News & Events

“Let the uncertainty of the future encourage and drive every single one of us to lay our palms into the future - to leave our mark no matter how large or small the deed.” - Dana Bekdash '18

As thunder, lighting, and heavy rain loomed as a possibility for the night of ACS graduation, our Class of 2018 gave notice to the world to ‘watch out, here they come, we are ready to storm’. Over 450 people, ACS trustees, esteemed faculty, family and friends, stood in front of the AUB Assembly Hall, taking pictures with the students wearing their caps and gowns.

Once the faculty entered the hall, the seniors walked down the aisle with cheers from the crowd for the official start of the event and presentation of their diplomas. Head of School Mr. Greg MacGilpin, shared a list of 79 facts about the graduating class including a special mention about Catherine Bashshur. This is the first year that a student graduates after receiving a scholarship in her name. Ms. Nina Köprülü, President of the Board of Trustees, congratulated the students and wished them well in the next phase of their lives. Dr. Rob Allison, High School Principal, read off their accomplishments and highlighted what was required to graduate from ACS. U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard read a letter from the U.S. President congratulating the students for their achievements and presented the President’s Award for Educational Excellence to a record 37 students.

Graduation speaker Tanya Chapuisat, UNICEF Lebanon Representative and ACS Parent, advised students to find what they are passionate about and use their privilege to make impact. Dr. Allison described the five special awards given to seniors before the presentation of the diplomas. The five awards and winners are:

The Farah Family Athletic and Leadership Award: Samer Marrouche

The Blair Harcourt Award: Luke Armstrong

The Fine Arts Award: Suhail Chehab

The Citizenship Award: Bylasan Ahmad

The Walter Prosser Award: Haya Ghandour

Proudly recessing out of Assembly Hall to the tune of Sing Sing, Sing, the graduates tossed their caps into the air on the steps AUB, and headed off to St. George’s for the celebratory dinner. Sitting in Zaitunay Bay, the seniors and friends enjoyed a Senior Class Video, prepared by Johnny Boustany, spent time laughing with faculty, and enjoyed one last ACS dinner together. As the night ended, conversations continued about summer plans, leaving for colleges and universities and their upcoming Lebanese Baccalaureate exams.

Indeed, the Class of 2018 is ready for whatever comes its way and they have a proud ACS community behind them ...