On May 23, 2025, 138 seniors, along with their proud families, teachers, and friends, gathered in the Harris Performance Gym to commemorate the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2025 during the 64th Commencement ceremony. The event marked by a beautiful spring day was a memorable milestone, signifying the beginning of their next chapter while always remaining a Buc for Life.
View all photos from the Class of 2025 Commencement, including cap & gown, and candids.
Country Day is proud to celebrate the many accomplishments of the Class of 2025 as they prepare to take the next steps in their academic and personal journeys. Read more about the Senior Awards Night, including pictures and Mr. Utley's inspiring speech.
This impressive class of 138 seniors submitted 1,130 college applications to 217 colleges and universities—an average of 8 per student. Their thoughtful, focused approach to the college search process led to acceptances at 177 unique institutions across 23 states and France, and they will enroll at 69 different colleges and universities this fall.
Graduation awards:
Mary Allen Todd English Award: Lily Giardi
JR Williams Award: Alice Stewart
Charles Heisler Bodine, Jr. Mathematics Award: Evie Haner
Charlotte Country Day School Chinese Award: Zach Lu
Mary Nicholson Goddard French Award: Penelope Cole
Emma Watts Pickens Classics Award: Taylor Phillips
Suzanne Pardee Hynes Spanish Award: Mary Owen
Dolly S. Hickman Science Award: Trey Dean
Outstanding Cultural Contribution Award: Mallie Waters
Senior of the Year Award: Nile Collins-Friedland
Katy McCanless Underwood Spirit Award: Jack Foodman
Victora Ludorum Award: Grayson Anne McCurdy
The Athlete's Cup Award: Nolan Bates
Top Scholar for the Year Award: Lily Giardi
Cumulative Top Scholar Award: Lily Giardi
Head of School's Award: Nolan Bates and Lula Porter Barber
Senior Parker Foodman was selected as the speaker for the class, and Donna Campbell-Patrick received the Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award.
Highlights include:
- 39% of students applied Early Decision; 61% of those were accepted.
- 88% submitted Early Action applications; 50% applied Regular Decision.
- 71% of students will attend colleges outside North Carolina; 29% will remain in-state.
- The class showed increased admissions to UNC–Chapel Hill and other large southern public universities.
- Students were admitted to 6 of the 8 Ivy League schools.
- A growing number explored unique paths, including HBCUs, women’s colleges, and programs in fashion design, aeronautical studies, and the military.
Academic Distinctions
Our seniors were recognized for their academic excellence through prestigious scholarships and honors:
- Jefferson Scholar and Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia
- Two National Merit finalists
- Five National Merit Commended students
- Students were accepted into honors programs at top universities including UNC–Chapel Hill, UVA, Clemson, NC State, Michigan State, and more.
- To date, the class has been offered over $12.7 million in scholarships for academics, athletics, leadership, and special talents
Athletic and Arts Commitments
- 18 seniors will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level across a variety of sports and divisions, including:
- Ivy League: Yale (soccer), Dartmouth (track), Princeton (track), Brown (swimming)
- D-I Programs: Cal Berkeley (swimming), Oklahoma State (equestrian), Florida Atlantic (volleyball), and more.
- Two seniors have been accepted to highly selective musical theatre programs at Syracuse University and the Manhattan School of Music.
Catherine OdumDirector of College Counseling
This class reflects a generation of students who are thoughtful and intentional, and exploring a wide array of majors and paths—from engineering to fashion design, and from the arts to military service. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2025 and all they have accomplished. Their hard work, curiosity, and character will undoubtedly lead them to continued success in college and beyond."
ICYMI: Student Thought Leaders from the Class of 2025
We asked a few members of the Class of 2025 to reflect on their time at Country Day, their most meaningful activities, and what lies ahead. Their experiences may differ, but each one reflects our mission to shape well-rounded, healthy individuals ready to make their mark.