In Annual Ceremony, Middle Schoolers Prepare To Move Up To High School

By Jeff White

Geographically, the distance between Queen Street and Berkshire Road is not that great, but to eighth graders, the journey to the high school next fall seems like nothing less than a sojourn to a completely new world.

Newtown Middle School held its Moving Up ceremony Tuesday night, and the eighth graders present didn’t miss the symbolism of having the annual event in the high school’s auditorium. Dressed in sports jackets and flowery sun dresses, and curling around the auditorium’s periphery at the ceremony’s outset, students knew they were closing one chapter in their lives, and opening another.

“It’s sad, because there’s a lot of memories in the middle school that you can’t get back,” Kelly O’Neill reflected, recalling parties with friends and after school activities. “We’re going to feel a lot more grown up and mature next year.”

As it typically does, Tuesday’s Moving Up ceremony included benedictions from administrators and staff, wise words from student representatives, a spotlight on student talent, and recognition for student accomplishments. “This ceremony is all about our students. It’s a celebration of them,” middle school Principal Diane Sherlock said in her opening remarks.

Student Council President Alexandra Helfer was one of several speakers who addressed the audience that filled the auditorium to capacity. Offering advice to her classmates for a successful transition into high school, Alexandra emphasized the importance of smiling and remaining positive, as well as holding onto the lessons learned during three years at the middle school. “Make choices for yourself, as you know who you are better than anyone,” she advised. “Develop your strengths and follow your dreams.”

Christine Daniels, Chelsea Morin, Kelly Bailey, and Kelly Collier, the representatives for the middle school’s four clusters, each took their reflecting on their three years at the middle school. Most reminisced about time spent with friends, their teachers’ sometimes funny hijinks, and how the sprawling expanse of the middle school, in the beginning a strange and daunting place, became a symbol of familiarity for them all.

There was an overwhelming feeling of class cohesiveness at the ceremony, and one got the sense that these students where not just prepared to move up to the high school, they were ready to move together.

The “Feisty Five,” comprised of Nicole Cinncolo, Laura Lewis, Dawnielle Conger, Kaitlyn Sullivan, and Allison Finn, have been best friends since the first days of sixth grade. All five said that although the high school would be a larger place, they were ready to take it on together. “We’ve been through so much, we’re like sisters,” said Laura Lewis.

Along with fond recollections of the past came the recognition of past endeavors and hard work, as Assistant Principals Virginia King and Tony Salvatore announced myriad awards for student accomplishments.

Among the cluster awards, Kathleen Mayer (8A), Andrew Fiscella (8B), Michael Brill (8C), and Tyler Hull (8D) were recognized as having the highest grade point averages in their respective clusters.

Carolyn Brennan was the recipient of the Weller Foundation award for achieving the highest grade point average in the eighth grade class.

Several awards recognized student leadership and commitment to the school community. Caitlin Weber received the Secretary of State Excellence in Citizenship Award; Alexa Vacaro and John Oliver won the Michaels Jewelers Award; and Elizabeth Bowen went home with the Sons of the American Revolution Leadership Award.

The Ellen Rogers Award went to Floren Schertzer.

As students assembled in raucous packs in the high school’s gymnasium in the hour preceding the ceremony’s start, many offered up fond recollections of the past, and thoughts on the next year and their high school careers.

“I’ll miss my friends, definitely,” said Katie McCann. “Some will be going to other schools.”

“I’ll miss being just with my class,” added Joe Coates.

Some students offered helpful hints to those fifth graders around town who had “moving up” ceremonies of their own as they prepare to enter the larger halls of the middle school next fall. “Lay back and try to get used to it,” advised Kyle Uniacke.

“Get to be friends with your teachers and really try your best, because if you don’t, you don’t succeed,” Eric Fisher recommended. Eric happens to be looking forward to the different course offerings that the high school will supply. A fan of sketching and drawing, he said he was anticipating courses in architectural design for which he had already signed up.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the future class of 2004 met each other in the high school lobby and walked down the halls that will occupy the next four years of their lives. Parents and family were close by their sides; for them, the evening symbolized the beginning of a new phase in their children’s lives.

“It’s going to be bigger and there are going to be a lot more people,” Amy Fazekas said of the high school. “It’s going to be the best. I can’t wait!”