencement photos are now available on Vidigami.