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Sixth Grade Graduation Presentations | Traelon Collins

Good morning , my name is Traelon Collins. I am holding a basketball that is a representation of my characteristics and strong qualities as a student. Much like a basketball, which is precisely round in shape; I am a well-rounded kid who is easy going, enjoys making others around me feel comfortable while not sweating the small stuff. Like a basketball, I am able to go with the flow of things, which has granted me opportunities to make and create an everlasting friendship with my best friend Lucas. He has been a great teammate on the court, and even greater friend.

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Sixth Grade Graduation Presentations | Amir Muhammad

Good morning, my name is Amir Muhammad. Have you ever felt as if you didn’t have enough time? How something snuck up on you, and you didn’t realize until, BAM, you’re there. Well, that happened during my time at City Academy. From the start of my time in pre-k, feeling like the school hours were days, and the weeks were months. Now feeling as if the time at City Academy were merely moments. You start to realize that you appreciate more things than you did when you were younger.

Like going on field trips such as the overnight trip at Shaw Nature Reserve, where we were able to bond for a whole day and end the night with a bonfire and off key singing. Also, spending time with early childhood students, reading aloud to them. And lastly, displaying leadership by assisting in the cafeteria.

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2021 Sixth Grade Graduation Presentions | Ricco Martin Jr.

Good Morning City Academy families, my name is Ricco Martin Jr and I will be focusing on the 4 Cs. I know you’re thinking, Ricco, What are the 4cs? My 4 Cs are Comfort, Confidence, Challenge, and CA. But first off, Wow. What a move it was coming to City Academy. After coming out of a severe bullying situation that had a damaging effect on me, I was finally able to find a space where I could feel welcomed.

Throughout these past 5-6 years, I have been blessed to have not just an excellent education, but to have empathetic and warmhearted teachers that actually care and are willing to help you learn at your own pace.

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2021 Sixth Grade Graduation Presentions | Chantell Johnson

Good morning, my name is Chantell Johnson. Before I go on to my next journey at Lutheran North, I would like to share with you something I have taken interest in for most of my life. I truly enjoy my artistic skills, but much like I have done over the years as a student, I wanted to challenge myself. And today, I am proud to share my self-portrait that required specific color blends, strokes and effort.

This portrait depicts a young lady uniquely crafted; wearing confidence on her shoulders. Her smile reveals all of her successes and moments of despair. I’ve had many, but my successes have definitely outweighed my failures. Her golden brown eyes, tells the story of all of the challenging novels she was able to dissect over the years, while her arms; strong and mighty, tells of the strength it took to work carefully at accomplishing complex tasks and projects. My mouth you may ask? My mouth tells of my humorous nature; how I am able to make others smile. And my, brain which is not quite featured, shares my abilities to take risks and make thoughtful contributions.

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2021 Sixth Grade Graduation Presentations | DeMiah Jackson

Good morning, my name is DeMiah Jackson. I have experienced peaks and fragments of triumph and failure, but one thing for sure, I learned a lot, met great friends and teachers and had a great time.

I learned so many things about myself the past nine years. One quality I am most proud of is learning what it means to be a student. Becoming a student meant acquiring strong study habits, learning the value of meeting deadlines, and the power of self-advocating and problem solving. This did not happen overnight. It wasn’t until my 3rd grade year with Mrs. McDonough that I became more invested in my learning. This is when the really, really complex thinking and working came to life. It was the time of grappling away with my first research paper and memorizing my first speech in preparation for the Wax Museum. It was challenging, but another opportunity to learn something new.

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2021 Sixth Grade Graduation Presentions | Joy Wilson

Good Morning, my name is Joy Wilson. The past and present are instances we forget sometimes. I wish to not be forgotten, even when I start my new adventure at Lutheran North this fall. My performance will reflect these things. This is why I chose to play the song “ 7 Years Old ” by Lukas Graham on piano, a song about growing up.

