Blue Mountain Sends Eighth Graders Off to High School with 2026 Moving Up Ceremony
On a sun-splashed evening on Wednesday, June 24, families, faculty, and friends gathered on the Blue Mountain Middle School blacktop beside the Memorial Garden to celebrate the Eighth Grade Moving Up Ceremony.
Following the student processional, Reagan O’Gara and Elise Van Dekker led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moving performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Maya Abdallah, Hope Alvarez, Emma Campbell, Savannah Freire, Laurilee Jacoby, London Kubichko, and Leahnna Lima.
Principal Dr. William X. Toro then delivered opening remarks, welcoming attendees, urging students to give a round of applause to their families, then reflecting on the accomplishments and growth of the graduating class.
“Your future is not something you enter; it’s something you create,” Dr. Toro said. “The choices you make today are building a life you will live tomorrow. Class of 2026, be courageous, be compassionate, be humble, work hard, continue learning, believe in yourself, and never forget where the journey began.”
The program featured thoughtful reflections from student speakers Laurilee Jacoby and Keyla Quichimbo Samaniego. Jacoby spoke candidly about the realities of middle school and the importance of perseverance, reminding her peers that growth often comes through imperfect moments. Samaniego encouraged her classmates to embrace challenges and look ahead with confidence.
“We are capable of so much more than we realize,” she said. “Through every pop quiz, school dance, or project, we figure it out. We learn that it’s OK to make mistakes.”
In a heartfelt moment, she also paid tribute to retiring eighth-grade teacher Amy Deegan, acknowledging her lasting impact on students. Following her speech, Ms. Deegan greeted Samaniego with a warm hug, drawing applause from the audience.
Musical selections added to the evening’s celebratory tone, including a performance of “Remember Me” by the middle school band under the direction of Katherine Filatov.
The ceremony culminated with the presentation of certificates by Dr. Toro and Assistant Principal Maria Pearson. Each student was first introduced by their homeroom teacher in recognition of this important milestone.
The ceremony marked the end of the eighth graders’ middle school journey and the beginning of an exciting new chapter that awaits at Hendrick Hudson High School in September.
“It is an opportunity to discover new passions, develop your talents, challenge yourself, and continue becoming the person you are meant to be,” Dr. Toro said. “As you move forward, remember that your future is not something that simply happens to you. It is something that you create.”