Goetz, McAuliffe pupils getting set for graduation

BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - A total of 761 eighth-graders will be promoted in ceremonies to be held June 14-15 and then it will be off to high school in September.

"This ceremony is always special because it signals the beginning of a new and very important phase in students' lives," Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella said. "They are turning a corner and getting ready to embark on the journey of high school, which is a totally different and exciting experience."

Gialanella said the middle school curriculum has prepared the students well and the athletic and extracurricular activities have given them a taste of high school, although he said nothing compares to the real thing.

Students from the Carl W. Goetz Middle School and the Christa McAuliffe Middle School will be honored for their achievements in and out of the classroom.

"This eighth grade promotion is all about recognizing the progress they have made since they entered middle school as young sixth-graders and getting them motivated for the next level of their education," Gialanella said. "It is a unique time in their lives and we look forward every year to celebrating it."

The Goetz promotion ceremony will take place on June 14 at 6 p.m. at Jackson Memorial High School's Jack Munley Field, weather permitting.

In the event inclement weather forces the ceremony for Goetz to be held in the high school's Fine Arts Center, there will be two ceremonies, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Goetz students and families will be informed ahead of time what session they would attend, if the need arises.

The McAuliffe promotion ceremony is scheduled for June 15 at 6 p.m. at the high school's Jack Munley Field, weather permitting. If inclement weather causes the ceremony to be moved indoors, all students and families will move indoors to the Fine Arts Center at that time.

In addition to the presentation of diplomas for all students who are being promoted, many awards will be handed out during the ceremonies, including the Corridor of Champions Award for the student with the best academic record.

The Caring Award will be presented by the guidance department on behalf of the Ocean County Personnel and Guidance Association. This award honors a student who has given to another person, group or organization unselfishly and without expectation of reward.

At the Goetz promotion ceremony, 425 eighth-graders will be promoted. These students will attend Jackson Memorial High School as freshmen in September. The Goetz ceremony will feature speakers including Principal Faith Lessig, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella, Board of Education President Linda Lackay and several student speakers, including student council President Jamie Suzuki.

At the McAuliffe promotion ceremony, 336 eighth-graders will be promoted. These students will attend the new Jackson Liberty High School as freshmen in September. The McAuliffe ceremony will feature speakers including Principal Kevin DiEugenio, Gialanella, Lackay and several student speakers.

At the McAuliffe ceremony a Service Learning Award will be presented to the student who has accumulated the most service learning hours, both in and out of school.