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Celebrating the Class of 2023

June 7, 2023

Above, left to right: Campbell Ebling, Chase Abele, Linus Koehler, Max Wake and John O'Brien

On Friday, June 2, Wilmington Montessori School proudly celebrated the Class of 2023 at an outdoor ceremony on WMS's new front patio/outdoor learning space. Head of School Lisa Lalama began the ceremony by reflecting on the graduates' long history at WMS:


Each year at this time there is a lot of reminiscing; the past has a front row seat in your lives today. This year, in particular, has made us all pause and rewind to the years these five graduates have spent at WMS - 60 plus years as a group, which is amazing! You and your families have shown a strong commitment to WMS!


She went on to speak about the Montessori philosophy and the way in which it develops confident and self-aware graduates:

There is an aspect of the Montessori philosophy that is central to her teachings. Dr. Montessori stated that "Cosmic Education is intended to help each of us search for our cosmic task as a species and as individuals. To do this, we must understand ourselves in context. It is only against the background of our place in the universe, our relationships with other living organisms, and our understanding of human unity within cultural diversity, that we can attempt to answer the question, 'Who am I?' "


Did you know this is what you’ve been doing for the past 60+ overlapping years? Trying to find your place in every part of your life? Who are you?


You are performers, musicians, athletes, "techies," readers, gamers, travelers, and above all, kind-hearted young adults - something the world needs more of. It’s not often that people describe 14-year-olds in a positive light - they haven’t met these five people! Most of all, you know who you are. You are each confident in your understanding of yourselves as individuals and as a group.


As she concluded her speech, Lisa shared her gratitude to the class of 2023 and optimism about what's to come for these young alumni:


WMS is so lucky to have been a part of your lives. Thank you for sharing your wit, your wisdom and yes, even your sarcasm with us. You are moving on to five different schools, each so lucky to have you as part of their class of 2027, and your impact will be felt - we hope with just a touch of your Montessori background being shared with your new schools. We wish you all the best, will wait for you to visit us and update us about your life’s adventures. We can't wait to see all the places you go and all that you accomplish.


Watch Lisa's Speech

Alumni Speaker Quinn Kirkpatrick

Lisa then introduced this year's alumni speaker, Quinn Kirkpatrick, who graduated from WMS in 2009. Quinn currently attends the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, where he is third-year medical student and co-president of the student body.


In his speech, Quinn shared three important lessons he took away from his time at WMS - watch the video to find out what they are! He concluded with the following advice:


As you move onto Howard, Concord, Tatnall, Mount Pleasant and Salesianum next year, make sure to take responsibility for your own learning, set goals and work toward achieving them. What interests you? Read about it, learn about it. Use the tools that WMS has given you to explore things that motivate you, that peak your curiosity. You’ll be better off for it.


Secondly, don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new. Something out of your comfort zone possibly, maybe something you’ve been wanting to try but have not been able to do. 'You never know until you try.' Go for it! You never know how it'll turn out. Maybe you'll make some new friends along the way too!


And then finally, be a good role model, give your input and take action. You may not know it now, but you have no idea the impact you can have on someone by sharing your thoughts.


Congratulations to my fellow graduates. I am excited to see where your journey takes you. Remember that no matter what, WMS will always be there with you, the teachers will always support for you, and I can already tell the friends you made will last a lifetime.


Watch Quinn's Speech

Middle School Reflections

After Quinn's speech, the middle-schoolers took the stage!


Each graduate shared a few words about their time at WMS and what they will take away as they move on to their next educational steps.


Watch their speeches here.

WMS is such a unique school that, looking back now, I think I took it for granted. The fact that you can learn at your own pace, and have a second chance to turn in assignments, which will be a big change for me in high school. And of course, recess. Probably the best part of the day. This school has taught me so much that I will use in my future.


- Chase Abele

“The education of a child does not aim at preparing them for school, but for life.”

- Maria Montessori


My experience at Wilmington Montessori has prepared me for my upcoming life more than I could have hoped for. Collaborating with friends and classmates over the years has greatly helped me in growing as a person, and I have countless memories of my experiences at WMS.


- Campbell Ebling

I joined Wilmington Montessori School in fourth grade - that was 2018, five years ago now. Five years, that's 58 months, that's 260 weeks, that’s 1,825 days. In those five years, I’ve had six different teachers and each and every one of those teachers has helped me so much and in so many different ways through my time here at WMS.


- Linus Koehler

While here at WMS, I have realized that I thoroughly enjoy making friends, whether it was having a pillow fight between classes, going to Philly on a field trip, meeting people from around the world at Model UN, and meeting people from Hockessin Montessori School. I enjoyed meeting people with different backgrounds and perspectives because it can help change my own views and broaden my perspective.


- John O'Brien

Leaving WMS will be like leaving a piece of me. I mean, after all, all good things do eventually come to an end. So let me take this time to thank everyone who helped me along this journey. Any teacher, administrator, staff member, or classmate that helped me through this journey, I sincerely thank you. I also must pay my respects to my family, the supporting foundation of my success at this school, as I wouldn’t be here without them. As I continue on my journey I will always remember and appreciate this community.


- Max Wake

Words from Middle School Teacher Emma Mulrine

Following Quinn's speech, lead Middle School teacher Emma Mulrine reflected on her first year leading the WMS Middle School Program and her time with the class of 2023. She ended by sharing her gratitude to the Middle School community.

Thank you to the parents who have raised you and shaped you into the people you are today and the people you are becoming, to the teachers who have taught you and guided you, to the classmates who have welcomed you and supported you, played with you and learned with you, and to you five, for trying and joking and working hard, and helping and forgiving, and singing and learning and being yourselves.

 

I’m proud of you all, and I’m very excited to see what’s to come for you. Congratulations, graduates! 


Watch Emma's Speech

Memorable Moments - The Presentation of Diplomas & Celebrating with Family
Watch the Full Graduation Video
TOMORROW'S LEADERS

The Class of 2023 is off to high school!

WMS graduates attend a variety of private and public schools after their graduation.


This year, the schools our graduates will attend include:


  • Concord High School


  • Howard High School of Technology


  • Mt. Pleasant High School - International Baccalaureate Program


  • Salesianum School


  • The Tatnall School


We can't wait to hear about their future accomplishments!

Stay Connected
At WMS, alumni and their families are an important part of our community! Please stay in touch by emailing your news to alumni@wmsde.org and contact Noel if you'd like to continue to receive the Wednesday Weekly! You can also connect with us through FacebookInstagram and Twitter.
Give Back to WMS... Your Support Makes a Difference!

Gifts to WMS's Annual Fund help create the special WMS experiences our graduates remember. Donations support our classrooms filled with Montessori materials and state-of-the-art technology, help maintain our beautiful campus and enhance our outdoor learning curriculum, support our Montessori-trained teachers and arts programs, and allow us to offer financial aid so more children can benefit from a WMS education. Help us keep those traditions alive while we continue to create new learning opportunities for children. 


Every gift helps us keep WMS thriving for future generations!


Visit www.wmsde.org/annualfund to make your tax-deductible gift to keep WMS strong!

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