Spotlight on a Student Musician

EIGHTH GRADE PROMOTION

On June 10, family, friends, and faculty joined Viewpoint’s Eighth Grade students on Ring Family Field for a Promotion Ceremony to celebrate their three-year journey, their many accomplishments, and the completion of Middle School.

Sadie Kieffer ’26, Student Council President, began the ceremony by leading attendees in the pledge of allegiance, followed by inspiring welcome remarks from Head of School Mark McKee. Mark reminded the Viewpoint Class of 2026 of our mission to create exceptional readiness for extraordinary futures, and their path to world ready as they embark on their Upper School journey.

As Stephen Chan, Head of Middle School, introduced Daphne Huffman to deliver the Eighth Grade address, he elaborated on the students’ journey to this moment, navigating a global pandemic and demonstrating resilience.

During her speech, Daphne reflected metaphorically through a kaleidoscope on her and her fellow classmates’ experiences in a golden light, despite all of the trying times during their Middle School years. She recalled the many instances her class sang “I Want it That Way,” by the Backstreet Boys and commented: “Looking back, I don’t think I’d want it any other way. Thank you to my friends, teachers, parents, and to Viewpoint. I’m so lucky to be here.”

The ceremony also featured great performances by the Eighth Grade Band, Strings, and Choir. The Class Historians delivered a powerful timeline of memories and moments of their Middle School experience, from academics and athletics to the arts and student life. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates by the advisors who described stories and personalities of each student as they received their certificates.

2022 Middle School Awards

Student of the Year

Sadie Kieffer ’26 The Middle School faculty selects an Eighth Grader who best exemplifies academic diligence, unquestionable character, a positive attitude, and respect for the School’s community.

Academic Achievement Award

Avi Shah ’26 The faculty selects the Eighth Grade’s outstanding scholar to receive this award.

Classperson of the Year

Joseph Abdou ’26 Selected by fellow Eighth Graders, the Classperson of the Year exhibits unusual qualities of leadership, dependability, a positive spirit, and respect for the School and classmates.

Service Learning Award

Colin Brun ’26 This award recognizes the Eighth Graders who best exemplify the spirit of giving.

Eighth Grade Speaker

Daphne Huffman ’26 The faculty of the Middle School chooses the Speaker based upon a student’s demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding character as represented through his or her actions, and the extent to which he or she represents the learning expectations of the School.

Class Historians

Anniston Aragon ’26, Isabella Fillipakis ’26, Ambrielle Harris ’26, Kade Hood ’26, Derek Kessler ’26, Sadie Kieffer ’26, Conner Perry ’26, and Tanner Tyminski ’26

The faculty of the Middle School chooses the Class Historians.

Opposite Page from front to back: Kapri Garnett ’26, Ambrielle Harris ’26, Skylar Helfer ’26 Top: Fifth Grade teacher Daynin Blake giving the invocation Center front: Jonathan Louria '26 with family Bottom: Class Historians