Middle School 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 May 31. 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 and thanked the students, faculty, and parents for their dedication toward the students’ academic readiness and well-being. Head of School Chris Garten shared words of congratulations for the eighth graders. “This year particularly, you’ve assumed positions of responsibility representing the school as athletes; taking lead roles in plays, musicals, choral and instrumental concerts; participating in Real Talks and service projects. And we’re proud of all of your hard work and commitment. We’re proud of your achievements academically, athletically, artistically, emotionally, and we’re especially proud 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 learn how to be vulnerable. “My charge to you as the Class of 2027 is simple but challenging. Being vulnerable means being who you truly are. Being willing to embrace your strengths, your fears, your worries, and your weaknesses and your hopes. In other words, it means being human. Being vulnerable means opening yourselves up to the bigger truths that are often standing right in front of you,” Waskowitz said.

During the Middle School Closing Ceremony, two awards were presented to three students, recognizing their hard work of students throughout their time at Seven Hills Middle School. The Patricia Howard Award of Distinction, presented by the Dean of Middle School and geography teacher Andy McGarvey, was awarded to Maya Little. The Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award was presented to eighth graders Nathan Mingo and Campbell Coyne by Middle School Athletic Director Roger Schnirring.

Walk-a-thon raises over $26,000

Over the course of six afternoons, sixth through eighth grade students walked thousands of laps around the Upper Field track, for the third annual Middle School walk-a-thon and collectively raised $26,058.77! The money will be divided between The Caring Place, a local organization that provides services to Cincinnati neighborhoods, and Leja Bulela, a nonprofit that serves to provide humanitarian relief to people in the Kasai-Oriental Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At an end-of-year assembly, students and Middle School teachers Jennifer Licata and Hannah Hanley presented the check to representatives from The Caring Place and Leja Bulela. “We are proud of the students’ support and dedication to raising money for The Caring Place and Leja Bulela. They worked as a community to raise funds for causes they care deeply about,” Licata said. We are #StingerProud of the Middle School!

Asia Day

Seven Hills 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 19, students had the choice to participate in a variety of activities that represented different pieces of Asian culture, including henna, yoga, cricket, and a cooking class. At the end of the day, students celebrated Holi, an Indian festival that welcomes the start of 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.”

Seventh grade explores Washington, D.C.

In May, seventh graders journeyed to Washington, D.C. for an incredibly in-depth look at our nation’s Capitol. Students visited monuments and memorials, discussing the history and meaning behind each one. Students met with Director of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Kirk Johnson and Congressman Greg Landsman, talking about the nature of museum curation and what it means to work as a representative. The annual tradition enables students to gain a stronger understanding of America’s history and how they can shape its future.