By Greg Wehner

Worcester Preparatory held its 50th annual graduation on Friday morning, honoring the 46 students and their accomplishments at the private Berlin school.

The air that morning was filled with drizzle as the sound of a solo bagpiper led the students, faculty and honorees to the commencement. For some, it may have been a somber moment, though for many others it was time to celebrate.

Instead of wearing the traditional cap and gown seen at most graduations, the young ladies of Worcester Prep donned white dresses and the men wore tuxedos for the occasion.

With them were family and friends who were there to cheer on and congratulate the momentous occasion of walking across the stage and being handed a diploma.

“The Class of 2022 is an amazing class that has [shown] tremendous resilience and leadership throughout the past two years,” Dr. John McDonald, the head of the school said. “I am very proud of their accomplishments and wish them success in the future.”

Of the 46 students who graduated on Friday, 17 started their educational paths at the private school, located in Berlin.

Now, the entire graduating class will go off to colleges in Maryland and as far away as Louisiana. Some of the colleges the graduates will attend include Virginia Military Institute, George Washington University, Georgetown University, the University of Delaware, Syracuse University, the University of Miami, and Duke.

Before the diplomas were handed out, several students were honored with scholarships.

This year, as a collective, the students received over $7 million in scholarships.

During the commencement, local scholarships were awarded, including three from the Ocean Pines Golf Club that went to Anna McDonald, Bennett Tinkler and Riley Schoch.

Sen. Mary Beth Carozza handed out the senatorial scholarship to Schoch, as well.

The school also continues to honor students for their academics by appointing the top two as valedictorian and salutatorian.

The valedictorian for 2022 was Ayush Batra, who is part of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.

Marshall Mumford, who is a member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, and Art National Honor Society, was named the salutatorian.

“Knowing most of these fine young men and women from a young age, and then seeing them thrive and accomplish so much through Upper School, there is no doubt in my mind that not only are they prepared for college and beyond, but they will make their mark on the world,” Mike Grosso, the assistant head of school and head of the upper school said.

This story appears in the print version of the Bayside Gazette on June 2, 2022.