BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Middle School promoted 444 eighth-graders on Wednesday, June 22. As is customary, two separate ceremonies, in the auditorium and the gym, were held to accommodate the class. The ceremonies started 15 minutes apart, which gave speakers the opportunity to attend both functions. For the most part, what was said to both audiences was similar.
The school principal, Alla Vayda-Manzo, told the students that in the face of obstacles, the key to success was never to give in.
“I will not wish you luck,” Vayda-Manzo said. “Luck is not what today is about. Today is about perseverance.”
Superintendent Salvatore Goncalves told the children that they were the strength and the future of their teachers and parents. He also acknowledged the adults in the room.
“I applaud the parents who made their children what they are,” he said. “And to the staff, you’re amazing.”
Goncalves, a former BMS principal, said he was always proud to come back to the school. He told the students that he looks forward to seeing them in four years, at Foley Field for the Bloomfield High School graduation. He assured the eighth-graders that whatever they choose to do after their high school graduation, they will be prepared.
Mayor Michael Venezia told the students he was happy to be with them on such an important day in their lives. And he was grateful that they were taking the time out from twittering and texting, and other social media to be with him.
Venezia grew up in Bloomfield and attended BMS.
“I was sitting in one of those seats in 1996,” he said. “Most people may say you’ll lose touch with the friends you made here.”
But Venezia said that some of his best friendships were formed in middle school.
“Hold onto these friends,” he said. “Know the importance of great teachers. You’ve had them here and you will at the high school.”
He said that although a student entering high school may not know what they want to be, they should be aware of their interests because high school was the time a student created their self.
“Have a passion,” he said.
And he told the children to not forget to thank their parents, for what they have already done to make the day possible.
“Please just say ‘thank you,’” Venezia said. “It will mean the world to them.”
BHS Vice-Principal John Pierce also spoke. He told the students he had advice for them and if they followed it, they would be successful 95 percent of the time.
“First, show up,” Pierce said. “There are some students who think they don’t have to go to class. Good grades are not enough.”
“Second, do your homework,” he said. “It counts toward your grade, almost as much as 20 to 25 percent. If you ‘ace’ everything, without homework credit, you have a 75 or 80.”
“Third, get involved with at least one thing that is not in class,” he said.
He said being involved in an extracurricular activity makes coming to school more fun.
BMS Vice-Principal Annette Baker told the students to hold onto the truth.
“Climb the mountain, not so everyone can see you, but that you can see others,” she said.
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