The Class of 2029 completed its Middle School journey during the Stepping Up Ceremony on Wednesday, June 11 in the Berry Performing Arts Center.
The morning event began with a processional to Rondeau and continued with the Pledge of Allegiance and everyone singing America the Beautiful. Kirstin Rogers, Middle School Head, welcomed the students, parents, friends and other members of the W+H community.
Dr. Corinna Crafton, Head of School, began the announcement of award winners by presenting merit scholarship awards to Siddharth Selvaraj ’29 and Geeta Kumar ‘29 and achievement scholarship awards to Isabella Paredes ’29 and Sofia Vidal ’29. Dr. Crafton also recognized the lifers among this year's eighth grade graduates.
Isabella Paredes ’29 presented the Streib Cup to seventh-grader Sanaya Joshi ’30. This award is given for the highest achievement in public speaking among sixth and seventh graders. Krishna Kumar ‘29 represented her class as the eighth grade speaker.
Geeta Kumar ‘29 won the prestigious Kilpatrick Award presented to the best all-around eighth grade student. Criteria for this award include academics, athletics, citizenship and leadership. Ritika Maurya ‘29 won the Chandler Award for the eighth grade student with the highest overall average for the academic year. Siddharth Selvaraj ‘29 received the Elwell Award as the outstanding male athlete and Isabella Perez ‘29 won the Lum Award as the outstanding female athlete.
Morayo Dickson ’29 and Rishi Nihalani ‘29 won the Althea Marder Pond Award for outstanding work in the fine and performing arts, respectively. Sanjana Bhardwaj ’29, Yash Jain ’29, Feyikemi Kolawole ’29, Anika Kumar ’29, Geeta Kumar ’29, Krishna Kumar ’29, Siddharth Selvaraj ’29 and Sofia Vidal ’29 received Community Service Awards from Mrs. Andrea Barnett, Science Teacher and Department Chair. Mrs. Rogers and Dr. Henna Tailor, Math Teacher, recognized eighth grade student council members Sanjana Bhardwaj ’29, Anika Kumar ’29, Geeta Kumar ’29, Krishna Kumar ’29, Ariana Noor ’29, Arika Shah ’29, Maksim Terziev ’29 and Sofia Vidal ’29 with special pins.
Mrs. Rogers made remarks and provided some words of wisdom before joining Dr. Crafton, eighth grade coordinator Ms. Noreen Jafri, and advisors Ms. Erika Del Rocco, Ms. Bess Gildersleeve and Ms. Dorri Ramati in the presentation of certificates. Mrs. Christine Cerminaro, incoming Interim Upper School Head, greeted the students as they departed from the ceremony.
Congratulations to the Eighth Grade Class of 2025!