On Tuesday, Sept. 1, all Kingswood Oxford students were welcomed back to campus for the busy year ahead with the school’s annual Convocation Ceremony in the Hoffman Field House.
The assembly normally takes place in Roberts Theatre, but was moved to the Field House due to maintenance issues in Roberts. Despite a last-minute change of location, the ceremony was a huge success.
Convocation began with a welcome from Head of School Tom Dillow, who warmly greeted the students and faculty back on campus and then introduced the Middle School leaders who would give the welcoming remarks.
Eighth-grade leaders Jack Ritter and Maddie Leyden took the stage and gave the welcoming remarks, focusing on each class with pieces of advice and explaining their hopes for the year ahead. Following the remarks, senior Speaker Ashton Binalla gave his first speech of the year, focusing on the importance of enjoying every second of the year because it goes by so quickly. Something really special about KO is the amount of student leadership, whether it’s speaking at important assemblies like Convocation, student-led performances, or even just taking initiative and displaying leadership for something they care about.
To continue with the theme of student leadership, Head of the Middle School Ann Sciglimpaglia and Head of the Upper School Lisa Loeb introduced the Presentation of Flags. Student representatives from the senior class and the sixth grade class were chosen to receive the Presentation of Flags. Sixth-graders CJ Griffin and Emily Eastman represented the youngest class of the school, and seniors Anna Burnham and Logan LaCroix represented the oldest class of the school to receive the flags for the Class of 2027 and 2033. “I think it’s really important that the seniors present the new flag to the Upper Preppers,” Mrs. Loeb said, “to kind of create that full circle feeling between six and 12 to show that we’re a full school community.”
After the Presentation of Flags, Mrs. Loeb and Form Six Form Dean Ron Garcia presented the Senior Class Shields to senior class President Ida Chapman and senior class Vice President Danica Arwen de Dios. Because there are so many students involved in the Convocation Ceremony, it really gives new students and returning students a chance to get to know one another and see who the leaders in the school are. These many traditions within the ceremony create a community-based environment and help cultivate school spirit.
Following the presentation of the shields, Mr. Dillow gave the Convocation Address, describing the theme of this school year: curiosity. Every year, the students and faculty vote on a theme of the school year, with the options being related to KO’s core values. Mr. Dillow encouraged students to ask questions, notice new things, and come up with new ideas. Instilling just a little bit more curiosity in one’s daily life can make their school experience so much more fulfilling.
“My hope for this school year is that students feel productively challenged and learn that curiosity is something that you don’t have to be born with to develop,” Mrs. Loeb said. “You can learn to be a more curious person.” Mr. Dillow’s speech inspired students to go into each day with a passion for learning because it will allow them to grow and develop their skills more successfully.
Finally, the ceremony ended with the entire school singing the school song, “Hail Kingswood Oxford,” conducted by Upper School Performing Arts Chair David Pelletier and Upper School History Chair and Performing Arts teacher David Baker.
Overall, the 2026 Convocation Ceremony was a great way to welcome students back to campus and send them into the school year full of hope, excitement, and curiosity. We wish everyone the best of luck and cannot wait to see what our Wyverns will accomplish this year!
