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Santa Catalina School celebrated the Class of 2022 during the school’s 70th Commencement on May 28.

In white gowns and carrying red roses, the 53 members of the graduating class filed one-by-one into Sullivan Court before a crowd of family and friends. After an opening hymn by the Santa Catalina choir, joined by Elisabeth Gage ’22, and an invocation by Olivia Gorum ’22, Head of School Meg Bradley introduced this year’s Commencement speaker, Dr. Mzilikazi Koné ’01.

Dr. Koné is an associate professor of political science and global studies at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California. She spoke about the ways Santa Catalina fills students’ toolbox with the skills and traits necessary to help them succeed, lead fulfilling lives, and make an impact on the world. “Santa Catalina is a place where you go to grow,” she said. “Like a complicated house plant, people come to Catalina to be nurtured and fed knowledge, empathy, wisdom, friendship, respect for oneself, one’s community, and one’s planet.”

The students then came forward to receive their diplomas, and Cailin Templeman ’22 followed with the benediction. Then, as is tradition, the new graduates erupted from their seats and tossed handfuls of red rose petals into the air in celebration of their achievement.

Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

See the photos.

Watch Dr. Koné’s address.

Watch the full ceremony.