South Orangetown Middle honored its 243 eighth-grade students at the Moving Up Ceremony this morning. The SOMS Band performed “Pomp and Circumstance,” “The Star Spangled Banner,” and “Dark Fortress Overture” under the direction of SOMS Band teacher Robert Bennett.
Class President Nina Vasquez welcomed her peers, staff and families to the annual ceremony before recalling memories she shared with her classmates throughout their three years at SOMS. She wished her classmates the best of luck in high school and beyond and ended her speech with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, “ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Dr. Principal Chad Corey described some of the many collective academic achievements of the outgoing eighth-grade class, including: 93 percent of the class earned a high school credit in a World Language, 31 percent of the class was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, 40 percent earned a high school credit in either Studio in Art or Design, Drawing and Production, 30 percent took Algebra Honors (with 3 scores of 100 and multiple scores of 99) , and 60 percent of the class took Earth Science (with multiple scores of 99). “The staff at SOMS wants you all to dream big and believe in yourselves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Each of you has the talent, ability and skills necessary to make a positive impact in the world,” he said. “Thank you for letting us get to know you, teach you and learn from you.”
Following the presentation of special awards, Dr. Corey formally presented the incoming Tappan Zee High School freshman to Principal Rudy Arietta. Congratulations to our rising ninth-graders as they prepare for their journey as high school students!
