Closing Ceremony

Seven Hills recognized the achievements of its rising ninth graders and sent them on to the Upper School with warm words of wisdom during the eighth grade Closing Ceremony held on June 4. 

Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz opened the ceremony by telling the students how proud he was of their hard work and achievements throughout their time in Middle School. He thanked the students, faculty, and parents for their dedication to the students’ academic readiness and well-being. Head of School Chris Garten shared words of congratulations for the eighth graders. “We’re proud of all of your hard work and commitment. We’re proud of your achievements academically, athletically, artistically, emotionally, and especially of how you’ve grown both as a class and as young people,” Garten said. The ceremony also included Middle School student performances, awards, and reflections from the eighth graders. Waskowitz said his annual charge was for students to remember to keep their voice. “My charge to you as the Class of 2028 is important to keep during your time at the Upper School and throughout your life. Don’t lose your voice as you enter an environment that is new and potentially daunting, such as the Upper School. Remember that you can always add your own unique voice to the community, enabling it to evolve and grow constantly,” Waskowitz said.

During the Middle School Closing Ceremony, three students received two awards recognizing their hard work throughout their time at the Middle School. The Patricia Howard Award of Distinction, presented by the Dean of Middle School and geography teacher Andy McGarvey, was awarded to Eli Kampel. The Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award was presented to Hasika Avanigadda, Cole Coffey, and Dylan Wolujewicz by Middle School Athletic Director Roger Schnirring.

Seventh grade trip to Washington, D.C.

In May, seventh graders journeyed to Washington, D.C., for an in-depth look at our nation’s capital. Students visited monuments and memorials, discussing the history and meaning behind each one. This year, students witnessed the House of Representatives in session and watched in real time how representatives debate bills before voting. 

“Aside from the curricular relevance and importance that this trip offers, the chance for students to be away from school and experience, together, a place like Washington, D.C., serves to create memories that will last a lifetime,” Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz said. 

Asia Day

The Middle School continued its decades-long tradition of Asia Day — an immersive experience that celebrates countries like China, South Korea, and India and encapsulates the sixth graders‘ extensive study of Asia over the past couple of weeks. On May 24, students could participate in various activities representing different pieces of Asian culture, including henna, yoga, cricket, and a food tasting. At the end of the day, students celebrated Holi, an Indian festival welcoming spring.

“Our annual Asia Day is curriculum-based, but it’s a day of fun,” said Middle School geography teacher and Dean of Middle School Andy McGarvey. “I hope the students walk away from Asia Day with an appreciation of different cultures.”

Walk-a-thon results

Throughout six afternoons, sixth through eighth grade students walked thousands of laps around the Upper Field track for the fourth annual Middle School Walk-a-Thon and collectively raised $20,771.65. The money will be divided between The Caring Place, a local organization that provides services to Cincinnati neighborhoods, and Leja Bulela, a nonprofit that provides humanitarian relief to people in the Kasai-Oriental Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At the end of the last day of school, the students who raised the most money from their grade had the opportunity to pie a Middle School teacher of their choice. Students chose teachers Emily Settler, Kristin Suer, and Judith Neidlan-Diel to pie in front of the entire Middle School student body.