It was a beautiful and festive day on Tuesday, June 25, a perfect day to recognize the eighth-graders at Crispell Middle School at their moving-up ceremony. Family and friends, faculty and staff, along with building and district administrators gathered at Pine Bush High School to celebrate the accomplishments of this wonderful group of students.

 

Principal Stephen Wilder welcomed all to this special day.

“To get to where we are today, it certainly took a village,” Mr. Wilder said. “Thank you to all of our families and friends for your ongoing support and belief that these students consistently make their best better. Thank you to faculty and staff who dedicated the hard work and the heart work to help each of our students perform at their best and stretch their mindsets to see themselves as more capable people.”

 

 

 

Amy Brockner, assistant superintendent for instruction, also addressed the students. She encouraged the students to always believe in themselves.

“Belief in yourself is the foundation of both personal and academic success,” Mrs. Brockner said. “It empowers us to overcome challenges, chase our dreams and reach our highest aspirations. Remember to carry this self-belief with you. High school and life beyond will present moments of doubt and obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. During these times I want you to remember the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt: ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’ These words remind us that our dreams shape our destiny. Your journey through elementary and now middle school has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and resilience to face the adventure of high school.”

 

Many awards were handed out to this talented group. They included:

• Band Director’s Award – Evangeline Sanders
• Chorus Director’s Award – Victoria Thurston
• Grade 8 Gold Team Students Of The Year Award – Connor Laird and Taylor Moser
• Grade 8 Gold Team Outstanding Work Ethic Award – Rozlynn Schoonmaker and Madison Jewett
• Grade 8 Gold Team Most Improved Award – Saffron Oaklee Murray and William Mauer
• Grade 8 Blue Team Students of the Year Award – Joshua Szigethy and Adriana Burns
• Grade 8 Blue Team Outstanding Work Ethic Award – Destiney Corton and Francesca Esposito
• Grade 8 Blue Team Most Improved Award – Charles Kenny and Isabella Rosas-Renwick

 

 

Special awards were also presented, including:

• PTO Achievement Certificate – Taylor Moser
  (presented to the student with the highest grade point average over the three years at Crispell.) 
• Joan Ritzinger Humanitarian Award  –  Lyla Humphrey 
  (This award is presented to a student who reflects the life, work and legacy of Joan Ritzinger, a longtime teaching assistant at Crispell.)
• Patrick T. Mataraza Award – Madeline Doyle
  (This award goes to a student who embodies the respect acumen every day.)
• Principal’s Award – Connor Laird
  (The Principal’s Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated a steadfast honor, courage and commitment to be the best version of themselves and being a positive leader among their peers.)
• Triple C Award 8 Blue – Donovan Nelson and Genesis Gorton
• Triple C Award 8 Gold – Elizabeth Genovez and Tori Carney
  (The Triple C Award recognizes the courage, character, and commitment of New York State’s outstanding students.)

 

Students and their guests celebrated after the ceremony with their friends outside Pine Bush High School, their new school come September!