John Gifford addresses the Class of 2014.

With self-portraits of their younger faces looking down from the curved walls of Morrison Forum, the Noble and Greenough Class of 2014 “stepped up” from Middle School on June 4. After the ceremony, they strode up the hill between Pratt Middle School and Shattuck Schoolhouse to assume their identity as rising members of Class IV. But before they left the Middle School for the last time, they were praised for their spirit, exhorted to do great deeds in future, and mildly teased about how much they have grown.

Click here to see the "Class of 2014" Slideshow. (Courtesy of Alycia Scott-Hiser)

“Two years is a significant amount of time in your young lives,” said Head of Middle School John Gifford ’86, “almost 15 percent to be precise. While that percentage is high, I would suggest that you all saw far more than 15 percent worth of growth over the past two years. Simply from a physical standpoint, Milan, didn’t you tell me that you’d grown four inches this year? And for goodness sake, I had to shave Noah Poindexter in my office last Friday!”

Gifford introduced Head of School Robert P. Henderson Jr. ’76 P ’13 ’16 ’16 to the assembled parents, guardians, grandparents and friends of the fifty-six members of Class V. Henderson told the stepping-up students that he is counting on them to provide leadership, direction and inspiration for the school in the next four years. He advised them to spend time this summer thinking about “all the things you might do that you haven’t done yet,” and asked them to return to campus in the fall “determined to explore something that you haven’t before.”

In his remarks (Click here to read the text of his talk), Gifford spoke of the emotional and intellectual growth of the class, and of their burgeoning commitment to service. “We hope that this place inspires you to do things that are good for other people. And here is the thing, it is already happening,” he said.

Students make their way through the receiving line

Middle School mentor Kerrin Smith ’10, who graduated on May 28, predicted that 2014 will come “a lot quicker than you think,” and told the class that what they will recall from their school days is “the relationships you have with people.”

Class speakers Emily Ott and Akshan DeAlwis, who were selected by their classmates to represent them, demonstrated that they already value the connections they have made with each other and with Nobles faculty and staff.

“What a special group we have become,” said Emily. “Our group is diverse, and we respect one another and our differences.” She added that next fall their task will be “to accept new students and make them feel welcome.”

In his talk, Akshan reminded his classmates that they are “part of the enduring history of Nobles.” He said the class has learned to think globally, critically and creatively—skills that will serve them well as they embark on “one of the most defining adventures of our lives.”

During the Step-Up Ceremony, the Middle School Jazz Band offered a toe-tapping rendition of George Gershwin’s classic, “Summertime.” Awards presented were: the Middle School Art Purchase Award to Alex Nichols; the George Washington Copp Noble Award to Sarah Harthun and Maxwell Montgomery; and the Middle School’s highest award (voted by the faculty) the Character Award, to Andrew Freeman.

In a departure from previous years, when Upper School Head Ben Snyder awarded the Step-Up Certificates, Maryanne MacDonald, Assistant to the Head of Middle School, stood with Gifford to make the presentations—to enthusiastic applause.

After Gifford thanked faculty and parents for their support of the class, the Middle School faculty formed “The Line (Jr.),” a Nobles tradition for congratulating and saying farewell. One parent was overheard saying, “Their next line like this will be in 2014.”

Click here for a photo slideshow from the 2010 Middle Step-Up Ceremony.