001The next special award is the annual Virginia Tyson Community Service Award. I would like to invite Mr. Gotti to the podium to present this award. The Community Service Award honors the outstanding service and volunteerism of a student. At the heart of every community lies a spirit of empathy and willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need. We honor this remarkable individual who has selfishly devoted their time, their energy, and their talents to making a positive difference in the lives of others. This award stands as a testament to the to the immense power of community service and serves to a reminder that together we can create a world where compassion and kindness fit our values. The recipient of the Virginia Tyson Community Service Award is Ariana Kabaro. [Applause] The next special award is the
002annual Joseph W. McCaffy Commitment to Excellence Award. I would like to invite Mr. Shower to the podium to present this award. [Applause] The Commitment to Excellence Award honors a student's exceptional work and commitment to high academic standards. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble journey, one that requires unwavering determination, discipline, and a thirst for continuous learning. The student that we honor today has exhibited these qualities in abundance, distinguishing herself through this his through her intellectual curiosity, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to their studies. The recipient of the Joseph Waffy Commitment to Excellence Award is Payton Ryan. [Applause] Okay, the last special award is the Patricia Cunningham Peer Service Award. Like to invite Mr. Long John to the podium to present this award. [Applause] Thank you, Dr. IO. Good afternoon everyone. The last special award is the
003Patricia Cunningham service award. Peer service award honors a student who is friendly, helpful, respectful and a role model for other students. This award celebrates an invaluable aspect of our school community which is peer service. We have come together to recognize and honor a remarkable individual who has gone above and beyond selflessly lending a helping hand to their fellow peers. Their acts of kindness, support, and empathy have made a profound difference in the lives of others, creating a culture of compassion and unity within our school community. The recipient of the Patricia Cunningham Care Service Award this year is Mayia Diss. [Applause] At this time, please join me in welcoming Jerry Spanero from the Chamber of Commerce to present the Chamber of Commerce Citizenship Award. [Applause] Good evening. First of all, congratulations for all the years. [Music]
004I think that much better. At this time, the Chamber of Commerce Southern Riches has great pleasure to present the citizenship award to Payton Ryder. [Applause] At this time, we would like to recognize our graduating National Junior Honor Society members. In order to be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, students had to maintain a grade point average of 90 or higher in all core subjects for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. In addition, these students exemplify the pillars of the National Junior Honor Society. Character, service, leadership, citizenship, and scholarship throughout our school and community. All these students are recognized with a special designation in our program. At this time, National Junior Honor Society members, please rise to be recognized. [Applause] Please be seated. And now the moment our graduates have been waiting for, the presentation of
005their diplomas. I would like to invite our board of education president, Mrs. Cleopsky, to present the diplomas to the first group of graduates. I would also like to invite eighth grade teachers, Mr. Bulier, Mr. shower and Mrs. Harrison to the podium. [Applause] Will Roant please rise? Ariana Abarp, Ryland Ala, Zoe Alfiri, Lula Ali, Alisa Amaya, [Applause] Wilma Amaya, Matias Astadio Castro, Emily Bartik, Isabella B. [Applause] Will row one, please be seated. Will row two please rise. John Bettton Court, Alex Bonios, Alexander Brown, Eli Chz, [Applause] Alana Cole, [Applause] Savannah Gon James Cord. Will row two please be seated. World row three, please rise. Andrew Cruset, [Applause] Sadie Davis, [Applause] Alexandra De Santos, Melia Dizzle, [Applause] Gabriella Don Abrao, [Applause] Addison Earl, [Applause] Ashley Escobar, Canelis, Cameron Eaten, Jaden Flores Canelis. [Applause] Will row three please
