Up Front
Celebrating Falk ’ s Class of 2024 Graduates
O n the evening of Wednesday , June 5 , 2024 , the Falk Laboratory School community gathered in the sanctuary of Rodef Shalom Congregation to celebrate the graduation of the 43 members of Falk ’ s eighth-grade class .
The eighth graders entered the sanctuary by walking past their teachers , who lined the ramps leading up to the bimah . Each teacher held a lantern — a new addition to Falk ’ s graduation tradition .
Falk ’ s director , Jill Sarada , praised the resourcefulness , resilience , and joy of the graduating class , sharing stories of the students ’ time as kindergarteners and their time in pods during the COVID-19 pandemic .
She recounted a conversation she had with the class at the start of the 2023-24 school year , when she asked about their hopes and goals for the year .
“ As you looked around , you said , ‘ It ’ s weird ; we keep looking for the older kids and then we realize that we are the oldest ,’” Sarada recalled . “ Well , you are the older kids , and today , you are the ones graduating . And we are here to celebrate you .”
She concluded , “ We hope that we ’ ve given you the tools to enjoy every minute of learning that lies in your future and that you ’ ll come back to Falk and let us continue to be a part of your life .”
Eboni Zamani-Gallaher , Renée and Richard Goldman Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education , addressed the graduates , giving them her key points and advising them to keep pushing forward even when things might seem tough .
The dean quoted her mother , who told her , “ Show me your friends , and I ’ ll show you your future .” She urged the graduates to cherish the friendships they formed while at Falk , to grow together , and to stay curious .
Arnav Dasyam was awarded the Rao Family Student Excellence Award in recognition of outstanding achievements in learning , performance , and citizenship .
The day after the ceremony , the entire Falk community gathered in the gymnasium to celebrate the graduating class . The slideshow and video of class memories were shared with the entire school , and the full school community sang Falk ’ s school song .
Tyler Sutton and Leila Young , last year ’ s winners of the Gertrude and Elias Sunstein Scholarship Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation , presented this year ’ s awards to Julia Danyliw and Tochi Ndubuisi . The Sunstein Scholarship Funds are given to Falk students who demonstrate depth of perception , imaginative writing skills , and concern for others , among other values . ■
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