001[Music] Good evening everyone. How are we doing? A little cramped, but we have air, so that's a good thing. I want to thank you guys for being here tonight and welcome you to the eighth grade promotion ceremony. My name is Casey Getty. I'm principal of Belvadier Central Middle School and I'm so proud to be here tonight to celebrate these young adults with you all. this evening. Again, I thank you all. I know we're cramped in here, but I appreciate your understanding as we had to bring ourselves inside for this evening. So, before we begin, I'd like to have you all take a moment and silence your cell phones so all of our attentions can be on our students this evening. And at this time, we'd like to ask that you please rise, remove your caps
002for the national anthem. [Music] Please be seated. Today is a day that at times I'm sure many of us have felt like this day would never arrive. But here we are. At times like this, I'm reminded of the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child." And tonight, that village is all around us. Parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and everyone else who came here to support our students. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of that village with you, who has supported and shaped your child through these formative middle school years. To our teachers and staff here tonight, what you see before you is another remarkable group of young minds that you have helped to mold. You've sparked curiosity, built resilience, and shown our students every day that they matter. Because of
003your dedication, we've been able to create a community that supports our students and prepares them for the next big step, high school. Thank you for all that you do, your commitment, your care, and your belief in what's possible. At this time, I'd like to turn the mic over to Mr. Numis, one of our assistant principles. Hello and welcome. For those of you who don't know me, I am Mr. Numis. I'm one of the assistant principles at Belvadier Central. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, older siblings, and other guardians in attendance tonight. Your love, guidance, and support have been absolutely essential. Honestly, I doubt the students sitting before us would have made it through middle school without you. I always appreciate it when a student tells me I
004sound just like their mom, dad, or caregiver because that's how I know I'm not the only reminding them, pushing them, and cheering them on. So, thank you. Thank you for your patience, your encouragement, and your countless sacrifices. Without you, none of these students would be here today. This moment belongs to you, too. For the last two years, I have had the privilege and sometimes the challenge of guiding the amazing group of students you see before you today. To quote Forest Gump's Mama, Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get. People often ask me what it's like working in a middle school, and I give them a rundown of the things I say repeatedly throughout the day. Hoods off. Earpods out. I should not see your cell phones. Gentlemen,
005if you're not using the bathroom, get out. And your hair looks exactly the same as it did 45 minutes ago. I also tell them, "Imagine a person with no logic, questionable reasoning skills, and an uncanny ability to argue about anything." And that is the epitome of a middle schooler. Additionally, I will tell them that in between the headscratching moments and the avalanche of bizarre slang, I've heard broke skiz or sigma more times than I can count. And I'm still recovering from the swag yolo years. You witness moments of real growth. There are glimpses of maturity, compassion, and brilliance that give you hope. Maybe, just maybe, these young people are going to grow up to be pretty remarkable adults. This group of students sitting before you has embodied all of that. Yes, they've had their fair
006share of what the heck moments. Some of you, more than others. You know who you are. But they've also shown tremendous growth, maturity, and compassion. And that is what middle school is all about. Making mistakes, owning your actions, and learning from them. One thing that we've talked about throughout the years is the number of referrals. And so, in seventh grade, as a total, this group amassed over a thousand referrals. I think they thought they might win like a set of steak knives or a free pizza. They're on such a a rapid growth to get referrals. Um, We're about 350 total referrals for this grade. Congratulations to the eighth grade class. You made it. You survived middle school. Honestly, that alone deserves a standing ovation. As you head into high school, I want to remind you
