In front of faculty, staff, family, friends, and classmates, the Oak Knoll Class of 2026 processed up the hill for the final time as students on June 7, carrying with them far more than diplomas. They left with a foundation of faith, confidence, leadership, and purpose that will guide them as they take their next steps beyond Oak Knoll.

Sixty-eight members of the senior class were celebrated during Oak Knoll’s 98th Commencement exercises, marking the culmination of a journey defined by academic achievement, personal growth, and a willingness to embrace challenges with courage and conviction.

Addressing her classmates, Valedictorian Abigail Han ’26 reflected on the lessons learned through both successes and setbacks.

“What we thought seemed impossible at the time are the experiences we are most grateful for today,” Han said. “We have learned that we can achieve success, success with the accompaniment of our faith, our faith in God, ourselves, and each other.”

That spirit of resilience and self-belief was echoed by commencement speaker Alex Hellmuth ’06, North America Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Boston Consulting Group and a former Oak Knoll student body president.

Encouraging graduates to embrace uncertainty as they pursue new opportunities, Hellmuth reminded students that “Confidence is not certainty. It’s a willingness to try and trust yourself.”

Reflecting on her own journey, she credited Oak Knoll with helping her develop the foundation that has guided her professional and personal success.

“Oak Knoll gave me something much bigger than an education. It gave me a strong sense of self,” she said. “I built a strong foundation here, and that to me is what Oak Knoll is, a foundation to build upon.”

The Class of 2026 leaves a remarkable legacy. The class included the largest group of Eucharistic Ministers in school history and a record 20 student-athletes who committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Their accomplishments extended beyond academics, athletics, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to leadership, service, and community engagement.

Throughout the year, administrators frequently praised the class for its willingness to advocate for itself and others, a reflection of Oak Knoll’s 2025-26 theme, “All In, All Year.” Their leadership helped shape the school community and demonstrated the confidence to raise their voices in meaningful ways.

As the graduates processed up the hill one final time, they passed alongside the early stages of Oak Knoll’s Second Century campus transformation. The moment offered a fitting symbol: while the Class of 2026 embarks on its next chapter, the school itself is building for the generations that will follow.

The scene echoed another moment in Oak Knoll history, when members of the Class of 1957 departed a campus newly transformed by the opening of Connelly Hall. Nearly seven decades later, both the school and its students continue to move forward with the same mission at their core — preparing young women to lead lives of faith, purpose, and impact.

Check Out the Class of 2026 College Destinations