Eighth Graders Encourage Middle School Students

Cam Cozad ’27 and Lucy Pickett ’27 were the recipients of last year’s Jan de Greff Jacobi Award, and Head of Middle School Jen Schuckman asked them to address their fellow Middle School students at the first division assembly of the school year. Here are their remarks.

Cam Cozad ’27

Good morning, and welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. I am really thrilled to be here because I get to talk to the new middle school. I am excited to meet all of the new students, get to know my advisory, try some new activities, and just plain have fun! I encourage you to participate in as many of the wonderful activities offered as you can. It is a great way to meet new friends, and have fun doing it. One of the activities that I tried last year was book club. It is a great way to meet new people and get to read good books. I think the really special thing about MICDS is the community, and how we all share a close bond once we get to know each other. Another thing that I love about the community is the willingness of the teachers to meet with you if you need help. They will really bend their schedules to meet with you and make sure you are doing well in a class. We are a great community, and I am thrilled to see us grow together. Have an amazing year and always remember, do the right thing, because it’s the right thing to do.

Lucy Pickett ’27

Hello Middle School! Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. My name is Lucy Pickett and I am in the eighth grade this year. This will be my second year at MICDS. I am excited for this new school year! I am looking forward to hanging out with friends, playing sports, and just having fun at school. Now I want to talk about community. Community by definition is “A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.” MICDS I feel is not only a school but a community. We share a lot of interests and goals. We have to take care of this community. The important thing about taking care of the community I think is making sure everyone has someone to talk to and a friend. But also making others feel accepted, and knowing you are accepted. I know there are a lot of new students this year, and you might not know anyone. I know because I was a new student last year. You might feel like you don’t belong, but you do, and you matter. I want to challenge everyone that if you see someone who might be alone, to just talk to them. You never know how much it could help. Something special about MICDS is its advisories. Your advisory, who you’ve already met, is so important. Advisories give you those people to talk to almost every day. Your advisor is the adult you can confide in. You can talk to your advisor about anything. If you’re having problems with friends they can give you advice. But most of all they will always be there for you. I hope that we all build relationships that last a lifetime! Thank you.