The weatherman didn’t play fair with the middle school. On the night of June 25, there was an 80 percent chance of rain. So, naturally, the moving up ceremony was moved inside. Spectators filled the gymnasium, and used their programs to improve the air circulation.
Cognizant of the heat, the school officials kept the ceremony moving at a rapid pace. Teachers presenting awards lined up at the podium, As soon as one individual was finished, the next person took his or her place.
The administrators were brief in offering advice to the Class of 2018. “Put down your cell phone and experience life,” Principal Kate Polumbo said. “You could be missing most of what’s going on if your face is pointing down.”
Neal Miller, the superintendent of schools, cited five words from Marcus Aurelius — a Roman emperor who ruled in the second century A.D. “It is up to you,” Mr. Miller said. Will you be successful in adapting to high school? Will you be able to meet challenges? Both questions have the same answer — “It is up to you.”
At the start of the ceremony, Mrs. Polumbo called on several students to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. She later revealed that the people she selected had parents on active duty in the military.
As people left the building at the end of the ceremony, they noticed that the pavement and the grass were dry. The weatherman had been wrong.
AWARDS
The Sands’ Award: Michael James
Principal’s Award: Melvine Gomilla and Maia Tice
The Stephanie Rose Award: Devin Dineen
NYS Comptroller’s Award: Elizabeth Webber and Edward J. Broker Jr.
Triple “C” Award: Zachariah Shrem and Michaela Kirwan
Class essayists: Zoe Scileppi and Kelsey Winstanley
Soloists: Tara Rao, Andrew Richardson, Maia Tice
