The Glen Rock Middle School 8th Grade Promotional Exercises were held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 6 p.m. on the GRMS/HS Football Field.
The ceremony began with a heartfelt welcome by Mrs. Michelle Giurlando, MS/HS Principal, who noted what a privilege it has been to witness the middle school students’ “transformation into young people prepared to take their next steps in their educational and personal journeys.” She left them with inspirational words as they celebrate not only their past three years of accomplishments, but also all that is to come as members of the Glen Rock High School Class of 2028.
“As you leave GRMS and move on to high school, remember to be resilient in the face of challenges, to find balance between work and play, to be empathetic to those around you, and to be kind to yourself as well,” Mrs. Giurlando urged. “I am confident that you are all ready to soar, and I am honored to have been a part of your journey.”
After hearing from student speakers, Sophia Pevzner and Siddhant Aich, in addition to faculty speaker, Mr. Robert Lockatell, Engineering Teacher and 2024 GRMS Educator of the Year, Citizenship and Leadership Awards were then presented.
Commander Robert Steinberg of the Thomas D. Egan Glen Rock Post #850 VFW presented the special awards, courtesy of GRHS Class of 1983 Citizenship Award winner, Robert O’Shea; Class of 1984 graduate, Michele Bandazian O’Shea; and the O’Shea Family Foundation. These awards are meant to demonstrate admiration for and further inspire youth leadership and activism. Congratulations to Middle School Citizenship Award recipients, Nozami Hayashida and Cole Schwarzbek, and Middle School Leadership Award recipients, Kelly Starcic and Ryan Brunetti.
Promotional Ceremony attendees heard from two more student speakers, Ilana Danziger and Courtney Diamantis, prior to the certificate distribution. Graduates’ names were announced by Ms. Allyson Getch, 8th grade Mathematics Teacher, and Mr. Charles Vulcano, 8th grade Counselor, and certificates were distributed by Mrs. Giurlando and Mrs. Regina Scotti, 8th grade English Teacher.
The ceremony concluded with a beautiful rendition of “For Good” performed by 8th grade vocalists, Nare Avenesyan and Nozomi Hayashida, under the direction of Mrs. Kathleen Moscara, GRMS Music Teacher. Glen Rock Public Schools send sincere congratulations to the 2024 8th grade graduates and Glen Rock High School Class of 2028!
