THOMASVILLE -- At Brookwood, moving up from the Lower School to the Middle School is marked by a 5th grade graduation ceremony. On May 25, all 35 students in the 5th grade classes of Kendra Burrus and Laurie Parrott participated in the event, conducted by Ashley Harper, director of the Lower and Middle Schools.
Every student spoke, as each graduate shared information about one of his or her classmates in the "Tribute to Friends" section of the program.
Four students remembered their Lower School years as they addressed their parents and other family members in the standing-room-only audience in Chubb Hall.
Christian Bell reflected on his 3rd, 4th and 5th grade years and mentioned his "kindergarten reading buddies," J.J. Williams and Will Bryant. "They are both from Cairo, like me, and they are also best friends." The Brookwood 5th graders meet with the younger students regularly and read to them, encouraging the kindergartners' interest in books and reading.
Grace Cascone recalled a special day, Oct. 6, 2009.
"We had been studying 'Why America is Free,' which led up to Patriots Day," Cascone said. "We performed our play most fabulously. Then we went and took an etiquette class. We learned how to walk like a lady, talk like a lady and stuff like that. After that, we went to lunch where the boys told us about how horrible their militia training was, big babies."
Cascone went on to describe every aspect of the day they wore period costumes and experienced life as though they were living in the Revolutionary War period. Patriots Day, she said, was one of her very favorite memories.
Rachel Cooper talked about her "many wonderful teachers."
"Mrs. Stauffer was an awesome science teacher," Cooper said. "I've had her as a science teacher since first grade. We rarely have to read out of the textbook. We do all kinds of labs and hands-on activities. She's great at making science come alive."
Mary Kimball Vereen, like her classmates, shared fond memories of their class trip to Charleston, S.C. On a dinner cruise, she said, "The girls all dressed in fanciful attire, same for all the boys. We started to dance after dinner, and I was put at the top of the conga line."
Vereen recalled their class plays. "My third grade play, 'The Princess and the Pea,' and our fifth grade play, 'Goodbye King George, Hello George Washington' - I came up with the brilliant title - were two of my favorites," she said.
After their musical performance, led by Barbara Lee, the students received their "Graduation Certificates" from Harper and were congratulated by Headmaster Mike Notaro. Penny Newman and other 4th grade parents hosted a reception for students and their families in the Williams-Parker Library.
Singing with their classmates during the program are, left to right, Kyle Ostrom, Rachel Cooper, Harold Dupree, Mary Kimball Vereen, Madison Hooks, and Chip Thompson.
Ashley Harper, right, conducted Brookwood's 5th grade graduation ceremony.
Individual speakers:
Christian Bell
Grace Cascone
Rachel Cooper
Mary Kimball Vereen
