WCDS Middle School certificates, awards
Sixteen Wakefield Country Day School students took the stage in the Leonard M. Cowherd Auditorium for the last time as middle school students at their much anticipated graduation ceremony. The occasion celebrated the accomplishments of all middle school students and recognized the significant achievements of the of the eighth grade students who will enter high school in the fall.
The recent ceremony was a chance for the two students with top grades in the class, Logan Marks and Ava Lubkemann, to deliver parting words to their classmates, reflecting on their time at the school. Lubkemann was one of four class members who joined WCDS in preschool.
Middle school teacher Welby Griffin — alumna, board member, and daughter of Wakefield founders William E. and Pamela W. Lynn — gave the final address to the Class of 2023, a group she described as showing “energy, heart, humor, and sheer hard work” throughout the year.
Griffin said: “Remember the WCDS courtesies and virtues we have instilled in you, and show gratitude, not in empty words but in how you live your lives... Use the empathy born from reading great literature to understand the plight of the people around you. Use the knowledge born of studying history to place the events which will shape your lives, and our world, into context. And use the analytical skills born of your study of languages, grammar, math, and science to help you appraise and understand the complexities that come hand in hand with being an informed citizen of a great democracy. And above all, make all of the moments and opportunities that you have been given matter.”
WCDS faculty presented numerous awards at the event including special recognition to students in grades
6-8 who excelled in academics and character: Creative Writing Award, Bayleigh Fox; Fitness Award, DJ Cate; French Award, Maeve Ciuba; Latin Award, Maeve Ciuba; Grammar Award, Logan Marks; British History Award, Sophia Korte; Science Awards, Sydney Gerard and Jack Gerard; Courtesy Award, Manoa Weber; Citizenship Award, Ruthie McMahon; Most Improved Student Award, Connor Lummis; All-Around Boy Award, Maddox Lowe; All-Around Girl Award, Alexis Cross; Head of School Award, Owen Schuster; Pamela Lynn Leadership Award, Ava Lubkemann; William E. Lynn Senior Award for Academic Excellence, Logan Marks.
Rounding out the ceremony, middle school teacher Kirsten Youngquist spoke about each grade eight student, sharing superlatives and anecdotes prepared by faculty before reading the title of each student’s research paper. Head of School Jessica Lindstrom presented the leaving certificates, recognizing each scholar’s significant achievement and mastery of skills and knowledge.
Wakefield Country Day School congratulates the sixteen members of the Class of 2023: Dakota Cate, Maeve Ciuba, Alexis Cross, Sophia Esposito, Bayleigh Fox, Jack Gerard, Jaden Johnson, Maddox Lowe, Ava Lubkemann, Connor Lummis, Logan Marks, Ruth McMahon, Lauren Mehl, Owen Schuster, Manoa Weber, Zhongyue Yang.