006be seated. Will row four please rise. Happy birthday, Juliana Fortunado, [Applause] GA. Trevor Galloway, [Applause] Valia Haney, [Laughter] Sophia Healey, [Music] Same shade hers. [Applause] Ashlin Higgins, Jameson [Applause] [Music] Will bro four, please be seated. I would like to invite board of education vice president Thomasina Carral to present the diploma to the next group of graduates. [Applause] Will row five please rise? Reagan Hughes, [Applause] George Jackson, [Music] Shaniah Jackson, [Applause] Dennis Joelle Morera, [Applause] Jillian J [Applause] Killy, [Music] Eva Panchella, [Applause] Ala Lenz Reyes. [Applause] Michael Lai. Will row five, please be seated. [Applause] Will row six please rise. Alexis Larren Gabes [Applause] Chase Leen [Applause] Lucas Lynn [Applause] Jason Lynch Patriot Marco, [Applause] Marissa Methol, [Applause] Carly Meyer, [Music] Will row six please be seated. Will row one please rise. Isaac Mitchell. Reagan Mitchell,
007[Applause] Adriana Molesie, Delvis Giovana, Joseph Merrick, Kate Nosk, Henry Ortiz, [Laughter] Will row one please be seated. Will row two please rise. Angelina Osman. Oliver, [Music] Rose Perry, Alex Oliver, [Applause] Alana Hama, [Applause] Kathleen Carrera, Jose Steve Pettis, [Applause] Leslie Perez. Well, row two, please be seated. I would like to invite board of education trustee Brian Kennedy to present the diploma to the next group of graduates. [Applause] row three, please rise. Dominic Pachula. [Applause] Michael Pulo, Nicholas Primis, [Applause] Aaron Reading, Liam Rizzo, [Applause] Ryan Ruse, Kai Russo, Kayen Ryan, [Applause] Will row three, please be seated. Will row four, please rise. Aiden Sadler [Applause] David Sento, Patrick Stanley, Carmela Sebie, [Applause] Lexi Shelton, [Applause] Holly Sodiscoco, Andrew Soda, Jordan [Music] 4, please be seated. Will row five, please rise. MJ Shereb may feel a little
008scary. I know we're ready because this class, our class, is strong, creative, and unstoppable. When we first walked into this school, most of us had no idea who we were or who we would become. We were just kids trying to figure all out. But look at us now. We've grown. Not just taller, but braver, stronger, and more confident. We've laughed. We've struggled and we've made memories that will stay with us forever. So, let's walk into the future with our heads high and our hearts open. Let's take the lessons we've learned and the memory we've made and use them to make a difference. Because if there's one thing I've learned as your class president, it's this. We are capable of amazing things. Congratulations, class of 2025. We made it. [Applause] Before we conclude this evening, I'd
009like to say a few words to our graduates. I know um parents, you've heard this from some of the teachers already. This is a truly amazing, amazing group of students. I shared with them at rehearsal this morning that I cried last night and a little bit at rehearsal this morning. I don't know if you quoted students, but truly this is my 12th year um as a middle school principal and you have raised a beautiful, beautiful class of students and together they're amazing. I mean it. And we've been talking about it as eighth grade teachers and the eighth grade team. We're truly going to miss this cohort. Um they're going to do amazing things at St. George's High School and we are going to miss their presence at the middle school. So we are very sad
010to see you go but very proud of you. So [Applause] students as I stand before you tonight I am filled and overwhelmed with joy and immense pride in each and every one of you. It has been an honor and an absolute pleasure to be your principal for the past three years. Today is a celebration. a celebration of hard work, of growth, of learning, and most importantly, a celebration of you, our amazing eighth grade students. You're moving up not just in grade level, but in maturity, understanding, and responsibility. It's a big step, and I couldn't be prouder. But today is also a time for reflection, a moment to reflect on where you've been, who you've become, and who you're still becoming. As I thought about the message I wanted to leave you with on this milestone
011day, one idea kept rising through the to the top. The power of loving each other through our differences. Middle school is a time when many of us start to figure out who we are. Maybe for the first time, you started to see yourself not just as someone's child or someone's classmate, but as your own person. You've discovered your likes and dislikes. You formed opinions, made mistakes, and learned from them. You've had moments of confidence and moments of doubt. And through all of that, you've also come to realize that the people around you are discovering themselves, too. And that sometimes they're very different from yours. Different backgrounds, different beliefs, different family stories, different ways of communicating, different ways of seeing the world. And here's the truth. That difference can feel uncomfortable. Sometimes it can create confusion
