Commencement 2026: Speech by Lila Stone ’26

Good morning, everyone. I am so honored to have the opportunity to speak in front of all of you on this special day.

When I started writing this speech, I honestly had no idea what I wanted to say. I’m not exactly known for being great at writing speeches, and there was so much I wanted to talk about. Eventually, I realized I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned during my time at Wheeler.

First, appreciate the people around you.

For the longest time, I was so excited to leave Providence and head off to college. I couldn’t wait to meet new people and explore new places. People always told me not to rush through high school because the time would fly by, and honestly, I used to laugh at them. I couldn’t wait to leave.

As much as I hate admitting when I’m wrong, they were right. This year showed me just how much I’m going to miss this place
This class is truly one of a kind. The students in Wheeler’s Class of 2026 are not only academically brilliant but also kind, funny, and wonderful to be around.

Knowing almost every teacher and being able to go to them for advice is something I’ve definitely taken for granted. I know I won’t have that same kind of community in college right away, and that’s going to be hard.

And I really cannot stress enough how amazing this class is. So even though I’m excited for what comes next, I’m not very excited about leaving the people sitting here today.

Second, use your voice.

I talk a lot. Sometimes unnecessarily. Sometimes I’m basically just stringing random words together and hoping they form a sentence. But every once in a while, I actually have something important to say. Wheeler has taught me how crucial it is to speak up. My teachers may regret encouraging that when I’m sitting in a meeting, arguing about a grade, but learning to advocate for myself has probably been one of the most valuable things I’ve gained here. If something is bothering you, talk about it, even if it might seem small to someone else. Problems don’t get solved if no one says anything.

And finally, don’t stress yourself out too much.

I’m not going to stand here and pretend I’m the calmest person in the world. I stress about grades, friends, sports, pretty much everything. But I’ve learned that you can work hard and still enjoy your life. Those things are not mutually exclusive. Wheeler can be a challenging environment. There’s a lot of competition, and it’s easy to compare yourself to other people. But life gets a lot easier when you stop measuring yourself against everyone else. Everyone at Wheeler is talented in different ways, and I’ve learned to appreciate that people have different strengths. That’s part of what makes this school so special.

These three lessons I’ve learned are valuable for everyone, whether you’re a rising senior, a member of the Class of 2026, or a lower school student. I’ve come to realize that we should carry this knowledge with us and apply it throughout our lives, because its value will continue to help us long into the future.

Before I end my speech, there are a few people I want to thank.

Mr. Anderson, I didn’t know what this year would look like with a new head of school, but you have truly exceeded my expectations. Thank you for always making students feel heard and valued. We appreciate everything you have already done for this community.

Faculty and staff: There are far too many amazing teachers to thank individually, but every single one of you has impacted me in enormous ways. Thank you for your patience and support, and for always pushing us to be better.

Family and friends, thank you for always being there for me when I needed it. I love you all.

Caleb, my co-prez: if you had told me at our fake wedding when we were eight years old that we’d be standing on this stage giving graduation speeches together, I wouldn’t have believed you. Even though that fake marriage lasted a few days, there is truly no one else I’d rather be doing this with. You’re like a second brother to me, and I can’t wait to see everything you accomplish in the future.

And finally, the Class of 2026: I am so proud to be part of this class. I brag to my friends at other schools all the time about how thoughtful, compassionate, and uplifting my classmates are. I do not doubt that every single one of you is going to go on to do incredible things. It’s been an honor to serve as one of your class presidents.

Thank you all, and congratulations to the Wheeler Class of 2026!