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Hopkins 8th Graders Step Up to High School
On Thursday, May 21, the Hopkins Class of 2030 was celebrated during the annual 8th Grade Stepping Up Ceremony. Held in the theater inside the Academic & Performing Arts Center, the event gave families and faculty the opportunity to honor the rising ninth graders as they take the next step in their academic journeys.
Head of School Matt Glendinning opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks, followed by a musical performance from 8th Grade Vocal Arts. Junior School (J-School) Head Advisers Carrie Shea and Ian Guthrie then took the stage to impart wisdom and reflect on their time with the class in the J-School.
“Happiness doesn’t just happen in a building—communities create it,” said Shea. In a poignant and heartfelt speech, Guthrie encouraged students to remain true to themselves as they move forward, reminding them, “Please do not give up what makes you, you.”
Incoming 9th Grade President Walter L. ’30 also addressed his classmates, speaking about the importance of showing up for one another and welcoming the new students who will join the class next year. “Let’s welcome all the new students with open arms so we not only double in size, but double in unity,” he said.
Each 8th grader received a certificate of recognition and later enjoyed lunch with the friends and family members who attended the ceremony.
This marked the second year of the 8th Grade Stepping Up Ceremony, a tradition the School plans to continue as a way to celebrate students’ growth, accomplishments, and readiness to begin their next chapter as Hopkins Upper School students.
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
Hopkins School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.