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8th Grade Declamations
A tumultuous week of wintry weather could not keep down the spirits of St. Luke’s 8th graders as they presented this year’s Declamations. Family and friends filled the Fireplace Commons as students delivered impassioned speeches about notable individuals that inspire a sense of hope, strength, and global citizenship. Jim Carroll, 8th grade English teacher said, “The 8th Grade Declamations are about each student finding their own voice while exploring the struggles and achievements of others.”
Acceptance, perseverance, compassion, and tenacity were some of the themes 8th grade students focused on in their Declamations. They spend almost the entirety of the third quarter exploring their subjects. The presentations start out in Civics classes as a paper on a topic that interests each student, such as civil rights, women’s suffrage, or gun control. They discover an important figure within that topic and research various sources to tell that person’s story. Mr. Carroll explained, “The Declamations are significant as a writing opportunity in which students craft a written piece with a real audience in mind. They work through multiple drafts, honing their expression and their skills in the process.”
Nervous energy quickly turned to joy and exuberance as students gave their Declamations. Mr. Carroll said, “The speeches are a culmination of the Middle School experience at St. Luke’s. Students triumph over the pressure and achieve a sense of confidence that they carry with them into the Upper School.”
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
