Matt Burgy, Head of School

May 12, 2023

Dear Oakridge Family,

Tomorrow will be a day of immense celebration for our school as we graduate the Class of 2023. As you come on campus this week, I hope you can take a tour of the Quad, where our graduates' college destinations are proudly on display. Our 72 seniors have been awarded over $8.1 million in scholarships to 144 colleges from coast to coast and border to border. The college and universities our graduates will be attending are impressive. They will allow them to experience a diverse array of opportunities in which they will continue to hone their talents and skills. For example, 10 of our graduates will be moving on to compete in intercollegiate athletics in football, basketball, track, golf, and volleyball. Eight of our graduates are National Merit Commended Scholars, College Board National Recognition Scholars, or National Merit Finalists. Many more are moving on to perform in the Fine Arts while in college. Their accomplishments are impressive, to say the least.

More than where they are going, they have left their mark on Oakridge. We are a better place because of the Class of 2023. They played in multiple state championship games, bringing home numerous state championships and a slew of runner-up trophies. They have performed at Carnegie Hall and competed in All-Region and All-State Orchestras and Choir competitions. They have been nominated and awarded a bevy of Buckley Awards and Dallas Broadway High School Theater Awards. They have won drone competitions, robotics competitions, and led our model UN to receive a high level of distinction. They have been servant leaders, with every student completing 60 hours of community service. One student individually committed over 600 hours of community service alone. They will not only leave us with a treasure trove of trophies, but they will also leave behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, and joy. They have represented Oakridge with class and distinction in a way that is unique to only their class. To say they will be missed is an understatement. They have each epitomized what it means to be a 3 A's student and have left an indelible example of how to be an Oakridge Owl.

I am grateful that they will be my first class to graduate, and I look forward to hearing of them chase their dreams and aspirations. I have no doubt that they will change the world to be a better place.

With Gratitude,

Matt Burgy

Head of School