Meet Our 8th Graders

Students from the class of 2028 reflect on what they've loved — and what they'll take away — from their time at the lower school. We're excited to welcome many of our 8th graders to the Cincinnati Waldorf High School next year!!

Elise Isaacs

Elise started at CWS in Preschool. She hopes she'll be remembered for being good to her 1st grade buddy. Her favorite special subject? Woodworking. Favorite main lesson page? Her depiction of Abraham Lincoln. Elise will always remember the 8th grade trip, especially funny memories of her classmate, Sylvi. Her favorite Waldorf song is "Ipharadisi," and her favorite school festival is Michaelmas. Elise says that Waldorf education has taught her to appreciate what she has. Elise has this advice for rising 8th graders: "Enjoy the 8th grade trip. It's a once in a lifetime experience."

Congratulations to Elise Isaacs on being awarded a $20,000 scholarship to the Cincinnati Waldorf High School for Outstanding Artistic Achievement!

Levi True

Levi True started at CWS in 6th grade. His favorite special subject? Woodworking. Levi especially enjoys the Waldorf verses and will remember his 1st grade buddy, Nile, as being "the best." Levi enjoyed attending the Lantern Walk festival with his 1st grade buddy and will always remember paddling down the river with his classmate, Riley, during the 8th grade trip. Levi is looking forward to going to the Cincinnati Waldorf High School. His advice to rising 8th graders? "The 8th grade trip is so worth it. Trust me."

Congratulations to Levi True on being awarded a $20,000 scholarship to the Cincinnati Waldorf High School for Outstanding Citizenship!

Lily Anderson

Lily started at CWS in 5th grade during Michaelmas. Her favorite special subject? Woodworking. Favorite main lesson page? Her drawing of Sojourner Truth because of all the detail she put on the paper and because of Sojourner Truth's impact on the world we live in today. Lily will always remember the 8th grade trip because she learned so much about the Navajo and experienced things she never thought she would. She especially loves Field Day and appreciates the help and support she's received from her teachers. Lily has this advice for rising 8th graders: "Enjoy it while you can because the school year goes faster than you realize."

Juniper Thomas

Juniper has been at CWS since she was a baby. Juniper especially loves Handwork, Practical Arts, and other opportunities to be creative — though Games class is her absolute favorite. Her favorite Waldorf song? "The Wheel." Juniper's favorite festival is May Faire, and she's happy that she's been able to have fun in "all weather" at CWS. She's particularly proud of the main lesson page she created when her class made their own egg tempura paint. Her advice to rising 8th graders? "This year made my classmates and teacher a family to me, so don't lose sight of those bonds when the work gets hard."

Toby Suttschenko

Toby has been at CWS since attending NatureTots at Meshewa Farm as a toddler. His favorite special subjects? Woodworking and Games. He loves that he can use the items he makes in Woodworking in his everyday life — like the wooden stool in his kitchen. Toby wants to be remembered for his role as the March Hare in the 8th grade production of Alice in Wonderland. His favorite Waldorf songs are "The Wheel" and "The Road Is Calling" but said it's a hard choice because there are so many good songs here. Toby's favorite festival? Michaelmas. Toby will always remember the 8th grade trip to the Four Corners and says he appreciates that Waldorf education was face-to-face instead of in front of a computer. His advice to rising 8th graders? "Enjoy your friends because it's the fastest year that's ever gone by in my life — but also one of the best."

Ozzie Rowe

Ozzie has been at CWS since 5th grade. His favorite special subject? Games, especially flag football because he's the best (so he says!). Ozzie especially loved the Via Ferrata climbing trip and the 8th grade trip. He'll never forget going down an 8 ft. rapid with classmate Toby and sleeping under the stars by the San Juan River. His favorite Waldorf song? "The Road Is Calling." Favorite festival? Field Day. Ozzie appreciates how Waldorf values the outdoors and going outside. His advice to younger Waldorf students and/or rising 8th graders? "Life is full of challenges and opportunities that help you grow."

Sylvia McFarland

Sylvia attended CWS in Kindergarten, then left and returned in 5th grade. What's her favorite subject? Woodworking because she got to work with her hands and make unique pieces. Favorite song? "The Coffee Song." Favorite festival? Michaelmas — because of the delicious homemade bread! Sylvia will always treasure her memories of the 8th grade trip, especially getting caught in the windstorm. She especially appreciates the yearly plays she's been a part of; otherwise, she doesn't think she would have tried theatre. Her advice to younger Waldorf students and/or rising 8th graders? "Put effort into your main lesson pages and projects"

Liam Mantle

Liam started attending CWS in NatureTots, which has given him a very strong connection to the school. Liam wants to be remembered for his roles in the 8th grade play and for his impact on his little buddy, Raja. He says his favorite special subject is Games. Favorite festival? Michaelmas — because of the giant bread dragon! Liam especially loved the Via Ferrata climbing trip and the 8th grade trip. He'll never forget sitting by the campfire on the Navajo reservation. Eating Miguel's pizza on the Via Ferrata trip also made a big impression on him ;) Liam says he's always loved the "Round and Round" song and associates it with happy memories of kindergarten. His favorite Main Lesson page is his timeline of the French Revolution. He appreciated the opportunity to go outside several times a day and liked having a smaller class size so he could get to know his classmates. His advice to younger Waldorf students and/or rising 8th graders? "Manage your schedule. We have planners for a reason and it will take pressure off so you can focus on other things. Also, get to know your teachers — they want to know you!"

