On the evening of Friday, June 6, D-E eighth graders, dressed in summer white, gathered under a tent on Leggett Field for the Eighth Grade Moving Up Ceremony. Middle School (MS) Principal Jonathan Davis opened with farewell remarks in his signature jocular style. He gave a special shout-out to Coach and 8th Grade Advisor Liz Traub, who completed 40 years at D-E, and also noted how 40 years ago, he, like these students today, was wrapping up eighth grade. Mr. Davis then referenced Taylor Swift’s song “Invisible String,” which he said “speaks to me” because it’s “a reminder of how we build connections with each other… and we don’t know what those connections are sometimes until decades later.”
Livya Patel ’29 spoke next on D-E’s Core Values in Action, remarking, “It’s up to us to build our community and learning environment. We are the ones tasked with making our school feel like a home… Dwight-Englewood Middle School didn’t just give us an education; it shaped our future.” Classmate Sophia Vega ’29 then reflected on MS memories and special moments, imparting these words to her peers: “May the brilliance of your journey always guide you forward, and may you continue to inspire and be inspired by the world around you.”
Eighth Grade Dean Ali Miller, assisted by Seventh Grade Dean James Aitken, presented students with their Moving Up certificates. Upper School Principal Kim Lalli closed the event by sharing this sage advice: “I know that it can be tempting to use the summer to DO something rather than just BE something… please let the summer wash over you… please put the screen down and go outside.” Congratulations, eighth graders!
