8th Grade Speakers Reflect on Lessons in Character at Closing Exercises

The 69 members of the eighth grade class bid a fond farewell to the Lyndhurst campus and their lower and middle school years at the Closing Exercises held on Wednesday, June 10 in the Ingalls Gymnasium.

Addressing faculty, family, and friends, Russell Cohen and Gabe Napoli offered the welcoming address, reflecting on the accomplishments of their classmates, the devotion of the faculty, the ways in which their Hawken experience shaped their character, and the fact that the Lyndhurst campus “will always feel like home.” Following their welcome, Annie Artz, who, along with Hunter Moeller, was the recipient of the Muriel Bell Award, spoke about the most important lesson she and her classmates gained at Hawken: to “be good people” and quoting Emerson, who wrote, “What lies behind us and before us are tiny matters when compared with what lies within us.” Arman Razmjouei followed with his reflections on the ways in which Hawken prepared his class for the years ahead – giving them opportunities to learn about the world, to make a difference in the global community, and to reach a “higher plane of life.” Dual valedictorians Hunter Moeller and Sydney Costantini then presented their valedictorian addresses, sharing lessons learned beyond textbooks, their personal appreciation for the school, and the bittersweet nature of this transitional moment in their lives. “Trust me, what we have is priceless,” Sydney concluded about what she gained from her experience at Lyndhurst.

Following the student addresses, Middle School Director Stephen Hopkins cleverly tied a quotation from Yertle the Turtle with a lesson about integrity, commending the students on their support for each other as they moved through middle school and built a community, looking beyond themselves to “lift each other up out of the mud.” Head of School Scott Looney offered closing remarks, in which he urged students to approach their high school years with openness and engagement, avoiding quick assumptions about people and becoming deeply involved for the mutual benefit of self and community. After the singing of the Alma Mater, faculty, administrators, family, and friends gathered at a reception to congratulate the graduates.

To listen to the Closing Exercises addresses and remarks, click here.