Eighth grade at TFS is marked by meaningful traditions, such as Prayer Buddies, completing a capstone project, attending a special Mass with the Bishop, and enjoying privileges like outdoor lunch. May is a month filled with milestones. Some of the most significant ones for our 8th graders are the Washington, D.C. trip and graduation. Graduation marks the end of their time at TFS and in middle school, paving the way for them to fly their wings in high school. We get the chance to celebrate this special group of students and empower them to go out and change the world.

This 8th-grade class is a resilient group. During their second-grade year, the pandemic disrupted classroom instruction, sending students home to learn and then back in third grade to a cohort setting. As staff and parents, we’ve enjoyed watching them grow and mature as we’ve seen them prove to be academically prepared, curious, responsible, and eager to serve others.

For the last several years, we’ve asked our 8th graders a few questions about their time at TFS. Questions like what they will miss most about TFS, how they would describe TFS in one word, and what their favorite memory at TFS is.

This year, in nearly every answer, we saw an overwhelming focus on community, faith, friendship, and belonging, with students consistently describing TFS as a place where they felt supported and personally known by classmates and teachers.

One of the clearest patterns was the impact of the Prayer Buddy program. Our 8th-grade class loved forming relationships with their kindergarten friends, watching them grow throughout the year, talking with them at Mass, doing activities together, and serving as role models. Many 8th graders described the experience as rewarding because it helped them feel like leaders and strengthened their own faith. One student shared, “The best part is that I am like their dad.” Another said, “I got to remember what it was like to be in Kindergarten.” A third student shared, “I enjoyed teaching them how to be a kind person and good Catholic.”

In our survey, many students specifically mentioned how special it felt to attend a smaller school where everyone knows and supports one another. The one-word descriptions of TFS further reinforce this idea. They shared words such as: “Community”, “Faithful,” “Family,” “Fun,” “Impactful,” “Special,” “United.”

Students’ favorite memories also reflected the importance of shared experiences and relationships, such as Camp Hanes retreats, sports teams and championships, Shamrock weekends, NCTC and theater performances, Field Day, time spent with friends, and more.

The Washington, D.C., trip is always one of our students' most treasured memories. 8th-grade teacher Alan Johnston says, “The DC trip marks the end of the 8th-grade year, and is especially important for the social studies curriculum, which covers US government, and then we get to go see the seat of our government.” The students thoroughly enjoy a 2-night trip away from school and home with friends. For some, it’s their first time visiting D.C. In addition to exploring historic landmarks and museums, the 8th graders get to enjoy special experiences, such as a dinner cruise and a dance on a boat on the Potomac River.

As the Class of 2026 prepares to leave TFS, these traditions and memories will stay with them long after graduation day. We are grateful for who these students are, and we have a front row seat as they begin to make their mark on the world. Go change the world, 8th graders!