Collegiate School Class of 2029 Completes Final Exercises

Adaptability is a quality frequently exercised by Middle Schoolers. The Middle School years are ones of change, growth, agency, and responsibility. Students are given the freedom to explore their own interests while remaining deeply connected to teaching advisors that help guide them throughout their learning journeys. Within this balance, students learn to adapt to change and growth. 

It’s a perfect encapsulation of the resiliency and enthusiasm exhibited by the Class of 2029, then, that, due to poor weather conditions, the Middle School Final Exercises were moved to the Seal Athletic Center. The students handled the move swiftly, smiling through it all. As they should: Rain or shine, this was a day of celebration. 

Head of School Jeff Mancabelli welcomed attendees to the ceremony and congratulated the rising 9th Graders — each of whom, he said, grew as students and leaders during their time in the Middle School. “They have overcome challenges, and they have become young people who know what it is to succeed and to continue on their journey,” he began.

In early spring, around the same time Mancabelli was beginning to prepare his remarks for the Final Exercises, a colleague brought a piece of paper to his office that she found outside Flippen Hall. It was a note, written by an 8th Grader, addressed to their 5th Grade buddy. It read: “I hope you finish your 5th Grade perfectly. You have a while left in Middle School. Don’t take it for granted. I hope you have some great Middle School years ahead. If you ever need anything, don't be afraid to reach out. I’ll always be here to help.”

It’s a simple note, but it carries a deep, heartfelt message — one indicative of the character and values lived out by Middle School students. 

“These are not just kind words for me,” Mancabelli explained “I heard them as a call to community. They are a reminder that, being a part of Collegiate, we look out for one another. It is more about the collective ‘We’ than the singular ‘Me.’ At Collegiate, we talk a lot about our core values — honor, respect, community, excellence, and love of learning. For us in Middle School, it’s not only about algebra and writing essays — although, faculty, they are very important — it is about understanding and learning what it’s like to be a friend, how to notice someone else’s needs, and how to offer to them and say you’re not alone.”

The lessons of character built and refined in the Middle School will suit them well as they advance to the Upper School. “I hope you carry with you the same spirit this note reflects,” Mancabelli said. “Be the one who offers help to another student without being asked. Be the one who says you can count on me. Because, without this, our words on paper of our core values are simply that — they’re just words on paper. It is through your actions and your passion for your friends and this community that makes the Collegiate core values come alive. This is what makes Collegiate feel like home.”

 

Head of Middle School Jeff Dunnington also congratulated the Class of 2029 on their achievements and celebrated the triumphs the students have earned during their time in the Middle School. He spoke about the abundance of new opportunities they embraced with enthusiasm as they entered the Middle School. 

 

“These students quickly adjusted to the new routines — changing classes more frequently, and doing so without walking in lines, to a new, larger set of teachers, to lunch in McFall Hall, to recess on Grover Jones, Time Outs on the front lawn, email, Schoology activities, Pageant, Brunch, Lessons and Carols… I could go on,” he said.

 

Through all that has been given to them, they have modeled into brilliant stories of success. “This is a highly accomplished and decorated collection of students, and, despite their tremendous achievements, what I’ll remember about this particular group is that they are leaders,” he said. “They took to the stage during assemblies to share ways to improve our Middle School community. They organized a wiffle ball game with 5th Graders before the school day started.

I'll remember this group as helpers who stop to pick up younger students’ dropped books. They clean up a messy table left behind in the cafeteria. I’ll remember this group as friends looking to pick each other up in low moments and to celebrate each other in the high ones. To the Class of 2029, you’ve left a positive footprint in the Middle School and have demonstrated that you are ready to move on to the Upper School.”

 

Following Dunnington’s remarks, the two Middle School Co-Chairs, Ted Geyer ’29 and Amelia Haske ’29, addressed their classmates, highlighting themes of the past and future.

 

Ted reflected on the past and his growth throughout his time at Collegiate, which has been fostered by the relationships he’s had with his peers and teachers. Through the ups and downs of life as a Middle School student, the people at Collegiate were constantly there to lift him up. “I quickly learned how inclusive our class is,” said Ted, who came to Collegiate in 5th Grade. “One of the many people who got me through it all was my 6th Grade advisor and English teacher, Mrs. Booth. It didn't matter what I was going through, either way she was there for me.”

 

Amelia took the podium next, talking about the future and the educational adventures in store for each of her classmates.

 

“Looking at all of you, I not only see what we are, but I feel what we’ve been — from Time Out hula-hoop contests to jumping off rafts during Envision Richmond,” she told her classmates. “We have so much promise, but there's even more ahead of us.”

 

In this next chapter, there will likely be challenges each student in the Class of 2029 faces, but they can draw from the lessons they have already learned in order to overcome whatever may lie ahead. “We’re always going to face adversity — that's just how life goes. Learning to adapt to that is something we'll always have to do,” she said. “But we are not in it alone. We must be supportive and lift each other up. What matters is that we're here for each other, and as we take these steps forward into these newer stages of our lives, I want us all to go into this hand in hand.”

 

Dunnington then proceeded with the presentation of Middle School awards. 

Julia Hall received the Fry Cup.

Jack Moody received the Hugh H. Addy Award.

Gwendolyn Stringer received the Sue H. Jett Award.

Corin Boyd received the Director’s Award.