Newtown Middle School Moving Up Ceremony Honors Student Achievement

By Larissa Lytwyn

Newtown Middle School’s record-breaking 430-student eighth grade Class of 2004 held its moving-up ceremony at the O’Neill Center of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury this year, on the cool, sunlit evening of June 21.

The change of location marked many distinctions held by the Class of 2004, including, as Red cluster student Ashley Duncan reflected, the tragedy of September 11 they witnessed as sixth graders.

She described the class’s endeavor to provide a relief effort to the victims’ families and friends, including “collecting food” and holding vigils.

The class also held the distinction of being the middle school’s last sixth grade.

“Everyone after us will only be seventh graders at Newtown Middle School,” Ashley said. “Many will have gone to [fifth and sixth grade] Reed Intermediate School [opened in January 2003].”

Principal Diane Sherlock described the moving up ceremony as the student’s own.

“Tonight really spotlights our students,” she said. “The musical selections you will be hearing will all have been chosen by our students.”

Ryan Silveira opened the ceremony with a vibrant rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

He smiled broadly as his concluding notes were met with thunderous applause from peers, their families, and teachers alike.

Student Council President Jaclyn Petrasanta congratulated the Class of 2004 on their achievements and spirit. She noted how they were the last class to enjoy sixth as well as seventh and eighth grade at Newtown Middle School. She also lauded her classmates on their many hours of community service.

“I encourage all of you to continue your volunteer efforts through high school and throughout your lives,” she said.

She shared a quote from Helen Keller, “If you reach for something long enough, you can do anything.”

“Through our years here at Newtown Middle School, we have felt ourselves grow in maturity,” she said.

In high school, she continued, her peers would be able to define and pursue their dreams. Quoting from the film Field of Dreams, she added, “It is said that ‘if you build it, they will come.’ Follow your dreams and blaze new trails.”

Jaclyn also encouraged her fellow students to cherish their friendships with one another and finally, thanked the teachers for their inspiration and guidance “along the way.”

Sydney Russell and Stewart Tabler performed a duet, “For Good,” from the musical Wicked.

Timothy Larsen of the Blue cluster reflected on the meaning of friendship.

“According to the dictionary, friendship means to know a person, like them, and trust in them,” he said. “For others, it’s simply someone you can hang out with. But I think the best friend you can ever truly have is yourself.”

He encouraged his peers to be confident and believe in themselves.

Catherine Urfer of the Green cluster discussed the concept of being true to oneself.

“What does it mean to be an individual?” she queried. “Does it meaning dressing differently, or not caring what other people think of you? Clothes are really just something your wear on your back, and I don’t think it’s inappropriate to want respect from others.”

True respect, she continued, was doing the right thing even under the pressures of peer influence.

True individuality, she said, comes from self-acceptance and confident self-expression — something stronger and less physically tangible than one’s fashion style or attitude.

“We always can control our own actions,” Catherine said, “even when it is difficult, we can do the right thing.”

Christopher Parker of the Orange cluster lauded his teachers for “connecting fun and school,” two terms that rarely come together — except at Newtown Middle School.

“Who thought that math could be so enjoyable [by] figuring out the mathematics behind baseball,” he said, “and then playing a [baseball] game afterwards?”

Christopher also reflected on the excitement — and yes, intrinsic educational value — of the eighth grade’s annual trip to Washington, D.C.

“We spent three days in Gettysburg,” he said, “and everything was just so much fun.”

In closing, Christopher thanked the teachers once more for making learning understandable through integrating a sense of fun and purpose to education.

Sarah Truitt of the Purple cluster compared the various stages of life to a dance.

While the dance of middle school was almost finished, she said, a new dance, high school, was about to begin. “Our experiences here at Newtown Middle School have been a series of dance steps,” she said, “that we have learned through the help of our teachers.” Each lesson, she noted, became increasingly complex, but never impossible to complete.

She encouraged students to “step out” of their “comfort zone.” She described herself and her fellow students as entering Newtown Middle School as “shy, awkward” sixth graders. “Through our three years here, we have grown in confidence,” she said, “and gotten better at the dance. Our self-consciousness has evaporated and we have many wonderful memories to cherish.”

