Graduating and Celebrating: the Class of 2024.

Andrew Allemann, Chair of the Board of Trustees, introduced the commencement speaker Aidan Moore. A 2016 WSA and International Baccalaureate Diploma graduate, Moore had words of advice for the graduates for the imminent start of their college career and for afterward. "Some of the toughest challenges you will face as an adult will be navigating interpersonal relationships and navigating institutions. College gives you great practice for both," he said.

Moore went on to give more college advice. "You will offend and be offended. You'll meet people from all walks of life, some of them will inspire you and others will seem incredibly ignorant. Learn how to work hard and relax, to challenge your assumptions, to grow, to apologize, and to find what makes you passionate. Take gender studies, art, music, and humanities classes for the fun of it. Learn about other people and recognize not everyone grew up with the same opportunities as you or has it as easy. Study abroad. You might never get summers off again, so make the most of your time; meet new people, try new things, and travel, because it only gets harder the older you get."

Following Moore's speech, each graduate took the stage following a personal introduction by the Head of School. Ms. Freeman read off a list of adjectives—words that captured their essence suggested by their teachers – then announced each graduate's name. One by one, the graduates stepped forward to give their own version of "The Last Word" speech, sharing heartfelt, sometimes humorous, reflections on their time at West Sound Academy. They thanked parents, teachers, friends, and everyone who had supported them along the way.