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Hello, everyone. My name is Huck Agar-Johnson. First of all, I am incredibly grateful for my past six years here. At Brentwood, I have learned about subjects ranging from microbiology to foreign governments to Renaissance literature. I want to thank the passionate faculty who dedicate so much to our learning, my cross-country teammates who cheer during the ups and downs, and my amazing friends who support me every day. But above all, my biggest takeaway from Brentwood is the spirit of kindness.

Let’s recall a time notorious for its social awkwardness: Middle School. It was a sunny SoCal morning as I came into Brentwood School on the first day of 7th grade. Having moved from across the country only three weeks earlier, I was new not only to Brentwood but also to the entire state. I was shy, unsure of myself, and envious of the countless kids who already knew other people.

That first week of school was hard, but it became a testament to what makes the Brentwood community special. Through my advisory, school bus rides, lunch tables on the pool patio, sitting in class, and at bar and bat mitzvahs, I was connected to countless friendly faces.

Looking back, I now see how the collective stress—and excitement—of beginning something new meant that everyone saw each other as a potential friend. The spirit of branching out, meeting new people, and welcoming others characterized my introduction to Brentwood.

Five years later, under a starry sky far from the hazy glow of downtown LA, the feeling returned. On our senior retreat, we engaged in insightful discussions and shared deeply personal stories that most of us had never heard before. Circled around the campfire, I had the most memorable moment of my Brentwood experience: as the embers died down, I connected with peers I admittedly rarely spoke to otherwise. The stigma of reaching out beyond our closest friend groups had vanished. We truly came together; our prior hesitance to build new connections dissolved. I wish we could have held onto that feeling for longer.

Now at the end of my time at Brentwood, I reflect back on my years here. Where I see our community’s strength is not only in the lifelong friendships I have already made, but also in the small moments of connectedness I get to share every day with all of you. Only now do I realize the power of a smile in the hallway, a quick laugh with a peer, a text from a distant friend, or an unexpected compliment from a classmate. These instances of extending kindness to everyone— not just to our best friends—make Brentwood what it is.

Now I look to the future. Next year, wherever we may be off to, there will be a period of newness, of branching out, of connection—a special span of time where everyone you meet is a potential friend. So, Class of 2023, let’s not only relish that feeling and openness, but foster it and keep it alive. Let’s make sure that wherever we go, that spirit of kindness does not fade away after a few weeks.

To finish, I would like to share a quote from Maya Angelou that I think about as we transition from Brentwood to what comes next: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Thank you.