Seniors Present 2026 Hemenway Speeches

Traditions punctuate every season of life at Winsor, marking the rhythm of the year and the milestones that shape each student’s journey. For seniors, these traditions can feel especially meaningful as each familiar experience and gathering brings them closer to graduation and life beyond Pilgrim Road. 

On April 2, every member of the senior class presented the culmination of weeks of reflection, writing, and rehearsal as part of one of Winsor’s most enduring traditions: the Hemenway Prize for Speaking Competition. Now in its 113th year, the Hemenway competition remains a defining academic and communal experience for Winsor seniors, who each share an original five-minute speech with their peers, faculty, and school leaders. More than an exercise in public speaking, the day offers a rare and meaningful window into the voices, values, and experiences of the graduating class.

Head of School Meredith Legg P’32, who attended the full day of speeches alongside Upper School Head Kimberly Ramos and Class VIII Dean David Griffin, reflected on the collective impact of the experience. Individually, Ms. Legg noted, the speeches were “smart and heartfelt and inspiring and thoughtful.” Together, they painted a portrait of a class “passionate about finding their purpose, connecting with each other, and determined to contribute to the world.”

From the full day of presentations, six finalists were selected: Ori Feingold ’26, Yemisi Adetowubo ’26, Luisa Griffith-Gorgati ’26, Tenney Bluman ’26, Emma Birdsong ’26, and Kendal Pauyo ’26. On Friday, April 24, these finalists delivered their speeches to the entire school community.

True to the spirit of the competition, this year’s speeches spanned a wide range of topics, blending humor, vulnerability, and insight. Ori Feingold reflected on a moment when her dance performance was interrupted by silence, using the experience to explore resilience and the importance of trusting oneself when circumstances shift unexpectedly. Yemisi Adetowubo connected a humorous anecdote of a childhood fear of Michael Jackson to a powerful reflection on identity, heritage, and the freedom that comes from no longer seeking validation from others.

Luisa Griffith-Gorgati examined the role of music as a connective force, weaving together personal memories and broader reflections on how shared songs can help us understand one another. Tenney Bluman drew on her experience in mock trial to explore the value of perspective-taking, arguing that a willingness to consider opposing viewpoints—like switching sides after a coin flip—can foster more productive and empathetic discourse.

Emma Birdsong offered a thoughtful meditation on failure and letting go, encouraging the community to reconsider the pressure to excel at everything and to recognize the value in making space for what truly fits. Kendall Pauyo closed the program with a deeply moving reflection on her family’s experience with ovarian cancer, connecting personal loss to broader issues of access and equity in healthcare, and challenging listeners to imagine a more just future.

The judges for this year’s competition included members of the faculty—Ms. Cowan of the Mathematics Department, and Ms. Beebe and Mr. Murdoch of the English Department—as well as alumna Lacey Rose ’06, who returned to campus to lend her perspective. Speeches were evaluated on substance, organization, style, presentation, and clarity. The winner will be announced at the annual Awards Celebration in June.

Established in 1913 by Harriett Hemenway, a passionate advocate for women’s education and co-founder of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Hemenway Prize reflects Winsor’s long-standing commitment to the power of voice. Each year, the competition challenges seniors not only to speak well, but to speak with purpose—sharing what they have learned, what matters to them, and what they hope others might better understand.

As this year’s finalists demonstrated, those voices offer a compelling reflection of a class ready to step forward, speak up, and shape the world beyond Pilgrim Road.