Eleven graduate in Mead Hall Episcopal School's Class of 2026

May 23-AIKEN - Eleven seniors graduated from Mead Hall Episcopal School May 22 in a commencement ceremony held in the St. Thaddeus Gymnasium.

"Mead Hall has been a second home to me and my classmates, and we will continue to remember it that way as we move forward," said graduating senior Faye Becker in her salutation opening the ceremony.

In his opening remarks, Head of School Frank Sawyer said the class was well-prepared for the rigor that will be required of them in their future lives and studies.

"I am so proud of these students," he said. "They have shown so much dedication to their studies, and they have accomplished so much, going above and beyond what is required in so many ways."

"High school wasn't just about assignments or tests, it was about the laughs in the hallways, inside jokes, the random conversations before class, and the people who made this place feel like home," said student council president Bryona Bibbs in her senior address. "It's been more than a school, it's been a community."

In her senior address, Za'lyric Singleton called her time at Mead Hall "the best five years of my life."

"No matter where life leads us after today, I hope we all continue to move forward with courage, confidence, and faith in ourselves and in the future ahead," Singleton said.

Valedictorian Taylor Houck told her classmates that "the future is a mystery, but that's what makes it so exciting and promising, because we don't know what's going to happen."

"I am so excited to see where we all go, and hopefully we all succeed in our future," Houck said.

James Green, who began his education at Mead Hall in kindergarten and in 1987 finished 8th grade, at the time the school's highest grade, as the school's first black graduate, was commencement speaker. Green, an information technology management consultant, is a graduate of Augusta Preparatory School and Southern Methodist University, where he studies electrical engineering and management science.

"I am honored beyond words to stand before you here this morning," Green said.

He encouraged the graduates to be mindful of how they study, how they compete, how they treat people and how they carry themselves in good times and bad.

"It's possible to be ambitious and not grounded, talented and not kind, successful and not wise," he said. "The world will offer you many definitions of what it means to matter. It tell you to chase attention, status, applause and the appearance of success, even at the cost of your soul."

The deepest and most lasting impacts are not those of "people who simply impress others," he said.

"They're left by people who live with integrity, who tell the truth, keep their word, know how to be strong without being cruel, and to succeed, and to serve," Green said.

The event began with the presentation of Upper School Awards.

The Academic Excellence Award was presented to Taylor Houck for earning all A's since 8th grade.

Rich Waugh Service Award was presented to Faye Becker for exemplifying the Interact Club slogan of "Service Above Self."

Mead Hall Mission Award for fulfilling the school's mission of academic excellence, spiritual growth and moral integrity was presented to Bryona Bibbs and Ronald Shepherd.

The Episcopal Character Award was presented to Lily Carroll for demonstrating Christian principals through words and actions.

The Headmaster's Award was presented to Ronald Shepherd for being the student who has done the most for the school.

The Palmetto Award, established in 1923 by Louise Hitchcock, was given to Taylor Houck for demonstrating scholarship, faithfulness to duty, earnest endeavor, good citizenship, character and sportsmanship.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.