On May 14, King’s Academy held its annual “Step-Up Night,” a much anticipated rite of passage every spring which celebrates “graduating” eighth graders and formally welcomes them to the Upper School. The students, their parents and their teachers gathered to honor student achievements and talents.

The program, held in the Abdul Majeed Shoman Auditorium, began when Masters of Ceremony Loulwa Bilbeisi ’28, Haya Alqahtani ’28 and Mutie Bibars ’28 welcomed their classmates, teachers and families and described the performance that was to follow.

In their welcome remarks, Head of School Penny Townsend and Dean of the Middle School Zina Nasser both spoke of the past and looked to the future. After noting that her office, located in the Middle School building, was always alive with the energy and warm spirit of the students, Townsend assured the class they were “more than ready to chart their courses in the Upper School and ready to soar.” Nasser described them as a “vibrant class who took real joy in learning” and predicted that they would continue to be “memorable” going forward.

Following the opening remarks were a series of performances in which each student demonstrated valuable learning from their two years in the Middle School. They offered speeches, declamations, instrumental and vocal music and videos, and each student had something important to say. Collectively, they revealed not only their own special abilities, but also the array of learning that the Middle School provides.

After these performances, the students received certificates and joined their parents and teachers for a celebratory dinner in the Tawfiq Fakhouri Courtyard.

All told, the evening was a celebration of our impressive students and our great Middle School. Congratulations to all!