For the Colorado Academy Fifth Graders, 2021 brought a socially distanced Continuation with limited attendance, families seated in six-seat pods, and masks. But those pandemic restrictions seemed a small price to pay, as this class and their families showed renewed enthusiasm for the opportunity to attend their Continuation to Middle School in person on June 1, 2021.
Students filled with nervous energy greeted each other in the main gym before the ceremony.
As they walked across the stage, fist-bumps replaced handshakes.
But what did not change were the proud parents in the audience recording this occasion for posterity.
View and download Fifth Grade Continuation portraits.
View and download photos of Fifth Grade students on stage during teacher tributes.
View and download Fifth Grade portraits featured in song.
Head of School Dr. Mike Davis congratulated this class on the “tremendous resilience you have shown during this pandemic.”
“I encourage you not to lose the qualities of being bold and courageous,” Davis added. “Looking at our track record of alumni and what they have gone on to do in life, there is a strong likelihood that you all will join them as leaders, too. The next few years are when you start to prepare in earnest for this role, and you begin this preparation by being involved in your school community as deeply and as intensely as possible.
In her remarks, Lower School Principal Angie Crabtree praised the Fifth Graders for the excellent job they had done throughout the year as Mustang Mentors, leading the younger members of the Lower School, especially the Pre-Kindergartners.
She also reminded the class about a Town Hall where they watched a video of Robby Novak, who calls himself “Kid President.” Robby challenges young students to wonder “How to change the world.” This year, Crabtree challenged Lower School students to offer their ideas of how that could be done. She shared some Fifth Grade ideas.
“Stand up for what you believe…be brave in what you say,” she said. “Don’t get mad at people for their mistakes. Be patient with them. Listen to people around you; everyone has something to teach us. Be your best self. Every day is a chance for you to be the best person you can be.
“To the Class of 2028, you are champions for goodness, inclusivity, and peace,” added Crabtree in closing. “Please keep leading in your quest to change the world. With you leading us, I look forward to the future!”
Fifth Grade teachers Chelsea Grantham, Jessica Ohly, and Sara Wachtel spoke about each of their students, recognizing the unique gifts and talents that all students contributed to the class during the past year.
Crabtree ended the ceremony by reminding students of the meaning and importance of brotherhood and sisterhood. Finally, to the sounds their class singing the traditional Zulu song “Bhombela,” which they learned during a unit on the music of Ghana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, Fifth Graders took the next step in their academic and personal careers and advanced to Middle School. And happy families took advantage of a beautiful day to pose for pictures before heading home to celebrate.
Watch a pre-recording of the virtual Continuation.
To download a full-size image, hover on the photo and right click. Select “Save Link As” and choose a location on your computer. At this time, you cannot download the images on a mobile device.
