Eighth Grade Commemorates Final Middle School Year

Members of the Class of 2028 and their families gathered in the McDonnell Athletic Center (MAC) this week for a festive celebration commemorating the final year of Middle School for eighth graders. Students and families enjoyed remarks from Head of School Jay Rainey, Head of Middle School Jen Schuckman, and several other guest speakers.

Kennan Miller ’28 and Bella Froedge ’28, eighth-grade Community Leadership Council (CLC) members, welcomed everyone to the event and introduced Mr. Rainey, who spoke to the students about this current season of the cicadas in St. Louis and shared the connections to this year’s significant milestone for the Class of 2028. He said, « It’s a romantic idea, isn’t it, that thousands upon thousands of cicadas on our campus are singing for you this evening? I hope you will let it linger with you here—this feeling, as you commemorate the conclusion of your Middle School years at MICDS, and all that you have accomplished in them, that not only all of your teachers, advisors, coaches, and other Middle School staff, and your family and friends—not only they, but even the countless cicadas, and the trees in which they harmoniously thrum—even they celebrate and congratulate you. »

After his remarks, CLC members Ryan Moore ’28, Ahmed Ansari ’28, and Bruce Elvin ’28 announced the class gift. Each year, the eighth-grade class sells spirit items during Homecoming Week, and this year, the proceeds went to Family Forward. This organization supports comprehensive therapeutic and educational services for biological, foster, and adoptive families.

Then, Lydia Brown ’28, Audrey Taves ’28, and Simera Balci ’28 shared reflections they had written about the meaning of community, nostalgia, and the unique and exciting opportunities ahead. (Check the MICDS Blog or the MICDS social media channels this summer to read their full remarks.) Ines Shultz, a beloved Middle School World Languages Teacher, followed them with wisdom about the power of now. She said, « The time to smile is now, the time to reach out to another person is now, the time to talk to a new classmate is now, the time to say I am sorry is now, and the time to forgive is now. Do not let a moment pass where you can lift someone up. Remember that if you give love, love will come back to you. »

Finally, students enjoyed a year-in-review video by Middle School Art Teacher Jayme Zimmer, which allowed them to revisit the year’s highlights and reflect on their accomplishments.

Schuckman took the podium to announce the Duncan Award, which is voted on by the eighth-grade class. The award is presented to a Middle School faculty member whose hard work, determination, and selfless giving challenge students to strive for excellence and achieve their full potential. This year’s recipient is Middle School Arts Teacher Jason Roberts.

Schuckman then shared remarks about this « sunny » class. She said, « Your Middle School years started out in the most stressful and disappointing circumstances of the pandemic, and yet you didn’t miss a beat. You were in unfamiliar classrooms and hallways, eating and learning in small groups and trying your best behind the masks to figure out Middle School life. And every day, you brought the sunshine—we could see the sparkle in your eyes and hear it in your contagious laughter. Over the years, your light continued to strengthen, even when Mother Nature continued to bring more gray skies that canceled your trip to Hawn State Park and cut short your recent trip to the zoo. You never complained. That is how you roll. You do not let the obstacles stand in your way. You extend kindness and patience and gratitude and find joy no matter what. And this is because you act on behalf of one another. It is never about you individually but rather how you shine as a whole. »

Each year, Schuckman surveys the faculty and students to capture the essence of the class and for words of wisdom, advice, and reflection. The responses were heartfelt and heartwarming.

Class of 2028 Faculty Reflections

This class has grown in their support of each other. This class has many very strong leaders. Their future is bright!
My hope is that they continue to be kind to each other and the world around them.
I was blessed to have you as my first class at MICDS. Each of you made my days brighter last year, and I will miss seeing your faces in the Danforth hallways. You were the best class to celebrate a World Cup year with!

Eighth-Grade Reflections

The greatest strengths of our class are that we have fun together and are open to growth.
Our kindness and growth, how close we are to each other, how much we care for each other.
I believe my class’s greatest strengths are being energetic. Our class is extremely outgoing and welcoming. What I’m most proud of is how persevering we all are.

Eighth-Grade Gratitude for Faculty

Faculty, you have made this journey through Middle School as enjoyable as school can get. Seeing all of your smiles every day lifts everyone up and makes us have a better day no matter what.
Thank you for your patience and support.
You have been so helpful and welcoming.

Eighth-Grade Gratitude for Parents

Thank you for always being supportive in our endeavors and understanding or helping us at home.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend a school like MICDS.

Schuckman addressed the rising ninth graders and said, « Class of 2028, you are ready—you are more than ready. It has been our honor to teach you and to learn from you. Please take care of each other, be good humans, and always look for those moments to be the sunshine. »

Roberts then led the eighth-grade choir as they serenaded their classmates and family members with a soulful rendition of Fix You by Coldplay.

To close, Eighth Grade Dean Charlotte Dougherty read each student’s name as they processed out of the MAC, high-fiving teachers as they went and receiving their certificates of completion from Mr. Rainey and Ms. Schuckman.