The Quaker school for girls awards 41 diplomas.

01:00 AM EDT on Friday, June 9, 2006

BY JENNIFER D. JORDAN
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- At previous graduations at Lincoln School, Jessica Mandeville was mystified when seniors talked about how close and united their class was, because she could not say the same. The Class of 2006 had too many differences to fall into neat and easy friendships, she thought.

Yesterday, Jessica addressed her 40 classmates at their graduation and thanked them for "the exciting undercurrent of clashing personalities" that nevertheless did produce lasting, if unlikely, friendships.

"We are 41 pairs of feet traveling in 41 different directions," she told her classmates, who sat on a stage in Lincoln's gymnasium wearing long white dresses and clutching bouquets. "The possibilities are endless."

Lincoln School, Rhode Island's only private Quaker school for girls, included touches of its heritage during the school's 121st graduation ceremony. Exercises opened with a simple prayer and students sang "Simple Gifts."

Lincoln School's emphasis on service was praised by the commencement speaker, Mark Gearan, former head of the Peace Corps and current president of Hobart & William Smith colleges.

Now the challenge is to integrate service into their everyday lives, Gearan told the graduates.

Lincoln School students, as Americans and as recipients of an excellent education, need to give back to society, "without asking anything in return," he said.

"Fifty or sixty years from now, when you are sitting on your front porch, thinking about what matters most, will you be thinking about the wealth you've accumulated or your social status?" Gearan said. "No. You will be thinking that you contributed something to society, that you did something, that you gave back."

Science teacher Sarah Fogarty, who retired after more than three decades at the school, said she could understand the mix of anticipation and sadness the graduates were feeling. She implored them to stay young at heart.

"My wish for you is that you never become grown up," she said. "If you grow up, you have no where left to grow."

Julia Eels, who took over as head of Lincoln School last fall, mentioned each senior by name as she thanked them for helping her through her first year and making her feel welcome. She compared the girls to the colors and weave of Lincoln's plaid uniform -- different threads flowing in different directions that form a pattern.

"Remember you are part of the fabric of Lincoln School," she said.

jjordan@projo.com / (401) 277-7254

The graduates are:

Jennifer L. Adams

Eliza W. Barrett

Irene T. Beauregard

Nichole J. D. G. Benavidez*

Laura J. Berlinsky-Schine

Rachael A. Bloom

Amanda J. Bourque

Caroline Q. Canning

Anna R. Coon

Eleanor G. Cutler

Stephanie S. DelPonte

Christine E. Downs

Darcy S. Emerson

Alexandra A. Gordon

Corlis A. Gross

Thao T. Huynh

Amber F. LaCasse

Erika L. Lavoie

Bridget E. MacBain

Alexis A. Mancini

Jessica D. Mandeville

Jai-Me D. R. McCann

Folake M. Ogundipe

Nola J. Palombo

Kristen E. Presnol

Sarah E. Quinn

Lauren M. Raeburn

Linsey M. Reis

Nathalie H. Renema

Amy G. Ritter

Antonia A. Rutter

Lindsey A. Saez

Caitlin K. Scott

Joanna D. Senville

Gabrielle Sherba

Natasha E. Stutsman-Hubbell

Kathan E. Teepe

Kiranya E. Tipirneni

Lauren R. Van Schepen

Nickole R. Walker

Kelsey E. White

* -- International student -- Certificate of Completion