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2021 Graduation Alumni Speaker – Michael Lee, Jr. ’14 (Westminster Christian Academy ’20, University of Cincinnati ’24)

One of our favorite graduation traditions is the return of one of our outstanding alumni to address the graduating class. This part of the ceremony is always full of inspiring words for the sixth grade class and insightful reflections on the speaker’s experiences at City Academy, their secondary schools, and beyond. This year, the Class of 2021 was honored to hear from Michael Lee, Jr. ’14 (Westminster Christian Academy ’20, University of Cincinnati ’24). Read his words for the Class of 2021 below:

City Academy’s 2021 Sixth Grade Graduation Alumni Words of Wisdom

Good evening outstanding scholars, my name is Michael Lee Jr. I graduated City Academy in 2014, and went on to Westminster Christian Academy. I am currently attending The University of Cincinnati- College Conservatory of Music, to receive a BFA in Musical Theatre. Hearing myself say those words fills me with a joy that is difficult to put into words because I have come so far from where I began, and it all started for me right here. I’d like to take a moment to personally tell you all how proud I am of you for the countless hours spent on homework, the diligence in the classroom, the knowledge gained, the fun that was had, and the lifelong memories that were made. You all made it! And you should be so proud of yourselves.

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WE Schools Shoe Drive

Our sixth grade scholars have been working hard since January to develop a Global Campaign surrounding water. Working with a local nonprofit, they will be collecting shoes to support the building of wells in communities across the globe that do not have access to clean water. They have formed committees to tackle communication through artwork in the school building, through social media, and via presentations to advisories and the Board of Trustees. Parents can support the campaign by helping students gather gently used shoes that are no longer being utilized in your household to donate to the campaign. You can also help your student spread the word to family and friends, and collect more shoes for the program.

The campaign will run from April 1 through April 30. Each class that reaches their goal will receive a prize, and the grade that has the most pairs of shoes will have a pizza party outside in May. 

Our partnership with WE Schools supports our commitment to empower City Academy students to become global citizens. Through project-based learning like this campaign, our students are able to step outside of their own experiences and develop empathy for their neighbors here in St. Louis and across the globe. Engagement in these spaces allow continued growth of character and skills they will carry with them on their paths to success. Leadership, program development, community engagement, team building, and creative thinking are just some of the tools they will utilize as global thinkers to effect change on a small and larger scale. Our students are understanding that through service-learning projects, hope is given, and there is nothing more powerful than hope.

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2021 Brightman Award Winner – Najaah Muhammad ’15 (MICDS ’21)

At the 2021 Virtual Annual Luncheon, we were thrilled to present alumna Najaah Muhammad ’15 (MICDS ’21) with this year’s Brightman Award. The Brightman Award is named for John Brightman, one of City Academy’s original board members and supporters. John was integral in the start of the school, and this award, including a $1,000 scholarship, honors and carries on his legacy. Najaah is brilliant, determined, and a fierce community advocate, and a wonderful example of the long-lasting impact of City Academy. Read Najaah’s speech below for more on what this award, and City Academy, mean to her.

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An Important Message from Don Danforth

Dear City Academy Family,

I am writing to share that Nikki Doughty has accepted a position at Washington University’s Institute for School Partnership. Nikki will be “graduating” from City Academy at the end of this school year, after 15 amazing years.

At Washington University, Nikki will continue the important work of removing barriers to transform lives through exceptional education, by working with multiple schools and districts. This will no doubt make our community and region stronger. I am pleased that Nikki’s new role at WU will allow her to continue to help broaden City Academy’s impact by building a collaboration between two amazing institutions, City Academy and Washington U, and helping implement our Strategic Initiative of building an institute for educators. Like our City Academy graduates, Nikki is fully prepared for her next exciting challenge. Nikki shares about her next steps in the video below.

Jeff Horwitz, our Interim Principal, will be our Interim Head of School for the 2021-22 academic year. We will not fill the Principal role. A search process will begin late this summer to identify our next Head of School.

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