Cannon School Celebrates Its 27th Commencement Ceremony

Under a cloudless Carolina sky on Friday, May 23, Cannon School marked a joyful occasion: its 27th Commencement ceremony. Cannon’s Commencement is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of our most senior Cougars and recognize the personal drive and hard work that led them here. Beginning early that morning, families, faculty, and friends gathered to honor the graduating Class of 2025—an exceptional group remembered for their big hearts, deep sense of togetherness, and an unwavering commitment to staying true to themselves and each other.

With 111 students, the Class of 2025 stands as the second largest in the school’s history, bringing the total number of Cannon graduates to 2,011. Representing 17 zip codes across the greater Charlotte area, this class was both geographically diverse and deeply rooted in the Cannon community. Twenty-two students were recognized as “lifers,” having begun their journeys at Cannon in Junior Kindergarten.

The ceremony featured inspiring remarks from Head of School Mike Drew and outgoing Board of Trustees Chair Karin Cain. The keynote address was delivered by Danny Scurlock—a beloved parent, coach, advisor, and faculty member—whose daughter Sydney was among the graduates. In his heartfelt speech, Scurlock encouraged students to “always be real and be present,” reminding them to surround themselves with people who tell the truth and hold them accountable. “These are the people who help you grow,” he said.

Valedictorian Annalise Leck posed a powerful question to her classmates: “What do we do with all the help we’ve received?” She challenged them to pay it forward and to carry on the Cannon culture that has shaped their identities. “Let our legacy not just be defined by where we go,” she said, “but by who we lift up on the way there.”

In a remarkable first for Cannon, this year’s class featured a three-way tie for Salutatorian honors. Ian Kuo reflected on the enduring power of community, calling the day “a beautiful reminder that there will always be people who walk with us through life, no matter the season, no matter the challenge.” James Ter Poorten urged the audience to view the day not just as a celebration of an ending, but as recognition of the journey—"a culmination of all the little steps we’ve taken”—that brought them here. Ada Hicks offered a poetic metaphor, comparing graduation to the flight at the beginning of vacation—“a departure full of anticipation and joy.”

As the diplomas were handed out and tassels turned, the spirit of Cannon’s mission and the legacy of its graduates echoed clearly: one of connection, learning, and preparation for the journey ahead.