007from here on out, the responsibility is yours. Your success or failure will be determined by the choices you make. The sky's is the limit if you're willing to put in the work. But here's the secret. You're ready. You've learned how to adapt. You've learned how to bounce back. You've learned how to move forward even when it wasn't easy. You have what it takes. And I'll leave you with this one last piece of advice. Be teachable. You don't know everything. I'm 47 and I don't know everything. So, you definitely don't know everything. Don't make the same mistake twice. Actions repeated are choices. If I have to tell you to take your ear pods out every day, you're making a choice to put them in. When life feels overwhelming, remember what middle school taught you. Take a
008deep breath, ask for help, and if all else fails, check with chat GPT. I am incredibly proud of you. I can't wait to see the amazing, inspiring, brilliant people you become. Congratulations. We will start our ceremony this evening with award presentations by our longstanding community partners. These awards are for students displaying outstanding characteristics during their time at Belvadier Central Middle School. Our first awards this evening will be presented by Mr. Greg Kelm of the VFW. Students, when your name is called, please come up to collect your awards. Good evening. My name is Greg Kelm. I'm from the BFW post here in Belvadier. Uh I've done these awards throughout the Belvadier school systems for many years. This is my 25th year. I'm very honored to be here. Thank you very much for again inviting us. I
009don't have a lot of advice. Uh you've had the best people in the world working on you for the last eight years. So what could an old 74 year old vet tell you that you probably don't already know? Let's get on to the important thing, the recognition. A citizen achievement award. We have two of them. One goes to Bowden Crawford. And to keep things moving, if Mason Kirk could come up here. I have two more awards to present. Uh, academic achievement award. The first one will go to Kinley Schwebkkey. And our last award that we will be presenting is to Caitlyn Sanders. One thing I would like to mention, the awards are very nice. There's also a check for you on the back. Please don't Please don't lose it. Congratulations. Thank you for your hard
010work. Thank you everyone. And now I'd like to introduce Laura Shabilski and Lynn Dimony of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Good evening. Congratulations to the graduates and to your families on your achievements today. Thank you Belvadier Central Middle School for including us in your ceremony. My name is Laura Shabilki. This is Lindy Simone. We are members of the ASA chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. We are here to present the D award for the outstanding American history student. The Daughters of the American Revolution is an organization with a deeply rich history while also being relevant to today's world. More than 90 930,000 women have joined our organization since it was founded 135 years ago. We became members to honor our heritage as well as make a difference in
011our communities across the country and the world. One of our main objectives is to preserve the American history through education. One eighth grade student from each middle school is chosen as the outstanding American history student. This year's recipient was chosen by their instructors because of their interest in American history, citizenship, and patriotism. This 2025 outstanding American history student is Abigail Park. And now I'd like to welcome Mr. Gino Kunwald of the American Legion. Good evening again. I'm Gino Punwell, commander of the Boom Post American Legion here in Belvader. Um, I can't top anything that they said, so I'm just get right to it. I have two achievement awards. One for Mason Kirk. You got your running shoes on, right? You have to come up here again. It's going to be kind of the next Owen
012B. Thank you. Congratulations again. The Illinois Principal Association asked me and some eighth grade teachers to nominate two students who have shown leadership qualities throughout their time at CMS. and they serve as role models to their peers. These two students and their parents were able to join me at a breakfast this spring where they were w recognized amongst their peers across the region. When I call your names, please stand to be recognized. This year's winner of the IPA principles award are Charlotte Broes and Alan Sasser. We have two new awards that we'd like to acknowledge this evening as well. During our most recent trip to Washington DC, one of our students was recognized for the JFK award. The citizenship award is inspired by John F. Kennedy's inaugural address which challenged youth to assume the responsibility
