WEST ORANGE, NJ — Two-hundred and forty-six eighth-graders bade farewell to Roosevelt Middle School and hello to high school at their graduation ceremony on June 20, attended by family members and honored guests Superintendent Jeff Rutzky and retiring Assistant Superintendent Donna Rando.
Graduating students, parents and guests were greeted by RMS Principal Lionel Hush, who brought humor and pathos to his speech.
“I congratulate all of you for making it this far,” Hush said. “Our students have made it to an end of a chapter in their lives and now set out to begin the next. Whatever the journey traveled, the children grew and developed in ways that will help mold them into the men and women they are to become.”
Orchestra teacher Catherine Solino led the string ensemble in “A Festive March,” by George Handel, while chorus director John Patrick McLaughlin led a select group of chorus students in “Family,” from the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls.” Graduating students Rachel Favetta and Evelyn Perreira performed a touching version of “For Good,” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.”
Special Awards and recognitions were given out to several students, as well. The Mayor’s Citizen Pride Award, presented by Mayor Robert Parisi to students who exemplify good citizenship in both the Roosevelt community and the surrounding community, went to Ruth Donagher and Jonathan Strozyk. The Jack Ramsay Memorial Award for Art, named for a passionate artist with a recognizably unique style and given to students who have the same enthusiasm and love for art, went to Olivia Callender and Clair Cunningham.
The Betty Lou Hardy Memorial Award For Creative Writing, named for the spirited English teacher who took tremendous pride in developing writers in the West Orange community, went to Imani Miller and Danae Tennant.
Carol Sadler Memorial “Kindness of Heart” Award, named for the RMS guidance counselor and given to students who have continuously displayed a caring and kind soul, went to Lindsay Allen and Rachel Favetta. Student to Watch Award, presented to two students who are well rounded and have high aspirations for the future, went to Leena Morant and Gabriel Reyna. The Roosevelt Middle School Award of Excellence , given to students who have achieved excellence academically, culturally and socially during their years in middle school, exemplifying the true character of Roosevelt in every way, went to Kailey Charles and Jackson Edwards.
Students then received presidential gold and silver recognition for academic excellence. Following the awards recognition, diplomas were awarded to all students who left in smiles as they looked forward to what September would hold.
Hush directed his concluding remarks to students, saying, “Take full advantage of the opportunities ahead of you and enjoy your experiences, but always keep your goals in mind and never let anything or anybody — including yourself — stand in the way of accomplishing what you see as success.”
Photos Courtesy of Cynthia Cumming
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