Class of 2026 Marks Milestone with Senior Tree Planting

A cool, rainy spring day couldn't dampen the spirits of the seniors who gathered around a redbud sapling outside of Cottage Five on the morning of May 15 to participate in one of Northfield Mount Hermon's oldest traditions, the senior tree planting ceremony.

Ever since the first senior trees were planted in 1886 at the Northfield campus and in 1889 at Mount Hermon, members of the graduating class have added their own living legacy to the campus landscape in the week leading up to Commencement.

"You're at a storied school, not only in the United States, but in the world," said Associate Head of School Charlie Tierney P'16, '19, '20 in his opening remarks to the Class of 2026. "One of the great things about storied schools is the long-standing traditions, and it's no surprise that planting a tree is one of the oldest traditions at Northfield Mount Hermon."

Tierney encouraged seniors to relish the experiences and feelings of their last week as NMH students, emphasizing the analogy of a tree's growth to their own development in their time at the school. "Planting a tree is something that's hopeful, optimistic, and future leading. It's about growth, changing seasons, putting down roots, getting taller, stronger, and branching out."

Senior class "parent" Grace Rehnquist, the associate dean of students, echoed Tierney's remarks, noting that planting a tree is altruistic by nature. "You don't plant trees for yourselves," Rehnquist said. "You are leaving this tree for somebody years from now to enjoy, and that gift is better than anything else that you could do to a beautiful place like this: leaving it more whole. It is my and [fellow class parent Kim Shearer's] wish for you that in your life, you get to plant many trees."

Religious studies and philosophy teacher Jennifer Keator P'19, '20, '26, who serves as the advisor for postgraduates, spoke about that group's unique experiences and accomplishments over the course of the year.

"What stands out to me about your cohort is that all of you are individuals with different goals and needs, yet you have genuinely enjoyed each other," Keator said. "You have tested the waters of independence, and you have been tested through challenges you chose and ones you didn't see coming. You're still here, all of you, and you are stronger for it, and that is something worth celebrating."

NMH archivist Peter Weis '78, P’13 offered his annual reading of the NMH Tree-Planting Poem, written by alumna Josephine Alexander in honor of the inaugural tree planting at Northfield Seminary in 1886. He was followed by several members of the senior class, who offered personal reflections on their time at NMH.

Will Higgs '26 spoke of the importance of finding a place to set down roots. He recounted his initial trepidation upon arriving at NMH two years ago after attending a series of other schools.

"I gave the school on a hill in Gill a chance, [and] I can now say it is the best decision I ever made," Higgs said. "I found where I belonged, and it was here. With our class tree planted and graduation just nine days away, I want us to spend our last days in Gill together, surrounded by the roots of community that we have all nurtured."

Class of 2026 spade orator Sanjar Aliev spoke about the many paths students have taken to arrive at this moment and praised his classmates' resiliency and camaraderie.

"I watched this class show up for each other and for this community, every single one of you," said Aliev. "Showing up is something I talked about at the beginning of this year, and I'm asking you to do it one more time. … Show up to all of it, sit with someone you haven't in a while, hang out with your friends. Don't let these nine days become something you look back on wishing you had done differently.

"This tree that we're going to plant is ours, and it will be here long after we leave," he continued. "Every student who comes to NMH will walk past something we planted together. It has been the greatest pleasure of my life, growing up alongside each and every one of you. Let's make these last nine days count."

With that, Aliev passed the senior spade to Amelia Sabetti '27, marking the next major step towards graduation for the Class of 2026.

Lydia Perry Weis '80, P’21, leadership gift officer in NMH’s advancement office, then stepped forward to welcome the soon-to-be graduates to the NMH alumni network, alongside several fellow alumni currently working at NMH.

"As this chapter of your lives comes to a close, we hope that your connection with NMH and with each other will remain strong," Perry Weis said.

The speeches concluded, seniors took turns spreading shovelfuls of soil across the redbud tree that will stand as a testament to their time here, received their official alumni pins, and headed off in pairs and groups to collect their caps and gowns for the Commencement ceremony on May 24.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Aliev admitted to a mix of emotions. "It just hit me that we're graduating in nine days. I feel kind of sad, but also excited to move on. NMH taught me the value of showing up for different opportunities. I found a lot of my closest friends that way, trying new stuff that I never thought I would like. It helped me to come out of my shell, in a way."

—Max Hunt

Photos by Oliver Scott. See more images from the senior tree planting ceremony on Flickr.