Class of 2025 Celebrated and InDeCoRe Values Honored at Robin Ross Assembly

This milestone “moving up” ceremony is a time to acknowledge the growth and leadership of Peck’s fourth graders (particularly as rooted in character development, InDeCore values, and consideration of others) and to mark a new phase of their Peck journey as they get set to join the Upper School this fall.

Last year’s ceremony was rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic; the Class of 2024 (now fifth graders) held their event in October 2020. They also attended this year’s ceremony—restored to its traditional springtime placement—in support of their fellow classmates.

Indeed, this year has not been the fourth-grade experience that anyone would have imagined, with classrooms temporarily relocated to The Peck Commons music classrooms, tight cohorts, revised schedules, and reimagined signature experiences. Fourth graders are the leaders of the Lower School, and they missed out on some of the privileges that accompany that distinction. 

“I do wish that the younger students had the everyday chance to see how you comport yourselves, to see how respectful and kind you are, and to see how you lead,” remarked Head of School Andy Delinsky. “But I balance my disappointment with the fact that you are just getting started. I firmly believe that the resilience you’ve shown this year, and the care you’ve shown for others, will only make you more impactful and positive citizens and role models at Peck and beyond.”

With historic Lindenwold as a backdrop, students each received a commemorative book, The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts by Tracy Ludwig and Mike Curato.

The recipients of three traditional Robin Ross student awards were also acknowledged: Justin Blair-Herms and Ashlyn Wolfe for The Sheila S. Slutsker Lower School Creative Arts Award, Eve Delinsky and Hunter Riley for The Andy Gaffney Lower School Sportsmanship award, and Logan Lan for The John J. Kowalik Lower School InDeCoRe Award. 

Delinsky also presented the school’s annual Award for Community Service. The award was established in 2007 by the Board of Trustees, which is given annually to a member of the Morristown community who merits distinction as a result of their personal dedication, community commitment, and service to others. The recipient for 2021 is 11-year-old Callie Danysh, a fifth-grader at the Alexander Hamilton School in Morristown. 

In March 2020, Callie established a movement called Flags of Gratitude, creating and decorating flags for pandemic frontline workers to “send a message of kindness, appreciation, and positivity.” Her initiative soon grew to include selling permanent tiles, with all proceeds collected going to local charities, including St. Hubert's Animal Welfare, a local animal shelter, and Good Grief, an organization serving grieving children and teens. Callie has created thousands of flags and tiles, raised thousands of dollars, and made a remarkable difference for so many in our community during these unprecedented times.

Congratulations to Callie, and to The Class of 2025!