Seniors Present Hemenway Speeches

On Friday, May 15, five Winsor seniors took to the 'virtual' podium via an all-school webinar to compete in the 107th Annual Hemenway Prize for Speaking Competition. Brianna Feliciano '20, Lara Simshauser '20, Shantel Teixeira '20, Emily Vermeule '20, and Crystal Yang '20 were chosen by judges, with input from all Class VIII students, after hearing speeches from every member of the senior class.

More than just a platform for soon-to-be graduates to showcase writing and presentation skills, the time-honored tradition is a unique and powerful bonding experience. For one day each spring, the entire senior class comes together, and listens intently as every member of the class delivers her own thoughtfully crafted, five-minute speech. They cheer loudly, share laughter and tears, and emerge with a deeper appreciation for one another - and their time at Winsor. And while these year's gathering was a virtual one, the class triumphed just the same. And for Friday's final competition, which normally takes place during the day during an Upper School assembly, Lower School students had the opportunity to join for the first time.