A Book of Tradition

New Upper School Students and Staff Sign the Book of Honor During Maclay’s 25th Annual Honor Code Signing Ceremony

Photo by Kayleigh Mitchell / Maclay Andalusian

On Thursday, Sept. 18, the Maclay Upper School student body and staff met in the Cartee Gym to observe and partake in the school’s annual Honor Code Signing Ceremony. During the event, new Upper School members affirm their dedication to Maclay’s Honor Code by signing the book of honor. For 25 years, Upper School students and faculty have signed their names in the book, making the ceremony a well-known tradition among the Maclay community.

Head of Upper School Charles Beamer opened the ceremony with words of welcome. Dean of Upper School Student Affairs Heather Bas followed with a brief history on the book and its importance to Maclay. Both speakers emphasized the significance and formality of the event.

Next to the podium was Upper School Academic Dean and Honor Council Advisor Angela Croston, who called up the newly-elected members of the 2025-2026 Honor Council to affirm their dedication to the preservation of the Honor Code. The senior members, Suhani Gawde, Will Hunkapillar, Santi Nunez and Max Colon, took turns reciting the Maclay Honor Code, emphasizing the three pillars: honor, respect and accountability. 

Then, Gawde introduced the ceremony’s guest speaker, Lieutenant Governor Jeffrey Kottkamp. Kottkamp spoke to the students about the importance of character. A father of a Maclay alumnus, he praised Maclay for its dedication to teaching students the values of responsibility and integrity.

“[The speech] was very motivational and uplifting,” science teacher Bridget DePrince said. “I thought he did a great job.”

After Kottkamp’s speech, the signing began. As students signed their names, student musicians Kai Okui, Emmie Kutter, Tucker Couch, Melody Yu, Zach Revell, Bleakly Shettle, Bhavya Ramakrishnan, Vivi Lemmon and Grace Kennedy played music to contribute to the ceremony’s atmosphere. 

“I played Romanze by Max Bruch,” Lemmon said. “I felt like it was kind of a solemn piece to a certain extent but also reflective, and I felt like that embodied the ceremony.”

Beginning with the seniors, each class adhered to the same process: the entire grade stood as new classmates followed their student president across the floor towards the book of honor, which sat on display at the front of the gym. After the signing, the entire class reaffirmed their dedication to the Honor Code. The final Upper School class to complete the signing were the freshmen. 

“It was a special moment, " freshman Lilia Vail said. “It was really cool because it had all the history behind the book.”

Lastly, the new Upper School faculty followed Beamer in their procession across the floor. The staff signed the Honor Code, as well, holding themselves to the same conduct as their peers. 

“[Signing the book of honor] was really cool,” DePrince said. “It was a nice experience.”

The ceremony closed with Bas, who gave thanks to the musicians and closing remarks.