013of American citizenship. Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. This outstanding student displays the qualities of character, service, and leadership leading up to and throughout their tour. Kyleheiser, would you please stand to be recognized? You're good to say that. And for our last award of the evening, I'd like to welcome Abby Cameron with the Belvadier North Athletic Boosters. Good evening. My name is Abby Cameron and I am president of Blue Thunder Boosters. Our nonprofit organization supports athletic programs at both Central Middle School and Belvadier North. Our goals are to expand and perpetrate interest in all school sponsored athletic activities to encourage the spirit of good sportsmanship and fellowship and to create positive bonds between coaches, administrators, parents, and players. We've done this by donating items
014that help ensure our athletes have the best experiences possible. For central, we recently donated wrestling mats, sideline cheer jackets, soccer nets, and warm-ups. In addition, it is my pleasure to present for the first time ever two student athletes who have shown the leadership, sportsmanship, and commitment to their academics that exemplifies what it means to be a student athlete. Congratulations to Lily Binger and Jacob Msas. And just kidding, we actually have one more student to recognize this evening for an additional citizen citizenship award. If we could welcome Emerson Witherby. And now I'll invite Mrs. Repa to take a moment to recognize our students and National Junior Honor Society. For the past 15 years, I have had the honor and the privilege of working with the students in the National Junior Honor Society. It has been my
015pleasure working with these young adults. To become a member of the M NJ MJHS, a student must have high grades, participate in extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, and complete community service. These students have taken their creativity with service to a whole new level this year. These are just a few of the new and inventive ways the NJHS served our community this year. They organized a schoolwide hat and glove drive to donate to Carpenters's Place. They hosted an all school book drive to collect books for NICU babies. They sold baked goods to raise money for Sister Cities in Belvadier. And they recited the pledge of allegiance on the announcements each day. A fun highlight for our NJHS students was decorating cookies with our students in our essential elements classroom. I'm extremely proud of this class and the
016work they do for others. Tonight, the eighth grade NJHS students have all earned awards and are wearing medals to signify their membership. Will the eighth grade members of the National Junior Honor Society please stand? Congratulations students. You also may or may not know that BCMS is proud to be a dual language school. What that means is some of our students in this room tonight have taken courses in elementary and middle school in both English and in Spanish. I'm not sure about all of you, but I know I could not have done that as a teenager. At this time, if our dual students could please stand to be recognized, and I will introduce Mrs. Burke and Mrs. Cruz. Good evening. I'm Mrs. Burke, the social studies teacher in the dual language program. Hello all. I am
017Mrs. Cruz, the Spanish language arts teacher in dual language. Tonight we want to recognize a special group of students who have taken their classes in two languages as Mrs. Getty said since kindergarten. Your bilingualism is not just a skill. It is a superpower, a bridge between communities, a tool for leadership, a gift that will open doors for the rest of your life. It means carrying two cultures in your heart. It means being proud of who you are and where you come from. We are so proud of you, your perseverance, your joy, your voice in both languages. You're you are the future of this community and beyond. So now to honor your journey, I'd like to ask all the students in dual language something. And let's give them another round of applause. And we're finally ready
