For the 40 eighth-grade students in The Webb School Class of 2030, Friday, May 15, 2026, signified yet another milestone in their academic journeys, as they formally completed their transition to the Upper School division with a Graduation Ceremony. Surrounded by family, faculty and friends in the Follin Chapel, the rising class received much applause and praise for their hard work throughout Middle School—reminded not only of what they’ve achieved but also of the opportunities that lie ahead. 

“Today, we’re taking the time to think about all you have learned and accomplished during your Middle School years,” said the division’s head, Mallory Garcia. 

In her opening remarks, Garcia encouraged families to look back at the old tests, assignments and projects that seemed so difficult in sixth grade, and to appreciate all the knowledge and skills gained since then. In all, the ceremony recognized seven students with Eighth Grade Book Awards for academic excellence in one or more subject areas. (See below.)

“Growth often happens just beyond your comfort zone, and it is in those moments that you begin to discover what you are truly capable of,” Webb’s Head of School, Dr. Polly Parker, said in her welcome remarks. “You must lean in. When you do, the possibilities truly are endless.”

“There were times this year when many of us struggled, to say the least, but it’s these struggles that have pushed us to where we are today,” reflected this year’s student speaker and eighth-grade Honor Council representative, Grace Shibayama ’30. “Through these things, we have built resilience, courage and strength.”

Middle School faculty speaker Jillian Rundall—an enthusiastic supporter of the eighth-grade class in their study of contemporary history and civics this academic year—emphasized being kind and patient not only with others, but, perhaps most importantly, with oneself. “You are allowed to make mistakes,” she reassured the group.

Demonstrating both confidence and poise, Shibayama joined fellow Middle School declamation finalists Rebecca Layman ’32 (3rd place), Phoebe Lea ’32 (1st place), Cadence Garcia ’31(2nd place) and Cosette Germain ’30 in kicking off the Eighth Grade Graduation Ceremony with presentations of memorized literary works. Shibayama, along with Heidi Neel, also received the Erin A. Hinkle Award, recognizing eighth graders who, by achievement and example, have done the most for The Webb School, according to the faculty.

New this academic year, 15 eighth-grade students were also recognized for leaning into the community around them by completing more than 20 hours of service. They included Annie Carden, Kaylyn Collard, Elizabeth DeJean, Glorianne Deline, Scarlett dePass, Addison Gay, Hailey Gay, Germain, Neel, Samantha Rogers, Cruz Shepard, Shibayama, Haoyang Song, Lily Tennant and Sophie Townsend. 

After receiving a certificate and a pin to be worn on their Senior Blazers in another four years, students heard closing remarks from Assistant Head of School for Academics and Arts Nicole Taucare, who spoke of the importance of practicing the Webb values of self-discipline and responsibility in Upper School.

“You’ll be asked—again and again—not just what you know, but who you are. So, as you move forward, I hope you carry these values with you—not just as expectations, but as a compass. And always, always strive to become the best version of yourself,” she said.
 

Eighth Grade Book Award Recipients

• Isabelle Sitterly — French IB / 8th Grade English / Algebra I / 8th Grade Science / 8th Grade History
• Heidi Neel — Algebra I / Spanish IB / 8th Grade English / 8th Grade Science / 8th Grade History
• Addison LaHann — Intermediate Strings
• Charley Manske — Spanish I
• Kalista Demetre — French I / Algebra I / Strings I
• Cora Lea — Middle School Piano I / 8th Grade History / 8th Grade English / 8th Grade Science
• Scarlett dePass — Pre-Algebra

PHOTOS

Congratulations to the Class of 2030