Graduating Eighth-Graders Move on With 'So Many Memories'

Not even a false start could squash the spirits of the 73 Bedminster Township School eighth-graders who celebrated their graduation from the school Wednesday.

"You have the possibility of forging forward and crossing oceans," said Superintendent Carolyn Koos after the processional that had initially started before the standard music even played. "Be true to yourselves, your community and your family."

The graduation was enhanced by a digital presentation, put together mostly by student Olan Trosky, of photos of the students over the years. Graduates screamed for their friends as the different pictures emerged.

Salutatorian Shweta Zinzuwadia thanked parents, teachers and administrators for what they have done for the students over the years.

"We couldn't have made it this far without advice from all of you," she said.

Zinzuwadia recognized that it is bittersweet to be leaving the school, but also exciting to head out on new adventures.

"The best life experience is when you go after what you truly want," she said. "Remember, Bedminster will always be one family together."

Valedictorian Kiersten Campbell also reminded students that they should embrace the change as they move on to a new school.

"There is no way to predict what we will face in the years to come," she said. "We take with us so many memories. As we leave, we hold those memories tight."

Principal Corby Swan reflected on his time with his first class graduating in his tenure at the school. He said he learned a great deal about them individually when he attended the eighth grade Washington D.C. trip.

"The most important thing I learned is that they are a bunch of characters with different personalities," he said. "I wish you nothing but success and good fortune."

Awards were also presented to the graduating class of 2013. Here are the awards won:

Outstanding Achievement in Algebra—Maria Vazquez

Outstanding Achievement in Technology—Olan Tronsky

Outstanding Achievement in Design Technology—Rohan Shaiva

Outstanding Achivement in French—Kiersten Campbell

Outstanding Achievement in Geometry—Rohan Shaiva

Outstanding Achievement in Language Arts—Olan Tronsky

Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics—Emma Kramer

Outstanding Achievement in Reading—Taylor DeMartino

Outstanding Achievement in Spanish—Claudia Prandoni

Outstanding Achievement in Art—Emily Och

School Spirit Award—Austin Gill

Outstanding Achievement in Science—Madison Triano

Outstanding Achievement in Honors Science—Kiersten Campbell

Outstanding Achievement in Social Studies—Kiersten Campbell

Helen Thompson Memorial Award in Humanities—Kiersten Campbell

Citizenship Award—Olan Tronsky

Donald & Ann O'Brien Bedminster Historian Award—Shweta Zinzuwadia

Outstanding Achievement in Physical Education, Male—John Lynch

Outstanding Achievement in Physical Education, Female—Claudia Prandoni

Outstanding Achievement in Music, Vocal/Handbells—Emily Kim

Outstanding Achievement in Music, Instrumental—Jennifer Rupert

Outstanding Achievement in Music, General—David Hu

Outstanding Academic Attitude, Male—Rohan Shaiva

Outstanding Academic Attitude, Female—Emma Kramer

HJ Snyder Academic Award, Valendictorian—Kiersten Campbell

HJ Snyder Merit Award, Salutatorian—Shweta Zinzuwadia

Outstanding Achievement in Family & Consumer Science—Lauren Arace

Student Council Leadership Award—Jake Epstein

Most Improved Academic, Male—Angel Segura

Most Improved Academic, Female—Angelica Phelan

Scholar-Athlete Award, Male—Daniel Wieber

Scholar-Athlete Award, Female—Claudia Prandoni

Friendship Award, Male—Joey Pena

Friendship Award, Female—Marissa Chappell

Outstanding Achievement in Community Service—Olan Tronsky

Fourteenth Annual Special Recognition Award—Andrew Chan, Joey Pena, Angel Segura, Jason Elliott

President's Award for Educational Excellence, Gold—Kiersten Campbell, Abishek Cheriath, Christopher Das, Jake Epstein, Kian Fazel-Sarjui, David Hu, Brian Kim, Emily Kim, Zachary Levine, Matthew Litton, Screven Lorillard, Alan Luo, John Lynch, Marc Murphy, John Nodes, Claudia Prandoni, Anna Rabinovich, Jennifer Rupert, Rohan Shaiva, Madison Triano, Maria Vazquez, Daniel Wieber, Shweta Zinzuwadia

President's Award for Educational Excellence, Silver—Nicole Bachrach, Eric Bernhard, Andrew Chan, Marissa Chappell, Scott Coakley, Ciani Crosby, Taylor DeMartino, Claudia Domoslawski, Ryka Garmani, Austin Gill, Richard Goldberg, Sydney Herrick, Emma Kramer, Barbara Mello, Emily Och, William Olsen, Bethany Panza, Angelica Phelan, Olan Trosky, Alicia Valverde, Phylicia Wilkens