Class of 2024 Readies for Commencement

Nesbitt ’24 will serve as valedictorian, a designation awarded to the student that typically honors the individual who holds the highest record in the class. He will deliver the valedictory address at Commencement.

 

Chang ’24 will serve as this year’s salutatorian, and will speak during the Baccalaureate Service on Friday, May 24.

 

Nesbitt and Chang have taken a combined 19 AP classes – five for each of them this year alone – all while maintaining straight 4.0s during the first two trimesters of their senior year. They have both been highly active members of the KUA community since their arrival on the Hilltop.

 

“These remarkable individuals have demonstrated exceptional leadership and sportsmanship as teammates on the soccer field and tennis courts and as the creators of numerous clubs that enrich our school community,” says Academic Dean Jesse Mathers. “Their commitment to service shines through their roles as champions of community outreach and they are guiding lights in our peer tutoring and writing center programs.”

 

Nesbitt, of Grantham, New Hampshire, is a Global Scholar and GAIL representative as well as a Cullman Scholar. He played on the Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team, winning the 2023 NEPSAC Championship and captained the Varsity Tennis Team. Nesbitt’s time on campus has been marked by extensive community service. He was founder of the Spanish Club, head of the Writing Center and Penny Fellowship and a Day Student Proctor. He appeared in this year’s performance of Chicago.

 

“KUA has something special,” says Nesbitt. “The way that our school can challenge our students while simultaneously imparting in us a sense of confidence and comfortability provides an environment uniquely poised to encourage growth. KUA has given me the opportunity to engage in a meaningful way across disciplines and explore both who I am and who I want to be as a person. I’m going to miss this place and these people a lot.”

 

Next year Nesbitt will take a gap year to travel and work, with time in New Hampshire’s AMC Huts, Southern Europe, and Japan. He plans to enroll the following year at either USC, UVA, or Georgetown.

 

Chang, of Cleveland, Ohio, is an Arts Scholar, plays on the girls’ Varsity Tennis Team; performs with the dance and vocal ensembles; volunteers as a service leader, library monitor, writing and math peer tutor, and Orange Key tour guide. She also contributes her time to Penny Fellowship among numerous other clubs and has had leading roles in the fall and winter theater productions.

 

“I don’t feel I excel at one certain thing. For me, hard work can make anything happen. If I put in hard work and dedication, it will reap some type of result. It’s really empowering to see everyone working toward their goals and gives you this energy,” says Chang, who will attend Emory University in the fall. “A community of people doing stuff together makes doing hard stuff easier.”

 

See a full list of Commencement events and tune-in to hear Nesbitt and Chang speak on the KUA livestream.