Washington Primary School sent its graduating class of third graders off in grand style at last week’s moving-up exercises. The youngsters marched into the commencement to strains of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance No. 1” and reveled in the spotlight.
A crowd of parents jammed into the school gym along with Superintendent James W. Polansky, Assistant Superintendent Beth McCoy and former Washington Principal Marsha Neville to celebrate the occasion and pay tribute to a sensational group of young people.
Retiring Washington School teacher Debbie Quiles was recognized during the moving up exercises.
“Today we celebrate all of the hard work our students dedicated to their academic careers here at Washington Primary School,” Principal Michelle Richards said. “Every morning our students pledge to be safe, respectful and responsible. They make a promise to never give up and reach for the stars. Every student in the moving-up Class of 2019 will make a difference in their school and community. I only had one year to serve as their principal, but the impact they made on my life will resound for the rest of my life. I hope that as they go through life and face obstacles, they will remember the great accomplishments they achieved here at Washington. And, those accomplishments will give them the courage to try again and never give up. They will blaze new trails at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School and Woodhull Intermediate School.”
Washington’s 2019 graduates include:
Teacher Victoria Creighton’s Class
Gianni Alvarez Canales, Jensen Argueta Hernandez, Janelle Benitez Euceda, Isaiah Bynum, Deyrin Corado Perez, Levi Coriolan, Karen Cruz Rodriguez, Christopher Diaz, Hennie England, Christopher Gomez Coreas, Sabino Gomez Morales, Mia Gulino, Timothy Hardge Jr., Misael Hernandez Benitez, Vanessa Iraheta Enamorado, Alexander Knapp, Jahsiah McDonald, Natalie, Mullaly, Yael Nechooshtan, Samuel Osias, Jonathan Sevilla Munguia, Hailey Stone, Ava Vega, Amy Velasquez Mancia, Sindy Velasquez Santos and Jose Walter.
Teacher Suzanne Dinehart’s Class
Olash Alvarez Lawrence, Chase Anastasia, Ava Bencivenga, Michael Bonilla Gomez, Janeyshka Camacho Ruiz, Geovanni Castro Ulloa, Eduardo Chavez Merlos, Mila Cris,
Kingsley Evans, Brian Fuentes Reyes, Jensy Granados Morales, Michael Grover, Fintan Hackett-Johnson, Timeyah Hardge, Katelyn Kim, Artturi Landau, Brianna Mata, Layla Odom, Jailene Osorio Bonilla, Anabella Rafailan, Arianna Ramirez Cruz, Yehobote Say, Alannah Seabrook, Spencer Sturges, Griffin Zarcone and Kateryne Zelaya Yanes.
Teacher Vanessa Ulloa’s Class
Luis Albizurez Franco, Valerie Alfaro, Caleigh Camarata, Charlie Cirlincione, Izabelle Colato, Jimena Cortez Lopez, Christopher Davila, Jaden Guardado Velasquez, Gabriel Hernandez Rodriguez, Jimena Mancia Guevara, Joan Manzanares Maradiaga, Amanda Marquez Granados, Samantha Martinez, Mariam Mendoza Alfaro, Amaris Moore, Bryan Munos Reyes, Je’Talia Nelson-Cambry, Snaijder Obando Romero, Ashlin Perez, Matthew Pin, Rylie Rabino, Martin Ramos Joyas, Lindsay Romero Bonilla, Sneijder Salas Santisteban, Edenilson Soriano and Lia Zivkovic.
The youngsters were called by name to step forward and be presented with a Certificate of Completion. Mr. Polansky and Mrs. McCoy congratulated each of the third graders, who all wore big smiles.
A series of special awards were also presented to students in each of the third grade classes.
The honorees included:
New York State Attorney General Triple C (Courage, Character, Commitment) Award: Samuel Osias, Valerie Alfaro, Fintan Hackett-Johnson
Math: Spencer Sturges, Jonathan Sevilla Munguia, Snaijder Obando,
Science: Jaden Guardado, Mila Cris, Gianni Alvarez
Social Studies: Artturi Landau, Ryle Rabino, Isaiah Bynum
Reading: Layla Odom, Lia Zivkovic, Alexander Knapp
Writing: Arianna Ramirez Cruz, Ashlin Perez, Natalie Mullaly
Art: Hennie England, Bryan Munos, Michael Bonilla Gomez
Physical Education: Kingsley Evans, Charlie Cirlincione, Janelle Benitez Eucdea
Music: Jose Walter, Anabella Rafailan, Caleigh Camarata
Dr. Richards introduced her predecessor to the crowd and Mrs. Neville took a bow to warm applause. Retiring teacher Debbie Quiles was also recognized for more than three dozen years of classroom service to the community.
“I sure am going to miss everything and everyone at Washington School,” third grader Kingsley Evans said. The youngster’s physical education teacher have tagged him as a future Huntington Blue Devil sports star and he has thrived in every way at the school.
The third graders had a party in the school gym on Friday, complete with a DJ, food and drinks all compliments of the Washington PTA. The youngsters danced, laughed and had a ball with each other.
