Manchester Middle School Principal Tom Baxter and his staff said goodbye to 237 eighth graders at the middle school graduation ceremony on June 22.  The ceremony was held at Manchester Township High School, where the students will enter as freshmen in the fall.

Mr. Baxter welcomed the audience of parents, friends, and family members and introduced student John M., who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Maeve M. presented the welcome address, thanking teachers, administrators and parents for their support. She told her classmates to remember that, while academics are important, the outside world is just as important.  She urged them to be aware of life’s opportunities and to make good choices.  “Remember, life is a car and you are the driver,” she remarked.

The following awards were presented: Manchester Board of Education Academic Excellence Award  – Kendall K., Raquel S.; Carrie-Anne Carter Academic Achievement Award – Kendall K., John M.; Carrie-Anne Carter Character Achievement Award –  Dezmyn E., Nina D.; Manchester Township Education Association Academic Excellence Award – Maeve M., John M., Amber L., Jacob S.; Student of the Year Award – Yaa A., Kevin K.; Scholar Athlete Award –  Kendall K., Sean R.; Athletes of the Year –  Chandler C., John S.; Christie Pearce Sportsmanship Award – Scott D., Samantha G.; Community Service Award – Sherry G.; Ocean County Professional Guidance Assoc. Caring Award – Haley L.;  Manchester PTA Fine Arts Award –  Kaylamae P. (Music),  Ariana Y. (Art), Melissa M. (Band); Administrative Unit Award – Christopher D.; Manchester Middle School Achievement Award – Kiersten H., Latasha M.; Presidential Academic Fitness Award – Kendall K., Raquel S., Maeve M., John M., Amber L., Jacob S., Christopher D., Christopher E., Tyler S., Hayley L., David E., Samantha G.; Foreign Language Award – Kiernan W. (French), Melissa M. (Spanish); MTEA Student Recognition Award – Brian B., Camille C.

Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway congratulated the graduates and commended parents and staff for their commitment to the students’ success.  “This is a very special class with many talented individuals,” he said.

Board of Education member, James Griffin, also addressed the graduates and thanked parents for their support.  He urged the students to believe in themselves and embrace the next four years in high school.

Melissa M., presenting the farewell address, reminded the graduates how they entered the middle school as shy sixth graders and, thanks to caring staff and parents, said, “We now leave the middle school confident, independent and wiser.”

Dismissing the eighth graders for the last time, Principal Tom Baxter congratulated not only the students but also the parents and staff for being a part of the middle school team.