Kenston Forest School (KFS) held the 53rd commencement Friday, May 31, in the Kenston Forest School Gymnasium. Thirty-one seniors received their diplomas from Charles Butts, President of the Lunenburg-Nottoway Educational Foundation and Paul Zanowski, Headmaster of KFS. Nine of the seniors are second or third generation Kavaliers.

The Rev. Doctor Peter Smith gave the Invocation. McKaellen Renee Wilkerson, historian of the class presented the history of the class. The salutatory address was presented by Rachel Carrington Moore. Emily Reagan Hawthorne presented the valedictory address.

Music was provided by the Central of Lunenburg Charger Brass Ensemble directed by Maurice Ellis.

The guest speaker was H. Randolph Holmes, Jr., KFS Class of 1975, of Richmond. Holmes is the president and senior principal at Glave and Holmes Architecture in Richmond. Originally from South Hill, Randolph graduated from KFS in 1975, then attended the University of Virginia for both his bachelor and master’s degrees in architecture. An award-winning architect, Randolph has received recognition for many of his designs from professional institutions and magazines including Architectural Digest, the American Institute of Architects, the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, and American School and University. He is married to Michaux Gee Holmes and they have three grown children.

The following students received awards during the graduation ceremony:

The recipient of the 2019 Justin Hart Brandon Memorial award is Jah’Tavious Houston.

The recipient of the 2019 Don and Phyllis Deaton Memorial Scholarship is Peyton Coleman.

VFW Post 7897 of Blackstone scholarship was awarded to Rachel Carrington Moore.

Elizabeth Sterling Crowder obtained an associate degree while in high school.

The Robert Allen Quicke Sportsmanship Award was presented to Samuel Emory Hodges.

The Carl Burton Schwabenton Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Samantha Jaira Gunn.

Marian Anzolut /Martha Hoefler Memorial Scholarship recipient is Samantha Jaira Gunn.

Blackstone Rotary Club Scholarship was awarded to Juniela Mari Perez.

The recipient of this year’s Headmaster’s Award for Inspirational Leadership is Juniela Mari Perez.

The Alumni Association offers a Kenston Forest Alumni Association Scholarship recipient is Matthew Ramsey Norton.

The Adam Bryant Memorial Scholarship recipient is Juniela Mari Perez.

The N. Burton Allen Distinguished Graduate Award was given to McKaellen Renee Wilkerson.