8th Grade Class of 2015 Graduates from Almaden Country School
San Jose, California (PRWEB) June 11, 2015 -- Almaden Country School, a preschool through eighth grade independent school, graduated 38 8th graders on Thursday, June 4, on campus in Almaden Valley.
Class valedictorian Lucas Sant’Anna addressed the faculty, guests, and fellow graduates. His speech touched on the drama program that grew his confidence and self-assurance, class trips that taught science, history, and independence, and the Big Buddy program which gave him the opportunity to be a role model to younger students. Sant’Anna summed up his experience by saying, “The community at ACS is unique and different from anywhere else in the world. The supportive and positive atmosphere has left us all with core values that we will carry on throughout the rest of our lives: Compassion, responsibility, versatility, and selflessness are just some of the traits that define an ACS student. In a way, this is the greatest gift that ACS has given us — the power to be good, and the power to be great.”
Exemplifying the school’s philosophy of individualized attention, each graduate composed and offered tributes to every teacher who had taught them through their academic journey. The teachers also shared their favorite memories and highlighted the special qualities about each student in this especially intimate graduation ceremony.
The school’s graduation traditions also include a song sung by the Apple Tree-o, comprised of three faculty members. The song, “Wherever You Go,” tells the students that parting is inevitable, that their teachers hope they achieve their dreams and carry what they learn with them “wherever they go.”
“ACS is proud of all the accomplishments of the Class of 2015, and we’re even more pleased with the young people they’re becoming,” commented head of school, Dr. Olaf Jorgenson. “These graduates are confident, kind, and ready to make the world a better place. We believe that our success as a school is defined by the exceptional lives our alumni lead.”
In the spirit of these ideals, Almaden Country School also gave a “Founder’s Award” to a child who most wholly represents the ideals of kindness, service and joy, as originally established by Almaden Country School founder, Mrs. Nan Hunter. This year, Anisha Reimert received the award presented by Mr. Cosmo Mejia, middle school faculty member.
The new graduates will transition to a variety of public and private high schools in the fall. Assistant Head of School Gary DeMoss shared this advice with the graduating class: “Embrace your differences, revel in the process of creating and solving your own puzzles, remember how it feels to be part of a greater whole and take the time to enjoy the beauty you create.”
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Almaden Country School is a nonsectarian south San Jose independent school that offers programs for students from 4 years of age through 8th grade. This highly regarded school, which has almost 400 students, believes that each child has unique capabilities and talents. In its 33rd year of discovering the gifts in every child, Almaden Country School offers a Character & Competence program for developing strong, ethical leaders; small class sizes; a broad and challenging curriculum; and passionate teachers who share a genuine love of children.
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Contact:
Cathy Shin
cshin(at)a-cs(dot)org
(408) 997-0424 x298
6835 Trinidad Dr. San Jose, CA 95120
http://www.almadencountryschool.org
Cathy Shin, Almaden Country School, http://www.almadencountryschool.org, +1 408-694-6172, [email protected]
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