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The WMS Class of 2017 (Left to Right): Addie Laster, Eva Junk, Lydia Snyder
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Last Thursday, the Wilmington Montessori School community proudly celebrated the members of the Class of 2017.
The morning began with a breakfast for the graduates, their families, WMS teachers and staff. Parent volunteers, along with fifth-grade students, decorated the Great Room (this year's theme was "The Bridge," based on the poem by Shel Silverstein), baked muffins, chopped fruit and served the food to guests. Head of School
Lisa Lalama shared opening remarks, reflecting on the accomplishments of the graduates as a group, as well as their strengths as individuals:
As you've moved through WMS and arrived at this day, you have all taken a different path. You have grown as individuals and become a tight-knit group of young women, leaders in the school. You came at different times, one as a toddler and the other two during the 6-9 Program. You are writers, readers, musicians, piano, flute, accordion, harp and steel drum players, singers, actors, nature lovers, readers and more. You have supported causes you care about and worked to encourage others to join in your efforts.
You are curious. You are learners. You have these marvelous teachers, parents, grandparents, coaches and others to guide you, but you create your own learning. You seek knowledge. You yearn for what is possible. You look for more. You are not willing to settle. And it is through these actions that you continue to learn and grow.
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Addie Laster receives her graduation poster from music teacher Heather Wadler.
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Following Lisa's speech, Assistant Head of School Laurie Orsic presented special certificates to the graduates, describing their unique gifts and interests, which were carefully identified by the 9-12 teachers. Specials teachers also recognized each graduate by sharing lists of each child's distinguishing traits as they gave them their personalized graduation posters.
After breakfast, 9-12 students spent time signing each other's memory books before it was time for the sixth-graders to head to the gym for the graduation ceremony. Once the graduates entered the gym, Lisa introduced this year's graduation speaker, Daniel Potter (WMS class of 2006). Daniel, who graduated magna cum laude from Williams College last year, is an accomplished musician and teacher. He has stayed closely connected with WMS since his graduation, working at Camp Montessori each summer.
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| Wilmington Montessori School 2017 Graduation Speaker - Daniel Potter (Class of 2006) |
Read the full text of his speech here and look for a full article about Daniel in our alumni newsletter, coming later this summer.
The annual tradition of watching a slide show of memories of each graduate throughout the years brought forth both laughter and tears from the graduates and their guests. The members of the class of 2017 were then invited onto the stage for another WMS tradition - sharing the poems they wrote, entitled "
Where I'm From
." Each poem was different, but reflected similar sentiments - the child's gratitude to their families and their love for WMS. These poems will be compiled into a book that is placed in the admissions waiting room - be sure to check them out next time you're in the building. Here are a few excerpts:
"I am from all of these things
But I am mostly from my friends and family
The family that invited me into their lives
And the friends that welcomed
a loud rambunctious 8-year-old girl
into their loving community
The community of WMS
Follow the people I used to call friends
but I now call family.
No matter how far away I go
Part of me will always be here
At the school that made me who I am."
- Addie Laster
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Eva Junk reads her "Where I'm From" poem.
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"But most of all, I'm from WMS
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Playing on the yellow turtle at recess, arguing about who gets to slide first,
Getting chills when I hear Marybeth read a story to the preschoolers.
From looking up to the big kids, worshiping them
To being that person now, with them looking up to me.
As I walk out of the building today, I will take with me all of the things I've learned,
from how to do long division
to learning how to keep my cool in frustrating situations.
Even though I'm devastated about leaving, I know that I'm about to embark on the great journey of my life after WMS, where I will use the sentence, "I felt mad when you___," things I thought
were ridiculous to say then, but agree with them now.
And as I move on, I will grow new leaves and branches, and my bark will get thicker and I will get taller, but WMS will always be where my roots are planted."
- Eva Junk
"I am from home
The place my heart belongs
Memories tingling on the tip of my tongue
Thinking about the adventures of my life,
Filling every page with new stories
But never forgetting my first home
And the seasons of my life
- Lydia Snyder
Along with sharing their poems, Addie, Eva and Lydia spoke about their sixth-grade trip to New York, where they visited the United Nations and attended the
Global Citizenship Action Project
(GCAP) conference with Montessori middle-schoolers from around the world. They told the audience about their efforts to raise funds and awareness for the non-governmental organization
Save the Rain. Through Spirit Week, selling hand-made bracelets and other donations, the class of 2017 raised $1,195 for Save the Rain this year. In addition, the sixth-graders decided to support the organization
Donate A Toothbrush. They collected approximately 300 toothbrushes to be shipped to African countries that don't have access to the necessities many of us take for granted.
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Isabel Snyder (WMS '15) and Instructional Technology Coach Rose Feehan present Lydia Snyder with her graduation gift bag. |
Then, the big moment arrived - the presentation of diplomas!
As the ceremony drew to a close, friends and family members selected by the class of 2017 came to the stage to bring the graduates bags full of fun gifts, who were then ready to celebrate!
Thank you to everyone who helped make this memorable day happen! We look forward to staying in touch with our graduates and finding out what the future holds for each of them.
