NJ Senator Cory Booker Sends off Newark Academy’s Class of 2025

Livingston, NJ — The Honorable Cory A. Booker, United States Senator for New Jersey delivered an inspiring and energetic keynote address to the Class of 2025 at Newark Academy — an independent school for grades 6-12 in Livingston, NJ — during its 251st Commencement on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Senator Booker passionately used personal stories and a touch of humor to emphasize that true leadership is not about titles or accolades, but about the courage to serve others, especially when it’s hard. “When we stand for others, when we stand in righteous service, when we stand with kindness, when we reach out to others, that is how we create a greater nation,” Booker said.

Newark Academy conferred the degrees of 117 students from the Class of 2025 which boasted 64 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates, 27 National Merit Commended Scholars, 23 Cum Laude Society Members and logged more than 18,000 hours of community service, significantly greater than any previous class. In addition, 11 members of the class led the Chameleon jazz band to be named among the top 10 high school jazz bands across the globe and eight are continuing their athletic careers at NCAA Division I and Division III colleges.

Abby Hsu ’25 of Summit was chosen by the Cum Laude Society to deliver the traditional T.C. Abbey Oration, recited each year at Commencement in honor of beloved teacher T.C. “Charlie” Abbey. As the graduates prepare for their next chapters, Abby asked her peers to never be afraid of chaos and always remember the wisdom learned at NA. “In a world shaped by unpredictability, it’s self-control that matters most,” she said. “It’s what we create within the chaos that makes us who we are.”

Outgoing Head of School Donald M. Austin was named an honorary member of the Class of 2025 by Chair of the Board of Trustees Samuel W. Croll III ’68 in a light-hearted moment, honoring his 18-years of service to the Academy. Don, who concluded his leadership at the end of the school year, called on the graduates to take with them the guiding principle of NA’s mission statement — a generosity of spirit. “In practice, generosity of spirit can be a powerful force for good, and it helps shine the light on our better natures,” he said. “My final challenge to you is that you cultivate and practice generosity of spirit in small ways and large, for the good of your soul and the good of our world.”

Following the awarding of the diplomas, Senior Class President Matt Herbert ’25 of Short Hills sent the graduates off with the traditional turning of the tassel and the throwing of the caps.

To watch Senator Booker's Commencement address, click here.

Founded in 1774, Newark Academy is one of the nation’s oldest day schools and older than our country. For more than 250 years, Newark Academy has been committed to innovative, relationship-centered teaching and learning, delivering a best-in-class education. Newark Academy’s motto, “Ad Lumen” — meaning “toward the light,” serves as the school’s guiding principle. The school’s approach has illuminated the potential in generations of students by empowering them to pursue their passions and achieve excellence both inside and outside the classroom. For more information about Newark Academy, visit www.newarka.edu.