012or even conflict. But it can also be beautiful. It can open up new ways of thinking, of growing, of connecting. It can be our greatest strength if we meet those differences with respect, kindness, and love. Learning to love people through their differences doesn't mean we all have to agree on everything. It doesn't mean we have to be the same. It means we choose to see each other's full humanity. We choose to be curious, not judgmental. We choose compassion over criticism. We choose to look past first impressions and stereotypes and to really see people for who they are. That is not always easy. It takes strength to be kind when it's easier to walk away. It takes courage to speak up for someone who's being left out. It takes maturity to admit when we've been unfair
013or when we just don't understand something yet. But I believe in your strength. I've seen it. I've seen it when you've worked together on projects, supported each other through challenges, and stood up for each other in moments that matter. I've seen it when you've taken time to listen, when you've welcomed someone new, and when you've reached across the invisible lines that too often divide us. Loving each other through our differences doesn't mean pretending they don't exist. It means listening a little more closely. It means asking, "Can you help me understand?" instead of jumping to judgment. It means being brave enough to share who you are and gentle enough to make space for someone else to do the same. Some of the most inspiring people in history didn't change the world by fitting in. They changed
014the world by standing out and by bringing people together across lines that once divided them. I believe that you, yes, each one of you can be that kind of person. You can choose inclusion over exclusion, curiosity over assumptions, and unity over division. Loving each other through our differences means being a part of something bigger than yourself. It means creating a school, a community, and a world where people are valued not in spite of their differences, but because of them. You're stepping into Santa Maria's High School soon, and the world you're walking into needs you. Not just your talents and your smarts, but your hearts. This is a beautiful and amazing eighth grade class. As you move into high school and beyond, the world will get bigger and bigger, and so will the opportunities for you
015to build bridges or build walls. Choose the bridges. Be the one who sees people for their potential, not their labels. Be the one who knows that kindness is not a weakness, but a powerful force for change. You don't have to be perfect. None of us are. But every day you have the chance to choose empathy. Every day you have the chance to make someone feel seen, heard, and loved. And if you do that, even in small ways, you'll be shaping the world into a place that's more just, more inclusive, and more human. To our eighth grade class, I hope you leave here today proud, not just of your accomplishments, but of the people that you are and the people you are becoming. I hope you carry forward the lessons you've learned, the friendships you've made,
016and the understanding that even when life gets complicated, love is always a good place to start. Congratulations, class of 2025. You are ready for what's next, and I'm so incredibly proud of you. I will be a hallway away if you need me. And I can't wait to see the world you all helped to leave. Thank you. [Applause] And now, will the graduates please stand? Ladies and gentlemen, I present the Sen Riches Middle School grading class of 2025. Mrs. Green, I invite the middle school band to play for our recessional. [Music] Hello. [Music] Hallelujah. [Music] Hallelujah. [Music] Yeah. [Music] Is it just [Music] So I don't know why it just wasn't um but once I got it stopped whatever I listen I don't think that's ever a reflection of you please I now wait Now, of
017course, I can ask the obvious question. How many times people listen to It's funny when you ask other people like you have their names like I've never heard before. That's the worst. I think you have your ticket. I'll see you tomorrow. Yes. Between book and movie and the song. Okay, got it. I understand the book came out four months after I just feel like a girl was Valerie. Well, no. By Steve Winwood. She's like, I've never heard Valerie by Steve. Really? Well, I would say but it was close. Listen how close we were to taking them out. No, you don't. You don't have to ch I don't have a glasses. I can't the two most