Shadow Silhouettes

This year, eighth grade students revived a graduation tradition originated by beloved former faculty member Michael Murphy, who passed away nine years ago. Each year, Murphy would sit with each graduating student and carefully trace their shadow, creating cut-silhouette portraits one-by-one of the entire class. Initiated by Middle School Religious Studies teacher Chris Kanelopolous, the future SHP Class of 2028 brought back this tradition to adorn the stage in the Ravi Family Assembly Hall during Prize Day and eighth grade Commencement Mass. Led by eighth grader Cynthia Thacker with assistance from her classmates in Middle School Art teacher Lauren DiCioccio's Advanced Studio Art Elective—especially eighth grader Fiona Wang, who hand-calligraphed each student's name on their portrait—this project created a poignant backdrop for end-of-year celebrations. The resulting exhibition of the portraits served to connect a special tradition of the school's past with the bright future that lays ahead for our graduates.