Fraser-Woods School Eighth Grade Graduates Celebrate Their Commencement

Fraser-Woods School’s eighth grade graduation ceremony was held at the Newtown Meeting House on Tuesday, June 14.

Fraser-Woods is a toddler through eighth grade Montessori School, and it was founded in 1968 as Newtown Montessori School and expanded in 2001 to include a middle school. This is the tenth class to graduate from the eighth grade program.

Students arrived at the Meeting House in a limousine, a surprise gift from one graduate’s family. Graduating girls wore white dresses and carried yellow roses. Graduating boys wore jackets and ties. The ten graduates were greeted with applause and cheers from family and friends as they processed up the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Head of School Myriam Woods opened the ceremony and invited each of the three middle school advisors to speak. The graduates were congratulated, encouraged, and offered advice from the speakers. Each graduate had a turn to speak about their Montessori education and Fraser-Woods experience.

Several times during the ceremony the Fraser-Woods Chorus performed song selections under the direction of Clay Zambo including “Child of Tomorrow,” “Simple Gifts,” and the Fraser-Woods school song, “Crossroads.” A reception was held immediately following the event.

The graduates will be attending the following high schools in the fall; Yannick Christophe, Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford; Aaron Gattinoni, Canterbury School in New Milford; Sophia Hodson, Westover School in Middlebury; Cole Mannuzza, Pomperaug High School in Southbury; Trevor Nelson, Newtown High School; Neha Patel, Hopkins School in New Haven; Brooke Richards, Chase Collegiate School in Waterbury; Rory Staack, Newtown High School; Tanner Tardie, Canterbury School in New Milford; and Clara Whaley, Newtown High School.