Congratulations Class of 2029

At the Middle School Graduation ceremony on Friday, June 6, the prospect of becoming ninth graders had the 56 members of the Class of 2029 “thinking about tomorrow.” As the class speakers’ moving and inspiring speeches revealed, there was also time to stop and reflect.

Eighth grade speaker Lorenzo Zapata, middle school tri-chair and Silver Key ambassador, spoke about his first day of middle school as a nervous fifth grader when Head of School Laura Danforth greeted him.

“That small, seemingly ordinary moment, just a warm hello, eased my nerves and gave me confidence to walk through those doors,” he shared. “That was the first of many ‘Masters moments’ that helped shape who I am.” 

Zapata and fellow speakers Waverly Beckwith, Alice Hoffman, Jules Jorsling, Benny Mao and Max Sahi addressed their classmates with grace and gratitude.

Beckwith, too, was appreciative of the community she found on her first day: “I was instantly struck by the compassion and kindness that every student and teacher showed me. When I came home from school, I found myself looking forward to going back the next day, a feeling that would remain with me for the next three years.”

As a new student, Hoffman was grateful for the support, sharing, “The trajectory of my life is different. My perspective as a student has shifted — I seek new opportunities, I take risks, I think outside the box.”

In fifth grade, Mao discovered his passion for music when he joined Masters of Rock. “I realized that rocking out together as a group of middle schoolers is an example of what all Masters’ middle school experiences are about,” he said. “You try something new at first and then expand your comfort zone and grow over time.”

Jorsling used humor to share her realistic take on middle school. “Some days were amazing,” she said. “Some days felt like a disaster. And some days we just showed up because of the gluten-free fries at lunch. But that’s the thing, it's all part of it. The ups, the downs, the cringe, the wins, the losses — that's what made us stronger.”

The students’ strength and spirit is what impressed Head of Middle School Tasha Elsbach most. “You’ve learned how to be true citizens of your community,” she said. “When classmates were struggling you showed up for each other. When traditions needed reworking, you reworked them. When spaces felt exclusive, you opened them up.”

After Elsbach’s remarks, the eighth grade advisors and the eighth grade dean, Tim Campbell, presented certificates to the graduates. The students then sang their graduation song: “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac before Elsbach and Lynn Salehi, associate head of middle school, promoted the fifth, sixth and seventh grade classes. Associate Head of Upper School for Student Life Jeff Carnevale welcomed the eighth graders to the Upper School.

In his speech, Sahi said he was ready for the next adventure: “I know I will try new things, learn even more and grow further as a person. I may make new mistakes, but I'm confident that I will learn from the past, avoid some of them and learn valuable lessons from the others. Middle school has prepared me to face these challenges.”

That’s encouraging news to Head of School Laura Danforth, who offered the new graduates this message: “If you bring light into the world, we are a better, healthier, stronger and safer world. I am so excited to see your light shine next year.”