This week our community said its formal farewell to its second class of 8th graders at a promotion ceremony in the lower school auditorium. The program included several musical selections led by various members of the MS 8 Ensemble, including a piece by Bruno Mars, our National Anthem and the MS 8 School Song, by our own Ms. Peltz!
Principal Phillips gave our kids his blessings in a thoughtful speech centered around the idea that these students—the first MS 8 graduates to be born after 9/11— came of age in a culture of terrorism and anti-immigration fervor, and have already exhibited great courage, character and accomplishment in building and living in a peaceful and diverse community.
A tough act to follow was followed with grace and inspiration by four articulate MS 8 student speakers: Marissa Acosta, Zeynep Bromberg, Colette Neufeld, and Shaliyah Nick, who left us with no doubt that the future was in good hands.
Before the symbolic certificates were distributed, Ms. Peltz led singing from the entire grade, with notable soloists Adja Thomas, Patiance Jones, Alaafia Vaz, Ty Lloyd Frontani, and Michael Fryer. This was capped by a beautiful duet sung by Zeynep Bromberg, who also played piano, and Hana Castilow.
Congratulations to all of our wonderful MS 8 graduates — we can’t wait to see how your myriad talents transform our world for the better!
by Maura and Nick Balaban
Visit PS8 PTA’s facebook page for photos from the 8th grade celebrations.