2026 Eighth Grade Moving-Up Ceremony

On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the eighth grade class concluded their middle school journey with a beautiful moving-up ceremony.

The Graham Athletics & Wellness Center was filled with family, friends, faculty, staff and fellow middle school students to celebrate the eighth graders who will be moving on to Upper School this fall. Eighth graders Graham Sala and Nabil Mustapha welcomed their classmates and introduced Head of School Karen Warren Coleman, who addressed the audience and shared reflections on the past school year. Inés Sheer and Sophia Balin remarked on their eighth grade experiences and initiated a call to gathering as the ceremony held a short Meeting for Worship.

The program featured speeches from six students: Paul Mazur, sixth grade; Nicky Howe, seventh grade; and Emerson Walsh, Mallory Michener, Simone Borish and Andie Shaginaw, eighth grade. Eighth graders Leela Vedanthan and Bianca Jones gave the teacher acknowledgment speech. Eighth Grade Choir performed "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" by Billy Joel, accompanied and directed by Choral Director Tony Yoo. Special awards and presentations for the graduates followed.

Director of Middle School Kathleen Clinchy led the Moving-Up ceremony and Director of Upper School Kim Berndt welcomed the eighth graders to Upper School.

Award Winners

Hal Commons Memorial Award
Presented by Kathleen Clinchy, this award is given to a Middle School student who best exemplifies the qualities of caring, sharing and responsibility.

• Rex Bremner, Lena Polite

Richard Mott Jones Memorial Award
Presented by Kerry Howard, assistant director of the Middle School, this award is given to an outstanding member of the eighth grade class who excels in academics, athletics, the fine and performing arts, and contributes positively to the social environment in our Middle School.

• Delilah Halcomb

Antonios S. Thomas Memorial Award
Presented by Karen Warren Coleman, this award is given to a Middle School student who best embodies the spirit, energy and enthusiasm of Middle School and has earned the respect of students and teachers alike. The recipient's presence in Middle School has made our community better.

• Juliette Torrisi

Congratulations to the Class of 2030!

View Photos

View Recording (starts at 31:38)