Featured Story
2022 Eighth-Grade Promotion Ceremony
The annual Eighth-Grade Promotion Ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 8, the last day of the 2021-2022 school year.
Eighth-grade students and their families filled the Seldin Performing Arts Center, where Head of Middle School Amber Berry welcomed everyone and addressed eighth graders saying: “Each of you are so special, with amazing gifts to share and stories to tell.” Following Berry’s remarks, the annual Middle School Awards were presented.
Congratulations to the following Middle School Awards recipients:
Ed Scovner Excellence in Teaching Award: Jean Myles, St. Luke’s Middle School Librarian
Academic Growth Award: Sheridan Whitacre '26
Go Forth to Serve Award: Liliana Finn ‘26, Madeline Levin ‘26, Bobby Somaya '26, and Maeve Welch ‘26
Emil Bucci Excellence in Character Award: Ellie Fatsi ‘26 and Sam Thomas ‘26
Junior Loyalty Cup: Arjan Kochar ‘26
During the ceremony, beloved teachers Ty Wieland, Susan Bralower, and Pat Raffaele spoke to the class. All three teachers, selected by the Class of 2026, shared fond middle school memories and words of encouragement with the students.
Eighth-grade students and their families filled the Seldin Performing Arts Center, where Head of Middle School Amber Berry welcomed everyone and addressed eighth graders saying: “Each of you are so special, with amazing gifts to share and stories to tell.” Following Berry’s remarks, the annual Middle School Awards were presented.
Congratulations to the following Middle School Awards recipients:
Ed Scovner Excellence in Teaching Award: Jean Myles, St. Luke’s Middle School Librarian
Academic Growth Award: Sheridan Whitacre '26
Go Forth to Serve Award: Liliana Finn ‘26, Madeline Levin ‘26, Bobby Somaya '26, and Maeve Welch ‘26
Emil Bucci Excellence in Character Award: Ellie Fatsi ‘26 and Sam Thomas ‘26
Junior Loyalty Cup: Arjan Kochar ‘26
During the ceremony, beloved teachers Ty Wieland, Susan Bralower, and Pat Raffaele spoke to the class. All three teachers, selected by the Class of 2026, shared fond middle school memories and words of encouragement with the students.
Middle School Student Council President Liliana Finn ‘26 also addressed her classmates, sharing: “Today, we have one common purpose – to celebrate! We are here to congratulate each other, wish each other well, thank the people who have made the biggest impact on us, and, most importantly, look back on our middle school careers. Well done, and congratulations to my fellow eighth-grade graduates, who have all worked incredibly hard over the past several years to reach this milestone.”
Each student was invited on stage and presented with a certificate of promotion. After all 81 students were recognized, Head of School Mark Davis imparted some kind words and advice for the students: “Character, it turns out, is a choice. You can’t simply decide to be an A student or to throw a football 50 yards on a dime or to be confident, outgoing, and the funniest person in the room or any other talent you might desire. But you can decide to be honest, to be respectful, to be kind, and to take responsibility. And those choices shape good character, which will make you happier in life than any talent you might wish for. I hope we’ve taught you some of that in your time here on the Hilltop, and I hope you take that knowledge — and the St. Luke’s Honor Code — with you wherever you go in your lives.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2026. Enjoy the next stage of your journey to the Upper School!
Each student was invited on stage and presented with a certificate of promotion. After all 81 students were recognized, Head of School Mark Davis imparted some kind words and advice for the students: “Character, it turns out, is a choice. You can’t simply decide to be an A student or to throw a football 50 yards on a dime or to be confident, outgoing, and the funniest person in the room or any other talent you might desire. But you can decide to be honest, to be respectful, to be kind, and to take responsibility. And those choices shape good character, which will make you happier in life than any talent you might wish for. I hope we’ve taught you some of that in your time here on the Hilltop, and I hope you take that knowledge — and the St. Luke’s Honor Code — with you wherever you go in your lives.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2026. Enjoy the next stage of your journey to the Upper School!
For photos from the ceremony, click here.
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.
