Christchurch School (CCS) conducted its 101st com-mencement ceremony on Saturday, May 28, at 9 a.m. on the Main Lawn and Bell Tower Hill.
CCS Head of School John E. Byers spoke. This was the final graduation for Byers. After he ushered this first alumni class of the school’s second century on its way, he is retiring.
Byers has been head of school for 21 years, and is the school’s longest-serving head.
He started at the school 32 years ago, in his first role as a Latin instructor. Byers is a legacy. His father, Col. William T. Byers, graduated in 1939.
This year’s valedictorian is a resident of Middlesex County — day student Jackson Edward Kiland, son of Ing (CCS Class of 1992) and Kristin Kiland of Christchurch. Jackson will attend the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
There was also a baccalaureate service at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 27, in St. Peter’s Chapel, followed by an awards ceremony and the senior banquet.
(Graduates from Middlesex County include, in alphabetical order:
- Taylor Nichole Berry, daughter of Jonathan and Lauren Berry of Saluda.
- Cameron Carlstedt DeVries, son of the late Jori Faiella of Chicago and grandson of George and Helen DeVries of Urbanna.
- Sarah Page Graves, daughter of Nelson and Lee Ann Graves of Urbanna.
- Ethan Tye Jones, son of Andy and Sarah Jones of Hartfield.
- Jackson Edward Kiland, son of Ing (CCS Class of 1992) and Kristin Kiland of Christchurch.
- Pierce McKinley Lambert, son of Buzz and Robin (CCS Class of 1994) Lambert of Hartfield.
- Robert Latane Montague V, son of Robert and Patricia Montague of Alexandria and grandson of Robert Montague III (CCS Class of 1952) of Urbanna.
- Tanner William St. Louis, son of William and Jennifer St. Louis of Hartfield.
