San Rafael Junior High eighth grade closing program

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

San Rafael’s eighth grade class held their closing program on May 23. They will enter Emery High where they will be the first ninth grade class at the school.
Daxton Sorensen welcomed everyone to the program. He thanked everyone for their involvement in the life of the students. Everyone has played a part in their success including: sports teams, librarians, janitors, lunch ladies, teachers, parents, principal, secretary, everyone. Sorensen said they will be the first class of ninth graders at Emery High and they will take all of their accomplishments and successes with them as they prepare to move on. He wished everyone good luck with this next step of high school.
Wade Huggard spoke about what sports has taught him. He said a true champion never gives up. They give it everything they have. He instructed to write down your goals and to set goals. Set your goals then get up and get going and make them a reality. Sports taught him about friends. “You will always have to work with other people,” said Huggard, “Sports has helped shape who I am.”
Sydney Stilson performed Sonatina Op. 6 No. 6 composed by Clemente.
Straight A honor students for seventh and eighth grade included Wade Huggard, Cora Peterson, Sydney Stilson, Parley Toomer and Alexis Winter.
Straight A honor students for eighth grade year was Bryar Meccariello.
Parley Toomer thanked the support system that all the students have had to get where they are today. He said he had a couple of goals when he entered junior high. He wanted to be smarter than his Dad, “I achieved that in seventh grade,” he joked. He is thankful for the friends he has had who helped remind him when papers were due. He thanked his other friends including; google, Youtube and copy and paste.
“Your family and your parents are proud of you today. Today would be a good day to ask them for money,” said Toomer.
Alexis Winter talked on the importance of having a good attitude and thinking positive thoughts. “It’s not always easy, but try to have a good attitude in all aspects of your lives,” she encouraged. Think good thoughts, A great day becomes a great week and then a great week becomes a great month and in the end it becomes a great life.
Allison Thomas played “Williwaw” composed by Lynda Lybeck-Robinson.
Principal Doug Mecham presented the straight A awards and the parents of the students were recognized along with the students.
Principal Mecham said as these eighth graders leave to attend Emery High maybe they are a little scared or worried. Maybe they weren’t ready to leave junior high. He said when school starts next August, they are going to miss the junior high. “Be brave enough to say goodbye and courageous enough to say hello to opportunity.
Principal Mecham presented Alexis Winter with the female athlete award and Bryar Meccariello with the male athlete award.
Parley Toomer received a math award, Nathan Rice received an accelerated reader award. History awards were give to Malory Hoffman, Kagan Hiatt, McKinlee Anderson and Braiden Howard. Morgan Hughes earned a science award. In language arts awards were give to Wade Huggard, Sydney Stilson, Brittannia Waite and Parley Toomer.
The students visited with family and friends and had many photos taken after the program. A dance was held at the school after the program.