The School Year Starts with Inspiring Convocation and New Community Commons

The KO community ushered in the 2025–2026 academic year with a Convocation filled with celebration, reflection, and inspiration. The event welcomed new and returning students, faculty, and staff, while also unveiling the much-anticipated Community Commons, a transformative addition to campus life.

The Convocation began with an energetic welcome from the Head of School, Tom Dillow, who encouraged students and faculty to give “a really loud welcome” to new members of the KO family. Emphasizing the school’s 116-year tradition and mission to inspire students “to excel and lead lives of integrity and involvement,” Dillow reminded the audience that KO’s strength lies in its close-knit community.

In his remarks, he described the new Community Commons as “not just a building, but a symbol of our community coming together.” The Commons now boasts a bright, open, and welcoming design. Beyond its physical transformation, it represents an invitation to connect face-to-face in a world often divided by distraction.

Form 2 student Xander Gingeleskie challenged his peers across all grade levels to make the most of KO’s opportunities. Addressing everyone from incoming middle schoolers to seniors preparing for graduation, he urged students to “embrace every opportunity,” lead with empathy, and “cherish every moment, every laugh, and every conversation.”

Gingeleskie highlighted KO’s core values—honesty, integrity, respect, and responsibility—as the foundation of the school’s culture. He called on students to use emerging tools like AI ethically, persevere through challenges, and embrace intellectual curiosity: “It’s how you fight through adversity and learn to fix mistakes that separates good students from great students,” he said.

Likewise, this year’s Student Speaker, Olivia Pilecki, exhorted students to put down their phones and live in the moment. “As the days go by, the long ones and the short ones,” she said, “keep some things in mind. Be present and don’t sleepwalk through the year. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and embarrass yourself,” She told her classmates, the Class of 2026, that in the remaining 269 days left to graduation, they should think about what they wanted those days to look like. Finally, she urged the community to show up for one another, give their best even on the hard days, and support those around them. “We need a little more community, friendliness, and kindness, and know we can build this together this year,” she said.

One of the most memorable moments came from KO alumnus and lead architect of the Community Commons, Todd Andrews ’91, who returned to campus to share his journey from KO student to partner at Centerbrook Architects. His speech tied his career back to his experiences in the KO program, particularly elective courses in design and drafting, as well as an egg-drop assignment in Roberts Theater that sparked his passion for architecture.

Reflecting on the design process for the Commons, he emphasized that the new space was created “with all of you in mind—to create, inspire, and connect as never before.” His message to students included three guiding lessons: enjoy the process, set and commit to personal goals, and live fully in the moment. “Grades and scores are temporary,” he noted. “What lasts is who you become along the way.”

Following the remarks, Ann Sciglimpaglia, head of the Middle School, presented the Class Flags to the Upper Prep Class of 2032 and the Class of 2026, a tradition that began in the 1990s. Hadley Hersch ’26 and Justin Morle ’26 received the 2026 Class Flag, and Nora McDonald ’32 and Teddy McAlenney ’32 received Upper Prep Class flags. Another marker of both the start and end of the KO year is the presentation of the Class Shield to Dorian Ciscel ’26 and Arthur Tittman ’26, where the graduating seniors will carve their initials during Senior Week. These shields are installed on the top floor of the Roberts Building, joining the ranks of those Wyverns who graduated before them.

Following the Convocation ceremony, all students followed the shady path to the front of the new Community Commons building to enjoy some lemonade and donuts. There was plenty of hugs, laughter, and catching up with one another. Afterwards, several students raced to tour the Commons Building, many of whom relaxed in the atrium, the circular lounge area, the hearth, and collaborative rooms. It took no time at all for the students to feel at home in the new space, using it exactly as it was intended: to build community and connections. 

As KO’s Head of School remarked, “It’s going to be an incredible school year.” With a renewed sense of purpose and a stunning new space to call home, the Kingswood Oxford community is ready to make 2025–2026 a year of growth, perseverance, and joy.