Over the course of the last year, Laila Palmer ’21 and Gabby Issa ’18 have navigated starting and running a small business during a time that was particularly difficult for small business owners. Bark + Bee Honey, established in 2020, is an online business that sells fresh honey with 100% of the proceeds benefiting dog shelters in New Jersey. 

From her childhood bedroom in Ohio, Anna Marie spends her days counseling student government advisory representatives on writing bill proposals, supervising the creative process behind student run events and initiatives, supporting the fencing team from afar as they practice, all while attending classes and participating in extracurricular activities. 

A cap, a gown, and a beaming smile. The first two are synonymous with graduation, but the third was certainly the most meaningful accessory of the day, as 132 members of the Class of 2021 graduated from The Hun School of Princeton. 

"Saying goodbye is not letting go of each other. It is a tribute to our experience, our memories, and our time together. Hun has given us friendships, mentorships, and growth that will live on with us, way beyond just the years of high school. And for that, I am extremely grateful for every wonderful soul I’ve met at Hun. Thank you, and congratulations, class of 2021! We are all going to do amazing things."

"Congratulations to the class of 2021. In the future, you might feel helpless and without purpose for a while. You might feel isolated and lonely when embarking on unique adventures that no one has set foot on. But be like the cicadas, shout your aspirations to the world, celebrate your passions, allow yourself to be vulnerable despite what others may think, and you will surely find a fulfilling path."

"If I have learned one thing over the past year that I could share with you today, it is to take advantage of every moment and opportunity. Try new foods. Take the trip. Meet as many people as you can. Hug your friends. Fill up your brain with as many new sensory memories as it can hold."