The day before Newtown's Housatonic Valley Waldorf School hosted its eighth grade graduation, the last day of the school's 2018-19 academic year came to a close with festivities on June 8.The Outsiders, one of the class' favorite books, she reminded everyone that "nothing gold can stay," and urged the graduates to always remember the "sense of belonging and sense of purpose," they enjoyed at the Waldorf School.

After a bridge ceremony was held for early childhood students, symbolizing graduating from kindergarten, the school hosted a picnic for all students and family members.

Baked goods and food were served under a tent on the school's property in Dodgingtown, as students and family members mingled.

In contrast to massive school graduation ceremonies happening throughout the region and the country this June, the school community said farewell to its ten members of their Class of 2018 during a 90-minute ceremony Saturday, June 9.

In a unique activity that combined beautiful music, emotional remarks, touching traditions, numerous expressions of appreciation for faculty and parents, and even a rousing Monty Python skit, graduates Patrick Alvord, Tom Bukovsky, Vaughn Keeney, Nate Lifgren, Matthew Nesto, Arsh Patalia, Cade Schoenemann, Riley Whelehan, Diana Wipf, and Jordan Wittmer proudly accepted their diplomas as they transitioned toward high school.

The ceremony opened with Jaylin Remensperger on violin, performing a Bach concerto as nearly 200 family members, school staffers, and guests settled in. Upon arrival of the soon-to-be grads, class teacher Emily Remensperger welcomed everyone and introduced the school's traditional "Rose Ceremony," during which first graders presented yellow roses to the outgoing eighth graders.

Students then presented artistic offerings ranging from the beautiful and expansive "To Build A Home," from Diana - accompanied by underclassman Jaylin - a solo piano piece from Jordan, and a brief recitation of a Tupac Shakur verse from Riley. The entire class joined together to recite "You Begin," by Margaret Atwood, before closing on a hilarious note with a spot-on recreation of the Monty Python routine, "Argument Clinic."

Parent speaker Sally Schwager was welcomed to the podium, where she admitted that while she had plenty of advice to impart on the outgoing eighth graders, she was not sure how receptive the students would be. Nonetheless, she attempted to impress upon the grads the importance of not marginalizing the people they would encounter as they advanced to high school, and implored them to maintain a courageous attitude.

"The really worthwhile things in life happen when you have courage," Ms Schwager said. "When you face a choice to risk or fail, take the risk. By not risking, you fail by default."

During Diana's emotional farewell, she posed the hypothetical question, "How can I sum up seven years in just a few minutes?"

She then responded admirably, recalling a number of highs and lows from her time at the school, including praising her class teacher Ms Remensperger, who "...did a great job, and made me want to learn things about the world."

Diana closed reminiscing about the class trip to Costa Rica.

"Nothing about that trip could be more perfect," she recalled. "When we came back, we realized we were closer than ever before. I'm going to miss everyone and everything so much!"

Six of the grads then issued more formalized thank yous, specifically recognizing their "Class Parents," Scott and Cathy Whelehan, who were said to be fixtures at the school for more than 20 years as their children attended.

In her closing remarks, Ms Remensperger marveled at the students' journey from first to eighth grade. Acknowledging she is "not good at endings," the educator admitted, "I'd like to just drag you all back into the classroom."

"Time is a strange thing - how did we get from there to here?" she queried. "Our time together has been a blip in the space of your existence."

Ms Remensperger closed reminding the audience and graduates that she was not only responsible for her students, but the many family members attached to each child. Quoting from 

"May the unfinished give you a thirst for more," she concluded, "keep looking."

The ceremony closed with the class performing "The Parting Song," and the John Denver favorite, "Leaving On a Jet Plane," before attendees joined the staff and graduates for refreshments in the campus hall atrium.