Twenty-three seniors from Bishop Seabury Academy graduated Thursday evening, with younger classes joining in the annual Stepping Up ceremony.
The ceremony began with an invocation by Reverend Tom Baker and opening remarks by Head of School Don Schawang.
Schawang reminisced on the school year including trips, memories from morning meetings and student and faculty achievements.
Schawang also recognized faculty leaving the school: five-year math teacher Shane Richmond and 17-year musical arts director Margie Lawrence. He also recognized Board of Trustees President Kay Almanza for her work as president as she steps down from the role.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
Graduate Xeva Oldridge spoke to her fellow graduates about having courage in all walks of life.
“Everything we do takes some sort of courage,” Oldridge said. “It took courage for my classmates and me to apply to colleges we didn’t think we’d get into. It takes courage to speak in front of others, takes courage to try something new. It even takes courage to attend a slightly unconventional school just like this one.”
English teacher Melissa Johnson was chosen by the senior class to speak on behalf of the faculty, sharing with the graduates how they made her feel welcome as the first group of students she taught at the school last year.
“I have found so much peace and joy in this special, strange school with form trips and Headmaster’s Holiday, and a million other traditions that you let me in on,” Johnson said. “This place is wonderful, and so are all of you.”
Johnson also referenced poet Mary Oliver by telling graduates to live their “wild and precious lives” to the absolute fullest.
Selected seniors were presented with awards for academics, athletics and contributions to the BSA community, with six students receiving more than one award.
Class of 2026 Award Recipients
Gavin Smith Community Service award: Sydney Walter
Athletes of the Year: Xeva Oldridge and Jace Hoffman
Mathematics award: Owen Koederitz
Science Department award: Owen Koederitz
English award: Ben Patterson
Social Studies award: Ben Patterson
World Language award: Spanish to Micah Riku Hickman; French to Katie Mastrosimone; and Latin to Marcella MacGonagle
Creative Arts Department Awards: Raina Bean Pearce, Katie Mastrosimone and Xeva Oldridge
Upper School Faculty Prize: Gabe Rinnert
Ray and Marian Wilbur Award: Ben Patterson
Headmaster’s Cup: Sydney Walter and Jace Hoffman
The ceremony concluded with a performance by the chamber choir and eighth grade honor choir. Classes not graduating participated in the Stepping Up ceremony by shaking hands with the older and younger classes.
If local news matters to you, please help us keep doing this work.
Don’t miss a beat — get the latest news from the Times delivered to your inbox:
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
Maya Smith (she/her), reporting intern, has worked with The Lawrence Times since February 2026. She was born and raised in Lawrence and is a journalism student at the University of Kansas. She works at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications as a communications assistant and has been a freelance reporter for the Kansas Reflector since 2024. Read her work for the Times at this link.
Jacob Rice (he/him), photo editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since March 2026. He can be reached at [email protected].
Read his complete bio here. Check out his photography for the Times here. Read his articles for the Times at this link.
More: 2026 Graduations
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Latest Lawrence news:
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
