LIMESTONE, Maine — The Limestone Community School held their Middle-Level Academic Awards Assembly and Eighth-Grade Promotional on June 18 at the Boothby Auditorium in Limestone.
LCS Principal and Teacher Susan White was the first to grace the podium, as she welcomed friends, family, fellow students and, of course, the graduating eighth-grade students, who were the guests of honor.
The awards assembly and promotional was lucky to have longtime educator, Lois Brewer, as guest speaker for the ceremony, and she addressed the graduating eighth-graders with many words of wisdom.
Brewer broke her speech up into life-lessons for the students that were categorized as either very important or really important. In the really important category she explained to students that when they proceed on to high school it is really important to try.
“Since you have to be there anyway, you might as well try,” said Brewer. “Try to learn. Try to get along with others, try to help and try to enjoy every opportunity that comes your way.”
Another really important thing Brewer stressed the students should take with them to high school is the idea of respect.
“It’s important to respect others. Respect yourself and respect your family, especially anyone who’s provided you things like food and/or shelter. Also, respect your teachers and your school,” said Brewer. “What does that mean, respect? It’s pretty simple. It means being polite, being civil, being kind and a little bit grateful. This is a time when you will form who you will later become, and what better time to begin planning for your future than in high school.”
There were also a number of awards and recognitions handed out to both eighth-grade students and their underclassmen. High School and Eighth-Grade Social Studies Teacher Ralph Fantasia presented this year’s Geography Bee award winner, Ethan Smith, who will later be competing in the statewide Geography Bee competition.
Middle-level ELA/SS, Jill Plante was next to make her way to the podium to congratulate those students who received Young Authors Awards. The following students were recognized for the achievement; Ethan Smith and Angelina Campbell. The two students participated in the Aroostook Young Authors Institute, which spanned grades 4-8. The students’ chosen pieces were published in the traditional Maine Young Author’s booklet “Potatoes and Pussywillows.”
Middle-level staff and LCS administration then made their way to the stage for the presentation of eighth-grade promotional certificates. The eighth-graders who were ceremoniously promoted to ninth grade on June 18 were as follows; Stephenie Bragg, Spencer Ellis, Trevor Hale, Jacob Hatfield, David Levesque, Willie McGirt, Tyana McLaughlin, Morgan Miles, Matthew Pelkey, Timothy Reid, Alex Sprague, Cameron Sutherland, David Tucker and Dustin Wallace.