018to present our graduating eighth graders. Aiden Abraham, Giana Alber, Kimberly Alvarado Bonia, Adriana Alvarez, Jason Ambulang, Leo Amling, Samuel Anton, Edward Armstrong, Guadalupe, Aila Aliveros, Malik Badran, Aana Bonsov, Evan Barios, Red Bout, Aaliyah Bowman, Brooklyn Bean, Landon Bailing, Carson Bell, Aaliyah Bellow, Avery Benzel, Owen Burnt, Javon Barry, Javanni Barry, Lily Binger, Addison Bogardis, Mariana Bdonovich, Audra Bowers, Tatum Bolan, Ethan Boyd, Nadia Bro, Bryson Griggs, Charlotte Roast, Parks Brown, McKenzie Bird, Joselyn Cameron, Alana Carer, Brian Stella, Luana Castanada, Erica Castan, Estrea Seron Sanchez, Marcus Christensen, Axelo, Arias, Paisley Cochran, Cameron Collier, Alison Contras, Gabriel Corona, Mia Corona, Evan Corell, Sandival, Kiara Cortez, Lopez, Emman Cortez, Bowden Crawford, McKenzie Chris, Carlos Cruz, Addie Ki, Tristan Curtis, River Dannenburg, Grayson Dy, Kayn Davies, Ivan Davila, Aaron Degra, Naa Delor, Amelia Derry, Renee Deutschman, Jordan Grace Diamond, Kayen Deal,
019Josephine Dford, Aiden Draper, Miguel Dorte, Basa, Emily Duffy, Finley Angelard, Braden Ericson, Oswald Espinosa, Annabella Fano, Juan Flores, Gomez, Daniel Ford, Alexa Foy, Colin Fu, Lily Fu, Liam Funk, Mazinski, Lucas Gadini, Madison Gating, Leandro Galia, Addison Gallas, Devin Gallo, Brandon Garcia, Aiden Garcia, Natalia Garcia, Diana Garcia Roas, Bla1 Gary, Nora Gi, Elelliana Gonzalez, Christian Gonzalez, Suche, Peyton Grazley, Trey Greenfield, Landre Guzman, Blake Hay, Tani Hall, Jonathan Harris, Robert Hartman, Grant Hayes, Janna Helip, Kyle Heiser, Andrew Hernandez, Mary Cruz Hernandez, Robert Hernandez, Mani Hernandez, Zuninga, Ja Higs, Sarah Hobs, Hayden Holdcraftoft, Saraphina Ina is Arisance Cora Jones, Eric Yuimovich, Landon [Music] Kyle, Skylin Kyle, Tessa Kettson, Zack Kilminster, Ella King, Brooklyn Kirchoff, Mason Kirk, Audrey Clunk, Savannah Can Sheepard, Paige Kmire, Maxwell Levi, Damian Lagunes, Mendes, [Music] Carter Lamar, Giana Lancamp, Giovani Larios, Anthony Leenos, Steven
020Leonard, Chloe Le, Daisy Len, Jonathan Learner, Jackson Lynball, Lyla Labell, Catherine Lowley, Jaylen Lopez, Luciano Lopez, Payton Lopez, Noah Lowski, Lowski. I tried buddy. Aubrey Lucero. Tale Luckman, Aaliyah Lugo, Adam Lond, Jacob Mas, Sophia McGrainy, Braden Malian, Jorge Mancas, Olivia Manti, Diana Martinez, Valyria Martinez, Payton Mosbrook, Michaela Mashurn, Nora Mcgra, Juliana Mawing, Mandano, Santano, Marco Msovvic, Leo Mitchell, Jaylen Montalo, Madison Moore, Anastasia, Anastasia, Mueller, Bzone, Elam, Aasha, Neri Sophia Nava, Lyndon Neu, Ruby Nva Hernandez and Marie Niss Andrew Oberheim, Andrea Ooa, Justin Ooa, Abula, Lily Elephant, Giovani Ortiz, Gonzalo Juan Ortiz Hernandez, Na Oorio, Heath Overly, Devin Owens, Michaela Owens, Luke Paddock, GA Peno, Michael Pino, Brooklyn Posi, Abigail Park, Areli Partida, Carson Parbon, Hudson Pollock, Madison Payne, Luca Peterson, Rowan Pedigrew, Elelliana Phillips, Rhett Kingston, Anthony Puo, Elizabeth Pondelik, Mishri Porao, Granados, [Music] Abigail
021Powell, Kendall Powers, Reagan Profett, Addison Ramirez, Antonio Ramirez, Jasmine Ramos, Hernandez, Fatima Ramos Molina Raquel Ratanasan Ratan I'm so sorry Aiden Rice Tegan Ryder Himea Reendes Vicario, Emily Reyes, David Rios, Margaret Roach, Tyon Robinson, Eli I rocki Rodriguez. Alazar Rodriguez, Amelio Rodriguez, Zoe Rodriguez, Jasmine Romero, Santiago, Christian Ruiz, Emily Ruiz, Jav Ruiz, Payton Russo, Nessie Savani, Ashton Sabo, Liy Salazar, Kaitlyn Sanders, Ishmael Sandival, Elon Sasser, Callie Schmidt, Janna Schultz, Kinley, Car, Natalie Serrano, Anthony Silar, McKenzie Sala, Keani Sims, Amelia Seario, Aubrey Smith, Broady Smith, Kaylee Snow, Grant Snider, Valerie Spots, Miles Stanford, Ona Stein, Renee [Music] Stone, Devin Sar, Adelina Swain, Leila Swenson, Jason Swider, Molly Tander, Alison Denio, Antoine Thirst, Johan Diner, Livia Tobin, Natalia Tobin, Rouseni Dorva, Guades, Timley Treadway, And Truax, Leo Valdez, Emily Valdivia, Ethan Valencia, Maria Vadrial, AA Van, Lander
022Vanderval, Maline Vanderwolf, Elijah Vasquez, Jackie Vasquez, Aila, Felipe Vasquez, Rias, Chloe Vangan, Ryan Walden, Alexa Walker, Griffin Wky, Ruben Wsky, Brandon Wong, Clayton Ward, Briana Weber, Nico Wacket, Stella Warren, Jonathan White, Dylan Whitman, Emerson Witherby, Kimberly Yra, Chloe Zenari. I am proud to present to you the class of 2029. Parents and families, I kindly ask that you stay in your seats as we allow our students to exit. They will be exiting out this door and headed outside. So, there's plenty of space for photos out in the field. Um, we really hope students that you guys have a great summer. You come back for a visit next year. Parents and families, we are going to allow our students to exit first. We hope you have a wonderful evening and drive safely. [Music]