Class of ‘27 become freshman in fall
It was an overcast morning as the 117 eighth graders making up the Class of 2027 gathered in the center of the Middle School track along with their family and teachers for their moving up ceremony on June 16.
“To the remarkable group sitting in front of me, I want to express my congratulations on this milestone in your academic journey,” Principal Kate Polumbo said. “We are proud of you. You are turning into amazing people and although your progress in this world is going to happen at different rates, we are confident that you are all going to leave your mark. You have all brought something different to CCMS, and we appreciate the time that we had with you.”
In taking the next step on their education journey into high school, Polumbo asked the students to remember the lessons they have learned to get them to that point.
“Embrace the challenges that lie ahead,” she said. “Cherish your friends while leaving room for new ones. High school will present you with many different opportunities, both academically and personally. I ask you to remember a few things. When you’re scared, or self conscious, or insecure, so are plenty of other kids, including the popular ones, the brainy ones, the athletes and the ‘What, me worry?’ ones.” Superintendent Terry Dade pointed out the students faced some tough challenges during their four years of middle school. They were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to a lesser extent, by the wildfires ravaging Canada.
As Polumbo pointed out, they will continue to face new challenges in high school from meeting new people to trying new things. Some efforts they may fail at, but these experiences will only help shape their future.
Dade didn’t sing or dance during this year’s moving up ceremony, but he did play a song, Taylor Swift’s “Never Grow Up,” which perfectly stated what he could not say.
The song, sung from the perspective of a parent, wishes their child would continue to stay young as they continue to grow up and experience life as a kid, a teenager, and later an adult.
Before each student was called up on stage as they graduated middle school and enter the high school in the fall, special awards were given for academic achievement and excellence in arts and athletics. Students were called up to receive certificates and awards, or asked to stand by their seat for recognition.
Award winners:
Sands Award – Christian Moyik
Principal’s Award – Macie Stermer and Andrew Cumminskey
Triple C Award – Sofiia Matsiuk and Easton Pramuka
Triple A Award – Alana Hayes and Jade Solano Ventura
Comptroller’s Award – Nora Win and Andrew Milton
Gioia/Roohan Award – Penelope Kulic
Stephanie Rose Award – Hope Lake
Aileen Gazzilo Award – Alyvia Delacruz
Lia Berardinelli Award – Sofia Simoes
Recognition of Exceptional Character – Morgan Boiardi and Abigail Stephenson
