By Lisa Carolin
The evening of June 14 was a big night for 195 eighth-graders at Beach Middle School. The class of 2020 celebrated the end of middle school and going to high school in the fall.
The Beach Middle School gymnasium was filled with students, families, and staff at the hour-long Farewell Ceremony.
“This is a great class who has grown immensely over the last three years,” said Beach Principal Nick Angel. “They are the easiest group of students I have ever worked with, which is a testament to their kind hearts and school spirit.”
Angel asked students to stand who were involved in sports teams, music programs, clubs, and those who were honor students. It was obvious that the majority of students were participants.
Angel then asked, “If you had fun while you were at Beach Middle School please stand,” and the entire class stood.
Teacher Kristine Henry was chosen to speak and used the Gettysburg Address as her format.
“That they highly resolve that these last three years shall not have been in vain,” she read.
Nate Banotai, class vice president, spoke to the audience looking back on his three years at Beach asking, “Do you remember? It’s important to remember as much as you can, most important, strong relationships and friends.”
Class President Nicholas Fannin also spoke, and included, “When you get to high school, you can do your best and do great things. Have fun and enjoy the experience.”
Angel shared suggestions from current Chelsea High School students about how to be successful when the class of 2020 enters high school. The advice included keep a clean locker, stick to the right in hallways and stairs, get involved to make a big school feel smaller, remember there is no recess, and take your grades seriously, your future depends on it.
Angel said that they call it a Farewell Ceremony because, “We want them to come back and see us.”
“I am very proud of our eighth-graders and feel strongly they will make us proud at Chelsea High School next year,” he said.
Following the ceremony, Beach had a dinner and dance for eighth-grade students, something Angel called, “a capstone of their Beach Middle School experience.”
