From Moliere to Cap Toss – Commencement Weekend in Pictures (updated)

From Friday night’s performance of Moliere to Sunday’s graduation of the largest Greenhills class ever, Commencement Weekend ’12 was a noteworthy one.
The weekend festivities kicked off with a theater concert conceived by vocal arts teacher Ben Cohen and dedicated to retiring French teachers Marti Larson and Mijo Pappas (who have 65 years of combined service at GH).

“When I heard Mijo and Marti were retiring and knowing how much theater and the arts mean to them, I decided to organize an evening of French theater and musical numbers in their honor,” says Cohen.  With French playwright Moliere in mind, Cohen recruited 22 alumni, faculty members and friends to act out scenes from Moliere’s play The Doctor in Spite of Himself and sing selected French songs between acts.

Honorees Larson and Pappas thought the evening was, well, tres magnifique. “The evening was so absolutely French and beautifully planned,” said Pappas.  “I will cherish that evening all my life.”

Saturday was dedicated to Greenhills alums, specifically reunions for the Classes of 2002, 1992, 1987, 1982, 1977 and — marking 40 years since Greenhills’ first graduation — the Class of 1972. Alums from in- and out-of-state gathered at the school at noon for a family picnic, then enjoyed an evening reception at Zingerman’s Roadhouse. Special guests at these events included former head of school Dave McDowell, former assistant to the head Amy Korzuck, former head of the middle school John Tucker, along with former business manager Bill Reish, and former English teacher Harlan Underhill. When asked why he returned to Greenhills for his 40th reunion, Bruce Gebhardt ’72 said, “I will always remember my time at Greenhills fondly. I feel that remaining in contact with the school and celebrating what it stands for is an important way for me, and other alums, to give back.”

Under sunny (and windy) skies, the weekend culminated on Sunday with the Class of 2012 graduating the largest class in Greenhills’ history–90 seniors. Highlights of the ceremony included speeches by 2012 class president Chris Owyang, retiring French teacher Mijo Pappas and outgoing head of school Peter Fayroian.

“The end of the Greenhills School mission statement is a lofty and worthy goal,” Fayroian told the class. “…to be responsible citizens who respect all individuals and their differences, and whose lives will better the world. No matter the nature of your future endeavors, regardless of the careers you choose…if you enter them with the generosity of spirit with which you’re leaving us today, you’ll indeed better the world.

“…But before I leave this podium, this school, and this town, I must take this opportunity to tell you how proud I am to be part of this institution’s history, how deeply grateful I am for these past seven years, and how lucky I am to have shared them – not survived them – with the class of 2012.”

Click here to view pictures from all three events.