Housatonic Valley Waldorf School's (HVWS) Class of 2017 Graduation took place on Saturday, June 10, on the south campus of the Jacklin Road school.Auf, auf mein Herz by J.S. Bach; Riley Hurley recited the poem "Invitation" by Mary Oliver; Lily Mikita sang "Laurie's Song" from The Tender Land by Aaron Copland; May Baldwin recited the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost; the class sang "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Billy Joe Armstrong; Isabelle Abramson sang "The River" by Garth Brooks and Victoria Shaw; Brendan Parker recited "Sonnet CXVI" by William Shakespeare; and Sean Christiansen played Cello Sonata in C-Major by Jean-Baptiste Breval.

This year's eighth grade graduates were Isabelle Abramson, Ceara Ancona, May Baldwin, Lily Blyn, Sean Christiansen, Liam Counter, Riley Hurley, Henry James, Lily Mikita, Brendan Parker, James Reilly, and Christopher Strilowich.

The ceremony started as the graduating students made their way down the center aisles, with their friends, family, and teachers all around them. The processional song the students sang was a Welsh Hymn called "Calon Lan" by John Hughes.

Students Christopher Strilowich and Brendan Parker recited an original poem they wrote together for their graduating class that brought smiles to their peers' faces.

HVWS alumni Dylan Lew, who graduated with the Class of 2013, spoke to the current graduates about the importance of finding their definition of happiness.

He said his time at HVWS gave him the start to find his, and upon graduating from Newtown High School this year, he will go on to study engineering in the fall.

Mr Lew wished the graduates the best of luck in their future endeavors, and said to go out in the world and find their passion.

During the ceremony, there were numerous performances by the eighth grade students to showcase their many talents, as well as the work they have done in school.

The group performed a recorder piece of

Many thanks were given to class parents Amy Rodriguez and Jo Hurley, all the parent volunteers, past and present teachers, as well as to a variety of guests speakers.

Two HVWS parents of graduating students, Lisa Buckley and Neil Abramson, gave heartfelt speeches about each of their family's process of deciding to send their children to a Waldorf school and how they both felt they made the right decision.

Ms Buckley, Liam's mother, said, "I wanted Liam and his brothers to have more than a school - to have a community. When I look at these beautiful, young people and look at the wonderful, dedicated parents, friends, and extended family I know we are very lucky and achieved our goal."

Mr Abramson, Isabelle's father, talked about an article he read from another Waldorf father that resonated with him about the five things every parent should know about Waldorf schools.

Among the humorous points on the list, like beeswax and just giving in to hugging, he brought up a poignant message about the light that Waldorf schools bring to its students - a light fueled by parents and sparked by teachers, but a light whose flame is made up of the students.

"When I look at you, all I can see is your light," Mr Abramson said looking at the students on stage beside him.

He explained how he understands that graduating will bring a certain sadness, having to say goodbye to their school, but he wants them all to remember it is important they go on.

"You will soon open new doors to new rooms, and those rooms will initially appear dark," Mr Abramson said. "Many others will walk by those rooms thinking them empty or unworthy, unable to see past the shadows. But not you."

He continued, "You will enter those rooms, force back the shadows, revealing the beauty that lies within and because of that light I promise you, and swear to you on all that is holy, that others will be able to see when otherwise, but for your presence, they may not."

Following those messages, three students were chosen to represent their class with individual speeches.

Henry James spoke about the friendships he has made at school that have impacted his life, saying "What we have created together in our classrooms is something really special and will always be there."

James Reilly thanked the staff members for all their support throughout the years, saying, "I feel prepared to continue my education through high school and college, because of all the knowledge I have received at this school."

Lily Blyn added, "Our time at HVWS is over, but what is not over is 11 friendships that will last a lifetime and an education that will be with us forever. We have enjoyed our time in the nutrient rich soil of Waldorf school, but know each of us is ready to blossom into our next journey ahead."

HVWS Board of Trustees President Laura Stotz addressed the graduating students, and said, "Extraordinary, beautiful Class of 2017, the board of trustees and our school community adds our congratulations on this happy occasion. You are an accomplished group, and we are excited for you to bring your amazing selves into the world."

She took the time to also thank the teachers and staff members for an outstanding job, especially to Marleen De Grande for her work with the graduating the class.

During the graduation, HVWS first grade students presented a flower to all of the graduating eighth grade students, as part of the traditional Rose Ceremony.

The graduation concluded with the moment the students had all been waiting for, the presentations of diplomas from their class teacher, Ms De Grande.

Families and friends in the audience were then welcomed to gather in the upper level of the atrium to enjoy seeing the student's display of work from the school year.