Welcome to the Independent School of Winchester’s third annual luncheon honoring students completing Middle School. Welcome, teachers—who have worked so hard to prepare our 8th graders for high school and for life! Welcome, 6th and 7th graders—in whose honor this event will be in just a year or two. Welcome to our rising 6th graders—who begin Middle School in the fall–and to our high school students, who are here to see their dear friends through this important milestone. And welcome especially to Azrael, to Grace, and to their parents. We are here to honor you!
Over the past few years, this event has evolved. Far from being the traditional Girls in White Dresses and Boys in Blazers Faux Commencement, this is a much more personal celebration. We avoided the White Dress approach because though they are supposed to symbolize innocence, my feminist heart is always left wondering why the young men aren’t also in white. It’s not a graduation because, as you know, your education is far from complete.
Nonetheless, you have reached an important milestone, and we want to recognize that achievement. ISW’s Middle School is demanding. The good news is that your classes are small so you get lots of attention. The bad news is your classes are small so you get lots of attention. If you don’t know how to do a math problem, Mr. Jay or Mr. Jeremiah WILL know because there are only two or three of you. There’s literally nowhere to hide! If you didn’t complete your homework, Ms. Katie WILL know. On the other hand, if you have struggled mightily to master a counter-intuitive scientific concept, Ms. Becky will know. If you have finally started to dream in Spanish from time to time, Ms. Christy will hear the improvement in the fluidity of your speech. If you are taking a risk on stage or on a canvas, Tasha or Kerry will know it—even if no one else has any idea.
At ISW we ask you to read and write far more than most Middle School programs. We don’t use traditional grades for many reasons, perhaps the most important of which is that we want you to aspire to mastery as opposed to the bare minimum and we want you to pursue your education because you value it. Anyone who wonders if a school that doesn’t use traditional grades can possibly succeed in motivating anyone need only look at our 8th graders to see that it’s entirely possible and wildly successful.
The bottom line is that ISW’s program asks much of our students, and you two have many accomplishments to point to with pride. To paraphrase Darth Vader’s comments upon encountering Obi Wan, “The circle is now complete. When I met you, you were but the learners; now you are the masters.” We want to honor both your achievements and the fact that you are passing out of childhood and into young adult years. And so we settled on “themed” celebrations. Our first year, the theme was The Wizard of Oz. Last year, the theme was Little Women. This year, Azzy and Grace have chosen Star Wars. I love the fact that a school that nurtures creativity in all its forms has created its own signature event to honor its students.
Azzy, you joined us in the 4th grade and you have come so very, very far. Remember the bouncy ball? Remember your delight in learning that you wouldn’t have to wait 2-3 more years before you would be allowed to sing in performing arts? Grace, you attended ISW from Day One as a first grader. You have come a long way from telling Ms. Emery that you couldn’t read and then getting tricked into revealing that you had read many chapter books.
Yes, you have both grown up, and now you are sitting here…dressed as Chewbacca and Queen Amidala. What that tells me is that while are well on your way to mastering the art of “adulting,” you haven’t lost, and hopefully will never lose, the art of “childing.” Congratulations, 8th graders.
And now it’s time to enjoy a feast! To paraphrase C3PO, “I’m rather embarrassed, Azzy and Grace, but it appears that you are to be the main course at a banquet in your own honor.”
Photo by M. McDonald