Riley Bryant

Riley started attending CWS halfway through 2nd grade. He wants to be remembered for his role as the Blue Caterpillar in the 8th grade play, Alice in Wonderland. His favorite special subject? Games. His favorite Waldorf song? "Ipharadisi." Riley especially loves Michaelmas. His favorite field trip was the 8th grade trip, but he also enjoyed their recent skiing trip since he overcame his fears and skied some of the taller hills. Riley especially appreciates the bonds and connections he's been able to form with his classmates during his years at CWS. His advice to younger Waldorf students and/or rising 8th graders? "Through all the tough times you may be going through with school, you can always look to the amazing friends that you make here for help, or just a pick-me-up if you need it."

Mark Fallon

Mark started attending CWS in 2014. He wants to be remembered for being courageous and kind. His favorite special subjects are Games and Woodworking. Mark really enjoyed the 8th grade trip to the Four Corners and Via Ferrata rock climbing. Mark's favorite Waldorf songs are "The Wheel" and "The Road." He especially loves Michaelmas. His favorite Main Lesson page is either the pantheon of Gods from fifth grade or his Napoleon page from this year. His advice to rising 8th graders? "Be sure to have fun!"

Shayne Fries

Shane started at CWS in the 5th grade. She hopes her 1st grade buddies, Lennon and Penny, remember her, and that the school remembers her 8th grade play. Shane especially enjoys Woodworking and Games. She loved the 8th grade trip and will always remember getting stuck in a 60 mph windstorm. That night, they camped on a cliff and saw the Milky Way and Elon Musk's satellite. Shane enjoyed singing "Wonderwall" and "Yesterday" in choral. Her favorite festival? Field Day! Shane especially values all of the educational trips that were part of her Waldorf education. Her advice to rising 8th graders? "Try to get good grades, make strong relationships and bonds, and enjoy life. You only live once!"

Ace Harrington

Ace started at CWS halfway through 2nd grade. Ace hopes their 1st grade buddy, Ocean, will remember them as a good buddy. Ace's favorite special subject? Woodworking and Practical Arts. Ace especially loved the class ski trips. Ace loved singing "Carol of the Bells" but says it was very challenging to sing the soprano part. Ace's favorite festival is Michaelmas. Ace appreciates all the field trips that are part of the Waldorf curriculum and also enjoyed all the extra recess time. Ace's advice to rising 8th graders? "Keep up with notes to prepare for tests/pop quizzes!"

Aidin Jones

Aiden started attending CWS in 4th grade. He hopes he'll be remembered as a good 1st grade buddy. Aiden says his favorite special subject is Games, and his favorite field trips were rock climbing and skiing. His favorite Waldorf song? "Cup of Coffee." Favorite festival? Field Day. His favorite Main Lesson page is the front page because he got to be creative. Aiden especially appreciates the opportunity to take a trip in 8th grade. His advice to younger Waldorf students and/or rising 8th graders? "Don't talk over or disrespect your teacher, and, most importantly, take school seriously."

Hayden Back

Hayden has been attending CWS since kindergarten. She hopes to be remembered for her role as the Mad Hatter in the 8th grade play. Hayden loved making pajama pants in Handwork and making a stool in Woodworking. The 8th grade trip was definitely her favorite, and she especially loved going down a 9 ft. rapid. Her favorite Waldorf song? (or three!) "Atoelemble," "Ke Arona," and "The Wheel." Her favorite festival? Michaelmas, especially eating the bread and watching the play. One of her favorite Main Lesson pages is the diagram she did of a classmate's eye. Her advice to younger Waldorf students? "The best places to look for fairy eggs are gravel, big rocks, and dirt!"

We are so excited to welcome Hayden to CWHS next year!

Natali Abusnaineh

Natali started attending CWS in January 2024. Natali's favorite special subject is Woodworking because she loves trying new things, and it's the first time she's ever done Woodworking. She really loved the 8th grade ski trip and says her favorite Waldorf song is "Ke Arona." Her favorite Main Lesson page is her human eye diagram. Natali especially appreciates the 8th grade projects because otherwise she wouldn't be able to have her pet snake! Her advice to younger Waldorf students and/or rising 8th graders? "Don't change yourself for anyone, and do what makes you happy! The only time you should look down on someone is when you're helping them up!"

We are so excited to welcome Natali to CWHS next year!

Carolyn Aerts

Cara started attending CWS 13 or 14 years ago. Her favorite special subjects are the more "crafty" classes like Woodworking and Handwork. She especially loved making her stool in Woodworking. Cara really loved the 8th grade trip but also remembers going to the Viking longhouse in fourth grade and the third grade camping trip. Her favorite Waldorf song? "The Coffee Song" in Choral or "Curse of the Rosin-Eating Zombies from Outer Space" in Strings. Cara especially loves May Faire and Holiday Faire. Cara's favorite Main Lesson page is the map of the nine realms from Norse mythology. Her advice to younger Waldorf students and/or rising 8th graders? "Make as many fun memories as possible, and take advantage of all the opportunities to learn something different."

Patrick Fallon

Patrick began attending CWS in 2014. He says his favorite special subject is Mandarin. While he loved the 8th grade field trip, he also has special memories of the Mandarin trip to Chicago. His favorite Waldorf song? "This Little Light of Mine." Favorite festival? Michaelmas. His favorite Main Lesson page is his page on the solar system. He especially appreciates the opportunity to do class plays each year at CWS. His advice to rising 8th graders? "There's no point in being stressed."