WMS eighth graders look ahead to high school at recognition ceremony

Families, friends, faculty and staff celebrated the Washingtonville Middle School Class of 2030 during the school's annual eighth grade recognition ceremony on Wednesday.

Check out photos from the ceremony here!

The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by National Junior Honor Society President Simone Martin, followed by a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by members of the Eighth Grade Select Chorus. Principal Teresa Thompson welcomed students and guests before recognizing the accomplishments of the graduating class.

In her remarks, Ms. Thompson reflected on the growth students have experienced throughout their middle school years and encouraged them as they prepare for the transition to Washingtonville High School.

"Middle school is a time of profound change," Ms. Thompson said. "It is where you formed lasting friendships and where you started to understand your own passions and potential."

She reminded students that success is measured by more than academic achievement alone, highlighting the importance of effort, perseverance and the willingness to embrace new opportunities. Ms. Thompson also thanked teachers, counselors and families for the support they have provided throughout the students' middle school journey.

"High school will bring new challenges, but I encourage you to meet them with the same enthusiasm and resilience that you have shown here," she said.

Students first received recognition certificates from administrators and school counselors before outstanding achievements were celebrated through a variety of academic and distinction awards. Honors were presented across a wide range of subjects, including English, social studies, mathematics, science, world languages, the arts, music, technology, family and consumer science, and physical education. Special distinction awards were also presented, including the George Rhodes Awards, Comptroller Award, Triple C Award, Heart of Gold Awards and the Humanitarian Award in honor of Don Dame.

As the ceremony concluded, students celebrated the milestone alongside classmates, teachers and loved ones before beginning the next chapter of their educational journey at Washingtonville High School this fall.

See a list of all students who were given academic awards below.

Award Recipients

Individual Awards
George Rhodes (Accelerated): Hailey Trapnell
George Rhodes (Accelerated): Nicholas Tenaglia
George Rhodes (Non-Accelerated): Gianna Martinez
George Rhodes (Non-Accelerated): Carmella Brancato
Comptroller: Bridgette Dacunto
Triple C: Madeline Salisbury

English
Excellence in English 8: Anyeli Rodriguez Mendez, Cillian Lynch, Daniel Weinstein, Elease Beckford
Best Effort in English 8: Nidjie Jean, Jason Werner Jr., Brendan LaBrocca, Dominic DeSimone

Social Studies
Excellence in Social Studies 8: Noah Alvarez, Alegra Kramer, Matteo Reyes, Stacee Linares
Best Effort in Social Studies 8: Valerie Flores, James VanSteyn, Ciella Falesto, Noah Rizzo

Mathematics
Excellence in Math 8: Emerson Fillie, Alexis Lara, Liam Drexler
Best Effort in Math 8: Sophie Gillespie, Sophia Molestina, Lia Gutierrez, Paige McCauley
Excellence in Algebra: Katherine Kysylytsya, Gavin Faith
Best Effort in Algebra: Nicholas Zappolo, Olivia Maggi

Science
Excellence in Science 8: Elvia Santana, Juliana Cordani, Kamilah Lazo
Best Effort in Science 8: Patrick Cassidy, Matthew Pena, Miana Miles, Rachelle Loja Loja
Excellence in Life Science/Biology: Rhiannon Phillips, Sophie Torres
Best Effort in Life Science/Biology: Sheridan Lynch, Ketevan Ghvaladze

World Languages
Excellence in Spanish 1: Isabella Miller, Anissah Abdul-Jabbar, Valerie Portillo
Best Effort in Spanish 1: Brendan McCann, Rhys Wagoner, Seamus Dunn
Excellence in French 1: Elinor Lange
Best Effort in French 1: Flora Bonnes

Art
Excellence in Art: Anthony Finochio, Alexandra Sanabria, Declan Bernal Leyden, Priya Beary

Family and Consumer Science
Excellence in Family & Consumer Science: Miliani Delgado, Kaitlyn Martinez, Kaylee Frazer, Sophia Scott

Technology
Excellence in Technology: Ellie D'Esposito, Killian Creeden, Brenda Chavez Rojas, Vincent King

Music
Outstanding Instrumentalist: Ryan Kilcoyne
Most Improved Instrumentalist: Matthew Montoya
Outstanding Effort in Instrumental Music: Lucille Horne
Outstanding Vocalist: Simone Martin
Most Improved Vocalist: Riley Frederick
Outstanding Effort in Vocal Music: Gianna Colon

Physical Education
Mike Purcell Sportsmanship Award: Dominic Fiorini
John Bogle Excellence Award: Lea DiGiovanni
Deb Sewell Leadership Award: Liam Pickens

Heart of Gold Awards
Andres Edwards Cairazco, Greyson Graef, Valerie Flores, Yacquelin Sacul Lopez, Riley Frederick, Ryan Kilcoyne, Cayden Porter, Nicholas Tenaglia, Madeline Salisbury, Rhys Wagoner, Rhiannon Phillips, Amani Pena, Sophia Scott, Tevin Myrick, Ciella Falesto, Katherine Kysylytsya, Yasmine Ouzbad, Anyeli Rodriguez Mendez, Kelly Galicia Torres, Carmella Brancato, Sophie Bull, Victoria Matzkanin.

Heart of Gold Humanitarian Award in Honor of Don Dame
Autumn Hutchison