The Williams School proudly celebrated its annual Eighth Grade Moving Up Ceremony on Friday, May 30, recognizing the Class of 2029 for their accomplishments and marking their transition into the Upper School.
Held in the Daren Performing Arts Center, the ceremony served as a meaningful capstone to the students’ Middle School experience. Family, faculty, and friends gathered to honor the achievements of the eighth graders through musical performances, heartfelt reflections, and the presentation of personalized Eighth Grade Citations.
Head of School Mark Fader and Middle School Dean of Students Joe Cote offered congratulatory remarks, reflecting on the growth, character, and contributions of this exceptional class. The ceremony also featured speeches by Eighth Grade Class Representatives Annie Gingras, Maggie Keenan, and Claire Xenelis, who spoke on behalf of their peers with gratitude and optimism for the future.
A distinctive tradition at Williams, the Eighth Grade Citations recognize each student individually, mirroring the senior citations presented during Senior Night. These personalized tributes highlight the unique spirit and contributions of each student to the school community. In lieu of a certificate, every eighth grader received this year’s class book: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown.
Williams looks forward to welcoming these students back in the fall as they begin their Upper School journeys.
The Williams School Class of 2029:
Nicholas Carseli
Teddy Corkhill
Will Corkhill
Lena Cosentino
William Dockery
Veronica Falkenstein
Nico Field
Jules Foisie
Annie Gingras
Victor Hasse
Kai Hurst-Ruales
Sierra Hurst-Ruales
Maggie Keenan
Raphael Manley
Sanjana Naik
Elle Reid
Elijah Rodriguez
Caitlin Rossman
Addie Squillacote
Thomas Taylor
Julia Wang
Claire Xenelis
