Marking an important transition in their lives, eighth-graders at H.B. Thompson and South Woods middle schools in the Syosset Central School District took their first step in becoming high school students with their moving-up ceremonies on June 23. Surrounded by family and friends, students marched down the aisles to “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by orchestral students from both middle schools, at the Tilles Center at LIU Post.
Members of the Board of Education welcomed guests and spoke to the students at both ceremonies, offering them congratulatory remarks and encouragement for the future. H.B. Thompson Principal James Kassebaum and South Woods Principal Michelle Burget both reflected on their respective students’ time in middle school and congratulated them on achieving this milestone.
Providing a musical interlude at the South Woods ceremony were members of the eighth-grade chorus, with eighth-graders Sean Anderson and Ellie Hooey offering their memories and thoughts about their time in middle school during a reflection portion of the program. The theme of the H.B. Thompson ceremony was “Everything Is Looking Up.” Eighth-graders Logan Freedman and Emily Levy reflected on the topic, with Student Council President Aaron Lafazan also addressing students. To further emphasize the theme, the eighth-grade chorus sang a rendition of “Time of Our Life.”
