Waldorf Graduation
This has been quite the weekend for us! Elizabeth graduated from her Waldorf School and, after 14 years, our family leaves a very special place.
It all began on Friday morning with the Rose Ceremony where each of their first grade buddies gave them a rose in farewell. The 8th graders all wore the clothing they had made in handwork. So Liz made this purple dress.
In the afternoon there was an assembly where the younger kids sang farewell and the 8th graders fiddled, sang, and danced. This hip hop dance was particularly well received!
The students each put together an exhibit of their 8+ years of art and handwork. Here's Elizabeth's wall.
Saturday was the first sunny, dry day we have had in weeks. The graduation ceremony included speeches by each student where they spoke to another student in the class about their qualities and contributions. This young gentleman spoke to Liz. He spoke to their ongoing 8 years of fun rivalry with great affection. I think they both realized how much fun they have had over the years! Here he is reminding Liz that he is one day older, always beat her in SPIT, and will be challenging her for the open seat in student council next year. Liz's expression as he was speaking was priceless.
They sang Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
and recited Elie Wiesel's speech The Perils of Indifference
And, after quite a long ceremony, received their diplomas.
Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents all joined us and we had a toast on our porch. I'm waiting for the family photos as they seem to have been taken on someone else's camera! It was a lovely day which was capped by the hot air balloon festival launch which we always get to see from our house!
The class had quite a party on Sunday where the families all got to have one last visit together high in the hills of Vermont. It involved everything from a disco to baby Alpaca tours to long conversations into the night by an outdoor fire. We will truly miss this wonderful group of families who have been part of our daily life for the past 10 years!
congratulations to elizabeth! i am so very impressed by her art and handwork. it must be sad to leave such a wonderful school - but hopeful that your classmates are joining you in a new venture. how lucky she was to have that friendly rivalry with someone! what a thing that will be to remember all her life.
So many congratulations to Elizabeth! She was truly blessed to receive this education. And to you I write, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for your "window" into the life of your young daughters! I have been following your blog for many years and i especially appreciate to see these "older" kids. Now I myself work in a Waldorf school in Maine. It's been my first year there , as assistant in early childhood. So much to learn of course, even after 16 years of teaching in non Waldorf schools in my homeland, Italy. And now for the first time I have the concrete chance to take my son to third grade there. I can't wait and of course I am worried about this major change, but it is such a great education!!! Good luck to both your daughters in this delicate moment of their life.....