Forman School celebrated the achievements of 56 graduates during its 2026 Commencement on Saturday, May 30th. Held beneath the iconic Graduation Tree on the Green, the ceremony honored the accomplishments, growth, and resilience of the Class of 2026 as they prepared to embark on their next chapters.

Head of School Amy Clemons opened the ceremony by addressing the graduates, choosing to share what she had learned from them rather than offering traditional words of wisdom.

“In recognizing all that you already are—and all that you are becoming—I found myself wanting to flip the script,” Clemons said. “Instead of sharing words of wisdom that I have to offer, I want to share what I have learned from you over the past two years.”

She highlighted three lessons the Class of 2026 had taught her: the power of friendship and loyalty, the courage to ask why, and the impact of a sincere apology.

“I promise to carry these lessons forward,” she said. “And I know I am better for having walked alongside you for a short time.”

Following Clemons, Forman alumnus Zachary Bitan, MD ’13, a Resident Physician in Emergency Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and Jacobi Medical Center in New York, delivered the Commencement Address. Dr. Bitan completed a five-year B.S./M.A. program in Neuroscience at Trinity College before earning his medical degree from Technion–Israel Institute of Technology. Drawing on his own Forman experience, he shared how the school transformed his view of himself as a learner.

“Up until [Forman], school had been a place where I was constantly told what I couldn’t do. I couldn’t read fast enough. I couldn’t focus the ‘right’ way. I couldn’t keep up,” Dr. Bitan said. “Forman was the first place that flipped that script. Instead of asking, ‘Why are you struggling?’ It asked, ‘How does your brain work?’”

Reflecting on lessons that have guided him through college, medical school, and his work in the emergency room, Dr. Bitan encouraged graduates to continue believing in themselves and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

“You’ve learned how you learn,” he said. “Keep advocating for yourself—loudly and without apology. Keep asking for help when you need it. Celebrate progress that other people can’t see. Never let anyone else decide what you are capable of.”

Class Valedictorian Gabby Delaney ’26 also addressed her classmates, speaking to the resilience and growth that defined their experiences at Forman. Inspired by the gladiolus flower—a symbol of strength and perseverance—she compared its growth to that of the graduating class, reminding her peers that success is not measured by how quickly someone reaches a milestone, but by their determination to keep moving forward despite challenges.

“The most important thing Forman gave us was not just the academic support but the ability to see ourselves differently—to really see our own value,” Gabby shared. “No one's path to this stage was the same; we all went through different obstacles to get to where we are right now.”

“Just like the gladiolus flower, we may not all bloom at the same time. Some paths take longer, and some journeys look different,” she continued. “But that does not make them any less meaningful. What matters is that we continue to grow. That we continue to persevere. That we continue showing up for ourselves and for the people around us. Because it is not how quickly you bloom that matters. It is that you continue to bloom.”

Earlier in the week, during Senior Appreciation Night, Bennett Fuchs ’26 delivered a thoughtful salutatory address on how dyslexia taught him the value of persistence, patience, and asking for help. Most importantly, he shared how his experiences showed him the significance of learning from others, seeking support and perspective from mentors and role models, and, in turn, becoming that source of support for others.

“I believe every person here has something valuable to contribute to this world,” Bennett said. “Not because we are perfect, but because we have learned how to learn and improve in the face of adversity.”

At Commencement, students' achievements were recognized through several academic awards, including the prestigious John N. Forman Award and Julie Ripley Forman Award, named for the school’s founders.

As the ceremony concluded, graduates crossed the stage, received their diplomas, and joined the ranks of Forman alumni. Their Commencement marked not only the culmination of their time at Forman but also the beginning of new opportunities, challenges, and successes ahead.