Assistant Principal Ann Mohr reminded the Class of 2025 that although they are heading off to high school, Helen Keller Middle School will always remain a part of who they are.
“You have brought love and magic to our school,” said Mohr during the June 11 ceremony. “The world will be a better place because of you. Never forget that you will always have a home at Helen Keller Middle School.”
The ceremony — filled with warmth, pride and joyful tears — marked the end of the eighth-grade class’s school year.
Since returning to in-person gatherings following the Covid-19 pandemic, the middle school has held its closing ceremonies outdoors, a change that, according to staff and families, has brought a more heartfelt and personal tone to the annual tradition.
“The first closing ceremony we held after our return from Covid was moved to an outdoor ceremony,” said Mohr. “It was the best thing that happened for us because our outdoor ceremony turned out to be more heartfelt and personalized for middle school than our ceremonies in the past. This year’s closing ceremony was perfect. The weather was beautiful, and we were able to celebrate the end of our students’ middle school journey as the sun was setting at Helen Keller Middle School.”
Each year, students are nominated by their teachers to serve as featured student speakers at the ceremony. This year, two student hosts welcomed the audience and introduced a variety of performances throughout the evening, including a saxophone quartet who performed a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“We’ve moved away from a formal ceremony to create an environment where students can sit with their families, be involved in voicing their accomplishments, and are encouraged to bring blankets, set up in a way that feels warm and welcoming,” said Principal Dr. Steven Clapp.
The evening not only honored academic achievement but also the character and spirit of the students. Special awards were announced throughout the ceremony with recipients kept secret until the moment their names were called.
“These awards don’t just recognize achievement, they recognize commitment to personal growth, integrity, kindness, citizenship and inclusion,” said Mohr.
Among those honored was Daniel Matos, recipient of the Mikey’s Way Award given to a student who demonstrates courage, strength, and positivity through adversity.
“This ceremony reminds us that our greatest success is not in what students know, but who they’ve become,” said Clapp.
Mohr spoke before the graduates’ names were called, revisiting a metaphor she first shared with the class at the beginning of their sixth-grade year about the transformation of the monarch butterfly. Each year, Mohr also chooses a song to represent the graduating class. For this group, however, the song had been chosen years before.
The song, “Extraordinary Magic” by Ben Rector, speaks of unseen miracles and quiet strength, a fitting tribute to a class that navigated challenges, embraced growth, and supported one another along the way.
“I listened all throughout their graduating year for a song that represents the students and their journey from my perspective,” said Mohr. “This year was a bit different because I did not select the song during this school year. In fact, I actually sent this song to Dr. Clapp the night of the class meeting in September of their sixth grade year, because there was something special about these students.”
The ceremony included a speech by student Laurel Knorr, who reflected on the shared memories and personal growth of the class of 2025. Her remarks, delivered with warmth and humor, resonated deeply with students and parents.
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Masters of the Ceremony Riley Bacco and Caleb Rudd Image courtesy of school administrators 
Members of the 8th Grade Chorus singing “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA. Image courtesy of school administrators 
Superintendent Dr. Jason McKinnon presenting a certificate. Image courtesy of school administrators 
“Cosmo” the HKMS Cougar, meets family members in the audience. Image courtesy of school administrators 
Student Daniel Matos receiving the “Mikey’s Way” recognition award. Image courtesy of school administrators Helen Keller Middle School’s outside graduation. Image courtesy of school administrators 
Dr. Steven Clapp, principal of HKMS, presenting a certificate. Image courtesy of school administrators 
Dr. Bindleglass, First Selectman of Easton, presenting the “First Selectman’s Award”. Image courtesy of school administrators 
The HKMS “Sax Quartet” performing the Star Spangled Banner. Image courtesy of school administrators 
Annie Mohr, assistant principal, begins to call students for their certificates. Image courtesy of school administrators
