Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  The Nederland Middle School eighth graders wanted to do it themselves. That’s just the kind of kids they are.

When they considered what their Continuation Ceremony would look like, they felt they could organize it as well, if not better than anyone else, so they did.

The Class of 2022 is rarin’ to move on, to become part of the high school, to become freshmen. They have always been a class of action as they moved up in grades in Ned schools.

Last Wednesday, 39 eighth graders received their certificates declaring them eligible for secondary school. At the ceremony, many of the students received academic awards and Presidential Excellence Awards.

The 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra performed “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” as a prelude and the 8th grade choir sang the National Anthem.

Eight graders Skylee Barry and Sadie Tye, the Masters of Ceremony handled their roles as if they were preparing to host their own talk show.

NMSHS Principal Carrie Yantzer told the eighth graders that now was their chance to take ownership, to look ahead to high school.

“Take care of yourself and each other.”

The eighth grade class was described as not just special, but remarkable as individual students were recognized for their academic prowess.

Gold and Blue Club members, those with outstanding grade point averages for the first semester were honored. Blue Club, 3.2 -3.799, included: Taylor Bradley, Sara Feeley, Julia Giecold, Eirwen McClish, Maisy Miller, Benjamin Nichols, Kaleb Oliver, Sadie Tye and Zachary Weiner.

Gold Club members included: Skylee Barry, Ivy Brundege, Marina Fortunato, Sajan Malla, Paul Masters, Ella Mueller, Natalie Taylor.

Students who received the Presidential Excellence Award are: Skylee Barry, Taylor Bradley, Madison Brewer, Ivy Brundege, Sara Feeley, Marina Fortunate, Julia Giecold, Anders Hendrickson, Tabitha Lamb, Sajan Malla, Paul Masters, Eirwen McClish and Maisy Miller.

NMSHS assistant principal and athletic director Rick Elertson reported that almost all students participated in a fall sports program but that number went down over the winter; he acknowledged the kids who performed in the fall plays and the spring musical; who joined science and yearbook and social groups; who took part in the myriad activities available to them.

“Don’t take middle school lightly,” he told the kids. “If you are one of the students who didn’t win an academic award, you can re-invent yourself in mid-August when you come back to school. I want that light bulb to go on, I want you to feel excited about high school.”

He said the eighth to ninth grade transition could be the most crucial in their academic success and urged the parents to become helicopters in guiding them.

“I love you guys,” he told the soon-to-be freshmen. “And remember, this place is better than all of the places down the hill.”

(Originally published in the May 31, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)