On May 22, 2026, 141 seniors gathered in the Harris Performance Gym for Charlotte Country Day School's 65th Commencement Ceremony—a joyful morning of tradition, recognition, and well-earned celebration. Dr. Tara Christie Kinsey presided over her first commencement as Head of School, senior Lacey Cook delivered remarks on behalf of her classmates, and Middle School Science teacher Simon Keilty was honored with the Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award. Below are highlights of this extraordinary class. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
View All Photos: Class of 2026 Commencement & Events
Watch the 2026 Commencement Ceremony Livestream
Read Dr. Kinsey's Commencement Speech
College Admission & Matriculation Highlights
- 141 seniors submitted 1,107 applications to 203 colleges and universities (average 8 per student)
- Admitted to 170 unique colleges and universities
- Students will attend 70 colleges and universities in 23 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada
- 68% will attend institutions outside of North Carolina; 32% will remain in-state
- 45% will attend private colleges; 55% will attend public universities
- UNC-Chapel Hill admitted 32 seniors (up from 23 last year)
Scholarships & Academic Recognition
- More than $14.7 million in scholarship offers awarded to date
- Morehead-Cain Scholar, US Naval Academy Appointment
- 5 National Merit Finalists; 13 Commended Students
- Additional awards include:
- Agnes Scott College Marvin B. Perry Presidential Scholarship
- February One Scholarship (NC A&T)
- NMSC Special Scholarship Competition (C.D. Spangler Foundation)
- Students were accepted into honors programs at 12 institutions: American University, Auburn University, Clemson University, College of Charleston, Randolph-Macon College, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama, University of Georgia, University of Miami, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Wilmington, University of South Carolina
College Athletics
13 seniors will continue competing at the collegiate level:
- Bates College – Baseball
- Bucknell University – Basketball
- Middlebury College – Football & Lacrosse
- Purdue University – Swimming
- Queens University of Charlotte – Baseball
- Randolph-Macon College – Volleyball
- Sewanee – Baseball
- Southwest Minnesota State University – Wrestling
- Stanford University – Swimming
- Tulane University – Swimming
- University of Florida – Swimming
- Washington and Lee University – Basketball, Soccer
Graduation Awards
Top Scholar of the Year Award: Alex Hedrick
Cumulative Top Scholar Award: Caroline Mallard
Victora Ludorum Award: Molly Brown
Athlete's Cup Award: Crandall Wilkins
Emma Watts Pickens Classics Award: Alex Hedrick
Mary Nicholson Goddard French Award: Caroline Mallard
Suzanne Pardee Hynes Spanish Award: Brynn Keilty
Charlotte Country Day School Chinese Award: Azariah Gordon
Mary Allen Todd English Award: Lauren Beach
J.R. Williams History Award: Kya Newell
Dolly S. Hickman Science Award: Sally Farnham
Charles Heisler Bodine, Jr. Mathematics Award: Brayton Patt
Outstanding Cultural Contribution Award: Eva Manousos
Katy McCanless Underwood Spirit Award: Camilla Hart
Head of School's Award: Charles Dekle, Eva Manousos
Senior of the Year Award: Ricky Browne
Read more about Senior Awards Night, held on May 20, 2026.