Two hundred and twenty-three eighth graders from both Lynbrook North Middle School and Lynbrook South Middle School celebrated the end of their middle school careers during their commencement ceremonies at Lynbrook High School on June 24.

Proud family, friends, staff, board members and district building and central administrators packed the high school gymnasium for both ceremonies to honor the graduates. Lynbrook North Middle School Principal Sean Fallon reflected on the graduating class and wished them the best of luck in high school.

“You are going to be missed,” he told the students. “I know you are going to do great when you go to the high school and they are lucky to be getting such a terrific group of young people.” 

Lynbrook South Middle School Principal Joseph Wiener also praised the Class of 2019 and asked the graduates to reflect on their own social and emotional growth.

“You have your whole lives to learn from your past and make for yourselves the best future you can imagine,” he said. 

During each ceremony, class speakers Ellie Gillis at North, and Kate Chiulli and Riley Fowler at South, reflected on their middle school experiences and the memories made. Many members of the Class of 2019 also received awards and scholarships for their notable academic achievements, character, music abilities and more. 

During South Middle School’s ceremony, the eighth grade chorus performed under the direction of Annie Pasqua, with returning alumnus David Padilla. At North Middle School’s ceremony, a video yearbook was presented which featured photos of the graduates. 

One by one, students were called up to receive their certificate of completion from middle school. Members of the Lynbrook Public Schools Board of Education congratulated each graduate as loved ones cheered. The graduates exited the ceremony with their heads held high, ready for high school.