2019 Cherry Avenue Fifth-Graders Move Up

It is said “a little rainfall must fall,” but that did not dampen the bright spirits of the Cherry Avenue Moving-Up ceremony held on Friday, June 21, the first full day of summer.

Marching down the aisle of the District auditorium in the once Old Junior High to Pomp and Circumstance, the Fifth-graders processed in an orderly fashion to their seats. Along with the music, cheers from their families and friends accompanied them.

Dr. Ihne welcomed Cherry Avenue guests that included parents, family and friends, Sayville administrators along with Ms. Kimberly Kinirons, Assistant Attorney General, Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay, Mr. Ben Kemper, and both Board trustees Carl Cangelosi and Maureen Dolan, the father and grandmother, respectively, of two members from the Moving-Up class. After acknowledging the hard work  by the fifth-grade teachers, Mrs. Dawes, Mrs. Denton, and Mrs. Faulkner, who prepared the students for middle school and had organized the Moving-Up ceremony, Dr. Ihne admitted: “This cohort is very special to me as we both started Cherry Avenue the same year.  I can remember vividly how exciting it was for me to meet and greet our kindergarten students that year.  Time truly flies by.  Having been their principal for six years, I know firsthand how it has been a privilege to know them and serve as their Principal. They are a driven, caring, responsible, and fun group of students well prepared to enter the middle school. I have enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them and as much as I would like to hold onto them for much longer, it is time to move on to a new school setting.”

Dr. Ihne encouraged the “guests of honor”— the students—to “follow your dreams, remain positive, and persevere through the challenges ahead, as life does not always provide a smooth, straight path…” and reminded them that “your true best friends are your parents. Talk and share with them often…”

Dr. Ihne finished by presenting the class to Middle School Principal Mr. Thomas Murray, who welcomed the students to the middle school with words of assurance for both the students and the parents, “Two weeks,” he said, “Two weeks…before they’ll be running the place.”

The presentation of the special awards (see program) was followed by a musical presentation of You Will Be Found directed by Kristi Woerner, a slide show prepared by the Fifth-grade Committee, and the recognition of students.

After presenting bouquets to thank the Fifth-grade teachers, Mrs.Reiss from the PTA Fifth-grade Committee announced the traditional Class gift, a rock garden and weather station on the Cherry Avenue grounds (see insert).  

Before the final comments, the students performed one more time, We’re Off to Middle School, a familiar melody by the Jonas Brother but paraphrased for the Fifth graders by Kristi Woerner (see program). And for one last time, Dr. Ihne congratulated the now Sixth-graders who were all smiles as they processed out.

 A reception in the gymansium was hosted by the PTA Fifth-grade committee. 

Here are the Fifth-grade award winners from Cherry Avenue:

NYS Attorney General CCC Award: Braden Haas, Charles Leigh-Manuell

Suffolk County Legislator Character Excellence Award: Paige Manning

Marjorie Kemper Memorial Awards: Lucia Gamble, Dylan Walsh

County Executive Public Service Award: Brady Spreckels

NYS Comptroller Achievement Award: Patrick Coan, Julia Sack, Delilah Cummings

Cherry Good Choice Award: Emma Burns

Cameron Riccomini Memorial Scholarship: Dylan Lutz

Presidential (GOLD)

Kate D’Andrea, Abigail Dean-Stahl, Paige Manning, Brady Spreckels, Julia Sack

Presidential (SILVER)

Emma Burns, Alex LaBella, Jake Madsen, Braden Haas, Anthony Artusa, Samantha Rampulla, Charles Leigh-Manuell, Carly Cangelosi, Benjamin Richards, Nathaniel Strittmatter