The Class of 2032 Says Goodbye to the Lower School
It was a sunny day inside and out, as the Class of 2032 finished their careers at the Lower School the same way many began it, on the playground. Students then processed into the gymnasium by class, where the Head of School, Dr. Jennifer Price, began the ceremony by celebrating not only the students’ successes, but also their failures. Citing the Kindergarten “failabration,” she relayed to students that, unlike their “practically perfect in every way” musical protagonist–Mary Poppins– “you learn more from your failures if not your successes.”
Following Dr. Price’s words of wisdom, the Director of the Lower School, Anthony Reppucci, shared his thoughts on the indelible mark students left on campus, relating their time to their work on the boat they built. As he noted, “Some parts had to be specific… while some you could use your own personality and ideas.” Whether building a boat or working on a musical, this year’s sixth-graders certainly irrevocably impacted the campus.
After the opening remarks, the orchestra played a soothing rendition of “The Peace Round” to lead into the student speeches. This year, students chose Rosie Sillah ’32, Ben Burnet ’32, and Elle Williams ’32 to represent their class.
Each student reminisced about defining moments of their time at BB&N, whether it be this year at Hulbert, where Rosie bemoaned the tiring hike, but conceded their time there helped the class. “It helped us bond with each other, as well as bond with nature.” Or, throughout eight years on campus, Ben said that every year he gets so attached to his teachers that he’s sad when each grade ends. “Yes, BB&N teachers are that good,” he laughed.
One defining theme echoed throughout all three speeches was kindness and belonging. Whether students had been on campus for one year or all eight, Elle said it best, “The lessons we learned in 6th-grade about how to rely on each other will only make us stronger as we go onto a new campus and a new year.”
After receiving their certificates and performing one final rendition of “Anything Can Happen” from Mary Poppins Jr., the former sixth-graders left the gym for a celebration with the whole community.
