Linden Hall commencement exercises were held on Friday, May 25 on the Lititz campus square at the Moravian Church. Featured graduation speaker was Shaaron Lavery, a 34-year veteran of Linden Hall who is retiring this year. Mrs. Lavery commented that over the course of her years at the school, while many, many things have changed, one thing remains constant — the eagerness and willingness of Linden Hall students to learn.

Diplomas were handed out to the 38 outstanding members of the senior class of 2012. Graduates were accepted to leading colleges and universities throughout the United States such as Vanderbilt, University of Virginia, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Williams, Pamona, and more.

This year Linden Hall presented academic and other school awards to the several exemplary students for their academic achievements and school character. Awards were presented at Baccalaureate services on May 24, and at Commencement on May 25. Linden Hall celebrates the achievements of the class of 2012 and congratulates them as they continue on in their academic pursuits and become the leaders of their generation.

Valedictorian was Ariel Silbert, Lancaster, and Salutatorian was Carrie Purcell, Boiling Springs.

In her acceptance speech, Ariel cited her parent’s encouragement as a driving force for her success.

"As a child, I never once was told that I could not do something because ‘girls don’t do that,’" Ariel said, "and it was never implied that ‘girls do this, and boys do that, so you can’t do that.’ What I learned from my upbringing is that I can do anything."

The following awards were presented at Baccalaureate and at Commencement:

Linden Hall 2012 Senior Awards

American Literature: Eunice Kim

AP Physics: Blair Liang

AP Economics: Ariel Silbert

AP Biology: Savannah Thorpe

Honors Biology: Sindy Zeng

Biology: Yvonne Zhu

AP US History: Emma Callahan

Special Merit Awards

Linden Hall Medal — for representing the qualities of our 4 C’s program: character, curriculum, culture and conditioning: Emma Callahan

Character, Conduct, and Achievement Class of 1925 Prize — for outstanding character, conduct, and achievement: Ariel Silbert

Spirit of Linden Hall Award — for representing the "Spirit of Linden Hall": Angela Thomas and Sindy Zeng

Mimi Haubner Activities Award — for demonstrating the ideals of good sportsmanship, both on the athletic field and in general relationships with others: Sindy Zeng

Senior Athlete Award: Angela Thomas

English Award: Carrie Purcell

Publication Award — for best work on student publications: Anna Workman

Mathematics Award: Ariel Silbert

Social Studies Award: Carrie Purcell

Annelise Vidal Photography Award — for demonstrating a talent and passion for the art of photography: Eunice Kim

Science Award: Ariel Silbert

PIAA District III Sportsmanship Award: Sue Park

Gold Four Award — For more than a century, recognition has been given to those girls in the upper school at Linden Hall who have earned the Linden Hall honor award, known as Gold Four. Election to this group is confined to those girls who, by reason of their school citizenship, have been considered worthy of special honors. These girls have shown through their social, personal, civic, and co-curricular contributions to Linden Hall that they deserve the Gold Four Award. The first year award winners receive the Gold Four pin. After the first year, the recipients will receive a gold 4 to attach to their pin.

Emma Callahan (4)

Eunice Kim (4)

Anna Luo

Sue Park

Carrie Purcell (3)

Ariel Silbert (3)

Angela Thomas (3)

Savannah Thorpe (4)

Anna Workman

Sindy Zeng

Election to May Court — Being chosen for May Court means that you are being recognized for making outstanding contributions to life at Linden Hall. Seniors elected to May Court: Emma Callahan, Carrie Purcell and Angela Thomas

In her Salutatorian acceptance speech, Carrie Purcell summed up what nearly every member of the class of 2012 must have been feeling: "In the words of the Beatles, in our senior song, ‘In My Life,’ There are places I’ll remember all my life, though some have changed. Linden Hall is one of those places. Our high school experience has been unforgettable, and I would like to thank everyone who helped make it that way." More LH GRADUATION, page A6