Highlight: Graduation of the Class of 2025

On Friday, June 13, Wooster welcomed 59 new alumni – the members of the Class of 2025. The scene was a familiar one: the crowd gathered under the tent on Coburn Lawn, the faculty and staff, followed by the seniors, headed out of the Chapel, where they held their last gathering in the Quaker meeting, and processed to the bagpipes down the sidewalk and into the tent. They joined Head of School Matt Byrnes P’17, ‘19, ‘24, President of the Board of Trustees Allen Purkiss P ‘21, ‘23, ‘25 (yes, his last daughter, Charlotte, was among the graduates), and Director of Divisions Dr. Diane Martin on stage. 

Class Orator Ryan Vincent addressed the crowd and spoke of overcoming challenges and the great perseverance of his classmates. Matt Byrnes advised graduates to reject the notion of “fear” and to take chances and say yes. 

Also among the graduates are some names you alumni might recognize. There were three daughters of alumnae: Anya Ionis (Elina Zak ‘96); and Kayla and Mackenzie Falconer (Kim Greaves ‘92). Also, the night before during the Senior Class Evening of Appreciation, Anya was awarded the Vinny Puma Spanish Prize. Mr. Puma happened to be Elina’s teacher and mentor at Wooster, so this award meant so much to their family. 

Two members of the class have been here since Kindergarten - Alexander Xanthos and Vega Farro. The Xanthos family has been a part of the Wooster community since 2007, as Alex’s older siblings Mackenzie ‘14 and Andy ‘11 both graduated from Wooster. Alex was a first grader Mackenzie’s senior year! 

Vega joins his brother Lalo ‘22 as a member of Wooster’s alumni. The Farro family has been part of the Wooster community since 2009, when Lalo started Kindergarten.

Alexandra Kriegel, daughter of Chief Communications Officer Lori Kriegel, served as Senior Prefect, after spending 12 years at Wooster.

Gus Aspillaga, who joined in third grade, and his brother Charlie ‘22, are both Wooster Alumni. Their family joined Wooster in 2015, when Charlie was in 6th grade and Gus in third.

Ava Cilento, Brady Carpenter and Charlotte Purkiss all arrived in 5th grade and joined older siblings as alumni. Ava’s sister Sophia graduated in 2023; Brady’s brother Colin graduated last year, in 2024; and Charlotte joined her older sisters Alice ‘21 and Cece ‘23.

Teddy Porter, also a Senior Prefect, whose family joined the Wooster community in 2018, is now an alumni like his brother Max ‘22.

Other graduating siblings include Austin Etzbach (Reid and Parker, both in the Class of 2022) and Brianna Straiton (Maia ‘23).

Congratulations to all of our graduates! Please join us in extending a warm welcome to them as they join you in this group of Wooster School Alumni. We celebrate their achievements and eagerly anticipate the positive impact they will make in the world. Once a General, always a General!