Dunham News | The Dunham School, Baton Rouge, LA

2025 Commencment Awards

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Collectively, the members of this class earned more than $17 million in college scholarship offers and were accepted to 85 colleges and universities across the country. 

During commencement exercises on Tuesday, May, 20, the following seniors were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Dunham community.

Valedictorian
Wait Harrod

During his high school career, Wait Harrod has taken a total of 13 AP courses and 10 honors courses and has completed his academic career with an extraordinary 4.57 cumulative GPA. As a National Honor Society member, Wait has earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a US Presidential Scholar Candidate. A member of Mu Alpha Theta and the varsity tennis team, he is the co-creator of both the Model UN club and the Classics Club. He received scholarship offers of approximately $273,000. Wait will attend Stanford University in the fall and pursue a double degree in Management Science & Engineering and Political Science.
 

Salutatorian 
George Harrod

George Harrod has taken 13 AP classes and 10 honors classes and has a 4.45 cumulative GPA. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Scholar, and US Presidential Scholar Candidate. George is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. As member of the varsity tennis team, he was selected to the All-Metro team his junior and senior years. He and his doubles partner were also state runners-up for the 2025 tennis season. George has received scholarship offers of approximately $1,024,000. After graduation, he will attend the University of Pennsylvania to pursue degrees in Mathematics and Economics.

Artes Domini Gloriae
Madeline Murphy

The Artes Domini Gloriae Award (Arts for the Glory of God) honors the senior who possesses superior artistry and has demonstrated outstanding achievements in the arts while maintaining strength of character and integrity.

Crimson and Silver Award
Lily Stringfellow

The Crimson and Silver Award, the highest honor possible, is given to the senior who has exemplified the love of Christ with both peers and faculty and whose life has clearly reflected a desire to honor God and acknowledge Him in all of his or her ways.

Hall of Fame Award
Mollee Day

The Hall of Fame Award is presented to the senior who has brought the greatest positive community recognition to the school during the course of his or her high school athletic career.

Katharine O. Dunham Award
Alex Smith

Established in memory of Katharine Dunham, this award recognizes the senior whose conduct and character best exemplify the school’s Honor Code by demonstrating a strong sense of personal honor and integrity in his or her daily life.

Servant’s Heart Award
Kate Rizzo

The Servant’s Heart Award honors the senior whose high school career has displayed an attitude of serving others by performing selfless acts of willing and cheerful service at school, at church, and in the greater community.