Severn 5th Graders Bid Farewell to Lower School, Congrats Class of 2024!

1/8/2024

For our group of 36 fifth graders, last Tuesday’s promotion ceremony was filled with mixed emotions. As each student took the stage to deliver heartfelt speeches to their teachers, families and peers, they expressed gratitude for their time at Severn Lower School and nervous — but confident — excitement for the big jump to middle school. Although they will soon be smaller fish in a bigger pond, the leadership skills and self-confidence they’ve gained throughout their time at the Lower School has well-prepared them for the new challenges and experiences that await them on Teel Campus.

We Are Ready for This

Fifteen minutes before the ceremony, the 5th grade classrooms were abuzz with energy as teachers Ms. Gail Lapinksi and Ms. Lauren Kitchin coached the kids through their rehearsed steps for the ceremony. After reviewing their places and cues, they took an Ellen-style selfie to mark the occasion before stepping into line.

Severn 5th graders gather to review their places and cues for the promotion ceremony. — *Ms. Kitchin reviews the ceremony one last time to make sure everyone knows their places!*

Severn 5th graders gather for a group selfie to celebrate their promotion to 6th grade.

Memorable Moments

After a brief introduction by Lower School Head Ms. Cathy North, our talented faculty choir sang a rendition of Shine Your Way by Owl City and Luna while Caleb Morgan ‘ 21 accompanied on the piano.

Severn 8th grader accompanies the chorus on they keyboard. — **Caleb Morgan** ‘21

Severn Lower School teachers start the promotion ceremony with a song. — *Ms. Pilar Okeson, Ms. Lisa Custer, Ms. Mary Gaylord and Ms. Vanessa Cranford.*

In groups of three, 5th graders took the podium to share memorable moments. Although each student’s experience at Severn has varied, there were common threads throughout. They spoke of the FLIGHT Leadership Program with regular visits from “adopted” pilot and Severn parent Mr. Jeff Erskine, their regular Heartstrings lessons to explore emotional problem solving, and their field trip to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center to get hands-on experience with environmental stewardship right in our backyard.

Severn 5th graders take the stage to share memorable moment from their years at Severn Lower School. — **Zak Given** ‘24, **Mady Given** ‘24 and **Spencer Gibbons-Neff** ‘24

Most importantly, they spoke of relationships — supportive relationships with their teachers and friends that have made their years at Severn Lower School so meaningful. These mentorships and friendships are the foundations of our community and will continue to grow and deepen as they move from middle to high school and beyond.

Severm 5th graders excited to begin the promotion ceremony pose with their friends. — **Skylar Morton** ‘24, **Tori Miller** ‘24 and **Vivian Miller** ‘24.

After receiving their promotion certificates with a handshake from Head of School Mr. Doug Lagarde, our 5th graders gathered one final time to sing farewell to the 5th grade and welcome new adventures just around the corner.

Severn 5th graders gather for a final song to to end the promotion ceremony. — *One last song as 5th graders!*

And of course, the most important part … cake! Every fifth grader received a piece of cake with their name on it, a symbol of the unity of the class of 2024 and the individual paths they will all follow.