BETHEL – Seventy-four seniors received diplomas at Gould Academy’s 167th commencement exercises on May 31. The outdoor ceremony was attended by several hundred family members and friends, and featured a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize winning author and columnist Russell Baker, host of Public Television’s Masterpiece Theater.

Among the graduates were area residents Patricia Bean, Shula Bien, Idin Dalpour, Christopher Leonards, Kian Merchant-Borna and Hadley Planting.

Patricia Marie Bean, the daughter of Robert and Kathleen Bean of Farmington, has attended Gould Academy for three years and has been a member of the varsity field hockey, lacrosse, and cross country ski teams. She will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall.

Shulamit Rose Johanna Bien is the daughter of Steve Bien and Ellen Grunblatt of Jay. A member of the National Honor Society who served as a student proctor during her senior year, she has attended Gould Academy for four years. Her name will be engraved on the school’s honor plaque in recognition of her achievement of a cumulative academic average of 90 or above for those years. She has been active in the music program and has been a member of the varsity field hockey, lacrosse and cross country ski teams.

During the commencement ceremony, she received the Annie Daley Courchesne Award, given annually in memory of Courchesne, a member of Gould Academy’s Class of 1986, to celebrate the spirit of student involvement in social, political and environmental causes. Bien will attend the University of Chicago in the fall.

Idin Dalpour is the son of Waleck and Nahid Dalpour of Wilton. A member of the National Honor Society, he has attended Gould Academy for three years, and has played varsity soccer, basketball and baseball. He plans to attend American University.

Christopher Olaf Leonards, the son of Jeffrey and Kathryn Leonards of Wilton, is a National Honor Society member and served as a student proctor. During his three years at Gould Academy, he has been active in the cross country running, nordic skiing, and lacrosse programs, as well as the music program. He will attend Bates College.

Kian Merchant-Borna is a four-year member of Gould’s class of 2003. A member of the jazz band and the soccer, freestyle skiing, and lacrosse teams, he served as a student proctor during his senior year. He is the son of Christine Merchant and the late Shapour Pajuhesh of Farmington, and will attend Alfred University.

Hadley Catherine Planting is the daughter of Scott and Marsha Planting of Farmington. A student proctor and member of the National Honor Society, she has attended Gould Academy for three years. Her name will be engraved on the school’s honor plaque in recognition of her achievement of a cumulative academic average of 90 or above for those years. Active in Gould’s athletic program as a member of the varsity soccer, basketball and softball teams, at the commencement ceremony she received both the Frances “Hi” Berry Award, for outstanding competitive spirit and overall competency in athletics, and the Andy-Valley Softball Umpires Association Award for academic and athletic achievement, character and leadership. She will attend Union College in the fall.

Gould Academy is an independent college preparatory school offering programs in skiing, the arts, student leadership and experiential education.