St. Augustine Prep Celebrates the 8th Grade Class of 2030 at Fifth Moving Up Ceremony

The 8th Grade Class of 2030 was recognized during St. Augustine Prep’s Fifth Moving Up Ceremony on May 29, celebrating 65 young Hermits who completed the first chapter of their Prep journey and now prepare to continue their formation as freshmen in the Brotherhood.

For our youngest Hermits, last Friday's Moving Up Ceremony was not the end of a journey, but the beginning of one.

Created to introduce students to the St. Augustine Prep experience one year earlier, the 8th Grade program serves as a foundation for the academic, spiritual, and personal growth that has defined the school's Augustinian mission since 1959. Through rigorous academics, student life experiences, faith formation, service opportunities, and daily immersion in the values of Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas — Truth, Unity, and Love — students begin learning what it means to be a Hermit long before they enter high school.

During the ceremony, Mrs. Jennifer Keats, Director of the 8th-Grade Program, reflected on the accomplishments of the Class of 2030, noting that these young men achieved excellence in the classroom, served their communities, and formed a Brotherhood rooted in the Augustinian values that define St. Augustine Prep.

Throughout the year, the members of the Class of 2030 experienced many of the traditions that have shaped generations of Hermits before them. From signing the Book of Brotherhood and attending Wednesday Mass to participating in athletic events, retreats, service opportunities, and classroom discussions, the students began to discover that a Prep education is about much more than academics.

In his Salutatorian Address, Hudson Dingmann reflected on how a group of students who arrived from different schools, backgrounds, and experiences gradually became something more.

"Over the course of this year, we stopped being a group of individuals trying to figure things out on our own and started leaning on one another and working together," Dingmann said. "Together, we formed a Brotherhood."

Dingmann reminded his classmates that the values they experienced throughout the year — Truth, Unity, and Love — would continue to guide them as they move into high school and embrace new challenges.

The ceremony also celebrated academic achievement across the class.

Academic Excellence Awards were presented to:

- Arabic — Leon Khudakivskyy
- Chorus — Rylan Alphonse
- Coding — Nicholas Hoskin
- Instruments — Henry Chovanes
- Intramurals — Christian Morales
- Latin — Hudson Dingmann
- Spanish — Andrew Turner
- Algebra I — Andrew Turner
- Honors Algebra I — Aiden Siitonen
- Honors Geometry — Nicholas Hoskin
- Pre-Algebra — Chase McMahon
- Civics & Geography — Leon Khudakivskyy
- Civil Dialogue and Rhetoric — Nicholas Curry
- Energy — Aiden Siitonen
- English — Henry Chovanes
- Theology — Hudson Dingmann

Perfect Attendance Awards were presented to:

- Nicholas Curry
- Barry Garcia
- Chase McMahon
- Zade Rowe
- Aiden Siitonen
- Michael Zalesny

Recipients of the Hermit of the Month and Christian Gentleman of the Month awards were also recognized, along with the school's 21 members of the National Junior Honor Society, who demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character throughout the year.

Following the presentation of certificates, Head of School, Fr. Robert J. Murray, O.S.A., Ph.D., formally conferred completion upon the Class of 2030 and offered a blessing for students and families, asking that the values of Truth, Unity, and Love continue to guide them throughout their lives.

In his Valedictorian Address, Aiden Siitonen reflected on the significance of the year and the relationships that were formed along the way.

"As part of the 8th-grade class, we walked through the doors of this school as boys ready to learn," Siitonen said. "Today, we sit together as classmates ready to move into high school, as brothers on our journey to become men who serve."

Siitonen reminded his classmates that while academic success is important, the true value of the Prep experience is found in the Brotherhood that supports students through both challenges and successes.

"What makes this place so special is the consistent values that are demonstrated," he said. "This brotherhood teaches us to lift each other up and reminds us that no one should walk alone."

As the ceremony concluded, students stood together to sing the St. Augustine Prep Alma Mater before processing from the Forum and receiving a rose to present to their mothers or other significant guardians — a tradition that recognizes the love, sacrifice, and support that helped make the year possible.

For the Class of 2030, the day marked an important milestone. Their first chapter as Hermits has been written, but their story at St. Augustine Prep is only beginning.

The journey that began last August now continues as freshmen, united by Brotherhood and prepared to continue growing as young men rooted in Truth, Unity, and Love.

Congratulations to the 8th Grade Class of 2030. We look forward to watching you continue your journey as Hermits!

View more photos from the 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony