2025 Fifth Grade Continuation

As proud families arrived at the Leach Center for the Performing Arts on June 3 for Colorado Academy’s 2025 Fifth Grade Continuation, calming jazz playing in the theater belied the nervous energy backstage, where the 59 members of the Class of 2032 waited to take their seats on stage.

 

But soon enough, the Fifth Graders were successfully in their seats, and Head of School Dr. Mike Davis was congratulating them to the applause of their parents, guardians, grandparents, and other guests.

“We are so proud of you,” said Dr. Davis. “You’ve grown into thoughtful, curious, and compassionate leaders. You learned how to ask great questions, and more importantly how to listen to each other’s answers. Many of you started your CA journey when your backpacks were bigger than you. Now look at you: writing persuasive essays, solving equations, and leading Voices of Change projects that address real-world challenges.”

 

Davis continued, “I know you’ve grown comfortable in our Lower School, with your teachers, hallways, the rhythms of the day, but now it’s time to level up. Change is good! Middle School brings new classes, new teachers, new friendships, and yes, a new schedule. But trust me, we know you’re ready. You’ve laid a solid foundation.”

“Looking ahead, Middle School is when you start discovering who you are and who you want to become,” Davis went on. “When you get there, try everything—robotics, theater, debate, sports, art. Sometimes you’ll love it; sometimes you may not. Sometimes you’ll realize maybe you weren’t meant for something, and that’s okay. The beauty of CA is that you are free to be exactly who you are and to grow into the person you’re meant to become.”

 

Lower School Principal Angie Crabtree came to the podium after the Head of School to address this group of soon-to-be Sixth Grade learners and leaders.

She began by honoring Lower School faculty and staff members. “Teaching is often described as a noble profession, but for many educators, it transcends being a career choice and becomes a true calling. A calling is something deeper than a paycheck or a profession. It is a sense of purpose, a commitment to serve, and a desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Most importantly, teachers model how to listen, how to learn from mistakes, how to stay curious, how to show up for others, how to laugh, how to see the joy in the small and the big moments. They show us all how to be good people.”

 

After joining the audience in a round of applause for Lower School educators, Crabtree turned to the Fifth Graders. “Leadership takes many forms. There are servant leaders, loud leaders, bold leaders, careful and quiet leaders, visionary leaders. But a leader who leads through a lens of kindness has a special spark that allows them to inspire and guide others in the best ways.”

Crabtree continued, “Leading is not just about being an authority figure or making big decisions. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Kind leaders lead with empathy. They listen without judgment, and they lift up those around them. They recognize that inclusion is not just about being present, but about feeling accepted and empowered to contribute.”

 

The Lower School Principal went on to commend the Class of 2032 on the 2,083 hours they logged as Mustang Mentors to Pre-Kindergarten Buddies this school year. “Mentors, your Pre-K mentees felt so supported by your weekly attendance in their specialist classes. Last week I interviewed a few of them, and this is what they said about you:

‘They fill my heart with a rainbow.’ ‘I love seeing them smile at me.’ ‘I feel like I have a big sister and a big brother who go to school with me every day.’ ‘The Fifth Graders are my favorite people.’

“The Pre-K students have grown in amazing ways due to your commitment and connection with them. You lifted them up and you made our Lower School a stronger community. Thank you for the gift of kindness and for being mentors and leaders and showing our youngest students how to be kind to everyone they meet at CA. Please continue leading with kindness today, tomorrow, and always.”

 

Fifth Graders then stood to perform the song “I Choose,” by Elizabeth Camozzi.

I choose to dance.
I choose to sing.
I choose to live life in the fullest.
Give me wings!
I choose to smile, 
I choose to laugh out loud, 
I choose to live in a way that makes me proud!

 

 

It was then time for the Fifth Grade teaching team—Matt Lauer, Jessica Ohly, and Sara Wachtel—to read individual tributes to each of their students. Standing center stage one at a time, the Fifth Graders smiled with joy, surprise, and pride as they listened to all the little and big things their teachers had noticed about them this year: a talent for accents, kindness toward all, athletic prowess, a love for animals, creativity, and much more.

 

 

The Class of 2032 stood again as the ceremony neared its conclusion, presenting the song “On Top of the World,” by Imagine Dragons.

I’ve had the highest mountains
I’ve had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but life keeps moving
Now, take it in but don't look down
’Cause I’m on top of the world, hey
I’m on top of the world, hey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, hey
Been holding it in for a while, hey
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

Crabtree brought the ceremony to a close by sharing the book all Fifth Graders would receive as a parting gift. “The book, May You Love and Be Loved, Wishes for Your Life, by Cleo Wade, is a love letter to your future, sharing hopes and dreams for you. The author writes, ‘May you wonder, wander, and delight in things big and small. May you feel rhythm deep in your soul. May you meet people from different places and treat them as next-door neighbors. May your experiences change you and allow you to change the world. May you be supported and seen and respected. May you love and be loved and loved more and more after that.’”

 

“You are an amazing group of students who have filled our days with smiles, laughter, learning, and connection,” she continued. “The Lower School faculty and staff and I are extremely proud of you and your wonderful impact and influence on our community. Please remember that you always have a special place in our hearts. We have loved our days with you, Fifth Graders. We wish you the very best.”

Grade 5 Continuation Candids

Grade 5 Stage Photos