Assistant Principal Kathy Boettner recognized recipients of cluster awards and other academic achievements presented during the school’s Eighth Grade Awards Ceremony in May by having the students stand and be acknowledged.

Ms Sherlock then gave out “the surprises,” awarding students for special awards explicitly recognized during the moving-up ceremony.

Tanner Schmidt, described by Ms Sherlock as “well-liked by his peers,” “mature” and a student “who leads by example,” received the Sons of the American Revolution Award.

Sarah Pecker, described as “a great problem solver” who “shows concern for others” and Christopher Fragoso, recognized as “warm” and getting along “well” with others, received the Michael’s Jewelers Award for Citizenship.

Colleen Thornberg, who had the highest grade point average of the Class of 2004, received the Weller Foundation Award for Eighth Grade Scholastic Achievement.

Middle School Scholars Christy Attanasio and Conor Martin were recognized for their high academic achievement.

Jen Tichon received the Secretary of State Excellence in Citizenship Award.

Tucker LaPak, recognized for his extraordinary personal and academic growth, received the Ellen Rogers Memorial award.

The Elks Club recognized Rachel Rockwell for her strong leadership and citizenship skills.

The Connecticut Association Of Secondary Schools recognized Kathryn Aiello and Matthew Boland for their high academic achievement.

Matthew Kuruc and Lauren Busser were also recognized for their academic accomplishments in receiving the Superintendent’s Award for Academic Achievement.

Each student received a Certificate of Achievement from Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff and Newtown High School Principal Bill Manfredonia, marking their official “moving up” to high school level.

Each of the class’s five clusters recognized students who scored highest in the various academic subjects. They were also recognized for character-based achievement in citizenship, personal growth, and creativity.

Cluster 8 Blue Awards

Highest Cluster Average, Allison Jagoe; Language Arts, Andie Maret; Mathematics, Taylor Boles; Integrated Math, Tanner Schmidt; Science, Emily Loose; Social Studies, Colleen Thornberg; Citizenship, Maria Piscitelli; Personal Growth/Academic Progress, Michael Timmons; Creativity, Audra Oliger.

Cluster 8 Green Awards

Highest Cluster Average, Julie Kalt; Language Arts, Christie Attanasio; Mathematics, Timothy Gerety; Integrated Math, Blake Bell; Science, Stephen Dworkin; Social Studies, Eric Puffer; Citizenship, Nicholas Garafalo; Personal Growth/Academic Progress, Janine Dubois; Creativity, Jacqueline Buda.

Cluster 8 Orange Awards

Highest Cluster Average, Elise DeRoo; Language Arts, Theresa Bibeau; Mathematics, Elise DeRoo; Integrated Math, Tyler Adams; Science, Eva Cerreta; Social Studies, Kevin Caruso; Reading, Heather McGill; Citizenship, Caitlyn Coster; Personal Growth/Academic Progress, Alicia Hazel; Creativity, Christopher Parker.

Cluster 8 Purple Awards

Highest Cluster Average, Katherine Aiello; Language Arts, Jacob Burg; Mathematics, Christopher Salvatore; Integrated Math, Sarah Truitt; Science, Sarah Peck; Social Studies, Gabrielle Nastri; Citizenship, Carra Buckley; Personal Growth/Academic Progress, Tucker LaPak; Creativity, Allen Hubbard.

Cluster 8 Red Awards

Highest Cluster Average, Claire Ober; Language Arts, Alyssa Krueger; Mathematics, Tyler Lones; Integrated Math, Claire Ober; Science, Ivan Viravita; Social Studies, Lauren Morrisey; Citizenship, Alexandra Clement; Personal Growth/Academic Progress, Bethany Cologna; Creativity, Adam Marguiles.

 

World Language Awards

The World Language Awards recognized students with A averages in French and Spanish.

French, Emily Loose, Kayleigh Metviner; Spanish, Katherine Aiello, Christie Attanasio, Jacqueline Buda, Jacob Burg, Alexandra Clement, Erin Mukwaya, Sarah Truitt.