MOVING UP WITH SUNRISE
Opening this year’s Moving-Up in their own Sunrise Drive state-of-the-art Cafeteria/Auditorium, the Fifth-graders sang the school song (composed by Mrs. Amy Baron), Sunrise Drive You Are the One, for the last time as Sunrise Drive students, which they had learned in Kindergarten.
In her Welcome, Principal Rose Castello first introduced Middle School Principal Thomas Murray, who greeted the future Sixth-graders with reassuring words. Mrs. Castello continued by proudly citing many good works performed by the students, especially noting: “This past year two young men came to me about collecting food for those less fortunate.Their initiative led to the collection of over 2,700 lbs. of food by the students at Sunrise Drive for LI Cares. Some other students sold bookmarks and bracelets outside of school and donated the funds to our Thanksgiving food baskets for local families.”
“In October our students raised over $15,000 for the American Heart Association during our annual Jump Rope for Heart. Many students daily supervise and assist in the safe arrival and dismissal of our students. Our student council members created birthday boxes for children and donated them to the Sayville Food Pantry. They also raised money and donated funds to Alex’s Lemonade Stand for childhood cancer, The Theresa Foundation for children with special needs, FOCOS an orthopedic foundation, UNICEF and St. Jude.”
“These students, your children, have made a difference! A difference here at Sunrise Drive, in Sayville and to people they may never meet.”
Prior to the presentation of certificates to all the Fifth-grade students by their classroom teachers, select students were named for specific awards list below) followed by the musical interlude When I Grow Up.
Principal Castello also thanked the Sunrise Drive faculty for making a difference in the lives of their students.
Addressing her Fifth-graders for the last time, Mrs. Castello praised them for learning “much at Sunrise Drive; academically, socially and emotionally. You have grown and matured, ever moving forward toward independence. Many of you have demonstrated leadership, scholarship, character, citizenship and service to others. You are well-prepared for the challenges of Middle School. Although we don’t know what jobs you will hold in the future, I know that you can critically think, evaluate, read, and write.”
Once more, the music swelled as the students performed These Years Were Ours before they marched away amid tremendous applause.
ACADEMIC GOLD AWARDS
Kathryn Brady
Lainee Buck
Corinne Entenberg
Shannon Hanrahan
Ryan LaMar
Kaitlyn Menze
Brendan Meserve
Craig Messina
Alex Millwater
Jennifer O’Leary
Henry Pedisich
Alex Petruzzelli
James Schuster Jr.
Brooke Wandelt
SILVER AWARDS
Zachary Battell
Rhyan Christiansen
Courtney Giattino
Kayla Huisman
Mallory Kinahan
Max Llewellyn
Marissa McGrath
Meghan McLaughlin,
Samantha Young
FITNESS AWARD
GOLD
Craig Messina
Alex Millwater
(photos p7. l-r) Suffolk County NY State Comptroller • Emma Famularo
County Legislature Presiding Officer •Nathan Perez
Triple “C” • Michaela Re
Triple “R” • Marvin Peralta
Executive Public Service Award (presented by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone) • Kevin Bunk
