Eighth-graders from St. Andrew Nativity School will be celebrated at graduation on Thursday, June 16, 7 p.m. in the Northeast Portland school’s courtyard.

The graduates had a full range of experiences during their time in middle school. They started sixth grade in fall 2019 with a cohort of 14 boys and 14 girls. In that first month, the entire school took a field trip downtown to join thousands of others at the Global Climate Strike. By the end of their first year, students were learn-ing from home. Over the next year, volunteers for the school would deliver meals and lunches to the homes of families. Staff members would make weekly calls to families to discover the needs that could be fulfilled by emergency funding. Teachers mastered hybrid learning techniques to meet students’ needs.

By eighth grade, students were masked up and back in the build-ing. This year has brought events and moments of normalcy back to the halls. The eighth graders have gone on field trips, like taking a bus to the Columbia River Gorge. The talent show, spirit week, and other Nativity School traditions that were missed have returned. The eighth grade class has a lot to be proud of.