Herricks Students Move Up

Elementary school students throughout the Herricks district celebrated milestones in their educational journeys as they prepared for their advancement to the next level of school.
Center Street, Denton Avenue and Searingtown elementary schools, along with Herricks Middle School, held Moving Up ceremonies to commemorate students’ years of growth and learning and endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Eighth-grade graduates, joined by district leaders, staff members, families and friends, gathered at the Tilles Center for their commencement ceremony. Principal Joan Keegan, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Fino Celano and Board of Education President Nancy Feinstein were among those who addressed the honorees and guests. Keegan spoke of the middle school’s core values of respect, responsibility and readiness, reminding students that of the meaning behind those words. She thanked the student body for embracing the values over the past three years and encouraged them to incorporate these qualities into their thoughts, words and actions.
Students presented to their classmates based on the theme, “Challenges,” and the graduation choir performed “Two Study Oaks” and “Lean on Me.” A slideshow summed up the middle school experience through photographs, and awards and diplomas were distributed.
The elementary schools’ promotional events, held at their respective buildings, featured themes, performances and reflections from students, guest speakers and staff members. Students received diplomas in acknowledgment of their passage into middle school.
Center Street’s program focused on superheroes and included choral presentations of the songs “The Journey,” “Unwritten,” and “The Power of One.” Principal Brennan Bierwiler advised the graduates to “Remain a kid at heart: stay joyful in your dealings with others and never cease to appreciate the beauty and wonder that is all around you.” He also urged them to remember that they have support from their elementary school family, stating, “we believe in you!”
Denton Avenue portrayed a mindfulness theme, with a program cover illustration that represented “Crafters of a Better World.” Students entertained guests with vocal performances of the songs “One Wish” and “Thank You.”
“A wise person once said, ‘The future doesn’t lie ahead of you, instead it lies within you waiting to be discovered,’” said Principal Mary Louise Haley. “Be confident in your abilities and embrace new challenges as you discover the future that lies within you.”
Searingtown highlighted Hollywood, particularly the powerful characters that taught valuable life lessons on the big screen. “Being good is always right,” said Guercin. “However, what Hollywood teaches us most is to be greater than ourselves. We, in fact, are the heroes.” Graduates continued Searingtown tradition in performing “Go with a Song in Your Heart,” and also sang “Shake the Papaya Down” and an adapted version of “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”