Senior School Commencement exercises 

Shady Side Academy celebrated the 127 members of the Class of 2022 at Commencement Exercises on Friday, June 3, 2022 at Michael J. Farrell Stadium. The ceremony began at 9 a.m. with the Class of 2022 processing into the stadium as a bagpiper played The March of The King of Laois. The Chamber Choir sang You Are The New Day, and Rev. Thomas E. Johnson Jr. '73 gave the invocation. Academy President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed families to the celebration, and Alumni Council President Jim Ambrose '05 welcomed the Class of 2022 to the ranks of Shady Side alumni. Senior Sydney Demchak presented the class gift, recognizing the hard work of Metz Culinary staff.  Seniors Georgia "Gigi" Horgan and Steven Liu delivered the senior speeches, and Bentley Weiner '92, Vice President of HBO Sports, delivered the commencement address (see videos below). The Jazz Combo performed This Will Be (An Everlasting Love), and then Griffith, Senior School Head Trixie Sabundayo, Board of Trustees Chair Jonathan Kamin '91 and Dean of Studies Claire Logsdon presented diplomas to the graduates. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater and the benediction, before graduates and guests enjoyed a reception at the Farrell Stadium Entrance Plaza. Congratulations to the Class of 2022 and their families!

Class of 2022 College Decisions

Junior School Closing Exercises

The 39 members of the Junior School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Monday, June 6, 2022. The ceremony was held in Withers Gymnasium for fifth graders and their families. The fifth graders processed into the gym as the fifth grade band performed We Are Young. President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed the graduates and their families to the ceremony. A fifth grade slideshow was shown, and Head of Lower Schools Dr. Jennifer Asmonga introduced recent graduate Jasmine DeBruce '22, who gave the graduation address. The fifth grade chorus performed Memories , Assistant Heads of School Dr. Peter Mathis and Melanie Smith presented the graduates with their certificates, and Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2029 to the Middle School. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater, and graduates and their families enjoyed a reception afterward on the primary playground. Congratulations to the Class of 2029 and their families!

COUNTRY DAY School Closing Exercises

The 19 members of Country Day School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in the Great Hall. The ceremony began with the fifth grade processional, a welcome by Academy President Bart Griffith, the Pledge of Allegiance and a performance of America the Beautiful. Each fifth grader gave a three-word reflection, followed by the singing of the alma mater. Head of Country Day School Dr. Jennifer Asmonga introduced recent SSA graduate and CDS lifer Charlie Karet '22, who gave the graduation address. Fifth graders sangThe Garden Song before Griffith, Asmonga, Assistant Heads of School Josh Frechette and Katie Nestor, and fifth grade teachers Raquel Kramer and Lesley Smith presented the graduates with their certificates. Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2029 to the Middle School. The ceremony closed with the singing of Remember You and Wonderful Friends, and the recessional and reception. Congratulations to the Class of 2029 and their families!

Faculty & Staff Awards and Honors

A number of awards are presented annually during Closing Days to recognize excellence, dedication and service by SSA faculty and staff.

The Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance

Thanks to the generosity of the late Henry Posner Jr. ’37 and the Posner family, the Academy has extended the Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance to 34 faculty members since 2004. The purpose of the Posner Award is “to recognize, inspire and reward those faculty members at Shady Side Academy who, through their special ‘gift of teaching’ and mentoring, have affected, in a highly special way, the learning, development and lives of one or more individual students. This award, presuming as it does a high quality of teaching in all Shady Side faculty, recognizes and honors a teacher of transcendent influence, one whose impact on a particular student or group of students has been uniquely beneficial and enduring.”

David Szlachetka, Senior School Computer Science Teacher

David Szlachetka has been at SSA since 1994, having served as computer science teacher and department chair, director of academic technology, dean of students and dean of academic affairs. "Mr. S" has also has been a member of the Residential Life program, served on the Admissions Committee and coached several boys and girls varsity sports. He was a systems engineer at Westinghouse Electric Co. before joining SSA.

One student said, “Mr. S. has taken the time to understand my long-term goals and ambitions of playing Division I college hockey and earning a business degree from an Ivy League university. Although these goals are surely lofty, Mr. S. believes in me and all of his students to help them reach any goal that they have dreamed up.”

A parent wrote, “All three of our children are better students and citizens due to Dave’s guidance as their freshman advisor as well as ongoing support and encouragement throughout their high school years. One of our children was quiet and thoughtful throughout his time at Shady Side but Dave didn’t let him hide, and instead drew out his strengths as a quiet leader academically, athletically and socially. Dave took the time to understand the gifts he had and helped him share those gifts with others on the field and in the classroom. He encouraged him to bring out the best in fellow students with his positive attitude and leading by example.”

Daniel Brill, Senior School Music Teacher

Dr. Dan Brill has been teaching music at the Senior School since 1986, directing the choral and strings groups and previously serving as chair of the Arts Department. He also has taught secondary music in Kansas, Nebraska and Pennsylvania and has taken advantage of numerous professional development opportunities to study, sing and perform under master conductors.

A student wrote, "Beyond his personal achievements, he has a real passion for music. It is apparent in the way he teaches his classes and immerses us in the works of the Beatles, Mozart, and Leonard Bernstein."

A parent wrote, “We have been amazed by the energy of Dr. Brill and the countless hours he spends with his students outside of the classroom to prepare them in the best way possible. He gives his best and expects the best effort from his students, which they give him day in and day out. Dr. Brill is a tremendous role model for his students, with his hard work and dedication, and wise and calm demeanor. Dr. Brill embodies the school’s mission to build complete individuals and prepare them to live meaningful, vibrant and gratifying lives.”