Taft fifth graders celebrate next chapter at moving up ceremony

Taft Elementary School's fifth graders took an important step toward middle school during their moving up ceremony at the Washingtonville High School auditorium on Tuesday afternoon.

Surrounded by family members, teachers and staff, the students gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and reflect on their elementary school years before making the transition to Washingtonville Middle School this fall.

Check out photos from the ceremony here!

The ceremony opened with the presentation of colors by the Washingtonville High School JROTC and the Pledge of Allegiance. Students Camryn Begley and Bella Mowatt served as masters of ceremony, guiding the program before opening remarks from Principal Christine Williams. 

Addressing the Class of 2033, Ms. Williams encouraged students to carry the lessons and friendships they built at Taft into the next stage of their educational journey.

"Fifth graders, you are moving on to our middle school, and I want you to remember all that your teachers and your friends have taught you at Taft," Ms. Williams said.

Ms. Williams thanked families and staff for the role they played in supporting the children throughout their elementary years.

"You have wonderful children here, and we are so proud of them," she said. "They are going to do amazing things in their future, and that's thanks to all of you and all of our staff here on the stage and at Taft."

Ms. Williams, Assistant Principal Marissa Cavellero and teachers Elena Copeland and Michelle DiPasquale then presented a range of student awards, including the Citizenship Award, the Physical Fitness Award, All-County Awards, the NYSSMA Participant Award and the Josephine Giacco Music Award.

With the awards complete, students crossed the stage one by one to receive their certificates as family members and loved ones cheered them on.

The students then took the stage for a performance of "Aloha Oe" by H.M. Queen Lili'uokalani, marking the end of their elementary years and the start of an exciting new chapter.

To close the ceremony, Ms. Cavellero left the students with a quote from Harriet Tubman: 

"Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

See the list of graduates below!

Ms. Hannon’s/Mr. Elting’s Class
Teaching Assistant: Ms. O’Neill
Sean Amante
Liam Bachman
Paige Carberry
Emely Chaclan
Austin Cheatham
Jaxon Cook
John Domaradzki
Ariana Fernandez
Jaxon Frederick
Natalie Goetz
Laurelai Graef
Avalee Gutierrez
Cameron Hawthorne
Sophia Hoffman
Fiona King
Logan Lama
Diana Marescot
Scarlett Moore
Ariel Morales
Tyler Noel
Mikaila Orellana
Alonna Rivera
Reagan Sheehan
Mackenzie Stevens
Bryson Stewart
Byron Tolentino

Ms. Heil’s Class
Yara Ahmad
Emily Aracena
Isabella Arana Rivas
Lucca Ardrim
Benedict (Stephen) Aristide
Natalie Boccard
Jorel Brown
Sean Casey
Jonas Fierro
Alina Hernandez Sanchez
Hailey Jimenez
Elizabeth Le
Jayden Lockett
Logan Maddox
Francesco Pio Makashi
Adelin Marino
Bella Mowatt
Dorothea Ohm
Mason Pascarella
Harper Pepe
Esteban Sagastume
Edric Smith-Williams
James Soutar
Rebecca Torres

Ms. Mahin’s Class
Mila Acosta
Penelope Aracena
Connor Bates
Camryn Begley
Logan Bini
Sadie Bourhouat
Daniel Brown
Kinsley Cerar
Liam Colon
Liam Do
Aubrey Figueroa
Reagan Gabriel
Matthew Gunning
Gabriel Hernandez
Michael Maldonado
Emerie Martinez
Ava Olavarria
Joanne Ologunja
Mason Osborne
Beacon Peterson
Luke Ponce
Bella Salcedo
Logan Stuckey
Aria Torres
Callum Trapnell

Mr. Taylor’s/Ms. Zupancic’s Class
Teaching Assistant: Ms. Armistead
Aubrey Basile
Henry Crouse
Gavin Del Valle
Lucas Elston
Sean Ferrigno
Avery Flint
William Fox
Anamarie Garcia
Harper Giamboi
James Hagan-Quinn
Sean Halpin Jr
Dorothy Harris
Emily Leonard
Deirdre Lieval
Bridget Manngard-De La Cruz
Cahalin McCourt
Gabriel Medina
Elijah Morris
Gemma Ocasio
Sadie Pineda
Mackenzie Plotnick
Allaius Singer
John Sweetman
Jaxen Valentine
Edward Wilson

Mrs. O’Hara’s Class
Teaching Assistants:
Ms. Cheparska-Berean, Ms. Quinn,
Ms. Grant & Ms. Wagner
Teaching Aides:
Ms. Terry & Ms. Stevens
Aiden Acevedo
Layla Acevedo
Vendela Acevedo
Chase Cable
Jonah Jimenez
Daniel Lucey
Nehemiah Williams