Croton-Harmon’s Eighth-Graders Are High School Bound

OSSINING-CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY - From the desk of the Croton-Harmon School District: Croton-Harmon’s eighth-grade students celebrated the culmination of their four years at Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School at the 77 th graduation ceremony on June 23. The morning’s ceremony was full of melodic tunes courtesy of the school’s music groups, including the symphonic band, graduation chorus, eighth grade jazz band and string ensemble. Students who have elected to learn sign language interpreted the national anthem as the band played it.

Student Council President Edie von Sauer delivered a message on behalf of the graduating class, while Principal Dr. Barbara Ulm and Board of Education President Iris Bugliosi each also shared their sentiments and words of advice to the students.

Dr. Ulm praised the students’ work on their CHANGE projects and expressed confidence that they will go on to change the world for the better, calling them “our country’s future leaders and great innovators.”

Bugliosi challenged students to help shape her speech, asking them to interact through math and ELA problems she posed, each which required them to stop and think. Taking that time is applicable to real life, she said. “When you stop to take a pause in the moment you are in, you have the chance to observe the beauty of what is around you, to perceive dangers that may otherwise go unnoticed, to savor what is happening and have an opportunity to consider, ‘Is this really good for me?’”

In his remarks, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edward R. Fuhrman Jr. solicited four student volunteers to play the game KerPlunk, a game he said showcases that “We all need supports. When they are removed, we are truly alone.”

Dr. Fuhrman also asked the graduates to find someone who supports them in the audience to yell “thank you” or “I love you” to during the ceremony. Each graduate received a diploma and shook hands with Alan Capasso, who will serve as their principal at Croton-Harmon High School in the fall before enjoying a reception on the HS campus field.

Photos courtesy of the Croton-Harmon School District