Eighty-five young girls from Hartford Public Schools celebrated their completion of the Horizons at The Ethel Walker School summer session at a special ceremony in early August. The 4th Annual “Her Rising Night” showcased the work of the pre-K through 4th graders from the six-week academic enrichment program that strengthened their literacy, math, science and technology skills in addition to offering art, sports, music and swimming instruction.
As part of the event, the girls recited a pledge as they do every morning during the program: "I promise to lift other girls up and have their backs and make it safe for them to be exactly who they are. Every time I look in the mirror, I'll remind myself that I am not alone, that I am beautiful, that my voice matters, and that I am enough." The girls also performed a special dance number choreographed by Horizons volunteer Nerissa Griffiths, a senior at Walker’s, for their families, friends and guests.
“Her Rising Night” also acknowledged the dedicated staff and volunteers, many whom are Ethel Walker School students. The mentors and the girls maintain strong relationships throughout the school year as the participants return to campus for monthly Saturday Academies. The girls are automatically re-enrolled until they complete 8th grade to insure that they are prepared with the skills, knowledge and determination they'll need to graduate from high school.
“This ceremony is always bittersweet because we are so pleased with the strides our students have made in such a short six-week program. We certainly will miss seeing their eager smiling faces every day,” said Isabel Ceballos, executive director of Horizons at The Ethel Walker School. “We have watched the girls who started with us in the program four years ago grow into incredibly inquisitive and accomplished young scholars. We are deeply committed to their success.”
Horizons at The Ethel Walker School is the nation’s first all-girls Horizons program for underserved girls who attend Hartford Public Schools and are eligible for federal free/reduced-price lunch. At the event, girls heard from guest speakers, including Head of School Meera Viswanathan and classroom teachers who praised the students’ progress since the session began on June 25th. The girls each received a certificate of accomplishment.
The Ethel Walker School is an independent, college preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades six through 12 plus a postgraduate year in Simsbury, CT. Since 1911, The Ethel Walker School has excelled at preparing students to make a difference in the world. Members of this diverse community are dedicated to scholarship, the arts, athletics, wellness and service. For more information, visit www.ethelwalker.org or call (860) 408-4467. The Ethel Walker School is located at 230 Bushy Hill Road Simsbury.
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PHOTO: Preschool teacher Nishette Isaac and Isabel Ceballos, executive director of Horizons at The Ethel Walker School, hand out certificates to pre-k students in recognition of the girls' completion of the six-week summer session. The girls will return throughout the school year for the ongoing academic enrichment program.