Moving Up: The Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony

The annual Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony occurred on June 8. Eighth-grade students and their families filled the Seldin Performing 艺术 Center, w在这里 校长 Mary Halpin Carter welcomed everyone and addressed eighth graders. “This is a big life moment,”她说。. "为了你们的家人, 老师, 顾问, 和教练, it means so much to be 在这里 and 智慧ness the culmination of all your hard work. Looking forward, so much awaits you in 上学校, and we hope you embrace it all. Explore new academic subjects and emerging technologies, dive into new interests, build your confidence and sense of well-being, and discover your leadership style and skills.”

后博士. Carter’s remarks, Head of 中学 Amber Berry presented the annual 中学 Awards. 
 
Congratulations to the following 中学 Awards recipients: 
 
Ed Scovner Excellence in Teaching Award: Jennifer Pokorney, St. 路加福音’s 中学 History Teacher
 
Academic Growth Award: Annabel Geraci ‘27
 
Go Forth to Serve Award: Charlotte Harris ‘27 & 赖兰·詹姆斯，27岁
 
Emil Bucci Excellence in Character Award: Ethan Lanier ‘27 & 杰克·阿伦，27岁
 
Junior Loyalty Cup: Daphne Antonioli ‘27
 
During the ceremony, beloved 老师 Jessie Samuel and Brinley Ehlers spoke to the class. They were selected by the Class of 2027 and shared fond middle school memories and words of encouragement 智慧h the students. 

中学 Student Body President 赖兰·詹姆斯，27岁 also addressed the class. “Moving into this next chapter of our lives, t在这里’s a lot that’s going to change,” he said. “We’ll make new friends, learn new things, and take new risks. But what isn’t going to change is our spirit. I’ve been 智慧h this class throughout the entirety of middle school, and t在这里’s one thing I’ve always noticed. We’ve always been kind, caring individuals. I know this is always going to be true, and no matter what changes, we’ll always be t在这里 for each other. So, thank you all for helping to create such a wonderful community, and I look forward to seeing you in ninth grade.”

Following Rylan’s remarks, each student was invited on stage and presented 智慧h a certificate of promotion. After all 67 students were recognized, Head of 中学 Amber Berry imparted some kind words for the students. “To the class of 2027: You’ve wowed your peers 智慧h your insights, 智慧, 音乐天赋, 讲故事, literary consumption, 问题, 激情, 和更多的,”她说。. “You are, each of you, special 智慧h amazing gifts to share. Each of you has a team of those who really, truly care about supporting you through your ups and downs, successes and failures, achievements and trials. Some members of your team live 智慧h you, others are sitting beside you, and still more will be t在这里 to greet you next year. Today we celebrate all that you have done and celebrate your next steps as you accept new challenges and bright opportunities.”

With this being Madame Berry’s last year as St. 路加福音’s Head of 中学, she also shared her final goodbyes. “T在这里 are two ways to say goodbye in French,”她说。. “One is more serious and rarely used: adieu, means goodbye forever. But the other, au revoir, means until I see you again. I ask that you remember on this day and throughout your upper school years that you are not leaving middle school to be forgotten; your 老师, 知识, and experiences are 在这里. 因此，作为夫人. Ehlers has already shared, it is appropriate and very much desired that you continue to come back to the middle school. That reminder applies to me as well. Merci et au revoir, les enfants!”

Congratulations to the Class of 2027. Enjoy the next stage of your journey to the 上学校!