Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Thirty-eight Nederland Elementary fifth graders said goodbye to elementary school last week. Principal Laurel Reckert welcomed a crowd of family members to celebrate these students and their years at NES.

The fifth-grade band and orchestra played a couple of songs each. Then, they came together using Orff instruments, recorders, band and orchestra instruments and voice to perform Oh, Watch the Stars. This is a beautiful African American lullaby from the Gulah culture on the islands off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina. 

Students then lined up to receive a certificate from their teachers, Tammy Forrest and Brenda Theodorakos. Some students also chose to share a school memory or say thank you to their families. The ceremony ended with the fifth graders singing a farewell song. They sang High Hopes, by Panic! at the Disco. They are a great group of singers! 

Sincere thanks to band/orchestra teacher Christine Mallery, choir/music teacher Susan Jones, fifth grade teachers Brenda Theodorakos and Tammy Forrest and ICAN paraeducator Meaghan Irrig. We wish all the fifth graders the best in their journey at middle school and beyond. 

Ms. Forrest’s class: Eliza Baumhover, Zinevra Creapeau Julseth, Charlie Davis, Yami Flores, Riley Higgins, Melanie Hill, Mason Ivey, Gary Koziel, Indio Koonz, Ezra Leary, Reya Levy, Avery Monroe-Kelley, Mason Novak, Corbin O’Rourke, Halle Peiffer, Griffin Petrovic-Jones, Jace Thurston, Luke Ulmer, Tatum Vernon, Benjamin Weber.

Ms. Theodorakos’ class: Perrine Breche, Colton Crapsey, Mohammad Czeponis, Leo Filippello, Tyler Goodnow, Ruby Gustafson, Liam Helmer, Drew Hertzfeld, Abigail Hess, Jesse Martin, Silas McQueen, Liona Mites, Isiah Roberts, Liam Robertson, Olive Strum, Sierra Tomlinson, Ty Williams, Nigel Worthington

(Originally published in the May 30, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)