Westports Greens Farms Academy Graduates Largest Senior Class

WESTPORT, Conn. – A total of 83 students from Fairfield County and beyond started a new chapter in their lives Thursday morning as they received their high school diplomas from Greens Farms Academy, a private school in Westport.

Members of the Greens Farms Academy Class of 2013 gather for a photo during the school's 88th commencement Thursday in Westport.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Scott Pelley, anchor and managing editor of "CBS Evening News" and correspondent for "60 Minutes" addresses the Greens Farms Academy graduates Thursday.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

JT Becker of Westport receives his diploma from Head of School Janet Hartwell during Greens Farms Academy's 88th graduation ceremony Thursday.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

by Vanessa Inzitari

06/06/2013 6:30 p.m.

Darien's Scott Pelley, anchor and managing editor of “CBS Evening News,” gave this year’s commencement address. He told the graduates to do something with their lives that they will thoroughly enjoy.

“Find that thing that gives you joy,” Pelley, who is also a correspondent for “60 Minutes,” told the graduates. “Find that thing that you'd do even if they didn't pay you to do it.”

With 83 students, the Class of 2013 was the largest class to graduate in the school’s 88-year history.

Also a first in Greens Farms Academy history, two graduates tied for valedictorian. As a result, the students, Darien’s Caroline Vanacore and Rashad Nimr of Southport, gave a joint valedictory speech.

Nimr is headed to the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, and Vanacore will attend Dartmouth College.

Members of the graduating class represented 14 different towns in southern Connecticut.

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