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Convocation 2025
Sahara Portlance

Branson celebrated its annual Convocation on September 26, 2025, marking the start of the school year with lively music and inspiring speeches. 

2 rows of students sitting, smiling, and attentive at Convocation.

Head of School Chris Mazzola greeted students, faculty, and staff with a warm welcome. The program started with a lively performance of Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, sung by the Branson Singers. Then, Senior Class Representative Kyle Penzack read Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken.

This year’s keynote address was given by Science Teacher Percival Barretto-Ko. He encouraged students to stop thinking about success based on things like grades, college admissions, or titles. Instead, he said to follow your own path and live a life that’s true to yourself.

Branson Teacher, Percival Barretto-Ko stands at podium, smiling at the audience during his speech.

 “Use your own compass,” he said. “Find your true north. Give yourself grace along the way. And remember—it is never too late to discover who you were born to be. Sometimes it takes thirty years. And that’s okay.”

Barretto-Ko ended his speech with a quote from the popular movie K-Pop Demon Hunters: “I’m done hiding, now I’m shining like I’m born to be. We’ve worked hard and come so far, and now I believe. We’re going up, up, up—it’s our time. You know together we’re shining.”

6 students stand outside performing music. 4 students are in the background: 2 playing guitars and 2 playing drums. 2 students are in the foreground singing into microphones..

 After the keynote, Senior Class Representatives Mallory  Fisher and Cooper Little read an excerpt from Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, sharing a message of hope, resilience, and self-confidence.

 Branson’s Rock Band ended the ceremony with a lively performance that honored rock music of the 60s and 70s, playing Sister Golden Hair by America, Take It Easy by the Eagles, and California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and the Papas.

Photos by Brian Wedge, Wedge Creative.