On Tuesday, June 13, Ridgefield Academy (RA) graduated 39 members of the 8th grade Class of 2017 in a sunny, outdoor ceremony held in the school’s Graduation Garden. This year’s graduating class was the largest in the Academy’s history and fifteen of them were “lifers,” meaning they have attended RA since their Kindergarten year.
Graduates from Wilton were Cate Matthews, Stella Dubin, Evan Kauh and Maeve Stauff.
As with all things at Ridgefield Academy, tradition runs deep and it was evident during commencement. One at a time, the graduates processed to the stage with their “Kindergarten Buddies” and spoke to the audience about their RA journeys, what it meant to each of them, and how prepared they feel to conquer future academic and life experiences.
Jim Heus, RA Head of School addressed the audience by saying, “The Class of 2017 is poised to make a difference. They are bright, outspoken, determined, and service minded. But what impressed us most was that their leadership came so naturally. This is a collection of joiners, volunteers, of students willing to roll up their sleeves and get the job done. They have what so many call “the glue factor” – the ability to bring others together to stick to the chore at hand and accomplish something special.”
Graduation concluded as each member of the Class of 2017 recessed down the aisle and rang the Patriot Bell for the last time, signifying the end of their days at RA and the beginning of new life adventures. Heus concluded, “We know it’s time for our students to move on. They have the skills and the confidence to go out and reinvent themselves, be their best selves, and become an integral part of their new community.”
RA’s Class of 2017 will go on to attend independent day schools (19), local public high schools (13), and boarding schools (7). The school administration offered congratulations to all RA graduates and best wishes for futures filled with success.
Ridgefield Academy is a coeducational, independent day school for students in grades K-8.