Friends Academy’s Annual Class Day honored eighth-grade students at the school’s North Dartmouth campus on June 6th. Officiating the culminating ceremony were Head of School Ben Kennedy, Board of Trustees President Kathryn Goodfellow, Assistant Head of School for Instruction and Student Life Jamie Ross-Cory, and Sally Borden Program Director Laura Velazquez.
Class Day celebrates the completion of eighth grade for 35 members of the Class of 2017, including: Claire Aimone, Sophia Babineau, Veronica Bernier, Nora Blanchard, Anton James Boxler, Pedro Conceicao, Katelyn Costa, Skyler Cunniff, Sierra Da Rosa, James Ferguson, Gillian Foley, Frances Gebhard, Fionnuala Gormley, Clayton Harrison, Alexandra Howes, Nolan LaBelle, Caroline Lucil, Isabelle Pearl Mallick, Dylan Marshall, Elizabeth McKinley, Lauren Merrikin, Morgan Murphy, Isabella Nicoletta, Brogan Panos, Lili Panos, Katherine Patys, Kayla Peckham, Sean Peper, Mia Shih, Erin Sweeney, Elijah Swift, Reed Turner-Murray, Michael VandeVusse, Ruden Wurlitzer.
Graduation certificates represent students who hail from Dartmouth, Westport, Osterville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, New Bedford, Wilbraham, Acushnet, East Taunton, Chatham, Mashpee, Walpole, Middletown, South Easton, Lakeville, and Tiverton. They will attend secondary schools including: Tabor Academy, Dartmouth High School, Bishop Stang High School, Providence Country Day, New Bedford High School, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School, Wheeler School, St. Andrew’s School (DE), Walpole High School, Middletown High School, Maine Coast School, Landmark School, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Concord Academy, Monomoy, and Dublin School.
Four students and three faculty members were recognized with awards. Mia Shih of Dartmouth received the Friends Award recognizing citizenship, positive attitude, and class spirit. Veronica Bernier of Acushnet received the Clifford Cup for excellence in the visual arts. Reed Turner-Murray of New Bedford received the Head of School Award for scholarship and a love of learning that best exemplify the academic traditions of Friends Academy. Nora Blanchard of New Bedford received the Sally Borden Award which recognizes a student who emulates a positive, caring attitude, is a role model for others, fulfills academic expectations, and has a strong sense of self.
Athletics Director Michael Williams and Kindergarten teacher Dana Bullard were presented with the traditional Friends Academy Chair for their 20 years of service. Music teacher Jim Bean was honored with the Claudia McClure Daggett Distinguished Service Award.