MOVING UP AT CHERRY
After welcoming everyone to Cherry Avenue’s Moving-Up ceremony, new Principal, Dr. Lisa Ihne, acknowledged that the special day marked the closing of another chapter and the beginning of a new one in the students’ remarkable education.
“It has been a privilege to know the students and serve as their principal.” Dr. Ihne continued, “As a Fifth-grade, they are bright, eager students, well-prepared for the next phase of their education. They have helped make my first year at Cherry enjoyable and a memorable one. I have really enjoyed getting to know each and every one of the students, and I must admit that they’re one of the most respectful Fifth-grade groups I have ever met.”
Dr. Ihne thanked the parents for sharing their children with the Cherry Avenue community, encouraged the students (as they grew older and faced new challenges) to keep communication open with their parents, and closed with heartwarming sentiments; “Believe in yourself the way I do, and nothing will be beyond your reach. Congratulations Fifth-grade class. We are so proud of you. You will be missed!”
After the Moving-Up students were presented to Middle School Principal Mr. Thomas Murray, who invited the Sixth-graders to visit the building over the summer, the Special Awards portion of the ceremony (see list below) as well as the awarding of certificates followed.
Musical interludes during the program included the students singing Because of You, written and directed by Kristi Woerner. The traditional class gift was a unique ornamental garden sculpture, presented on behalf of the parents by Fifth-grade Committee parents Lisa Walker and Jean Feather, while the slide show was a sentimental journey that amused everyone. Thanks to the special talents of music teacher Kristi Woerner, the students ended the Moving-Up ceremony with a moving performance of Frozen’s Let It Go that had been cleverly paraphrased and re-titled Let Us Go!
ACADEMIC GOLD AWARDS
Tara Feather
Amber Gidden
Christina Guiffre
Cole Hansen
Angela Keane
Aidan Montalbine
Ryan Wilson
SILVER AWARDS
Nicholas Buffardi
Aidan Conroy
Jack Hanlon
Giavanna Kolczniski
Mary Madigan
Ariel Meza
Nicole Moccio
Jordan Milo
William Neuschwender
Jack Reinhardt
Emily Rosado
Katrina Schieck
Connor Tloczkowski
Grace Urmaza
FITNESS AWARD
GOLD
Sebastian Berlingieri
Nicholas Buffardi
Cole Hansen
Alexis Hellman
Brooke Hoss
Ryan Santoro
Katrina Scheik
SILVER
Taylor Banks
Rebecca Brielmeier
Nathan Casaburi
Jaden Catalina
Shelby Cook
Aiden DeVerna
Rebecca Diehl
Justin Doucet
Marykate Goconnier
Katie Gozaloff
Regan Hillary
Giavanna Kolczniski
Ashley Luffman
Mary Madigan
Adreanna Martin
Liam McGlinchey
Steven Miller
Nicole Moccio
Aiden Montalbine
Christopher Neumeyer
Nicholas Pitschi
Jeanmarie Politoski
Scott Rea
Jack Reinhardt
Gianna Romano
Emily Rosado
Emily Steffens
Grace Urmaza
Lindsey Walker
Lucas Walters
Anna White
Shayan Yajadda
Suffolk Zone Scholar-Athlete Award • Brook Hoss, Ryan Santoro; Cameron R Award • Mary Madigan; Cherry Good Choice • Ariel Miza; Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Public Service Award • Nicole Moccio;NYS Comptroller • Taylor Banks, Giavanna Kolczniski, Grace Urmaza; Marjorie Kemper (citizenship) • Angela Keane, Nicholas Buffardi; County Legislature Presiding Officer Award • Chloe McCormack-Faulk presented by Suffolk County Legislator William Lindsay III in honor of his late father; Representing NYS Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman at Cherry Avenue, Susan Connelly (a Sayville resident) presented the Triple “C” • Christina Guiffre & Emily Rosado for their commitments to better themselves, their school, their community, for their strength of character, and their remarkable courage.