2026 Fifth Grade Moving-Up Ceremony

Students, families, friends, faculty and staff gathered in the Kurtz Center of the Performing Arts to celebrate fifth grade students at their Moving-Up Ceremony on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

The event began with the Handbell Choir performing "Festival Fanfare," directed by music teacher Jaysen Rosario. Head of School Karen Warren Coleman greeted the audience, followed by remarks from Director of Lower School Thu-Nga Morris.

Fifth grade students, including Anna Barsanti, Madeleine Cohen, Cora Sangobowale, Saya Shah, Aryana Adappa, Thomas Jackson V, Malcolm Sullivan, Leo Serventi, Leia Gannone, Emery Distel-Wherley and Zena Kapust St. Fort, offered inspirational words for their classmates and shared reflections on their experiences in Lower School.

Emma Milner, Maeve Cunningham, Henry Grinwis and Ava Mondrosch introduced the video presentation of the fifth grade, which featured photographs of the students through the years.

Thu-Nga Morris awarded each fifth grader a certificate, and Director of Middle School Kathleen Clinchy welcomed them to the Middle School. 

The Penn Pals sang "Blessing," followed by the entire fifth grade performing the Penn Charter Alma Mater, and finally "As We Leave This Friendly Place," a long-standing Lower School tradition.

Congratulations to the Class of 2033! 

View Photos

Video Recording