St. Johns was proud this morning to celebrate the moving up of 40 Grade 8 students to the Upper School.
The Class of 2029 entered in a processional, after which Matilda Morris led students, teachers, administrators, and gathered friends and family in the Pledge of Allegiance. Following a brief welcome from Head of School Valorie Baker, Head of Middle School Ben Magidson offered opening remarks. “As you head into high school, remember this,” Magidson said to Grade 8 students, “who you are today is just the beginning. You don’t need to have all the answers. Just stay curious, stay kind, and stay true to yourself. The world needs your light, your ideas, your energy. Don’t ever think you’re too small to make a big difference. Take this momentum and continue to become rockstars, heroes and change makers. The world needs lots and lots of them.”
Next, the Departmental Awards were announced. Each department selects a student who excels in and embraces the study of that particular subject. The 2025 Departmental Awards were as follows:
- English: Matilda Morris
- Mathematics: Nikalina Frustaci & Matilda Morris
- Science: Max Rivera
- History: Collin Ashford
- Spanish: Elizabeth Jackson & Kate Pappas
- French: Matilda Morris
- Concert Band: Elizabeth Jackson
- Art: Kate Pappas
- Drama: Rachel Robinson
- Chorus: Adisenne Taylor
- Technical Theater: Aiden Kraemar
- Design Thinking: Ethan Kent
After the final Departmental Award was presented, Director of Athletics John Sgromolo took the podium to introduce the athletic awards.
- Top Middle School Male Athlete: Tyson Jackson
- Top Middle School Female Athlete: Ava Lerche
- Rising Star Female: Matilda Morris & Kate Staten
- Rising Star Male: Colt Hill & Ethan Kent
Next, Middle School Dean Pat Rodifer introduced the Middle School Spartan Award.
“The Middle School Spartan Award recognizes the student who best exemplifies the idea that character is who you are when no one is watching,” he said. “This year’s recipient truly embodies the idea of character and consistently demonstrates the values of empathy, integrity, and honesty in the daily life of a student at St. Johns Country Day School.”
Middle School Spartan Award: Matilda Morris
Finally, Mr. Rodifer, Mrs. Thea Burke, and Mrs. Jennifer Wagstaff presented the Class of 2029:
| Collin Ashford | Isaiah Larsen | |
| Luke Bond | Taigan LeBel | |
| Samiyah Brown | Ava Lerche | |
| Sophie Bumgarner | Xavi Lopez-Diaz | |
| Brooklyn Butler | Savanna Lumpkin | |
| Ryan Collier | Drew Miller | |
| Torin Cooper | Aiden Moore | |
| Lily Day | Matilda Morris | |
| Gianna DeBlasio | Olivia Morris | |
| Liam DuBois | Julia Myers | |
| Nikalina Frustaci | Kate Pappas | |
| Ella Rose Hanna | Sophia Prettyman | |
| Colt Hill | Brynley Proffitt | |
| Sammy Hollingsworth | Max Rivera | |
| Elizabeth Jackson | Rachel Robinson | |
| Gaige Jackson | Emery Schneider | |
| Tyson Jackson | Kate Staten | |
| Ethan Jones | Adisenne Taylor | |
| Ethan Kent | Anderson Vogt | |
| Aiden Kraemer | Colton Young |
The Class of 2029 recessed through the auditorium and joined family and friends in the Nichols Family Art Gallery for refreshments.
- Middle School