Graduation at St. Paul Academy and Summit School has traditionally included the same key elements: student speakers from the senior class, wearing white instead of graduation gowns, and the ceremony on the front lawn. While this year’s graduation ceremony is being held at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts instead of on the

SPA campus, the other elements that are hallmarks of an SPA commencement ceremony will remain. The ceremony will include student speeches from seniors Emilia Hoppe and Rahul Dev, and the keynote speaker will be Professor Karine Moe. Moe is an F.R. Bigelow Professor of Economics and the Provost and Dean of Faculty at Macalester College, in addition to being a parent of two SPA graduates. For her keynote address, Moe hopes to impart some advice that will help the seniors when they leave SPA.

“I plan on sharing with the graduates some of my thoughts about the challenges and opportunities that lie before them, and how SPA has prepared them for the future,” Moe said.

Being the parent of two former SPA graduates, Moe has had experience with past commencement ceremonies and keynote speakers.

“Each of the keynote speakers at my children’s graduation ceremonies brought a unique perspective, as will I, but I hope to follow their lead in inspiring both the graduates and their parents at the time of this important milestone,” Moe said.

Graduation will be held on Jun. 10 from 4-6pm at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.